To WoW or not to WoW...

[Atmos Duality]

People who don't play MMO's have a strange perception of grind. WOW (if you're interested in MMO's) has the least bland grind in any MMO, period.

Actually, I tried WoW and roughly 7 other MMORPGs from 2004-2008. This isn't an outsider's perspective you're getting.

I agree that World of Warcraft was indeed the best overall MMORPG (by a large margin), but you know what's interesting?
That fact did not make my experience any less boring.
Grind is still grind at the end of the day. It's pointless, boring busywork. Occasionally plonking down some cool boss monsters/items didn't help to alleviate the boredom enough.

Spoiler: Detailed Explanation.

Really. I tried to get into these games. I socialized, raided, PvPed, PKed, etc. and there were good moments, but so much of that was drowned out by the overwhelming amount of grind the genre requires.

And they make you grind because it increases their profit margins.
They make you grind because it provokes a proven psychological response to completing a tedious task.
The passage of time makes a task seem more difficult than it actually is. Based on my observations and experience, this is the #1 reason people tolerate farming/grinding, and it's sickeningly effective. It also has the direct benefit of giving the developers more time to design "new" content (which even in WoW's case, is mostly comprised of making more of the same crap, but with a new skin. You MIGHT have to adjust your spell/attack flowchart slightly, but it never deviates that far from your core.)

In any other genre (excluding RPGs, because they are partly inclusive to MMORPG), this practice would seem absolutely ludicrous. Imagine that in order to access the boss doors in a Megaman game, I had to play Simon Says for an hour.

The more needless busywork you do, the longer it takes, and the more enticing those convenience options look (or the more monthly payments they can wring out of you, depending on the business model).

The best option is to play with friends, and this was the only time I enjoyed myself.
As I later discovered, I can't attribute that to the game, but rather, to my relationship with my friends.

So, if you do take up an MMO, either try to make friends pronto, or bring some of your real-life friends into the fold.

If you just want to solo, then there are far better games (nay, activities) you could play.
You could also just do the "little bit at a time" MMORPG style of play, but even then there are still better options.

Summary: I've tried to be fair to WoW and MMORPGs in general, but the grind is just too much to justify playing them when there are numerous better/less boring alternatives available.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

i'm torn about WoW. it is/was (imo, more "was" than "is") a great game. however, it *can* be extremely addictive, to the point of social problems.

also, i would have to point out that an MMO is only worthwhile if you have a good (and by good i mean fun, friendly, cooperative, AND skillful) group of people to play with. without a good guild, the game is worthless (in fact, it was only my guild's eventually disintegration (we all got bored and burned-out with WotLK) that enabled me to break my addiction).

one thing i'd point out, is that the game is getting extremely dumbed-down. the classes are getting too homogenized, and many goals are being made too easy, in order to cater to casuals. unfortunately, that makes achieving various goals very unsatisfying.

 

[Jasper Jeffs]

I like how when you buy multiple games a month that aren't WoW, you're not throwing away your time and spending your money well, and yet when someone plays WoW they're addicted and throwing away both their time and money. It's fun to read.

OT: Try the trial, it's 2 weeks for free and a lv20 cap. Some features are obviously locked, but it gives you a good idea of what to expect. Now is probably one of the best times to play, they've just revamped Azeroth with new quests. I'm levelling a Mage currently and I'm enjoying it, there are some interesting stories to be told. Plus, you can soon fly in Azeroth, so questing will be even quicker. I believe they've reduced the amount of exp to level from 70-80 by 20% too, so good timing.

Grind is always given a bad name. People seem to just immediately think progression = grind now. Obviously, if you're just completing quests for the experience and rushing your way to 80 it's gonna seem like a grind. I play 1-2 hours a day, enjoy the quests, combat and the exploration of zones. I'm progressing, not grinding.

 

[Siyano_v1legacy]

If you want to play WoW be sure to have and almost includes anything:
1) Alot of time to spend of a video games (about 10-15 hours a week is a likely minimum)
2) A group of friend where you can play with, or the easyness to find friend in a associal virtual world
3) No trouble of repetion and grindeness, Kill [X] Mob, Kill [X] Mob to collect [Y] Item etc
4) Read alot on the internet to become a Min-Maxer professional

I know it a bland explaination of what WoW is but after almost 4 Years that how you look at the game now

 

[Cowabungaa]

I'd say yes. This is the perfect time to start WoW. They're redoing it all, essentially making this an entirely new game.

