Did WoW take over your life?

[ggnl]

I regret ever buying the game. For the most part, I never went too overboard with it. I maintained my social life, kept my grades up, and worked out regularly. But every other ounce of free time I had was consumed by WoW. The things I did that normally enrich my life, like reading and finding good movies and music, were all put on hold indefinitely while my addiction played out.

Looking back, I thought I was in control because I maintaind a relatively normal life while I was playing, but I had to force myself to do those things, all the while knowing very well that I would rather be back home on the computer.

In the end, I quit because of a friend's very vocal complaints that I should be doing something better with my time. He really loved to point out that if I had chosen to apply all the time I spent in the game (50+ days, or 1,200+ hours) towards another purpose, I could have learned to play a musical instrument, or earned another degree, or just gone out and met new people. All things that could have benefitted me for the rest of my life. But instead I get to remember that year of my life I spent playing some stupid video game.

 

[bcterps]

I'm GM of a raiding guild (we're on Huhuran). WoW takes up a lot of my free time, but I moderate my playtime so that I lead a relatively well balanced life. Being married helps with that too I'm so glad this game did not come out while I was in college, because I could see myself being even more addicted to this game. I am addicted to this game, but to me it's about people, moreso than the game. If I didn't have great guildmates, I would have stopped playing this game a long time ago.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Originally posted by: pclstyle
this is all terribly sad


well, gratz to those who finally managed to wake up and realize that even if you ever do reach the pinnacle of the gaming community, there's nothing else to look forward to. You'll have killed countless hours of your youth in a fantasy world where the rewards relative to the amount of time and energy you dedicate to playing - are ridiculously minimal. So what, you have a top-tier character with amazing gear, and your name is recognized all over your server. Now what? If you take an objective look at your life, and all of your pride and accomplishments stem from a computer game -- then you really, really need to reevaluate whether you really have your head on straight.

New games come out, new generations of gamers replace their predecessors, people grow older and leave the community, but some don't make it out. And those are the 24 year olds who rush home from work everyday, back to their parents' home, to play until the wee hours of the night. It's a fatal cycle, the ones who have nothing else to look forward to because they've killed so much of their time already and can't see past it being anything but a waste if they quit -> become the ones who continue pouring hour after hour into the same monotonous routine because they have nothing else. Yes, it's not too late for them, they can still go on to have very successful lives. But that line, that point of no return, is advancing much faster than you think -- and there will truly be a time when it is too late, and you'll have nothing to show for it but bitter regrets. Oh, and a million fantasy gold.

Sure, you can get on the defensive and ejaculate any number of explanations for why you CHOSE this lifestyle over another. But who really cares that you have a good time playing, who really cares that you ebayed your accounts for $1000, and who really cares that you've created countless multivar formulas to optimize your gaming experience. Yes, you have a girlfriend, a steady job, a car, loans payed off -- great. but in the grand scheme of it all -- you commit more time in computer GAMES than in any other area of your life. And that's pretty damn sad any way you look at it.



And for those who find this non-applicable because they are aspiring to be a pro-gamers: look how few can successfully make a living off of it -- compare that to the number who quit and retire because they see its futility, even at the top echelons of tournament. plus, lol, (not out of bitterness because I'll never see myself being broadcasted on espn9234 playing starcraft) I could never respect someone who took a computer game that seriously.

Who really cares what other people think?
I play WoW because I have a good time playing WoW
That is the point: Fun. It's a source of amusement and entertainment. It needs no further purpose.

That being said, I do spend a lot more time at work and sleeping then I do playing WoW.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: hungfarover

Originally posted by: ForumMaster
nope. i'm stronger then that. i actaully never played it. don't like those type of games. Guild Wars is much better. Then there's Oblivion which is even better.

If you've never played it, how do you know Guild Wars is better?

Shhh! Don't question ForumTroll's infinite, yet totally baseless "wisdom!"

