World of Warcraft Addiction

[sel]

Ok so i am still new here but I like your guys forum<,< and I am bored at work so i wanna hear some opinions. Maybe some of you hate online games i dont know.

Anyways i have been playing this online game World of Warcraft (WoW) for about 2 and a half years now, give or take a little. I first started out as just playing the game for fun and leveling up.

Then I join a little guild and we had ventrilo ( a program you use to talk to people online with for free) and blah blah they found out i am a chick. Then like all of a sudden omg shes a girl she is playing this online game la la.

And so then they all started to talk to me about raiding and getting all these items for my character. And then thats when I got sucked in

the Satan of all evil got me addicted to this game like crack. And i always have to have better.

Right now I am in a guild who has killed everything in the game, I even pre ordered the new expansion Wrath of the Lich king, and plan to go stand outside in the freezing cold at midnight ot pick the game up, and even take 2 days off of work so i can "power level" my character.

A part of me really wants to quit, but I don't go out much so this is something I do when i get home from work.

I even get" shakey" if my internet goes out and I cant play wow its like i'm pacing around the house and everything. I could probably sell my character for $1000-$2000.

And another thing is the whole female gamer thing. Its like we are always getting constantly labeled as " omg shes talking to him she must be cybering, or gosh shes an E-whore I wonder how she got her gear, girls can't play games!"

So ya what should I do i dont know lol @_@!!!!!

Maybe this was a little bit of a rant too lord sorry......

[ChadTower]

I've known several guys who had problems with online gaming... back in college it was Quake 2, half my class failed out the semester that was released.  But I know a couple now who are so addicted to WoW that they freak out if we're at someone's house that doesn't have a broadband connection.  And we're talking college graduates with good careers, families, and nice homes, so it's not like they are escaping a terrible life by playing the game.

[missioncontrol]

OMG we got a chick posting on our arcade forum

[HaRuMaN]

A guy at work plays WoW.  He's been trying to get me to play...  but I know I'll be addicted, so I won't try it.   

I used to play a MUD nonstop about 9 years ago (pre-WoW days, all text based Multi User Dungeon for all you young peeps).  Very addictive.

[PCtech]

Welcome to the forum. 

WOW is crack....I been on for about 2 years now, and it's hard to walk away from.  My current sub ran out yesterday, and I'm committed to staying off for awhile.  Sadly, I spent about 2 hours playing Warcraft3 last night to get a "fix"

I think the # of girls playing games increased a lot in the 90's with some of the consoles, but today, it not that strange.

Especially on WOW.  The leader of my guild is a woman, and there are tons on there (at least they say they are women).

 

[Chris G]

If you're seriously asking what you should do... I'd say force yourself to cut back.  The internet goes out and you get shaky?  That would scare the hell out of me if I felt that way.  I'd suggest finding some other things you're interested in (preferably offline).

OTOH, I just installed Warhammer last night.  

Regarding the guys... who cares what they think?  There's probably not much you can do about that.

[missioncontrol]

If you're seriously asking what you should do... I'd say force yourself to cut back.  The internet goes out and you get shaky?  That would scare the hell out of me if I felt that way.  I'd suggest finding some other things you're interested in (preferably offline).

this from a guy who can't avoid forums for more than an hour or two...

[RayB]

what you should do... ? Ask yourself why your entire life is wrapped up in WoW. And be honest with yourself when you do.

[PCtech]

If you're seriously asking what you should do... I'd say force yourself to cut back.  The internet goes out and you get shaky?  That would scare the hell out of me if I felt that way.  I'd suggest finding some other things you're interested in (preferably offline).

this from a guy who can't avoid forums for more than an hour or two...

Pot meet kettle

[AtomSmasher]

Back in college one of my friends became addicted to FallOut 2 (this was back when it first came out) and after he failed all of his classes that quarter he realized he had a problem.  He then gave all of his games to a friend and told him not to give them back until summer, and he also decided not to start playing any new games.  The next quarter he got straight A's in his classes and decided to permanently give up gaming.  He became one of the top people in his field (Chemical Engineering).

I also knew two other people in college who were not able to kick their gaming habit and failed out of school because of it.  It's now about 8 years later I haven't heard from one of the guys, but the other one is still living with his parents and working at Knott's Berry Farm.

