Addictions
It's really been a loooong time since I last updated. I'm sorry for that. Explanation follows, as I plan to talk about addictions.
I am addicted. I've been hooked to the monkey on my back. This is not about alcohol or drugs, thank the powers for that, neither is it gambling, work or sex.. (though I am a bit addicted to the latter ) This little monkey is called WoW.
The acronym, for those of you unfamiliar with it, stands for World of Warcraft. (run a Google search on it, and you'll know everything about it) It is a MMORPG, i.e. a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. A game situated in a large fantasy world where you can create your own character and go adventuring with loads of other players all around the world.
For those of you, who haven't tried it, it might seem a bit silly or even plain stupid to get suckered into that kind of thing. But believe me, it is as addictive as coffee or cigarettes. The game itself is quite simple in its idea, although the world is graphically very beautiful and detailed to look at. You create a character, which looks you can modify to your preferences, choose a class for it (eg. warrior, priest, rogue etc...) and go do some quests. On these quests you run errands for somebody, search for lost artefacts or kill monsters. Or all of the above. And, as a result, you get better gear and equipment for your character and can go kill even more powerful monsters than before.
There is a major storyline in the background if you are interested enough to notice it, but mainly the game is all about your own character and its interactions with other players and the world. As it is said, "there's always a bigger fish". You gain levels, get better gear, complete quests that you previously were not able to. And there are always bigger monsters and more difficult quests. It just doesn't end. And when the game runs out of monsters, then the sequel or add-on will be published.
The game provides challenge and feelings of success. What more could anybody want? That's why it is so addictive. Just one more quest and then I'll go and get some sleep. Just one more. Or maybe two. Three at the most. I'll still be able to sleep at least four hours.
The downside is that the game eats away at your time. First, my girlfriend tried it with a friend, and decided she wants one for her own. So we bought one. I played some on her account, and now we both have our own game that we can play simultaneously and go questing together. Some "quality time", huh? Sleep has been a rare luxury lately, and I've been really tired at work, and I think it's beginning to affect what I can accomplish in RL. I simply must cut down on the gaming to get some REAL social life again. But on the other hand, it's fun. And so many of my friends are there anyway..
I guess you see the point.
This sucks. I want to have the cake and eat it too.
For those, who have not tried the game, a word of warning: You might get addicted if you do.. it tends to do that to people. But, for those who share my predicament, feel free to say hello to me, if you run into me in the game.. I play mostly on the European server of Thunderhorn and my main characters are on the Alliance side.. Isarra and Shadowstride.
That's it for now.. more again later.
I am addicted. I've been hooked to the monkey on my back. This is not about alcohol or drugs, thank the powers for that, neither is it gambling, work or sex.. (though I am a bit addicted to the latter ) This little monkey is called WoW.
The acronym, for those of you unfamiliar with it, stands for World of Warcraft. (run a Google search on it, and you'll know everything about it) It is a MMORPG, i.e. a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. A game situated in a large fantasy world where you can create your own character and go adventuring with loads of other players all around the world.
For those of you, who haven't tried it, it might seem a bit silly or even plain stupid to get suckered into that kind of thing. But believe me, it is as addictive as coffee or cigarettes. The game itself is quite simple in its idea, although the world is graphically very beautiful and detailed to look at. You create a character, which looks you can modify to your preferences, choose a class for it (eg. warrior, priest, rogue etc...) and go do some quests. On these quests you run errands for somebody, search for lost artefacts or kill monsters. Or all of the above. And, as a result, you get better gear and equipment for your character and can go kill even more powerful monsters than before.
There is a major storyline in the background if you are interested enough to notice it, but mainly the game is all about your own character and its interactions with other players and the world. As it is said, "there's always a bigger fish". You gain levels, get better gear, complete quests that you previously were not able to. And there are always bigger monsters and more difficult quests. It just doesn't end. And when the game runs out of monsters, then the sequel or add-on will be published.
The game provides challenge and feelings of success. What more could anybody want? That's why it is so addictive. Just one more quest and then I'll go and get some sleep. Just one more. Or maybe two. Three at the most. I'll still be able to sleep at least four hours.
The downside is that the game eats away at your time. First, my girlfriend tried it with a friend, and decided she wants one for her own. So we bought one. I played some on her account, and now we both have our own game that we can play simultaneously and go questing together. Some "quality time", huh? Sleep has been a rare luxury lately, and I've been really tired at work, and I think it's beginning to affect what I can accomplish in RL. I simply must cut down on the gaming to get some REAL social life again. But on the other hand, it's fun. And so many of my friends are there anyway..
I guess you see the point.
This sucks. I want to have the cake and eat it too.
For those, who have not tried the game, a word of warning: You might get addicted if you do.. it tends to do that to people. But, for those who share my predicament, feel free to say hello to me, if you run into me in the game.. I play mostly on the European server of Thunderhorn and my main characters are on the Alliance side.. Isarra and Shadowstride.
That's it for now.. more again later.
posted by ameba / Mikko at 4:55 PM
3 Comments:
As you stated - it's not the problem with computer gaming that it is downright harmful. Actually, gaming and such activities may even improve certain skills to some extent.
The problem is what is left undone while playing the game. Such time-consuming hobbies take whole lot of your time, yet give back very little in exchange. Dogwatch hours spent by the cold glow of monitor could be used better, even in sleep.
Essentially it is the same thing with my previous point about learning multiple languages. Sure, they are useful, but you could always do better. As you put it, there's always a bigger fish.
It's all fun and games till someone loses an eye.
Here is a rant by another friend on the same topic.
http://constructionyard.blogspot.com/2005/02/you-feed-it-once-and-now-it-stays.html
'Ere they keep comin'
http://pc.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=8021
Post a Comment
<< Home