:laugh:

 

[pclstyle]

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn

Originally posted by: pclstyle
this is all terribly sad


well, gratz to those who finally managed to wake up and realize that even if you ever do reach the pinnacle of the gaming community, there's nothing else to look forward to. You'll have killed countless hours of your youth in a fantasy world where the rewards relative to the amount of time and energy you dedicate to playing - are ridiculously minimal. So what, you have a top-tier character with amazing gear, and your name is recognized all over your server. Now what? If you take an objective look at your life, and all of your pride and accomplishments stem from a computer game -- then you really, really need to reevaluate whether you really have your head on straight.

New games come out, new generations of gamers replace their predecessors, people grow older and leave the community, but some don't make it out. And those are the 24 year olds who rush home from work everyday, back to their parents' home, to play until the wee hours of the night. It's a fatal cycle, the ones who have nothing else to look forward to because they've killed so much of their time already and can't see past it being anything but a waste if they quit -> become the ones who continue pouring hour after hour into the same monotonous routine because they have nothing else. Yes, it's not too late for them, they can still go on to have very successful lives. But that line, that point of no return, is advancing much faster than you think -- and there will truly be a time when it is too late, and you'll have nothing to show for it but bitter regrets. Oh, and a million fantasy gold.

Sure, you can get on the defensive and ejaculate any number of explanations for why you CHOSE this lifestyle over another. But who really cares that you have a good time playing, who really cares that you ebayed your accounts for $1000, and who really cares that you've created countless multivar formulas to optimize your gaming experience. Yes, you have a girlfriend, a steady job, a car, loans payed off -- great. but in the grand scheme of it all -- you commit more time in computer GAMES than in any other area of your life. And that's pretty damn sad any way you look at it.



And for those who find this non-applicable because they are aspiring to be a pro-gamers: look how few can successfully make a living off of it -- compare that to the number who quit and retire because they see its futility, even at the top echelons of tournament. plus, lol, (not out of bitterness because I'll never see myself being broadcasted on espn9234 playing starcraft) I could never respect someone who took a computer game that seriously.

Who really cares what other people think?
I play WoW because I have a good time playing WoW
That is the point: Fun. It's a source of amusement and entertainment. It needs no further purpose.

That being said, I do spend a lot more time at work and sleeping then I do playing WoW.

meh, if you're so sure that none of what i stated applies to you in any way, why reply?


it's addressed directly to those for whom the game consumes their life in an uncontrollable/out-of-hand kind of way. If that's not you, then you don't have to worry at all- right?

 

[wyvrn]

No, but I recently played Guild Wars and thought it was fun. It had a decent storyline and the game forced you to follow the 'trail'. But I have felt since playing EQ that online RPGs become nothing more than level fests, raiding and camping at a certain point. On the contrary, playing a good pen and paper every once in a while is still fun!

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: ggnl
I regret ever buying the game. For the most part, I never went too overboard with it. I maintained my social life, kept my grades up, and worked out regularly. But every other ounce of free time I had was consumed by WoW. The things I did that normally enrich my life, like reading and finding good movies and music, were all put on hold indefinitely while my addiction played out.

Looking back, I thought I was in control because I maintaind a relatively normal life while I was playing, but I had to force myself to do those things, all the while knowing very well that I would rather be back home on the computer.

In the end, I quit because of a friend's very vocal complaints that I should be doing something better with my time. He really loved to point out that if I had chosen to apply all the time I spent in the game (50+ days, or 1,200+ hours) towards another purpose, I could have learned to play a musical instrument, or earned another degree, or just gone out and met new people. All things that could have benefitted me for the rest of my life. But instead I get to remember that year of my life I spent playing some stupid video game.

Yeah, I used the same logic to quit the game as well. I figured that it takes around 300 hours of gameplay to get to level 40 and earn (not buy you damn cheaters, EARN) enough gold to get a horse in WoW. If I did computer consulting work for $40 an hour for those three hundred hours, I would have $12,000 to buy a REAL horse and saddle and get the training on how to ride it. Think about THAT the next time spend 8 hours a night questing

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob

Originally posted by: ggnl
I regret ever buying the game. For the most part, I never went too overboard with it. I maintained my social life, kept my grades up, and worked out regularly. But every other ounce of free time I had was consumed by WoW. The things I did that normally enrich my life, like reading and finding good movies and music, were all put on hold indefinitely while my addiction played out.