Basically, if gaming is taking over your life and is effecting your work/school, then you should seriously consider going cold turkey from gaming for at least a while.  Uninstall WoW, give the disk (or access code or changed password or whatever) to a friend or family member, and tell them not to give it back for one month.

However, if gaming doesn't effect your real life, then game on    (However this doesn't seem to be the case from what you posted)

[missioncontrol]

basically if your asking if you have a problem, then chances are yes you have a problem....

[Twinpanther]

For me it all started with EQ (Everquest, predecessor to WoW) for a few years.  Use to play two accounts at the same time.  That lasted about five years.  Then WoW arrived and I played that for a few years.  I don't know what it is about these games that is so addicting but I was hooked.  BTW, my first toon was female and I let everyone think I was a girl because it is amazing what these guys will give you or do for you when they think they they are being chivelrous (or just horny teenagers).

I've always been healthy.  Growing up playing sports, hanging out with friends, got married and had kids.  I guess for me it was an escape from "Real Life" and the stresses it has.  BTW, my wife HATES these games and I never understood why at first. 

Then one day I went to the doctor with complaints of feeling tired and he seemed concerned about my legs and sent me to a Neurologist.  Long story short, after months of testing and biopsies it turns out I have three forms of Muscular Dystrophy.  I'd probably be in a wheelchair in 5-8 years.  As soon as I was diagnosed I lost my job and ended up on Disability.  You'd think stress like that would drive me into the game all the more.  Nope, it made me realize "Real Life" is too precious to waste sitting at a computer monitor (like I'm doing now, hmm irony anyone? lol) for hours at a time. 

My hobbies now are Nature/Sports Photography with my wife and building my first cabinet.  It keeps me busy and gets me out of the house. 

Guess all I'm trying to say is WoW is like High Fructose Corn Syrup.  It's fine in moderation!  (Cheesy US commercial reference, sorry)

[Malenko]

You guys haven't asked her to post pix yet? I'm ashamed.

As for WoW, you are addicted. Cold turkey or ween yourself off, your call. If I were you, first I'd post pix, then I'd sell the WoW character especially if that's the going rate.

[sel]

You guys haven't asked her to post pix yet? I'm ashamed.

As for WoW, you are addicted. Cold turkey or ween yourself off, your call. If I were you, first I'd post pix, then I'd sell the WoW character especially if that's the going rate.

I've heard that a million times I need something shocking and original

[shardian]

I have never played WoW, and never will. A few weeks ago, we were in the nursery of our church and chatting with several other sets of young parents like us. Somehow WoW came up, and 2 of newborn moms went all glaze eyed and professed their love for WoW. One of them I know for a fact was a goodie 2 shoes preppie girl in school. They just went on and on about it. One of them has sold several characters. I was in complete shock, and said "I thought I was the only nerd in here - turns out I don't hold a candle to most of you!" 

[ChadTower]

You guys haven't asked her to post pix yet? I'm ashamed.

Seriously, every time this poor girl posts someone jumps on her right away.  No wonder we have so few women around here and no wonder some of them won't reveal that they are female.

I won't play MMOs mostly because I barely use a PC outside of 9-5 m-f.  I spend enough time at a damn computer during the work week.  I'll go along with the multiple suggestions that you take a total hiatus.  Spend a full two weeks outside of the game and see how it goes.

[HaRuMaN]

^ I suggest that Chad take a total hiatus from posting here for two weeks and see how that goes...   

[PCtech]

^ I suggest that Chad take a total hiatus from posting here for two weeks and see how that goes...   

[ChadTower]

^ I suggest that Chad take a total hiatus from posting here for two weeks and see how that goes...   

I was gone for several months, remember? 

[missioncontrol]

^ I suggest that Chad take a total hiatus from posting here for two weeks and see how that goes...   

I was gone for several months, remember? 

yeah, its sad all good things must come to an end ....

[shardian]

I won't play MMOs mostly because I barely use a PC outside of 9-5 m-f.  I spend enough time at a damn computer during the work week. 

That is the truth. My eyes are shot once I get home. I try no to get on the pc at all when at home. I couldn't imagine playing games for hours at a time while my family is there.


