Where I think user-generated content does work brilliantly is in terms of generating stuff that mainstream games companies don’t want to bother making. Whether that’s vampire weddings or giant octopus jetskis. But what I think borders on taking your fans for a ride is when user-generated content is used instead of good in-house generated content. In essence, I didn’t find Maxis’ Spore creatures particularly brilliant – and they should have been in that game. There was the sense that they plopped out a few random creatures to get the ball rolling, then expected users to generate better stuff (which they did).

So “it’s not a game level it’s just a jacket” makes perfect sense if the thing you really want is a game level. But “it’s not a game level it’s just an art gallery / jetski / tropical island / danceclub / university / philosophy discussion / giant octopus / vampire RP game / wedding dress” seems kind of silly once your head is no longer in the “it has to be a game with levels” space.

User-generated content may not be the best way to get new games levels. But imho it is definitely the best way to get *everything*…

I genuinely believe in some game environments and in some ways, generating your own content is part of the enjoyment. But I guess one of the things I feel about UGC is that it’s not “real” creation. The amount of time some of us put into scripting animations in Second Life would be better put into going and writing a book or scripting a game or their own animation series. In other words, something that didn’t just reflect on someone else’s game world.

So yes, all too often, it is just a “chore” – a virtual cubicle job where you’re grafting for “the man”. When actually, all that creative energy and vitality would be better for you and the world spent elsewhere.

Far from being, as you seem to suggest, a “chore” for people, the potential to create items is critical. Allowing folks to then own those items also ensures that people become vested in their experience. And “creating” includes creating your own character. Winning “points” to enhance your status/gain new weapons/beat the boss is just another form of economic exchange where the “points” act like money.

Just an observation – don’t want to post a 20-page thesis

Just let users rate their own content, and each others. So people can sign up to the level of content they feel comfortable with. And have a banhammer for racist, homophobic etc. content. Or should even that stuff be allowed, just clearly marked and rated as such?

I don’t know – the public’s unerring tendency to insert indecent imagery into every single facet of user-generated content, actually reinvigorates my faith in humanity.