The call of Warcraft

I had to laugh when I got an email from Blizzard to let me know about the Burning Crusade expansion, and that it would be advantageous for Azeroth if I renewed my membership. Nice. Just when I'd kicked the habit the dealer has rocked up on my doorstep. hehe

What a whirlwind experience though. World of Warcraft. Hours upon hours exploring an online world, combining all the addictive elements of a computer game: connectivity, marked progression and an online community. And as I do with some (others would argue most) things, I went in boots and all.

What I loved about it was the fact you could basically do whatever you wanted. I could quest on, take down NPC enemies, earn gold, upgrade my character and the level he was at. I could play alone, I could join up with friends (online or irl) or I could immerse myself in the guild a few of us set up. It was the perfect game, nothing short of brilliance, and for that I hate it. I wanted nothing else but to be in the game, living out the life of my character, taking on the challenges and playing my best. I enjoyed its maps and explorable world, the tradeable items and the fact that travel took time.

I didn't enjoy the long-term effects: loneliness, getting overweight from scoffing too much Maccas, squashing my dreams, dictating my free-time. The game definitely requires a lukewarm touch and that was something I couldn't muster.

However, the game did remind me of how big a world there is to explore, and that I can't do everything alone. Plans for a world trip have been taking shape and it is through some real exploration that I wish to open up flight nodes, go on personal quests and gain experience, the kind that I keep after I've turned off my PC. A big thankyou to WoW for that.

Otherwise, if you're someone of a temperate nature, someone who can get into something without getting addicted and then have to stop completely (my biggest failing, I'm sure) then World of Warcraft might be your thing. It's going to be a mind-blowing expansion pack and I'm sure I'll be living vicariously through the online lives of those who I know who still play.