Now back in the day, my wife (the gf) and me got addicted to The Sims. Never played it online, but we played a bunch, mostly together. I preferred to 'back seat drive', and use my perfect 20/20 hindsight. 

[Malenko]

You guys haven't asked her to post pix yet? I'm ashamed.

Seriously, every time this poor girl posts someone jumps on her right away.  No wonder we have so few women around here and no wonder some of them won't reveal that they are female.

I won't play MMOs mostly because I barely use a PC outside of 9-5 m-f.  I spend enough time at a damn computer during the work week.  I'll go along with the multiple suggestions that you take a total hiatus.  Spend a full two weeks outside of the game and see how it goes.

Thanks for getting the reference while at the same time NOT getting the reference, amazing. 

Oh and actually I don't care if she posts pix or not.

Odds are:
they wont be nudes
I'll never meet her anyway
and I'm probably much better looking.


 Either way, she needs to find a new hobby, maybe start carving wood or something?

[punxrus]

^ I suggest that Chad take a total hiatus from posting here for two weeks and see how that goes...   

[ChadTower]

Thanks for getting the reference while at the same time NOT getting the reference, amazing. 

I was agreeing with you.  Chill.

[Malenko]

I was agreeing with you.  Chill.

Dont do that, makes me look bad.   

[missioncontrol]

Malenko

[sel]

I can handle whatever you all say lol dont worry about that i've been there done that heard that etc.

I been playing these online games since i was like 12 when Ultima Online came out <,< and im 22 now sooooo i've had some years to take it all in lol.

but ya, I think ill try to find other activities to do this weekend...I get off work in like an hourish...

My room needs to be cleaned.... laundry idk, all my friends are in Florida/California. Can't wait to get my financial life back so i can go back to college already, which i went for a year so far for Game art and Design at the art institute in tampa Florida but i messed up i had a 3.7 gpa and i stopped going to class......so i j ust got a job and i gues its a start right <,< got about $2000 to pay back in rent before i can differ my student loan and go back

Not sure what kind of language you guys use here but uh
when my dad was alive he didn't raise a ---Bad words, bad words, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when saint censors you?--- daughter so lol @_@ ok

[saint]

A guy at work plays WoW.  He's been trying to get me to play...  but I know I'll be addicted, so I won't try it.   

I used to play a MUD nonstop about 9 years ago (pre-WoW days, all text based Multi User Dungeon for all you young peeps).  Very addictive.

Wife and I were addicted to mudding as well. Sanctuary first, then Illusions of the Mind. Hard hard hard habit to break.

[shardian]

I was addicted to Diablo and Team Fortress online BITD, but my crappy pc and crappy dial-up defaulted me out of the scene. 

Once games moved to the subscription system, my naturally cheap nature prevents me from paying for something that should be free.

One thing I really need explained to me though, is the selling of in game stuff for real money. It all started with Diablo II. I remember seeing the ebay listings, and assumed it had to be a joke at first.

Why in the world would someone pay $1000 for a stupid game character?

Why would someone pay real world money for in-game equipment??

Hello people, it is a frikkin game!

[ark_ader]

There has to be a comedy skit based on AA meetings for online gamers.

I have a WOW account, and have been playing the game on and off for 2 years.  The funny part is that my main character is at level 45 since 2006.  Mainly because it can get so boring killing animals and monsters to get higher at rank.  This is called grinding.  So you progress higher by doing quests and missions.

Then you opt to go on a quest with 6 others, most likely due to my abilities to kill and keep everyone alive.  Or you have a item they want or something like that.

So picture you are doing good getting though this quest - when 4 of the "buddies" in your group say: "Well that was fun, time to go to bed, my mom is shouting me" and the guys you thought was adults was in fact a 12 year olds, playing on his dad's computer.  OK.

So what, right?  Well when your buddies leave its certain doom for you and the 45 minutes or so you wasted doing the quest.  And you are paying $18 or 9 pounds a month after spending $30 for the software.  In my case its double as I have to buy new software to play on US servers as I have a UK software pack.   

Its not all doom and gloom as you join a Guild and a few kind souls help you out from time to time.  I find it expensive if you do not play it for an hour or so a day.

