This picture completely describes how I feel about World of Warcraft currently. I believe Gee describes this feeling very accurately in his novel. "When you have played a video game for a while, something magical happens to the texts associated with it. All of sudden they seem lucid and clear and readable. You can't even recall how confusing they seemed in the first place"(99). This a screen shot taken after Super Explosion flexed their muscles for the camera. Well, let me back up a little bit. "Super Explosion" is a new identity Evan came up with for Travis, him, and I. In this group, we have obtained new names as well. Jackhammer, T-Dog, and H-Cat...very original I know. haha. These names are important because established our "team." We are already part of the class guild, but now also apart of Super Explosion. Mainly, Evan and I talked to Travis and encouraged him through is quests. I was familiar with the land of Eastern Kingdom, so if we needed help navigating I was quick to respond. Evan encouraged Travis to go to the city and buy better weapons and armor. Also, Travis and I found Evan's help as a safety net. If we were unable to fight of the army Evan could help with one swift killing. I did manage to level up a little bit while helping Travis, but I was really enjoying myself. Like I had mentioned in the previous blog, I am a social gamer. I loved playing with friends from class. I think there will be a bond between the three of us. I think our bond was established through our desire to help one another and our successes brightened our ideas about friendship. Two English majors were able to critically connect with a History major. I think WoW is beginning to bridge the gap between different "types" of people and I love that. Travis and I feel like Evan is "one of us" and I love that through gaming I am able to get to know my class mates. I couldn't be happier with my gaming experience. I am looking forward to completing my instance with the class because I have complete faith that our class will continue to work together under Mortimore's Army and achieve the impossible.
Cue "We Are Young" by Fun. haha.
I had an awesome time with you guys that night. My problem with WoW (at least what my friends that religouly play WoW think) is that I level up so far then just decide to hang out somewhere in game not gaining any levels. The game isn't only about leveling and doing "end game" content. It is about playing and having fun with friends. Too many people view this game as just power leveling until 85. When you go on a trip somewhere the destination is only one part of the adventure, what I find more enjoyable is the time it takes you to get there.
ReplyDeleteHey Heather, I agree with the part about bridging people together based on different fields of study and personality types that we may not have the chance to otherwise encounter. Taking this class for example, it would have been improbable that we would have met the history, criminal justice, computer design majors, etc. I know while I was in a dungeon I mentioned playing this for a class and they were shocked and asked what college offered it, and thereafter they mentioned their universities. A major in chemical engineering from Purdue who had been on a 36 hr WoW binge. Another one of the same from Yale. So yeah it's interesting to see the diverse array of WoW gamers out there.
ReplyDeleteEvan- sometimes I only get on WoW to gain experience points and level up, but most of the time I find myself getting on just to chat with other gamers. I love when I see people online from our class though because I know them from real life. Also, I use my social skills as a benefit in WoW. I am able to talk to other more experienced players and they tell me what weapons to consider buying and how to get around the synthetic world. You are right, the game should be about the journey to success.
ReplyDeleteDenny- I had told many people in WoW about this class. They are very curious and many of them are jealous. They think it is a great idea. Many of the people I met though were either really young or older. I do not think I met many current college students, but I did meet a person who went to school for graphic design. I hope that if anything nongamers may in the future give WoW a chance, and if not WoW then any sort of MMORPG. Massive Multiple-Player Online Role Playing Game...(I just realized how much I have really learned about the synthetic world). I bet you would agree with me on that. haha.