World of Warcraft

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

I decided to try World of Warcraft out on a trial basis. I just went to sign on and it said there is a six hour wait. Is this usual? If so, there is no way I will be buying this.

Welcome to mmo's.

 

[SouLeSS]

Uhm, most games don't take 6 hours to get into.

Try changing your realm, you're probably trying to play on a super populated one. Some of them take forever to get into for queue lines, but you can go to another server to try it out.

 

[Benstamania]

Plus, like I said it could be the fact that he's new and has a TON of updates...it took me three hours when I got into WoW four months after it's release...I can only imagine what it's like now.

It could also depend on his internet connection speed.

 

[Raiden]

The new informations released on WotLK sound very exciting. Hopefully BlizzCon will show more from this expansion.

 

[Texas Zombie]

I was in the process of a char exchange when my account was shut down. Then when I came back it was still exchanging and has been doing it for days.

 

[Raiden]

I was in the process of a char exchange when my account was shut down. Then when I came back it was still exchanging and has been doing it for days.

Maybe you can email WOW's customer service dept. to see if they can help you.

 

[Varient]

hmmmn.
I play.

You'll find me on Whisperwind and Sein Jin Servers.

Low level,.... but having fun.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Psychiatrist: WOW addiction more shameful than porn

 

[Drakon]

Wow, that dude is a quack.

 

[Raiden]

hmmmn.
I play.

You'll find me on Whisperwind and Sein Jin Servers.

Low level,.... but having fun.

I have a horde character at Ner'zhul; he's 57 atm. I also have an alliance pally on Uldum, and he's 70.

 

[SouLeSS]

It's actually true that WoW is more shameful than porn. I've seen many people struggle over trying to get people to begin to fathom what it takes to be in a t6 guild, and unless you actually play the game people just have no idea.

I mean, if you were hone saturday night blowing off calls from your buddies because you were in the middle of the guildfirst illidan fight, saying you were getting laid or watching porn is generally more acceptable than saying "sorry, was playing WoW with a buncha dudes over Vent trying over and over to kill this one boss">

 

[Drakon]

Eh, that's debatable, too. People spend their time in weird ways. It's becoming more and more socially acceptable to game more openly, but it really shouldn't be a "hidden" thing to begin with--why be embarassed? I mean, some jerkass decided "Oh, you enjoy playing videogames with people online more than going out and meeting people. You have TOO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS." Those eight words have ruined so many things, including gaming. But that's a whole different topic.

Portland psychiatrist Dr. Jerald Block specialises in treating those who have a massively multiplayer online game problem.

In an interview with the Boston Globe, Block added to the argument that he put forward in an editorial in the American Journal of Psychiatry that 'Internet Addiction' should be a recognised term.

The good doctor believes that his clients are more ashamed of playing World of Warcraft than looking at pornographic images. He said, "Some people come in for trouble with Internet porn. But the computer gamers tend to be harder to treat. People feel a lot of shame around computer games. Whereas, it's socially acceptable to have a porn problem."

Regular Joes and many psychiatrists just don't understand the complex world of games or the jargon that goes with them, says Block. The struggle to reach level 70 is not understood, nor is being a member of a guild, or the mundanity of grinding.

He gave the example of a client who was a regular player of massively multiplayer online game EVE Online, and who after playing for years, had built up around $17,000 of virtual assets. Then another player took out a virtual contract on his life, and his character and assets were lost. Block said, "How does he describe that experience and have any of his friends understand it? It's so bizarre and otherworldly. In fact, it's so bizarre that many therapists don't want to go there."

That's the part I was specifically targeting. "How does one describe that experience?" Simple. "I played my game, and lost my achievements. So all that time is gone, and I have nothing to show for it.", which, when you get down to it, is part of the core of gaming anyway--killing time for fun. It's not bizzare, any moreso than homosexuals or fluently quad-lingual people. Sure, it's not the norm, but it's not like the guy needs to go to a freak show.

 

[LazloSpeeker]

I finally got my paid account for World Warcraft and am currently loading it. I have a level 19 Warrior I am going to use for starters. Just wondering if there are any tips or advice anyone can give me before I begin playing the game.

