compyadmin
11-25-2007, 07:13 PM
!! Lengthy Read Warning !!!

Between April 06 and October 07, I was addicted to World of Warcraft.

I began the game telling myself that I would play it in moderation, perhaps only dedicate an hour or two per day. But like many I'm sure, I became addicted. Like the other 9.3 million losers who play the game. (I think that's where their numbers are at now)

I even infected my friends, they all began to play too, it made me wanna play the game even more because now my friends were in on it, so we played, and it was fun for a while. Sure the quests often repeated themselves (kill 10 of this and collect 10 of that etc.) but we enjoyed it.

I even began to play at work on my breaks, in the morning before going to work, and then it just got worse. It came to the point where I began to ignore everything else because I would only play WoW, several of my PS2 games saw no love because of this, movies didn't get watched, things around the house didn't get done, and I began to lose my social life. But I didn't care, I was too busy playing the game. I shit you not, before I began to realize the awful condition I was in, I would probably play the game 12 hours a day on the weekends and 16+ hours on weekend days. I seriously can't believe that I would wake up, get on WoW, and then play until I went to sleep.

In November 06 I broke up with my girlfriend Krista of 2 years, we had problems in the relationship but I specifically remember ignoring her on several occasions because I was too busy playing WoW, I feel like such a stupid ass for being that way, I lost her and I didn't realize that WoW had a part in it, even if it was very minimal. Not having a girlfriend meant that I spent even more time playing the game, I leveled my character to 60 and then attempted to do the in-game raids, but the expansion was only two months away and decided to do other things in the game while I waited. The game's central focus revolves around extremely long grinds to get items that you want, and I grinded day and night to get my epic mount in the game, and to get better gear, I ran the same dungeons countless times over and over again, then the expansion came out.

In January of 07, WoW: The Burning Crusade expansion pack was released, and I was there for the release. I waited in line until I got my copy, went home, installed and played until I passed out.

Then the game stopped being fun, and started feeling like a second job, but my stupid ass was too friggin addicted to stop playing.

My friends had gone their own paths in the game, we hardly, if ever played with eachother in the game anymore. Some of us were farther ahead than others, me being the most hardcore.

Then I met my current girlfriend Naida, and I got her into the game, and after leveling my main character to 70, I leveled an additional character to 70 alongside hers. Then I went back to my main, and I joined a guild that did all of the end game content, which is where I finally began to open eyes.

So I joined this guild, they ran the higher end dungeons of the game, and I was there. We raided on Friday nights, Saturday mornings, and Sunday mornings. Raids usually lasted between 4-8 hours, alot of the time was spent dying on a boss, and then trying over and over again. Every boss we killed would drop some good items for everyone and loot was distributed accordingly, but the random nature of the items that bosses would drop proved to be a bit too random, and then began to border on frustrating. The most sought after items came from the final bosses, and these items had drop rates between 0.01%-017% which began to ride my nerves after killing the extremely difficult boss of a dungeon for the 20th fucking time and not seeing anything that I wanted, not even once. And just to add insult to that, I would have to /roll between 4 other people who wanted the same item.

Raiding proved to be the most disappointing and least rewarding aspect of the game, so I left that guild. I jumped in on the games arena system because I would be able to get good loot by simply playing 10 ranked PvP matches per week. But it still felt like a drag and even moreso like a job after I grinded 5000 gold for my epic flying mount, eventually I began to become very disappointed in the game, I still did my 10 games every week and got some good gear out of it but in October of 07, something happened to me.

While I was at work, I suddenly came to the realization that WoW was sucking up my life, and in less than a few minutes decided that it wasn't even a game anymore, it was a pointless grind that will become another pointless grind despite how great I make my character now. Then I stopped playing the game, I had said I would only "take a break" but that quickly turned into "Holy crap what was I thinking?? I need to stop this shit!".

So I stopped. I attempted to log on recently and couldn't even stand 5 minutes of it. I havent played since then and today I officially cancelled my account. I'm finished with the game.

