World of WarCrack

[telkanuru]

I was just wondering if any Fnet members were addicted to that other internet drug.

Hi, I'm Telkanuru, known as Kerrigor on the Zul'jin server, and I believe rehab is for quitters!

[Black Jeebus]

So that's why your post per day seems to have dropped a little...

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by telkanuru

I was just wondering if any Fnet members were addicted to that other internet drug.

I confess...


(And Ninjas should buuurn! )

[Katman]

I never touched the stuff, myself.

[purpzeyFCLI]

My room-mate spends 3-4 hours a day playing this game.

I cannot believe the manner in which it totally takes over peoples lives.

[Kenji]

I find it boring and never got hooked. Well, that and I just plain don't want to pay the monthly fee.... but the expansion makes it so tempting... team pvp! flying mounts! shaman and paladin not faction specific anymore! so very awesome... AND they're finally putting in bloodlust. ugh.......

[suterces]

I used to play, but fencing is more important

[The Chaotic Wind]

Originally Posted by suterces

I used to play, but fencing is more important

never played myself, but i figure why pretend to use a sword, when i can use one in real life?....i can already smell the rebuttals of "you can use other weapons as well"....

[Angwilwileth]

Originally Posted by The Chaotic Wind

never played myself, but i figure why pretend to use a sword, when i can use one in real life?....i can already smell the rebuttals of "you can use other weapons as well"....

^My sentiments exactly. It's just too much time that could be spent better on other things.

[suterces]

Originally Posted by The Chaotic Wind

never played myself, but i figure why pretend to use a sword, when i can use one in real life?....i can already smell the rebuttals of "you can use other weapons as well"....

Well any single fencing weapon is good enough to beat out all the other weapons and you know it. Can't beat stabbing someone for real.

[Serpentile6]

Yes, sadly I'm addicted and will probably remain so. I'm a night owl as it is and need very little sleep so I play then. I have several characters Losliath on Thunderhorn, and Belshiar on Aegwynn are my main ones. I think it's possibly one of the most addicting past times that has com out in the past few years. The expansion looks to be another one of Blizzards huge successes. When they make a game, it may take 2 years longer than they say but it's worth it. The monthly few isn't so bad as I keep getting new people to join and get a month free each time. With the addition of team speak or Ventrilo it's amazing. Just my little commentary before I go overboard...

[bousquet]

My son has that affliction and it upsets me greatly. Most of his social interaction are on-line via that game. Those times when we tear him away from that game, he feels he has to account for this time away to his guild. It's like life is taking him away from the game. (I see it as the reverse.) He schedules his life around those stupid raids. Hopefully he passes this phase and comes to realize that there is a life to be led out in the real world and that is where the real rewards and fun are found.

As we take him off to his first year of college today, I'm concerned that the game will come before his studies. He promises otherwise. We'll just have to see. He's a bright kid, I just hope he doesn't throw away his future on this stupid game.

[Kenji]

Originally Posted by bousquet

My son has that affliction and it upsets me greatly. Most of his social interaction are on-line via that game. Those times when we tear him away from that game, he feels he has to account for this time away to his guild. It's like life is taking him away from the game. (I see it as the reverse.) He schedules his life around those stupid raids. Hopefully he passes this phase and comes to realize that there is a life to be led out in the real world and that is where the real rewards and fun are found.

As we take him off to his first year of college today, I'm concerned that the game will come before his studies. He promises otherwise. We'll just have to see. He's a bright kid, I just hope he doesn't throw away his future on this stupid game.

Man, that reminds me of my friend's brother. Basically flunked everything his first year of college (community college, too!). When my friend ended their subscription, his brother lied to their dad and said he was gonna buy a movie so he could use his dad's credit card to renew his subscription or whatever. SOOOOO bad. And their parents weren't even mad at him. Even worse.

I actually know a guy who dropped out of college due to gaming. It was MUDing, however - the precursor to the MMORPG. Also the best Tekken player I've ever met =P He's doing fine now (he's like 30 or so), but I never realized people could get so wrapped up in games.

I'd keep an eye on his grades.... cuz if they're bad, you know why....

[Mauler]

Originally Posted by bousquet

My son has that affliction and it upsets me greatly. Most of his social interaction are on-line via that game. Those times when we tear him away from that game, he feels he has to account for this time away to his guild. It's like life is taking him away from the game. (I see it as the reverse.) He schedules his life around those stupid raids. Hopefully he passes this phase and comes to realize that there is a life to be led out in the real world and that is where the real rewards and fun are found.