 

[Varient]

I finally got my paid account for World Warcraft and am currently loading it. I have a level 19 Warrior I am going to use for starters. Just wondering if there are any tips or advice anyone can give me before I begin playing the game.

IMPO:
Network.
Get to know people at your level.
If you feel the need,... Join a Guild.

Of course,.. I'm A NOOB giving advice,.. so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[LazloSpeeker]

I am the only one who, while playing WoW, feels like he's being 'watched?' I just have this crazy notion that there is some geek with a clip board recording everything I do and coming up with analysis of my personality.

With that said, someone said they were going to report me for telling them to 'suck it' because he wanted to make WoW a safe place to be. Is that guy for real and how many chumpstains like that are there?

Is there a realm that is strictly for 18+ and can I move my character there?

 

[Varient]

It's well known that Blizzard had folk overseeing every server with specific people on hand to step in upon request to help a player.

When I first started playing,.. I had JUST finished deadmines when the server crashed. When it came back up,.. everything I had gained over that run was GONE. I submitted an ingame request,.. one of Wow's overseer's contacted me in game in about 15 minutes, told me after he verified my story that he wouldn't give me back the experience,.. but then he gave me the exact gear set I had left deadmines in.

Good enough.

I wouldn't sweat being reported too much unless you go too far into obscenity or get reported daily.

V.

 

[LazloSpeeker]

It's well known that Blizzard had folk overseeing every server with specific people on hand to step in upon request to help a player.

When I first started playing,.. I had JUST finished deadmines when the server crashed. When it came back up,.. everything I had gained over that run was GONE. I submitted an ingame request,.. one of Wow's overseer's contacted me in game in about 15 minutes, told me after he verified my story that he wouldn't give me back the experience,.. but then he gave me the exact gear set I had left deadmines in.

Good enough.

I wouldn't sweat being reported too much unless you go too far into obscenity or get reported daily.

V.

This person went so far as to say they had recoded the entire situation and was sending that in as well.

 

[Raiden]

Does anyone play actively in arenas? Arena is something I hope my druid character will eventually get into, but he will have to get enough honor pts. from BGs first and put together the season 1 arena set.

 

[SouLeSS]

Eh, that's debatable, too. People spend their time in weird ways. It's becoming more and more socially acceptable to game more openly, but it really shouldn't be a "hidden" thing to begin with--why be embarassed? I mean, some jerkass decided "Oh, you enjoy playing videogames with people online more than going out and meeting people. You have TOO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS." Those eight words have ruined so many things, including gaming. But that's a whole different topic.



That's the part I was specifically targeting. "How does one describe that experience?" Simple. "I played my game, and lost my achievements. So all that time is gone, and I have nothing to show for it.", which, when you get down to it, is part of the core of gaming anyway--killing time for fun. It's not bizzare, any moreso than homosexuals or fluently quad-lingual people. Sure, it's not the norm, but it's not like the guy needs to go to a freak show.

Because it's different and much more deep than "I played a game, died and lost all my work". Does that cover it? Yeah, but the person it happens to had a much much much deeper bond to it.

When my first WoW account got hacked after I had reached 60 and done some of the endgame (at the time) raids, I was furious. Like, never been more angry in my life. And it was over a game. But at the same time, it was over all the time I lost playing the game only to have my account jacked from me.

 

[Drakon]

Does anyone play actively in arenas? Arena is something I hope my druid character will eventually get into, but he will have to get enough honor pts. from BGs first and put together the season 1 arena set.

I -try- to do them regularly, but I'm casual about it, as are my partners [my girlfriend and our guildie]. It's pretty fun, I think; moreso than battlegrounds, even. Truth be told, I wish it was more about skill than gear again, but alas.

Because it's different and much more deep than "I played a game, died and lost all my work". Does that cover it? Yeah, but the person it happens to had a much much much deeper bond to it.

When my first WoW account got hacked after I had reached 60 and done some of the endgame (at the time) raids, I was furious. Like, never been more angry in my life. And it was over a game. But at the same time, it was over all the time I lost playing the game only to have my account jacked from me.

