I remember my first time.
I was sweating.
I was nervous I would do it wrong, and screw up the experience forever.
I was worried all the fuss was unheralded, and I would walk away unfulfilled.
But boy, did I end up loving World of Warcraft.
MMORPGs are something people either get, or totally cannot grasp. I do not think I know anyone who is in the middle, on the subject. As someone who has played one online game or another for most of his teenage years, I obviously fall into the former camp. I have spent at least 2 months of the last 18 months sitting in front of this computer, playing a video game. And I have also paid a total of $360, plus a little tax from the software purchases, to do it, over the course of that time.
And if you factor in the money we pay for the ISP each month, it gets even higher.
Why?
Many people are drawn to these games for many different reasons:
The competition
The escape
Boredom
But what I think is most misunderstood, or underestimated, even, is the social aspect of these games.
Speaking from experience, a game as socially dependant as Warcraft , or Everquest, or anything similar, can teach someone how to better interact with those around them. I have noticed big differences in my social interactions, from last summer, to now. Maybe age is to blame, maybe something else, but I feel much more comfortable around people now, and I think a big reason for that is spending a lot of my time around like minded people who have helped raise my confidence.
I think this is something a lot of critics need to consider. Video games have a very bad image of making someone a pale shut in, and while that CAN be true, I think it is time for people to recognize MMORPGs as a valid social vehicle, where people with similar interests can meet, and become friends.
And besides, tans are overrated.
I was sweating.
I was nervous I would do it wrong, and screw up the experience forever.
I was worried all the fuss was unheralded, and I would walk away unfulfilled.
But boy, did I end up loving World of Warcraft.
MMORPGs are something people either get, or totally cannot grasp. I do not think I know anyone who is in the middle, on the subject. As someone who has played one online game or another for most of his teenage years, I obviously fall into the former camp. I have spent at least 2 months of the last 18 months sitting in front of this computer, playing a video game. And I have also paid a total of $360, plus a little tax from the software purchases, to do it, over the course of that time.
And if you factor in the money we pay for the ISP each month, it gets even higher.
Why?
Many people are drawn to these games for many different reasons:
The competition
The escape
Boredom
But what I think is most misunderstood, or underestimated, even, is the social aspect of these games.
Speaking from experience, a game as socially dependant as Warcraft , or Everquest, or anything similar, can teach someone how to better interact with those around them. I have noticed big differences in my social interactions, from last summer, to now. Maybe age is to blame, maybe something else, but I feel much more comfortable around people now, and I think a big reason for that is spending a lot of my time around like minded people who have helped raise my confidence.
I think this is something a lot of critics need to consider. Video games have a very bad image of making someone a pale shut in, and while that CAN be true, I think it is time for people to recognize MMORPGs as a valid social vehicle, where people with similar interests can meet, and become friends.
And besides, tans are overrated.
1 comment:
Some people who are shut-ins can actually gain a sicial life, such as it is, through online games. I know that I've been addicted to to them (EQ) and spent a lot of money on them (EQ, GW), but without the social aspects of the game, I would have been lost. I've also made some very good friends in online games. :)
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