one thing i think about often is that most games one plays over long periods of time have some sort of skinner box, a power or completionism grind. i definitely don't like relying on those but like worlds that one has long term relationships with. so: what are other models?
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Skill - Counterstrike comes to mind as a game where the grind really doesn't matter, you can just play the base game for an infinite period of time and get better and better.
Long term strategic planning. Something like Civilization or Crusader Kings. They have a knowable or conceivable set of paths for players to set up and execute strategies based on intrinsic challenges.
