One of the most mind boggling things about this game I find, specifically with the players, is how players enjoy playing the game for 12-15minutes at a time
What I mean by this is that, in my experience playing thousands of games, the vast majority of players when in a game, are looking to kill their opponent and win the game as fast as possible. And this usually occurs between 12-15minutes. If the 15 minute prophecy is not fulfilled then the game may run for 20minutes, give or a take a few minutes.
Why do players find short games fun? I don't get it.
Is it the short lived, but intense spike in dopamine and adrenaline they get when their t1 spam or quick t2 land push finally overwhelms their opponent that decided they want to try eco, therefore sacrificing some unit volume in the process which ultimately leads to their quick demise?
Rushing gun at minute 9 and pushing your unsuspecting and caught off guard enemy by surprise. It's a thrill sure, obliterating your opponent is rapid fashion. Nice one.
But you kill your guy and the game is likely over then. Sure the team can play on but in most cases, this is just a catalyst to the enemy teams quick demise.
You won the game. It only took you 15minutes. Let's go get another game. Let's go wait a bunch more time in the tmm queue, or sit in a lobby for half hour so we can do all that again lol.
My points is that, we enjoy playing this game. So why not intend to play a game that actually lasts a good length of time. You know, play the game. Because you play the game to play the game. You do not play the game to not play the game. That does not make sense. Playing the game is more fun that not playing the game. So why do you rush something you enjoy so quick, to lead to a state that is you not playing the game. Why not intend to do the thing you want to be doing - playing the game - for as long as possible, so that you find yourself in a situation where you are not playing the game. Of course there are diminishing returns in fun when playing the game, and games can and do become boring, that's a matter of subjectivity. Some guys could probably play this game for 10hours and still be having fun. But surely a sane person would agree that doing something you enjoy for longer, is objectively more fun than doing something you enjoy in a shorter space of time.
The arguments that long games are boring or stale or end game meta is all the same also doesn't make sense to me . In the long game when everyone has big bases and big eco, your options are limitless as far as what the game can offer. The same can not be said for the tech 1 state of any game since you are obviously restricted to tech 1.
No matter what map you play or what format, your enemy, no matter his rating or skill or experience, is looking to end you, and thereby end the game as quick as possible. This is my experience.
I understand we are playing a real time strategy game in an online competitive format. I get that. But not every game is a $10,000 tournament final where it is absolutely imperative that you must kill your opponent in the quickest most opportune way you know how or are able.
I know some players will agree with what I am saying, but I know most players will probably disagree. They find the first 15minutes the most exciting. Which I am not arguing with per se. This is the stage that typically decides a game in the majority of games it seems. And the first 15 minutes are for sure fun, raiding opponents, defending raids, pushing for map control etc..
But come on..
Tell me, what is more fun.. a 10k worth of mass t1 land battle, or a 250k worth of mass t1/t2/t3/t4 land battle?
Is rushing navy 10 seconds faster than your opponent and getting 4 additional frigates and 2 subs to crush your opponent, locking him out the navy and effectively beating him really more fun than getting to a stage where you both have a U.S. sized naval armada going to town on eachother. There is so much more fun in the latter, in every possible way.
Or are you blind sided with the raw stimulation you get when quickly dispatching your opponent as quickly and ruthlessly as possible? Way to go.
Of course I have been on the receiving end of such gameplay many times, and being the one myself to fulfill the 15 minute prophecy. It's quite fun winning in 15minutes. It's a thrill to kill your guy quick and win quick. But it can never be more fun than a competitive 1 hour game where the game completely opens up in scale and fun.
I just wish more players preferred the long game, the epic scale the game can offer and the epic battles than can occur.
Remember, this is my opinion. You have yours. I have mine.
The bottom line is this. There is no argument that can convince me that playing this game for 15minutes is more fun than playing this game for 1 hour.