I’ve found myself in a very strange place lately in regards to this blog.
You see, I’ve been trying not to post. Not because I don’t have anything to say – dear god, it seems like I always have something to say – but because it’s not politic to talk about the things weighing heavily on my mind in regards to the game right now.
In my mind, there is only one reason to choose to play an MMO instead of a normal single-player game. You play an MMO because you want the experience of gaming with other people. I mean, I’m sure there’s some dedicated WoW-solo-ers out there, and they really enjoy themselves. But out of the wholebunches of people who play WoW, I’m guessing they make up a very small minority.
There have been times, like when my warrior was newly 70 in BC and I couldn’t figure out how to even get a group for a heroic or starter raid, where I’ve been frustrated with the game, but I’ve stayed for the people. I cannot recall a time I’ve been frustrated with the people but stayed purely for the game.*
I have reached the point again where I do not want to log onto WoW. I’ve made commitments to friends that I have no desire to break, so I am still playing. I have, for the time being, made the decision not to attend any more 25 man raids with my guild because that was feeling more like work** than play.
I am staying with my guild though, because although a few bad apples can spoil my raid experience, they cannot spoil my guild experience. On every server I’ve played on, I’ve made dear friends that have stayed with me long after I stopped playing WoW with them.
From my time on Bronzebeard, I’m still in touch with Jamilah, Mari, Teresa, Seana, and Celine.
My time on Shadow Council let me meet and spend time with Tammy, Matt and Aubrey.
My time on Azgalor has given me the opportunity to get to know and spend time with: Amber, Sara, Sarah, David, David (yep, there’s two), Garry, Christopher, Christopher (yep, two of those too), Brian, Steve, Andy, Robbie, Jill, Teresa, Neil, Mark and at least one or two other people who will yell at me later for leaving them off this list***. These people are as real to me as the people I went to high school with, or the co-workers I’ve had through the years, with one difference. I know them purely through choice, I appreciate them through shared interests, and they are the reason I keep logging onto WoW, even when I’m bored with it. Even when I do nothing but wolf-dance in Dalaran and watch my green chat scroll by.
I think that’s what makes right now so hard for me. I’m watching people I care about be hurt and angry and stressed out, and I can’t fix it. The people always have been – and always will be – more important to me than the game. Always.
*When I wanted to quit WoW after my guild on Bronzebeard exploded in a fiery dramabomb, I stayed for my boyfriend. He wanted me to give it another chance. That was all for him, not a bit of it for Blizzard. Sorry Blizzard.
**By work, I don’t mean that dream job. I mean menial labor for 12 hours in 100 degree weather with jackhammers going all around you. Barefoot in the snow, uphill both ways, blahblahblah. I exaggerate, but I can’t help it. It’s just the way I am.
***If you’re not on this list & you think you should be? I PROBABLY DON’T KNOW YOUR IRL NAME. FIX THAT!
11 comments
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05/19/2010 at 6:45 PM
Ori
/hugs
This is the same thing that keeps me playing – the only time I’ve taken a break is when my guild imploded and all of my friends left. With raids the way that they’ve been lately, I would have left any other guild but I still enjoy all of my friends in BoO. I’m glad you’re one of them. 😀
05/19/2010 at 7:36 PM
evisceratespam
i debating if one of those christophers is mine or not…..
I’ll just say one is and make myself feel better
05/19/2010 at 7:44 PM
Krikket
Yes it is. I still like you a whole bunch even though you never want to do arenas with me anymore (QQ). ❤
05/20/2010 at 4:04 AM
Cat
I’m at home so I can actually comment on your blog, but I LOVE YOU, MY BBKEKS, FOREVER AND ALWAYS.
05/20/2010 at 7:53 AM
Shiva
Hi. My name is Shiva.
05/20/2010 at 1:09 PM
Krikket
I am super-embarrassed now, because I don’t know who you are in-game!
05/20/2010 at 2:31 PM
brianc74
My real life name is Kyr.
05/20/2010 at 4:16 PM
Krikket
Oh shush you old codger. ❤
05/21/2010 at 6:21 PM
Kattyl
I’m coming out from my lurking to post a comment OMG!
*Jamilah. Mah silent H! 😀 Haha.
Anyshoe, I’m sorry hun that you’re not able to enjoy raiding and whatnot, but good group of peoples = all that matters. 🙂
<3s and hugs and chocolate and bunnies and UNICORNS!
Miss you lots,
Kattyl/Jamilah 🙂
P.S. Tell Sou I says hi! I've been a terrible commenter on her LJ D:
05/21/2010 at 8:04 PM
Krikket
I’M SO FAIL – editing now!
(also, I had my second favorite wipe night ever the other night. It was ALMOST as enjoyable as FGI & friends on Mimiron. ❤ Tens are still fun – it's the 25s that make me want to kick puppies)
05/22/2010 at 12:27 AM
theerivs
My real name is Big Dick McGee