Looking back, I thought I was in control because I maintaind a relatively normal life while I was playing, but I had to force myself to do those things, all the while knowing very well that I would rather be back home on the computer.

In the end, I quit because of a friend's very vocal complaints that I should be doing something better with my time. He really loved to point out that if I had chosen to apply all the time I spent in the game (50+ days, or 1,200+ hours) towards another purpose, I could have learned to play a musical instrument, or earned another degree, or just gone out and met new people. All things that could have benefitted me for the rest of my life. But instead I get to remember that year of my life I spent playing some stupid video game.

Yeah, I used the same logic to quit the game as well. I figured that it takes around 300 hours of gameplay to get to level 40 and earn (not buy you damn cheaters, EARN) enough gold to get a horse in WoW. If I did computer consulting work for $40 an hour for those three hundred hours, I would have $12,000 to buy a REAL horse and saddle and get the training on how to ride it. Think about THAT the next time spend 8 hours a night questing

That's a horrible way of looking at things. Think about all the time you've spent surfing, browsing AT, sleeping for more than 6-7 hours per 24 hour period, watching TV, commuting, etc.

We you planning on filling every single spare moment of your life with money-earning work? What a horrible and utterly useless existence that would be.

You work to live, not live to work. While you may consider learning to play a musical instrument or buying a horse enjoyable and "worthwhile" endeavors, some people find the same (or more) enjoyment out of playing together with friends and family, making new friends, etc in a game.

I just fail to see how "what you enjoy" is somehow morally superior to what other people enjoy. There all lots of things I think are boring and wasteful, like gambling, going to clubs/bars, getting stoned, etc. I don't begrudge those people who do such things, however, as that's simply something they enjoy. More power to them, as long as they are happy and aren't hurting anyone.

 

[733SHiFTY]

honestly, I like playing wow, but I'll probably quit sooner or later.

 

[Baked]

I got bored of my main, so I'm gonna level all 4 of my mules to lvl 60 this month.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Originally posted by: pclstyle

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn

Originally posted by: pclstyle
this is all terribly sad


well, gratz to those who finally managed to wake up and realize that even if you ever do reach the pinnacle of the gaming community, there's nothing else to look forward to. You'll have killed countless hours of your youth in a fantasy world where the rewards relative to the amount of time and energy you dedicate to playing - are ridiculously minimal. So what, you have a top-tier character with amazing gear, and your name is recognized all over your server. Now what? If you take an objective look at your life, and all of your pride and accomplishments stem from a computer game -- then you really, really need to reevaluate whether you really have your head on straight.

New games come out, new generations of gamers replace their predecessors, people grow older and leave the community, but some don't make it out. And those are the 24 year olds who rush home from work everyday, back to their parents' home, to play until the wee hours of the night. It's a fatal cycle, the ones who have nothing else to look forward to because they've killed so much of their time already and can't see past it being anything but a waste if they quit -> become the ones who continue pouring hour after hour into the same monotonous routine because they have nothing else. Yes, it's not too late for them, they can still go on to have very successful lives. But that line, that point of no return, is advancing much faster than you think -- and there will truly be a time when it is too late, and you'll have nothing to show for it but bitter regrets. Oh, and a million fantasy gold.

Sure, you can get on the defensive and ejaculate any number of explanations for why you CHOSE this lifestyle over another. But who really cares that you have a good time playing, who really cares that you ebayed your accounts for $1000, and who really cares that you've created countless multivar formulas to optimize your gaming experience. Yes, you have a girlfriend, a steady job, a car, loans payed off -- great. but in the grand scheme of it all -- you commit more time in computer GAMES than in any other area of your life. And that's pretty damn sad any way you look at it.



