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January, 2008
In 2002 I only heard of World of Warcraft from my friend Waleed. He tried to explain to me how this was the most addictive game he had ever played, and how he wasted so much time on it, but dangit it was fun. I luaghed and said that there was no way in heck I would ever get addicted to a game, and we never really brought the subject up again.
in 2007, We had met again, and I asked if he was still addicted to that game 5 years later, and he said that if he had the funds and internet he probably would be. And again that was the end of it. Untill the Tokyo Gameshow, where I went to cover for FANBOYPLANET. There I saw the posters, and people playing. It was not the first time I played A Blizzard game, in fact I was a big fan of StarCraft, and short term fan of Warcraft III. I also liked online games like this as I was a huuuuge fan of City of Heroes. So I had to take a peak. And I liked what I saw, but was not convinced.
At the Star Wars 30th Celebration, there was a discussion at the booth I was manning, and it was about WOW (World of Warcraft), and they were talking and talking, and I was listening, and listening more. I finally joined by asking, "Come on is it THAT good?" and the simple reply was, "Dude, 8million people can't be wrong!" Later that afternoon, that person went, got me a trial copy, and told me to try it. A week later I was in Florida, and he was there as well, asking me how I liked it. "I admitted I didnt try it yet." And 5 other guys called me chicken. I wonder to this day if that was the cause of my path to the darkside, for on the last day before returning home, I went to that evil place Wallmart, bought a copy, and a 60 day timecard.
While home, I placed the box on the computer, and did my daily business for several days. Finally one night my closest friends told me how her husband started this game. And she was confused as to why it was so fun? I said I had it, but didnt start yet. All she said was that it was weird. On the weekend, I contemplated, thought, and said oh what the heck, give it a go. The phone rang, and my friend wanted to meet for lunch. We went, and I told him I was installing WOW. His eyes buldged, and asked if I was sure. At this point, I will not lie if I said I was not scared. After lunch time was bought as the program require massive upgrades. So I took the time to call my friend's husband. I asked how was the game, and he said fun, and chalenging. Mind you he is a bit older than I, so in my point of view I thought wow (No pun intended), this game may actually be good. He gave me his server name, and his charecter name, and he had to go. Still waiting, I messaged friends that I know where into gaming heavily. Only one said he didn't want to try because he was addicted to another Online RPG type game, and just didnt have time. Patches finished. I added my time-card, made my account, and joined the server. had no idea what I was doing, so I did what I believe every newbie does. Create an alliance charecter. A warior to be exact, human, and looked kinda like a veryy cool version of me. Namren was born. It was the name of my first online Star Wars MUSH charecter over 12 years ago. So I said, why the heck not. I entered the realm, and to my suprize I was alone. I didnt realize it was 4am US time. And to be honest, it was great to just explore. And I made every mistake possible (I know that now), but again, I couldnt believe I was level 5 and didn't realize I had been playing for 6 hours already. And yes, you probably guessed it, I had no idea that killing easier targets really gets you nowhere.
The next day I reached level 7, and was still in the starter area, I went out to explore, and that is where the party began. Goldshire was where it all started to take shape. I logged off and the next day played till level 10, there is where I met my first mentor Squeakee. She was level 60-ish, and offered help. That is where my luck had become really grand. She showed me the shortcuts, gave me some bags, I only had the backpack, and a 6 slot at the time. And she showed me the captital Stormwind. It was then I trully started to understand and see how vastly HUGE this playground was. And how much time I wasted just exploring and venturing off into places you never should go as a level 10 thats for sure. 3 weeks later I was level 17, and off to US again for Comic Con. There is where I saw old "Chicken" friends, and admitted they were right. This game was good. Slow but good. Then the comment was, "Dude, you are still a noob... You'll see" For my trip home, I recieved a nice present form the guys, the burning crusade expansion. And a note, "Start THIS at your own risk", and luckely I didn't... YET...
2 months after starting the game, I stalled on Namren at level 30. I could barely kill level 27 beasts, and thought the game got too hard, all of a sudden. My 60 days were about to end, and I was content to say I gave it a go. Sqeakee, told me not to loose heart, and to start a new class, and explore casters, etc. I was 30, and with super hard quests, and not even able to kill equal level beasts. It would happen again. When she told me the next best advice.