As we take him off to his first year of college today, I'm concerned that the game will come before his studies. He promises otherwise. We'll just have to see. He's a bright kid, I just hope he doesn't throw away his future on this stupid game.

Might I suggest perhaps that you divert his attention/effort/talent toward a slightly different variety of game? Very similar to commercial MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role playing game) in gameplay, this particular game requires focus, dedication, a fairly lengthy subject study of mildly complex artificial set of rules. But unlike its more commercially successful counterparts such as World of Warcraft, EverQuest or Final Fantasy XI, this particular game offers far more rewarding experience with far less risk/damage in addictive participation.

Quickly glancing through a roster of GMs (supervisory "Game Masters") displays a wide range of mature and successful professionals from fields of education, finance, science, law, and more. Decorum of a typical gameplay is unlike any other counterpart, very high in level of respect and maturity -- your son will not be exposed to abbreviated/mis-typed derogatory language during game play, for instance.

While it is true that there exist clusters of "hard core" players, they are the minority. And the level of peer pressure for continued play is nowhere as strong as what your son is encountering during his experience in World of Warcraft. There is a finite beginning and end to each of the quests/missions/raids, as inherent in the gameplay. So when it's over, it's time for him to go home.

Scheduling/availability of gameplay is also an excellent limiting factor to players' susceptibility to addiction. This game is typically scheduled only on weekends, structurally separating play habit in its participants from their primary responsibilities such as schoolwork. In fact, younger demographics of the player base often benefit from assistance/guidance from their senior peers in their "RL" (real life) endeavors during deadtimes in gameplay as well!

It is true that in this game, the "n00bs" (beginner level players) typically face exceptionally discouraging events during earlier stages of game play as the learning curve is quite steep. High attrition of player base has been attributed to this aspect.

However, nature of the gameplay is cooperative and supportive rather than confrontational, as prevalent in typical multiplayer games out there. Dynamics of the players, hosts and GMs clearly reflect that as well, and their level of support and guidance is phenomenal -- in par with any exceptional "Guilds" (organized MMORPG players) out there.

Limited availability of playable demos or readily accessible training levels keep this game fairly unknown. And those who are "let in on" its existence often go elsewhere due to initial start cost which, unfortunately, is higher than typical MMORPGs. Let's take a quick look at how much these games cost:

• World of Warcraft: ($15~$50 software, $13~$15 monthly fee)
• Final Fantasy XI: ($19~$45 software, $13 monthly fee plus $1/mo for each additional character)

Comparatively, the particular game I am recommending is far more expensive, with an initial investment of $200 or more. "Training module" alone could cost anywhere between $50~$75. Furthermore, in order to properly participate he also needs to invest in at least minimally suitable "warez" (quest related equipment), of which there are plenty of low-cost alternative. But oftentimes more fashionable players opt for more expensive gear.

There is, however, one major financial advantage that this game has that is matched by no other. Intermediate players have opportunities to be financially compensated for their participation. Without involving relocation to India or Korea! Furthermore, the "Wizards" or "3l337s" (advanced players) are given opportunities to travel to periodical national conventions (even international!) to showcase their "m4d 5killz" (exceptional ability). Travel and lodging fully paid even!

There are also additional psychological/physiological benefits to this gameplay that simply cannot be matched by others. Unlike its counterparts, its participation demands talents/tasks beyond manipulation of a keyboard and a mouse, or a controller. Players are required to assess and respond to highly complex visual/auditory input, and at the same time make quick decisions following complex yet instinctive congnitive processes exceeding what is demanded on typical FPS (first person shooter) gameplay.

I also would like to mention the social aspect of this game, which is quite unique in that it is extremely beneficial rather than destructive, as a typical MMORPG's social aspect tend to be.

During your son's current experience in "World of Warcrack," he is exposed to peer pressure of similarly addicted players to participate in quests/missions/raids in order to achieve artifacts/goals whose rewards rarely reach beyond the digitized realm. Those who make the infrastructure of gameplay in such MMORPGs do not have the players' interest in their mind. Instead, they prey upon those who are susceptible to addictive gameplays and continue to rake in monthly fees.

In contrast, the game I suggest expects, and supports, him to continue to work toward improving his "stats" (skills and qualities) while at the same time, gaining "RL xp" (real life experience) toward better responsibilty and accountability. The architects and hosts of this gameplay will gladly offer clear support toward this aspect of your son's interest as well, should he choose to try it out.