And for those who find this non-applicable because they are aspiring to be a pro-gamers: look how few can successfully make a living off of it -- compare that to the number who quit and retire because they see its futility, even at the top echelons of tournament. plus, lol, (not out of bitterness because I'll never see myself being broadcasted on espn9234 playing starcraft) I could never respect someone who took a computer game that seriously.

Who really cares what other people think?
I play WoW because I have a good time playing WoW
That is the point: Fun. It's a source of amusement and entertainment. It needs no further purpose.

That being said, I do spend a lot more time at work and sleeping then I do playing WoW.

meh, if you're so sure that none of what i stated applies to you in any way, why reply?


it's addressed directly to those for whom the game consumes their life in an uncontrollable/out-of-hand kind of way. If that's not you, then you don't have to worry at all- right?

Sadly, on weekdays, WoW raiding has consumed most of my free time ... so it somewhat applies.

 

[unsped]

you people are fooling yourself if you think you would be doing something better with the time you use playing wow.

i've played since day one and i balance it out, only about 10 hours a week. what would i be doing during htose 10 hours if i wasnt? watching tv, eating crap, and spending money.

 

[cKGunslinger]

You're a fool! Blue is obviously superior to Red! Anyone who considers Red as thier favorite color is a nerd and a moron! Real men prefer Blue!

:laugh:

 

[BurnItDwn]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

You're a fool! Blue is obviously superior to Red! Anyone who considers Red as thier favorite color is a nerd and a moron! Real men prefer Blue!

:laugh:

That depends,
Don't forget that red gets extra abillities that Blue doesn't have. Blue is "imba." NERF BLUE!

 

[Schwan]

Yes it did. But I don't play anymore.

 

[SZLiao214]

I played from the start of the game. I followed for 3-4 years before the game came out so i was really excited when it finally did. For the first 6 months the only thing i did when not at school or with friends was play wow. I quit and went back but never to the same extent as i did before. I moved servers and finally did some raiding mc/bwl/aq. I havnt played in a month and a half though, hasnt really appealed to me.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Umberger
no, but City of Heroes owns my soul.

Really?? I played that for a few months too, then realized each mission was just "Enter instance...click click click....click click click....enemy is dead (repeat 1000x)."

 

[Rayden]

I played WoW in the beta and never played it again until Thanksgiving. My friends at home all got it so I got it and played with them throughout winter quarter. However at the end of the quarter I did not renew my subscription because my new classes would be too much work. I never regretted it. I may end up playing it again at some point. I did only get to level 40.

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: InlineFour

Originally posted by: Ronstang
I don't play stupid games like that. I actually have a life and things to do.

i bet you play nascar computer games.

Nope, nice try. WoW is stupid. It is merely a digital virtual extension of Dungeons and Dragons and only weird whackjobs played that when I was a kid. You guys need some sunlight.

It's better than watching Fox News all day just to catch a glimps of the dreamy Bill O'Reilly.

 

[Mungla]

I never have played WoW. I played on Everquest for a few months but found it rather boring. I did, however, play Ultima Online for about 3 years straight. That was back in middle school. Now that I'm about to fininsh my college degree, I find RPG games much more entertaining.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Star Trek Online!

I hope it will be 'all that' and gravy on top. I want it to take over my life.

Maybe I'll get to touch the Lt Commander's (Deanna) virtual boobies.

I'm looking forward to this MMO too. Only once since the canceled SOE MMORTS where you had modern units like aircraft carriers and tank battallions and had to defend your territory against others.

The only game that's actually pwnd my life was Diablo 2, and that was only for 3 or 4 months several years back.

 

[SampSon]

Never played it.

 

[RallyMaster]

never started it ftw.

 

[domsq]

Never played WoW, don't intend to...

 

[acole1]

WoW really sucks!!

... thats why it has over 6.5M people who currently play it - more than any other game in PC history.


No, it didn't take over my life. I just found it a great stress reliever that is easy to play, and fun.