Hobbies And Interests
Butterfly Effect
Chaos theory examines the progression of complex systems, making note of how specific preliminary conditions can trigger a range of unpredictable behavioral fluctuations. A popular concept known as the butterfly effect is a prime example of chaos theory, implying that the movement of a butterfly̵7;s wings in one location could offset a chain of unexpected weather patterns in another location. Although chaos theory was initially a mathematical concept, its applications have expanded into other disciplines, including physics, economy and ecology.
MMORPGs and Chaos
The creators of ̶0;EVE Online̶1; envisioned the game as a functional application of the butterfly effect, in which ̶0;all player actions, no matter how subtle or bold, always have an impact.̶1; The game is structurally different from the typical MMORPG format, containing a single server in which all players engage, instead of multiple copies of the game world. Within the chaos theory model, this single universe is one of the initial conditions that contribute to a sensitive, variable system. The first choices you make in the game are also major factors, including which futuristic race you join and the skills you train. Each race has distinct characteristics that affect your position in the ̶0;EVE̶1; environment, shaping your perspective and how you choose to interact with other players.
Gameplay
Although choices at the beginning set the stage for gameplay, your individual responses to each situation are unpredictable, and as a result, open the door to unanticipated outcomes. The ̶0;EVE Online̶1; trailer presents the example of a player who stops to rescue a mining barge from aggressive pirates. This merciful act garners favor from the barge̵7;s allies, granting the player the opportunity to join a powerful space corporation. However, these new friends are at war with another dominant corporation, forcing the player into a dangerous intergalactic rivalry. The encounter with the barge was influenced by personal autonomy, but the timing of the player̵7;s arrival presented the conditions for the encounter to take place. In a simple non-chaotic system, the outcome of each encounter isn̵7;t dependent on small differences in environmental conditions.
Considerations
Chaos is not a measure of disorder, but rather, is meant to emphasize the reality that key variables can̵7;t always be stabilized or even known. Whether modified or not, a specific variable can lead to disproportionate results that are often difficult or impossible to recalculate. However, this quality of unpredictability is viewed as a benefit in MMORPGs. Players interested in a realistic gaming experience are offered the opportunity to determine their own fates and impact the destinies of others as well. The storyline and characters provide a framework for gameplay, but you can ultimately determine your own role in the game.