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...

[sel]

i raid only one or 2 days  a week right now,

you can come be bored w/ me -.- /sigh

;s its friday and im not doing diddly squat ... oh well

[ChadTower]

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.

I did MUDs, but never dug how you lost everything you had won when you logged out.  I was, however, a heavy heavy MOO user back in the day.  Think of MUDs but object oriented with user generated content.  Then consider that it was mostly ubergeeks trying to get laid.  So, yeah.

[HaRuMaN]

I did MUDs, but never dug how you lost everything you had won when you logged out.  I was, however, a heavy heavy MOO user back in the day.  Think of MUDs but object oriented with user generated content.  Then consider that it was mostly ubergeeks trying to get laid.  So, yeah.

What MUD were you playing?  I never lost anything when logging out.   In fact, my character still exists in Moongate, with all my EQ and inventory.

[NIVO]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW

[Oni2382]

I just read this and I am at A HUGE loss for words.....................

http://www.ripten.com/2008/10/10/wow-whore-has-36-accounts-raids-by-himself/

[SithMaster]

I just read this and I am at A HUGE loss for words.....................

http://www.ripten.com/2008/10/10/wow-whore-has-36-accounts-raids-by-himself/

I cannot understand how playing like that would be fun, though watching 36 characters that all look the same charge at you would be hilarious.  How can it be fun though?

Too bad he can't get a volume discount on subscriptions since the electric and internet bill are probably huge at the end of the month.

[RayB]

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!

Rhetorical questions or serious? People with money will spend it on whatever they WANT. Not all millionaires are globe-trotting playboys with a bevy of bikini babes in the pool and the latest fashions. Plenty of people with money are geeks.

Lawyer who charges $400 an hour might not want to come home and spend 300 hours to level up a character just so they can kick ass in what little spare time they have. Some players want to kick ass NOW, so they buy a character, or even hire people in a developing country to level up for them.

I personally never would, but whatever. I would never spend $100,000 on a car either, but plenty do!

[Oni2382]

RayB,

You make a good point but whats the point in buying a TIME CONSUMING game  if your going to take a shortcut. Takes the fun out of it all if you ask me, but thats just me. I'm debating on trying this game. It looks really fun and after seeing that South Park WoW episode I def. want to try it.

[AtomSmasher]

RayB,

You make a good point but whats the point in buying a TIME CONSUMING game  if your going to take a shortcut. Takes the fun out of it all if you ask me, but thats just me. I'm debating on trying this game. It looks really fun and after seeing that South Park WoW episode I def. want to try it.

If the point of the game was simply to consume time, then you would be correct.  However if someone has a number of friends playing the game and doesn't have the time to catch up to their level, then the only way they can play with their friends is if they pay someone to do the leveling for them.  Besides, when you get to the higher levels you unlock a lot more abilities which makes the game a lot more interesting to play then the lower levels.  I never have (and probably never will) pay someone to level up a character for me, but I can understand the appeal to do so.

[Oni2382]

RayB,

You make a good point but whats the point in buying a TIME CONSUMING game  if your going to take a shortcut. Takes the fun out of it all if you ask me, but thats just me. I'm debating on trying this game. It looks really fun and after seeing that South Park WoW episode I def. want to try it.

If the point of the game was simply to consume time, then you would be correct.  However if someone has a number of friends playing the game and doesn't have the time to catch up to their level, then the only way they can play with their friends is if they pay someone to do the leveling for them.  Besides, when you get to the higher levels you unlock a lot more abilities which makes the game a lot more interesting to play then the lower levels.  I never have (and probably never will) pay someone to level up a character for me, but I can understand the appeal to do so.

I should have said time intensive....but it doesn't matter 

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

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.

I never got into WoW either.  A friend at my day-job hooked me up with his "trial coupon," and I committed to playing it for the entire 10 days, to give it a fair shot.  We spent 4 of the 10 days just trying to find time to play together.  We ended up playing only once, and I was bored to tears because his character was level 40-something, and mine was maybe level 5 by the time we played. 

More importantly, I didn't enjoy the play mechanic at all, to be honest.  It feels like a glossy, fancy version of "rock-paper-scissors."  While most games are not too far from that, WoW is particularly repetitive.  The grinding really turned me off (as it does in most RPG-style games) ... how many times can you walk up and punch some poor unsuspecting chicken-thing before it gets a little boring? 

Maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance, but now I'm spending far too much on Rock Band DLC to care! 

[Dartful Dodger]

Those games scare me.  The wife of a friend of mine plays one of those sim games, in the game she has a shop that sells paraphernalia for an 80's band she a fan of.

She doesn't/hasn’t any interest in playing other games, but she'll play this one all night. I think she looks at it as more of an online fan club than a game.

My friend isn't worried, but I'm not so confident in her ability to separate the real world from that one.

[Hockeyboy]

My wife and I both play WoW, and she does get hit on when she plays as soon as people find out she's female. She quickly mentions that she is MARRIED but that doesn't stop the comments. In a similar vein, I'm old enough to have 2 daughters that have started to play, one is 14 the other 19 and I constantly worry that they will get harassed and such by some seriously freaky guys. They are both pretty smart and have level heads but still...

