Clausewitz "On Gaming"

Jonathan Steinhauer looks to Clausewitz' influential doctrine on warfare to see how WoW's morale system measures up.

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Actually "runners" have been around since EQ at least... possibly even earlier in various text muds.

In most MMORPG's the "morale" model for an NPC is simplified to a decision to "fight" or "uh-oh, better get more guys". In DAOC they took the model a bit further, in that the mobs would size up your group and the amount of initial damage and decide if they wanted to "bring-a-friend". And if they were losing they actually shouted for help. You got text that said something to the effect of "the Rabid Groundhog squeals for help!" and all his buddies came running.

I don't play wow, but in most games you get all the free strikes you want on the runner... however, his friends will take advantage of your own unprotected back-side.

Essentially having to controll a runner is just part of the game, IMO. Designers use the mechanic to encourage cooperation and grouping... in that a solo player against multiple mobs SHOULD have a problem controlling the fight.

As far as the more elaborate "shaken" rules go, I figure that we're NOT two armies on a battlefield. I wouldn't argue against more elaborate morale systems in specific situations, but most game encounters are probably modeled adequately by the "fight-or-run-screaming-for-help-like-a-little-girly" model.

After all, we're usually the aggressors... like thugs breaking into someone's home or out mugging pedestrians. ;)