In return for their support and generosity, your son will also experience a very rewarding act of social responsibility in that, he would be partaking in an overall effort that enhances the quality of a special-interest sub-culture that works diligently and very hard to promote our national interest, albeit in a quite small way (but perhaps far greater in symbolic level?)

I'd also like to add that his geographic location (of his primary residence, at least) is very close to one of the most active centers in the world when it comes to this game! "LAN parties" (gatherings/events) and "guilds" (organized groups of players) are abundant in the tri-state region as are opportunities for his participation in paid gameplay!

If this sounds like something he might benefit from, consider the following initial investment:

• $50~$75 Training module -- not available at stores or download, but can be obtained in person (refer to this link for further instruction)
• $100+ Body Armor -- navy jacket, grey slacks, shirt, tie, dress shoes
• $10~$20 "Eq" (equipment) -- paper/plastic cards of three colors, timer/stopwatch

Have him look up my guild when he's out there. He will be welcomed by likeminded players.



Mauler
Refs-R-Us
International Record Holder:
- most days played in a year

[Angwilwileth]

Man! I'd like to rep you for that Mauler, but I can't and I think I know why.

[Mauler]

Heh.

I'm interested in hearing feedbacks, particularly on at which point the reader figures out which game I'm talking about!

Oh, and kudos for having the patience to read through it to get to the punchline! It didn't occur to me while writing just how lengthy it had turned out to be.

[ggom]

ma'am ur son is in trouble and something needs to be done. !!!!
I'm 17 myself, and I also (used to) have a serious problem with online gaming. My parents went ballistic of course ^^
The solution : (for me, this may not apply, but it's just some advice)
Don't start. Once I get into a game 'hardcore', it take tremendous willpower to pull myself out, and in the case of MMORPGs there's also the (very tempting) sunk cost fallacy which makes it so much the harder to quit something I've devoted so much energy to.
Since that doesn't really deal with a pre-existing addiction, I had to take a harder measure on myself - stop playing. The first week was HELL, and I had to do it several times (think relapse into drugs) before I got through a week without the game. After that though, I lost interest quickly, and I quickly resumed a normal teenage life. (the fact that there are no real girls in Diablo II helps)

I hope you can help your son like this; if you can manage to convince him to hold himself off it completely for even a short amount of time, he should be able to get back into enjoying real-life. The key of course, is that he has to know that the game is destroying his life. Hehe I suppose this post has deviated ALOT from the original writer's intentions. Paiseh..

[The Chaotic Wind]

a friend of mine just came back to school, he dropped out of the CONINUATION school, went to one of those school were you show up ocne a week for 3 hours and dropped there too. he played WoW all day and figured it was better than going to school...quite sad really. but he's back and none of our friends are letting him cut. gotta watch those kids....

in funnier news i was in sculpture today and we had to make donut shapes if w were open minded, or disk shapes if we were closed (introduction day) then pair u0 with someoen wihtt eh same shape.
I paired up with a kid and he immediatly said somehint galong teh lines of "I HAVE THE RING OF POWER! IT GIVES ME +999 ON ALL STATS!!!"
I answered with "i havea donut...i eat it an it delays hunger by 3% and gives me limited boosted energy, the only downside is it can cause heartattack wiht can be an instant kill"
He then coninued ramblinb and after a a while i felt i wa sobliged to say "ok, go get your computer, i'll go get my foil (had to explain what a foil was) we'll duke it out and we'll see who wins"
he argued with that gaming was funner
i said no of course because lets face it, funner than fencing? HA!
i then pointed out that while i could get good at fencing and someday get paid for it, gaming would only charge him money. i put this into something like "fencing gives me +10 economy after i master it. gaming will always gives you -50"
the conversation was purely for fun...but i could still see that look of defeat as he rolled his clay up and put it away.

[KD5MDK]

That's very cute, but the number of people in the US who get paid for fencing is probably smaller than the number of professional gamers.

[The Chaotic Wind]

BAH HUMBUG!
either way, the fact is they can pretend to be a swordmaster all they want.
Meanwhile i'll BE a swordsman and pretend i'm a master...=P
besides, chicks dig fencers (the ones i've met anyways...some of them...)

Seriously though, i'm sure fencing can take you much further in life than warcrack, it's healthier and in amny cases encourages good grades, a lot of the fencers agree it's not only healthy physically, but spiritually(i'm an agnostic and i honestly feel closer to any existing god when i fence, and not just when my opponent's blade is broken) and mentally as well.
how many can say that about MMORPGs?