"Start a new Charecter, and DO not explore any new area untill you finish every quest available in the zone you are in. PERIOD"
My time-card expired, and I said what the heck, 60 more days. So I got a new card, and cracked open TBC (The Burning Crusades) I started an Elf with my friend MED, and I hated the turrain of teh elvish world. MED was too addicted to his other game, and I started MISHAAL, my Dranai Shaman. In 2 hours I was level 10, after taking Squeakee's advice, and was loving every minute of this new world. In one month I reached 30, and in almost 2 months 36. I was introduced to Thottbot.com to help me find the quest objectives, and installed the koordinator addon. I was hooked. The scenery of flying Griffons, and meeting people, joining groups, and doing quests with my guild mates, was really fun. Then I realized my friends husband was still on his first charecter and still 3 months into it level 20. Sure he had a cerfew, but I owed it to him to help. Which was in itself gratifying.
I started a new Job, and saw our IT guy Nick surfing what I now know as the Armory. I realized he was a WOW player, and started a conversation with him, and told him my delema. My shaman was getting stuck with same level charecters. He looked me up, smiled and said, you must be a noob, because your first problem is that your armor, and weapon, are level 15, and you at least need level 30 GREEN or BLUE. I needed to get at LEAST 5 levels below my current level, and upgrade as I level. I was shocked at how simple that was and I didn't even think of it. I looked at Namren, and viola, I was using level 17 weapons and level 10 armor Cloth and leather, instead of Tanking MAIL armor. Did I feel dumb. So that night I was told of auction House, to look for upgrades, and the cheapest I could find was a weapon for 4 gold. No problem right? Wrong... I didnt realize that between both Namren and MISHAAL, I only had 2G 36S in total. The next day, I went to Nick and told him my dilema, and my BOSS happened to hear the conversation. I call him my savior. Jeorg.
Nick left the company the following week, so he was a bit busy, but he game me the precise name of the weapon I should get for MISHAAL. And to go to Deadmines and collect and sell sell sell. Do it for a week. basically FARM. And I did. in the meantime Grandmaster-J "I like calling him that" Didnt give me advice, he drew the charts, and the skinny of how the weapons, money, auction house, and the best darn way to play this game should be played. After all he has like 17 level 70's and he didn't cheat. Its all game smarts, and using your time in a smart way. he currently quit due to time constraints, but he passed what he could to me. He tought me the idea of sending mails to your other players, and creating the bank. Deligating responsabilities, and using the auction house to help make money. Which he then said both Namren and Mishaal unfortunately have so-so professions, and are GIMPED because my talents are spread across the three areas, choose one section and grow my skills in THE one particular area, no more.
I was finally starting to get it. I made money in the deadmines and helped other players get through it. Made money to rebuy MISHAAL new armor, and the killer Axe Nick recommended. Did the quest for the wirlwind cast on that weapon. And in 2 weeks I was level 39! I couldn't believe it! I attended my first battle group, and LOVED IT. And after J told me enough, and we had to eventually use our office time to actually work, I started NANMOOI, MASHAEL, and my new Main MEESHAL. 3 months later, and on my 33rd birthday, Meeshal turned 33; Mashael 24; MISHAAL 39.999 (He has one lowest green kill and hell be 40, but that would send him to the next tear in Battlegroup - Sigh); and Namren is 38 With great skills for everyone, and money to buy the essentials for keeping up with leveling.
It is fun. It is thought provoking. It is a learning experience to uderstand how to use, and manipulate markets, and finance, and growth (BELIEVE IT OR NOT), and it is about knowing when to succomb to teamwork and coopertaion, and when to do it alone. Finally it is just purely an amaizing and rich experience, if you have the time, energy, and the chance to do something new and willing to take then plunge... I cannot guarentee a more better way to waste your brilliant time than this.
I do have to warn you. If you do have a life outside, a loved one who need attention, a job that is too demanding, or anything that needs you to pay full attention to... BE WARNED. This adventure will consume you.
The upside... You wont be spending money on partying all weekend, THAT's for sure!
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