Avian Gamers Network

Hard to avoid something like this when it's Slashdotted. Not that I would. But this article is very well written, and hits very close to home for me, and I bet some of you will agree.

http://soulkerfuffle.blogspot.com/2006/ ... m-top.html

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:: Orbital :: Section Three ::

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/clap

Wonderfully written article on his 'other life'. He pointed out some key elements about the WoW experience that I can agree with. WoW has completly cleared me of any desire to play another loot-based MMO. Ever.

But did he ever mention he was in the largest, most respected guild, in the world? I don't know if that point was ever made.

I thought it was a good read. I could relate to it a lot. I think people are starting to realize that video games in general are something that everyone must be very careful about. They can be very addictive.

I think they're just as "bad" as T.V. Everyone has particular shows they are "hooked" on. The problem is with video games (particularly really good ones like WoW) it's like watching new episodes of your favorite show 24/7. Another problem with MMOs is that the game is changing while you are offline. Very hard to pass up the opportunity sometimes... especially if you think it's better than whatever else you could be doing... like spending time with loved ones or pursuing other "productive" activities.

To me it was about understanding that it is a game and that I should not play games before I have everything else in order. There was a point where I gave these games the priority over other things, but I wasn't willing to admit that to everyone and everything else that was lower than the game on the priority list.

OK... rant off.

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TheMole
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I have a real problem with this article. It was well written and very interesting, but it's not Blizzard's fault this guy is a loser. It wasn't WOW that made him gain 30 pounds, or stop seeing his friends or stop playing his guitar. He made those decisions.

The guy, and many more like him, need to take a little more responsibility for their actions and understand what matters most in their lives, and stop blaming others for their own problems.

A little harsh I'm sure but my view.

I agree... you can't blame Blizzard. If it weren't WoW it'd be some other game. The problem lies inside. However, I think there are a lot of people with this problem and they need to be made aware that it can be a problem if you aren't careful.

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TheMole
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Unfortunately we live in a day and age where people don't like to take responsibility for their actions. It's always someone else's fault.

Sad, but true.

Really, it's all about choices and decisions. Granted WOW is easy to access and doesn't have restrictions, but people have to be accountable to themselves. for me WOW is recreation, granted it's a bit OCD, but I think many gamers have a little bit of that in them anyhow.

I believe I? know where the line exists (as do many here) and I feel comfortable with my time0. most of it is little bits of eat up time and I'm sure my wife would like less, but she's more bothered by my working late (yet, she wants me to get promoted... )

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Dalaran: Arindel - Frost Mage (Mining/Alchemy)
Dalaran: Roran - Paladin (Weaponsmith/Blacksmith)
Dalaran: Baine - Rogue

That's why people need to find a game that suits their playstyle / lifestyle.

I could never compete against someone who plays a game 40 hours a week that is fundamentally loot / leveling based, but I found myself at times wanting to and so would compensate by twinking my character in WoW, or just becoming frustrated in SWG.

In the end, I've kept going back to EVE because for me I feel like I'm doing something even when I'm not playing (time based training of skills). Now, I'll still probably never be able to compete with someone who kept playing for the last 2 years and subsequently trained all those skills...I'll never be able to catch that person, but I don't feel as much loss, envy, etc because of the way the game dynamics exist between old / new players. Hard to explain, but....

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