Now I have a social life again, my friends are wearing off of the game as well, they're burnt out and now we wanna do other things, even my girlfriend is beginning to grow tired of it. I own an Xbox 360 now, I play games occasionally, I play other PC games now too, I actually find myself having fun, for once. It took me a long time to understand that the game was a waste of time, but thankfully now I'm finally over it.

And at last, a short list I've compiled of why the game is in fact a waste of everyones time:

- Classes in the game are constantly being changed/upgraded/"nerfed" due to player complaints of imbalance and etc. The class you began as will frequently see changes that also impact the fun factor of said class. Talent tree system will never allow for true balance because the game focuses on both PvE and PvP, one side will always be screwed with changes made to the classes.

- End game content is not easily accessible unless you coordinate with groups of upwards to 25 people to down extremely difficult bosses to get gear to kill harder bosses to get more gear to kill even more bosses. Results in excessive grinding/guild drama/not seeing the item you want for months/people bailing out/etc. Players who want to kill cool story related bosses (Such as Illidan) will need to do this thus screwing the casual crowd who also wanna see this content.

- The hardcore raiding guilds in the game are too hardcore and go as far as asking you to apply for membership (as though you were applying for a fucking job) such a guild is necessary to see the end game content.

- The in-game world feels fake, (my personal gripe) environments aren't seamless and appear forced.

- Addicts neglect friends, activities, work, etc.

- GRIND GRIND GRIND GRIND GRIND GRIND GRIND GRIND.

And there you go. I'm gonna go ahead and say that I am a god damn retard for putting up with all of that bullshit, I still cannot believe how much of a fucking loser I was playing that stupid game. But now it's over.

Don't give into the crack, it isn't worth it.

lenneth
11-25-2007, 07:26 PM
WoW isn't a spectacular or state of the art MMO. Its generalized, simple, and easy to get the hang of. That's why so many people play it.

Just because you and a good chunk of others find themselves unable to control their actions doesn't mean its a shitty game. Just because you turned into a "loser" while playing doesn't mean everyone who plays is a loser. I knew plenty of people while I played who managed to raid, maintain a social life, and have fun both in game, and in real life, with no detriment to either end.

I played WoW pretty "hard core" for awhile. I don't think it affected my life to any significant degree. Then again, I was never much of a social butterfly to begin with. I know it isn't a super game that deserves 5 stars, but I had fun with it, and for the time I played, it was worth my time and money. When I wasn't having fun anymore, I stopped playing.

Its good that you realized your problem though, and stopped. But its frustrating hearing players who got obsessed with the game make it out to be the game's problem, not theirs.

If you can find a guild or a playstyle that works for you in WoW, the game is a blast.

Its a game for christ's sake. I reailze that if you get into end-game, you can feel pressure to be on all the time, but its not the game that's forcing you. If you can't stop yourself from playing and let your real life get affected because of it, that's your problem.

FTR, I had a fantastic guild and really loved raiding. I wouldn't have liked it so much without my guild though, and many of the people there became friends. The game lost its flavor to me after awhile, so I stopped playing. Simple as that. It was the first MMO (besides a few minutes on FFXI) that I played, and now I reailze that it isn't as great of a game as the hype says. But I had fun, and I'm sure plenty of other people who play do too.

compyadmin
11-25-2007, 07:45 PM
WoW isn't a spectacular or state of the art MMO. Its generalized, simple, and easy to get the hang of. That's why so many people play it.

Just because you and a good chunk of others find themselves unable to control their actions doesn't mean its a shitty game. Just because you turned into a "loser" while playing doesn't mean everyone who plays is a loser. I knew plenty of people while I played who managed to raid, maintain a social life, and have fun both in game, and in real life, with no detriment to either end.

I played WoW pretty "hard core" for awhile. I don't think it affected my life to any significant degree. Then again, I was never much of a social butterfly to begin with. I know it isn't a super game that deserves 5 stars, but I had fun with it, and for the time I played, it was worth my time and money. When I wasn't having fun anymore, I stopped playing.

Its good that you realized your problem though, and stopped. But its frustrating hearing players who got obsessed with the game make it out to be the game's problem, not theirs.