I'll respond later, when my brain worky.

 

[Raiden]

I -try- to do them regularly, but I'm casual about it, as are my partners [my girlfriend and our guildie]. It's pretty fun, I think; moreso than battlegrounds, even. Truth be told, I wish it was more about skill than gear again, but alas.

If I get into arena, I will probably play it casually due to work & family. I'd like to know if one can play arena casually and still rack up enough pts. to purchase gears with.

 

[Drakon]

Uh, yes and no. S4 came out today, which made the S1-S3 stuff cheaper, however for some of the S3 and S4 stuff, you need to have a certain rating to purchase. If you're casual, then there's a much stronger chance of not having that rating. However S1 and S2 don't have the rating requirements, and they're pretty damn good--I use the S2 chestpiece in my elemental set.

 

[Raiden]

Uh, yes and no. S4 came out today, which made the S1-S3 stuff cheaper, however for some of the S3 and S4 stuff, you need to have a certain rating to purchase. If you're casual, then there's a much stronger chance of not having that rating. However S1 and S2 don't have the rating requirements, and they're pretty damn good--I use the S2 chestpiece in my elemental set.

Thanks for the info. I really want to be able to gear up my druid despite the fact that I can't play him too much, due to 40-hour work and family. It's nice to know that I can still get to enjoy WOW while still maintaining my life, and I think this makes WOW more suitable to my lifestyle than other MMORPG.

 

[LazloSpeeker]

I've been playing the World of Warcraft for about three weeks now(7 trial, 13 paid) and all I can say is... WoW this game really sucks! ~just kidding

It is a very amusing game and with all things considered it is probably the best video game of all-time, it's not perfect though.

Here are the pro's and con's of the game as I see them so far:

PROS
1. the length - most video games can be beaten in 2-3 weeks. This epic game is probably 8 weeks minimum, WITHOUT EXPANSIONS.

2. detail - Clearly the most detailed RPG I've ever played on any console. This is clearly the way RPG's were meant to be played.

3. graphics/sound - what can be said? WoW's graphics and sound are right up there with the best of them.

4. player interaction - it truely is great to be able to interact and play with people from all over the United States while in the comfort of ones own home.

5. group quests - these things are great! Definitely the best part of the game. Frustrating when you can't keep a group together though.

CONS
1. player chat - although it greatly improves the gaming experience, it kinda ruins the role playing part when some guy starts talking about his job at Burger King. This is more of an issue with individual players than the game itself though.

2. monotony - Some of the quest are pretty lame. Especially the ones where you have to spend 30 minutes killing 20 creatures just to get 4 items. Not cool dudes.

3. the storyline/pacing - a great storyline can take a game that is average on all other levels and make it a great game overall. Take the original Metal Gear for example - bad graphics, bad sound, slow, crappy control, but that storyline kicked so much ass and was perfectly paced that it has to be my favorite all-time game for Nintendo. Three weeks into WoW and I'm still not sure what it is I'm supposed to be doing, other than kill stuff. I thought I knew what the story was up until I switched from trial to paid and got over the Deadmines. I think the problem is that I got distracted with stupid quests like 'Help Maggie McGill make a pie' - LAME. Something is just off here, at least for me. I'm not feeling it anymore and it's not because I'm too old. Within the last 2 years I've played games like Metal Gear Solid 2, XIII, Star Wars: Empire at War all the way through and enjoyed them all. I hope it starts bringing some loose ends together because I AM LOST.

 

[Drakon]

Lazlo, are you aware that this is, in fact, the fourth game in a continuing saga? There were some RTS games that came out before this, which explains a lot of the backstory, so you can get a feel for what's up. If you have the time and resources [no pun intended], I'd recommend playing these games, or at the very least Warcraft 3 + The Frozen Throne. Great comedy, solid story, and it explains a lot of what you're going to be experiencing, and why the Alliance is in the current shape it's in [since I'm sure you're probably playing a gnome rogue].

If you don't have the time or money or patience to get the other games and still wanna know what's going on, check out the Wiki article--it seems pretty on the ball.