And what a game, good gods I just started playing again after a few months of absence, rerolled an Orc Shaman and WOW! The starting areas are réally good and so much more fun than before.

If you want to get into WoW, then yes, now's the time. As for the addiction stories; anyone who's psychologically weak enough can become addicted to anything. Yes an MMO's style makes it easier, but if you're mentally alright and you're able to set priorities there shouldn't be much of an issue. At least not one you can't have with another game.

If you want to play WoW be sure to have and almost includes anything:
1) Alot of time to spend of a video games (about 10-15 hours a week is a likely minimum)
2) A group of friend where you can play with, or the easyness to find friend in a associal virtual world
3) No trouble of repetion and grindeness, Kill [X] Mob, Kill [X] Mob to collect [Y] Item etc
4) Read alot on the internet to become a Min-Maxer professional

I know it a bland explaination of what WoW is but after almost 4 Years that how you look at the game now

Meh, that kinda way of thinking ruins WoW if you ask me. It sure did to me, lead to my first big break.

Most important thing; you sure as hell don't need 10-15 hours a week minimum. It's a game, play as long as you wish.

 

[Charli]

I work for Game (The UK version of Gamestop for the transcontinental) and as such, I have learned alot about Cataclysm. In short, I am intrigued. I have always avoided WoW and have never really been too interested by it. I don't hate it, nor am I against it, I was just never that fussed, until recently.

My boss has been playing WoW, literally since day one and he sells it very well, obviously.

So I put it to you my fellow escapists, is it worth (or even wise) to get involved with World of Warcraft?

Having spent the last six years on the outside, is it (forgive the pun) too late in the game to join?

Hi there, I work for GAME too, we're doing a midnight launch and I'm the other way around, I'm trying to convince my boss it's worth it

I'll try and be as unbiased as possible. There is SO MUCH to do in that game, if you can just let the story and atmosphere take you in, you'll never experience a community and world quite like it... Sadly Catacylsm won't hold the same significance that it will for the current WoW community. The world of 6 years just got torn up and advanced 5 years into the future of the storyline, to new players you'll literally be stumbling into a apocalyptic WoW (if some of the hints are to be believed) and might be a little lost as to what all the hysteria is about.

But too late? Sir I think not, the new player experience has been uprooted and in my opinion Honed to an approachable perfection, the new quests are engaging and get you really feeling apart of the race/side you choose to represent.

There's a slight hitch with the other 2 expansions, Burning Crusade and Wrath of the LichKing, essentially what happens is when you reach the pinnacle of the main World of Warcraft game now (level 60) is you go back in time, and play through events that have already happened...a little confusing but... well by then you're just rolling with alot of things...

Lemme know if you start playing(or not)/Have anymore questions. I'll help out however I can, with the realID thing it lets you chat between realms etc, so it's not hard to stay in contact with friends even if you decide you want a Player vs Player server while they're on a Player vs Environment or Role-playing server.

Oh and raiding is one of the most fun things to do and get drunk while doing with a couple of mates ever. E-Dragons have never been so ridiculously funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtvIYRrgZ04 This guy is a legend butt of jokes amongst raiders.
He even inspired 2 achievements in the game.

 

[MassiveGeek]

As a former hard-core raider, if you really want to get the most out of the community, you'll have to invest.

But the solo, level-questing is quite fun. Just no the second time around with 80 bloody levels to redo.

I quit last year, considering trying to boot it up again, but I don't think I will. Getting back into the community and tight raiding schedules would mess up my good grades I think.

 

[AugustFall]

If you don't have exams or anything important coming up then yeah grab it; it's awesome if you get in a good guild or have friends to play with.
I would recommend however if you want an awesome MMO get Guild Wars 2 when it comes out. It will be brand new so you won't be any more n00bish than the rest. And Guild Wars 1 is hands down the best time I ever spent on a game.