If you can find a guild or a playstyle that works for you in WoW, the game is a blast.

Its a game for christ's sake. I reailze that if you get into end-game, you can feel pressure to be on all the time, but its not the game that's forcing you. If you can't stop yourself from playing and let your real life get affected because of it, that's your problem.

FTR, I had a fantastic guild and really loved raiding. I wouldn't have liked it so much without my guild though, and many of the people there became friends. The game lost its flavor to me after awhile, so I stopped playing. Simple as that. It was the first MMO (besides a few minutes on FFXI) that I played, and now I reailze that it isn't as great of a game as the hype says. But I had fun, and I'm sure plenty of other people who play do too.

I think I've developed a personal grudge against the game, I think the grindtastic nature of the game is what draws some people into addiction. That seemingly endless stretch to better your character is what got me. I do blame myself though for falling to it.

If they set out to create an addictive game then job well done, I did meet some people who didn't have the horrendous luck that I did with end game and raiding and such, but those cases are probably few when compared to mine. The randomness of loot (which is the backbone of the entire game) is what turned me off, and it began to frustrate and even puzzle me as to why they'd make it so ridiculously hard to attain.

If anything I also miss the people, they made the game fun, but when everyone quit I got incredibly bored of it.

I hate myself for getting drawn into such a grind, but oh well, atleast I've still got my friends. And my Xbox, <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Also: Lenneth Valkyrie is ownage.

ROKI
11-25-2007, 08:02 PM
Welcome back on planet Earth!

iceberg325
11-26-2007, 04:07 AM
the game isnt the best MMO but the game is very accessible. Anyone can get into it. Thats what the big draw in is. Its a really fun game for a bit but after lvl 70, if you're not able to sit in front of your screen for hours at a time running the same instances, then it becomes pointless. I stopped at 70. My account is canceled as well, for now.

J. Peterman
11-26-2007, 04:09 AM
I LOVE YOU!

Darth Revan
11-27-2007, 01:55 PM
I've played a few MMO's in my time (Everquest, WoW, Guild Wars, PSO), but now I'm playing FFXI, and tbh, I'm feeling the same way. I havve heaps of PSX/PS2/DC/GC games which I had just started, then put aside for FFXI.

Don't get me wrong, while I was rehabilitating from my car accident last year, FFXI did seem like fun, but now... it's a headache pure and simple.

Tact
11-27-2007, 11:08 PM
i don't believe the thread starter.

if your really serious, pm me your acc name and pass because i want to use your characters to run my characters through high lvl dungeons so i don't have to party with anyone.

i will obviously expect no pm's so with that i'll leave by saying that when you come back, i'll be waiting.


i've seen lots of people "quit". but they'll never give out their accs. so obviously they have plans to return at a future date. be it a few months or a few years. makes no diffrence. prove how much you regret it and hate by pming me your info.


i'll use your acc to run me through zul'farrak 20 times. heheh


other than that. i'm personally happy your happy cause you feel "free now". that's always good. me, i just go from 1 mmo to another. RYL to MS to WoW. and a bunch before and in between that i messed around with but never got into.

i'm in the same boat as the guy who put aside tons of console games for 1 game. lol.

but still. i'm still into it. and i'd love a high lvl account to help me lvl/gear my toons.

Draven
11-28-2007, 12:50 AM
i think ill restart wow sometime in the next 3 weeks

lenneth
11-28-2007, 12:52 AM
Some people probably don't want to give away their credit card information, their full name, their address, and anything else of that nature to perfect strangers.

That would be my guess as to why you aren't getting a PM.

J. Peterman
11-28-2007, 12:52 AM
Cassie you could trust me honest

gironimo appleton
11-28-2007, 01:45 AM
I used to play Ragnarok Online like that, but it got boring and I started doing other stuff. I dabble now, in different online games..

Sackboy
11-28-2007, 02:36 AM
<blink>NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....</blink>








Wait, what were we talking about again?