Oh, and yeah...WoW is a terrible addiction -- even with the few hours I play per week I find myself chatting with a couple guys at work about it. I truly feel sorry for any female that plays and admits she is female. We have a couple single females in our guild and they are very nice, but I can only imagine the kinds of comments they get. Even in guild chat there is some suggestive stuff.

[ChadTower]

What MUD were you playing?  I never lost anything when logging out.   In fact, my character still exists in Moongate, with all my EQ and inventory.

Don't remember now but the early MUDs most definitely did not save your inventory.  You would lose all of your items, can't remember on cash but maybe it was half your cash.  You kept your user stats but all items would have to be reacquired every time you logged in. 

[HaRuMaN]

What MUD were you playing?  I never lost anything when logging out.   In fact, my character still exists in Moongate, with all my EQ and inventory.

Don't remember now but the early MUDs most definitely did not save your inventory.  You would lose all of your items, can't remember on cash but maybe it was half your cash.  You kept your user stats but all items would have to be reacquired every time you logged in. 

Hmm...  that would suck.  I didn't start playing my MUD until '97 or '98. 

[saint]

What MUD were you playing?  I never lost anything when logging out.   In fact, my character still exists in Moongate, with all my EQ and inventory.

Don't remember now but the early MUDs most definitely did not save your inventory.  You would lose all of your items, can't remember on cash but maybe it was half your cash.  You kept your user stats but all items would have to be reacquired every time you logged in. 

There were like a half dozen or more different main code sets for muds (ROM, Diku, ....).

[ChadTower]

Timeframe would likely be 1994 or so... DIKU-MUD definitely rings a bell.  Like I said, though, I mostly did MOOs.  Even ran one for a while.

[Malenko]

Timeframe would likely be 1994 or so... DIKU-MUD definitely rings a bell.  Like I said, though, I mostly did MOOs.  Even ran one for a while.

I'd bet good money that you still do MOOs exclusively and that they dont run much if at all, else they'd be able to get away from you.

[ChadTower]

I'd bet good money that you still do MOOs exclusively and that they dont run much if at all, else they'd be able to get away from you.

[shardian]

It made me chuckle.

[ChadTower]

It made me chuckle.

[Ummon]

If they didn't like it, they'd quit playing.

They more than like it.

I'd bet good money that you still do MOOs exclusively and that they dont run much if at all, else they'd be able to get away from you.

The better to....um.....oh did you see that bird fly over? Wow.

If the point of the game was simply to consume time, then you would be correct.  However if someone has a number of friends playing the game and doesn't have the time to catch up to their level, then the only way they can play with their friends is if they pay someone to do the leveling for them. 

Those games scare me.  The wife of a friend of mine plays one of those sim games, in the game she has a shop that sells paraphernalia for an 80's band she a fan of.

She doesn't/hasn’t any interest in playing other games, but she'll play this one all night. I think she looks at it as more of an online fan club than a game.

My friend isn't worried, but I'm not so confident in her ability to separate the real world from that one.

And that's what's really underneath all this. The development of a sort of meta-culture and it coming to encompass the original.

[AmericanDemon]

I to am an addict to WoW.  I have recently restarted my account after a two year break and am honestly having a fantastic time.  I've managed to collect the first two collectors edition box sets and have two of WotLK coming to my door step.  I run two accounts currently, was at one point running 4. 

I look at it as I amsaving money playing WoW.  15 bucks a month...where as when I wasnt playing it, I was spending between 100 to 200 bucks a month on other games.  WoW is a superb game and its fun to play with friends. 

Its easy to pick up and to create a character and get a sense of gaming accomplishment.

If anyone plays on the Duskwood server, look me up.  I play as Magilegacy.

[danny_galaga]

  The grinding really turned me off (as it does in most RPG-style games) ... how many times can you walk up and punch some poor unsuspecting chicken-thing before it gets a little boring? 

 

[ChadTower]

Aw c'mon, who among us didn't spend 1989 walking around punching blue slimes for 2xp? 

[shardian]

Aw c'mon, who among us didn't spend 1989 walking around punching blue slimes for 2xp? 

Oh hell yeah! I personally liked to scope out the map spot that had a high percentage chance of getting a metal slime.

[ChadTower]

XP grinding is what little brothers are for... they're dying to get a chance to play and aren't capable of fighting anything that may actually win.

[ark_ader]

I just canceled my account, after the umpteenth 3gb download failed.

I'll start it up again when it gets released on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

When that happens I'll be older and dumber with my recreational time.

[Namco]

Hey Sel. Let us know what server/char you're on. I want to see your armory profile, see what you got.  Mine's Zoecat on Mok'Nathal.

I've been playing since Feb 2007. I installed it just after Burning Cursade came out. I had just built a new computer and got a great new 22" monitor and I wanted to run a game that would look good on my new monitor, and I had never played an MMO before.

I played a Night Elf rogue at first and got a bit bored. I soon started playing a human warrior that my daughter had started and enjoyed the Elwyn forest area much better than Teldrassil. I never play more that a couple hours a day. Sure I've had the occasional Saturday where I play battlegrounds for most of the day, but I can put the game on hold when I'm busy with school or work.