Let us not forget the patches or updates you HAVE TO download before the game starts.  My current patch is 3 gig, which I have to download from Blizzard at 30kbs or torrent which there is no throttle so it defeats the purpose. All together to patch WOW from DVD or CD is over 6 gig.  The game is 3 gig already.

Which you think after you update its cool and ready to play, until after reboot you have to download yet another 600mb to 2 gig patch.   

So if you have a 2 gig cap on your line - tough.  Luckily I don't, but some do and it is not funny.

I have to admit the European servers are very fast.  The US West coast servers are a joke.  You move your character 20 feet in one direction, the screen freezes and 10 seconds go by and the game catches up.  Call Blizzard - they say its your ISP, even though you can get 10 ms pings on Counter Strike at a further distanced server.   Hmmm

Well they must be making some money from gamers eh?

5,000,000.00 (users) times $18 a month + the Game and Addons is quite a chunk of change, and I'm not counting the exchange rate for sterling or Euro worldwide.  Not bad, so they can afford some new servers and increase the capacity......  No.

So have I been neglecting my cabs for WOW?  Yes when it rains.

So there you have it, it sucks but you still play it.  Sounds like Robby Roto.

Go figure.   
 

[HaRuMaN]

A guy at work plays WoW.  He's been trying to get me to play...  but I know I'll be addicted, so I won't try it.   
I used to play a MUD nonstop about 9 years ago (pre-WoW days, all text based Multi User Dungeon for all you young peeps).  Very addictive.

Wife and I were addicted to mudding as well. Sanctuary first, then Illusions of the Mind. Hard hard hard habit to break.

It's how my wife and I met, actually.  We both played a MUD called Moongate, met IRL one day, and that was that... 

[Twinpanther]

Not AA but funny WoW based stuff.  Been around a while but worth reposting.

World of Wifecraft
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVhwwFHGEFI[/youtube]
Internet is for Porn (WoW character version)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWEjvCRPrCo[/youtube]

[Chris G]

A guy at work plays WoW.  He's been trying to get me to play...  but I know I'll be addicted, so I won't try it.   
I used to play a MUD nonstop about 9 years ago (pre-WoW days, all text based Multi User Dungeon for all you young peeps).  Very addictive.

Wife and I were addicted to mudding as well. Sanctuary first, then Illusions of the Mind. Hard hard hard habit to break.

It's how my wife and I met, actually.  We both played a MUD called Moongate, met IRL one day, and that was that... 

Oh I thought he was talking about drywall.   

[Flip_Willie]

Back in college one of my friends became addicted to FallOut 2 (this was back when it first came out). . .

   Funny you should mention this. I played this a lot last semester (I am in college currently). Fortunately, it didn't effect my grades. ;•)

   I played the original fallout a lot when it was released, but never played Fallout 2 till this year.

   Man, what a good game.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[Mauzy]

Am I the only person in the world that played WoW for the month that came with it and just couldn't get into it?

[saint]

I've never played WOW

[AtomSmasher]

Am I the only person in the world that played WoW for the month that came with it and just couldn't get into it?

Nope, I did that as well.

[xar256]

I'm another one of the former MUD players (Beyond the Veil of Shadows).  And if it's one thing I learned there, it that I let myself get too involved in those types of games. 
As such, I've never tried Wow(although I've been tempted, Evercrack or anything like that.  The closest as I got would be the Kingdom of Loathing, which fortunatly has a # of turns / day limit, so I can't spend every waking moment on there.  It's a small victory I guess.   

[massive88]

I have played both EQ and WoW at high levels.  My advice is if you are to the point to where you question if its healthy for you to keep playing or not, to quit cold turkey.  Sell your account, scramble your account to your guild forums, and go take a vacation somewhere instead with those 2 days off.

Once you break the routine of needing to know the raiding schedule and what dropped, and who was there etc, its easy to see that you are better off without it.  Believe me, guilds move on without you, and that all important spot you thought you filled will be easily replaced.  A vacation, even if its a small one, will do wonders to help in that end.  Go somewhere without your computer.

[protokatie]

I'm actually thinking about getting a WOW addiction for the winter. I am laid off as of the 12th, and will need something to pass the time...