Wattson
11-28-2007, 04:08 AM
I think the bottom line is that, when it comes down to it, MMORPGs (WoW is no exception) can be fun until they hit the inevitable endless organized grindfest. FFXI introduces that to you right off the bat - it doesn't hide the fact that you're going to be nonstop grinding in an organized setting. WoW gives you 60 (70 now? soon 80?) levels of freedom before forcing you into that.

And, you know organized grinding is? Work.
The only reason to keep playing, then, is some sense of accomplishment, but more importantly, the people.

MMORPGs all, essentially, become a second job if you want to get anywhere in them. A second job that you have to pay $15/month for.

I'd rather get a second job and find one with people I enjoy working there and have real money be my incentive than waste my life doing that shit.



That being said, I occasionaly (but rarely) miss WoW and vaguely contemplate returning but I know my will power is strong enough to resist (and there's too many other games to play). FFXI's new expansion calls to me a ton too but I think I'll manage to stay away :P

Yui
11-28-2007, 05:42 AM
Well, I have WoW but I'm not playing it that much though... maybe once a week. That's why I'm still at really low levels. I have managed to stay away from entire addiction. The guilt of not doing homework and such has helped me to stay away from it. After all, I hope to become valedictorian of my class.

Tact
11-28-2007, 10:56 PM
ok fine. i don't care if i don't have it. but maybe someone else who happens to play on the following servers would have pity on me and just let me borrow your accounts when/if the time comes that i would like to run myself through deadmines 20 times? :p

arie peak
greymane
terokkar
cenerious

i just find it convinient having such an account now after experiencing the benefits of one when my brother was loaned an lvl 68 toon/acc one day. it surprised us both someone would trust him like that. uldaman was never easier. :p and we never touched a single gold on him or anything.

we is honest bobs. :p

Dragonsoul
11-29-2007, 10:26 AM
My friend says that he has vowed to himself never to play World of Warcraft because he knows it can be addicting. I haven't played WoW yet and I don't think I will, since I can be addicted to this easily probably. I was "addicted" to Warcraft 2 and Starcraft, but didn't get into Warcraft 3. I used to own Final Fantasy XI and played it for less than 50 hours then stopped, not sure why. I didn't get addicted to that game but I might if I played World of Warcraft.

I can understand what the thread poster is talking about, I remember when I used to play Warcraft 2 and Starcraft. They are great games but I also have to remember that they are only a game and only a part of my life. There are other things that can be done, such as: School, Work, Errands, Family, Friends, Women, Books, and whatever your other personal hobbies are.

This is a great thread! It's reminding me to take it easy on gaming. I will, just after I put in another 15 hours or so and finish Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings(check my thread on it in the FF XII sub-forum). I'll use some free time to catch up on my reading and my errands. :)

Locke_FF36
11-29-2007, 09:26 PM
This is a great thread! It's reminding me to take it easy on gaming. I will, just after I put in another 15 hours or so and finish Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings(check my thread on it in the FF XII sub-forum). I'll use some free time to catch up on my reading and my errands. :)

You are just the cheeriest person on here man. You make me so happy when I read your posts. After I get done with Lunar 2, Im going to go put more water in your mom's water dish in the garage.

WOW Sucks.

Sobye
12-01-2007, 12:13 PM
*sigh*

I agree with pretty much everything Cassie has said in this thread. If you blame the game for your complete lack of willpower, you're an idiot. The game is really fun (this is, of course, merely my opinion and not some sort of general truth), if you find the right group of people to play it with. Heck, even end game can be a blast if your guild is fun to play with. It's when you wind up in one of the "top five guilds on the server" that the game becomes a chore.

TM
12-01-2007, 06:03 PM
Wow, I might aswell blame all of my problems on Counter Strike. :rolleyes:

Metal_Nutz
12-02-2007, 12:33 AM
You are just the cheeriest person on here man. You make me so happy when I read your posts. After I get done with Lunar 2, Im going to go put more water in your mom's water dish in the garage.

WOW Sucks.


now now, locke, some mmo's are okay...in moderation. i do agree, though-WOW sucks