 

[OtherAlex]

I appreciate all the advice chaps. My main concern is basically becoming addicted, or worse, bored. I wouldnt want to invest my time (and money) just for a few months of gameplay. Though that said, I enjoy a good RPG and I am one of those completionist gamers who must do everything, just so and really put the time in...

 

[King Kupofried]

If you want to help ensure you don't get bored quickly, pace yourself and be proactive in-game.
I have some friends who keep trying to get into MMOs and always burn themselves out because they will spend every minute of free time they have level grinding. They clock in so many hours early on that they completely lose interest within a month. Nothing wrong with spending all day playing once in a while if you're not abandoning your real life for it, but don't do that every day. Clear some quests from an outpost or do a few dungeon runs and then take a break, participate in crafting or something like fishing to splash some variety in between killing monsters.

Do lots of dungeons using the dungeon finder, they are usually very well made and interesting, have lots of cool bosses and you can pick up some neat gear. Party with people if they offer you (Unless they seem like jerks.), join in some battlegrounds if that suits you, if you get bored go run off in some obscure direction up a mountain or wander through a high level area just for exploration's sake. These are the things that make games like this fun, if you do nothing but questing on your own I can assure you that the entertainment value will drop quickly. There's a wide variety of achievements to go for as well. There's pretty much always something to do besides outright level grinding, make sure you utilize that.

 

[Panicky]

I too was curious about World of Warcraft and decided to try it quite recently. I must say it met all my expectations. It was boring, tedious, and time consuming. For two hours I did nothing but murder boars in a barren field. It wasn't even that exciting; just a point and click affair. At last I thought "screw this" and ventured forth into uncharted territory, hoping to alleviate my severe boredom. Moments later I was devoured by a pack of wolves. At that point I quit, and never looked back.

The fact that there are thousands -- possibly millions -- of people addicted to this soul-grinding "game" is disturbing to say the least. Drugs I can understand, but this? The game functions on a reward-for-suffering scheme, where hours of soul-grinding tedium grants you tiny virtual items. It's pathetic.

If you have an addictive personality I implore you to stay well away from this abomination. It has ruined countless lives already. Otherwise, give the trial a go and see first-hand how terrible the game actually is. Just don't get too carried away.

 

[s0m3th1ng]

Try this first http://allods.gpotato.com/
It's a lot like WoW except it is free. Granted there are less races etc, but it has a similar feel and the controls are the same.
I personally wasn't all that impressed with WoW so I am not willing to spend money I don't have to play it, so I don't mind cheep ripoffs.
Also, a lot of people talk about getting addicted and all that, but if you've never gotten obsessed about an online game before, this one won't be any different. I don't know why people always assume that everyone who so much as tries it out will immediately become hooked and unable to stop.

Fuck that game, the pretty much ruined it when they didn't allow raid kills to be shared. I got stuck at lvl 28 in that main Pvp area getting ganked constantly. That and making incense a necessity.

 

[Lyri]

I work for Game (The UK version of Gamestop for the transcontinental) and as such, I have learned alot about Cataclysm. In short, I am intrigued. I have always avoided WoW and have never really been too interested by it. I don't hate it, nor am I against it, I was just never that fussed, until recently.

My boss has been playing WoW, literally since day one and he sells it very well, obviously.

So I put it to you my fellow escapists, is it worth (or even wise) to get involved with World of Warcraft?

Having spent the last six years on the outside, is it (forgive the pun) too late in the game to join?

Play the free trial first, see if you like it.

That's what I did and I spent time getting to 80 and such.

 

[2xDouble]

<--- down, kitty! I see you charging your laser eyes!

Actually, yes it is worth it. World of Warcraft is a lot of fun (it wouldn't have billions of subscribers if it wasn't). If you have the $15 a month to spend, then by all means, play and enjoy. However, a few things to consider:

1) Any MMO is only as fun as the friends you play it with. (copyright, me [sub]c.[/sub]2008)

2) Guild Wars is also lots of fun, has no monthly fees,

Spoiler: and Guild Wars 2 will kick ass. Heh.

3) How much do you like your boss? Is it enough to spend many more hours raiding, levelling, etc. with him/her?

4) This episode of Extra Credits [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/1906-The-Future-of-MMOs].

In spite of all that, if you do decide to play WoW, you probably won't be disappointed.