As far as raiding, I'm in an endgame guild that's done with Kara and running gruul's and whatever's after that. I just don't have the gear to run with those guys so I don't raid. It kinda sucks really. All I can do is DPS with my BG purples, but I'm always kinda low on the damage chart. I spent most of my time grinding gold for the flying epic and am exalted with shattered hand. I can't wait till Lich King comes out because it'll be like Blizzard hitting a big reset button on us all. I still have 3 slots without purples, so it's a relief that I know I don't have to work toward that anymore... well at least till I hit 80 LOL!

Anyway, hit me up with your toon name sometime (please let it be alliance!) 

[Ummon]

Aw c'mon, who among us didn't spend 1989 walking around punching blue slimes for 2xp? 

What game was that?

[HaRuMaN]

that would be a mud or moo of some sort 

[ChadTower]

Aw c'mon, who among us didn't spend 1989 walking around punching blue slimes for 2xp? 

What game was that?

Any NES RPG, but most likely I remember it from Dragon Warrior.

[Ummon]

I see. Maybe it depends on who 'us' is here.

[Daniel270]

hey guys (I'm baaaaaaack..lol)

I put the game down in June and the wife quit in August...  too many headaches with other players, mostly kids who take NEED on every blue or purple that drops.  I wouldn't mind going back if we had a fairly well run guild to help out on certain dungeons and quests.....

[Darkmend]

My MAME machine is going to be real lonely come 11/13!!

[shardian]

Aw c'mon, who among us didn't spend 1989 walking around punching blue slimes for 2xp? 

What game was that?

Any NES RPG, but most likely I remember it from Dragon Warrior.

Yep, Dragon Warrior. Dragon Warrior is the only RPG I have personally ever played all the way thru.

I don't count active games such as Diablo or Kingdom Hearts.

[Ummon]

Kingdom Hearts, now that brings back a little. I didn't play it, but a young friend I knew some years ago did.

[ark_ader]

I'm learning how WOW works. 

There is an emulator out there that can be your own personal server.  As long as you don't charge yourself, this could be legal and in keeping with EULA....

http://www.reaper-x.com/2008/05/26/reaper-mangos-5953-with-scriptdev-414server-compatible-with-242-udb-only/

It is not easy to say the least.....

[DantheApe]

I have been playing wow off and on since launch and lately it's bene an "on" kinda time for me. Last time I quit, i swore off the game forever due to me getting a bit obsessed.  It helped that i was unemployed and didn't have access to geeks and nerds who played regularly...out of sight out of mind. Then I get hired on at a call center where I have ungodly ammounts of downtime between calls at times, where the entire staff is populated with WoW or WAR players. 

I renewed my subscription last week.

This time though, I have put some strict limits on my play-time...no more than an hour long session a night on work nights, no monster sessions on the weekend.  And should anything come up that demands the slightest bit of attention (i.e. "hey honey, im bored lets go out") i log out and im gone.

My (soon to be) wife has accepted that I have a legit addiction to this game and rather than fight over it, she will sit and watch while I play, asking questions and making suggestions.  She's even willing to pay for an account so we can play together.  Nothing says true love like raiding Kara together. 

anywho my 2 coppers on the wow addiction thread

[ChadTower]

I used to design software for call centers... man, that sounds like one about to go under.  Downtime is supposed to be near zero.

[DantheApe]

please note i said "at times"

There aren't many people calling for tech support at 6 am.  But they over-hired for fear of massive turnover due to the coming manditory sales...*shrugs* 5-10 between calls is nice

[ChadTower]

please note i said "at times"

There aren't many people calling for tech support at 6 am.  But they over-hired for fear of massive turnover due to the coming manditory sales...*shrugs* 5-10 between calls is nice

Yeah... nice for the short term... but it also means that you're about to get laid off if they have any idea how to run a call center.  Those are terrible places to work.  Bet you didn't last long there - nobody worth hiring ever does.  Turnover at the centers we studied was 400%/year.

[ark_ader]

Yep your SLA should have you reaching for the phones every fracking second, as I too used to work (and still do kinda) in call centres and technical support. With a possible 30 minute troubleshooting call, it is important to have that many needy customers.

No calls means eventually no job, unless you are also working in the QA or on-site support, which could be a mixed blessing. 

One of my tech jobs was like that, as I was the only one taking calls for the entire USA and Europe (3am-4pm) and only when the KPI's started going south, did I get any help.  After a while the calls stopped (my excellent skills at work) and I laid off the entire crew.  I threw a party for all their hard work and gave them their pay and bonus and said cya.

One of life's picture perfect moments.   

I could be wrong, but like Chad implies - with what you are remarking, you will be outsourced. Don't feel too bad if it happens, but make sure you have some cash saved.   A colleague of mine had the same thing done to him (not by me) and he lost everything and is currently pushing a supermarket trolly up the strip. 

[dmworking247]

Haha now I've seen everything:

http://www.wowdetox.com/

"Oh really? Have you ever seen a man eat his own head"?

"Uhh, no!"

"Then you HAVENT seen everything, and neither have I"