Ask not what can do for wow, but what wow can do for you.
I think there is a problem with the questions we ask ourselves sometimes. I mean the are leading. Leading us to give a carefully rationalized answer to why we do things.
Now before I get really started, I want to point out I started this post before BRK’s announcement, however his reasons reinforced this concept, so I will plow on with the post.
Why I play!
Generally when asked why we play, our response is a clear cut response.
- I play because I love raiding
- I play because I love PvP
- I play because I love the Quest lines
- I play because I need the new phat loot
- I play because all my friends play
- I play because I love grinding (ORLY!)
Why I wouldn’t play!
But let’s turn those statements around. Would you play WoW if:
- The was no raiding or group instances in the game.
- PvP was removed from the game
- Quests were removed from the game leaving only grinding
- There was no phat loot, just the same stuff you have been wearing since level 1.
- Your friends didn’t play, or you couldn’t play with (or make new) friends in game.
- Your grinding repair bills were higher than your revenue, and no experience/ rep was gained.
- You family say it’s us, or the game.
If you couldn’t have it, would you quit?
Gnomer and Out!
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To the first question, I started playing for both the relaxation/escapism and for the sense of accomplishment. The fellowship of in-game friends came later. To the second question, if it was family or game, no question that the game would go. Take away any sense of progress or achievement, after a while it would be too boring to continue.
I play as a hobby, relaxation, fun, socialization, and inspiration for creative writing. Not sure I would have ever started playing if my hubby didn’t already play.
If the game was missing some of those aspects (such as PvP or raiding) I probably would still play. Take away the socialization and questlines, then no.
One of the reasons Warhammer Online didn’t hold my interest was the lack of people I enjoyed like I have in WoW.
But if it was family or the game? Definitely family.
I wouldn’t play if I knew everything there was to know about the game.
I was thinking about this over the weekend actually, all the stuff I know about WoW. Everything from strats for boss fights, ways to make money, where things are, how stuff works… It’s a massive amount of knowledge, but there is still a huge amount that is new to me.
If I really genuinely felt like I knew it all, I probably wouldn’t play anymore.
Doesn’t look like happening though!
These days….I play for the knowledge, mainly – that is to say playing in order to learn as much as I can about every class, every mechanic, every formula, every boss in the game.
My goal at this point is simply to be the most knowledgable player I can be, and use that knowledge to better my playstyle on my characters, whether that be raiding, leveling, or whatever.
Sometimes, it pays off. =)
@Zaph: I think family is a relative (err bad joke) no brainer… as long as your recognize it of course… Dechion actually sat down with his family to discuss it, he used BRK’s announcement as a turning point.
@Syrana: At this point, I am playing for the Quests and the blog. If the quests weren’t there… not sure. I guess I played most of TBC via instances and raids.. but right now it feels like if they went, so would I.
@zupa: That explains why you always pack it in 3 months before a new expansion.. know it all, so head off and wait until it’s a challenge… Well my spec would challenge any sane player…
@velinath: One of the things I have noticed about your blogging… it’s about learning, hypothesizing even, then reporting back for all to learn…
No raiding or group instances?
Absolutely I would play, as long as the PvP was good.
No PvP? Yeah, probably not. I’d last a month, maybe two, before I get burned out and quit.
No quests, only grinding?
If I was already at level cap, irrelevant and I’d still play. If I had to level through that?
Won’t even consider playing.
No loot, just the starter stuff?
I’d definitely still play, as long as the rest of the gameplay was still there. Heck, this would actually help balance PvP, as everyone would have the same level of gear.
I’d quit if I couldn’t play with friends. It’s hard to commit to an MMO if you have no one to play with.
I don’t grind (anymore, thanks to greedy goblin) so that second last point is moot.
Family? Well… depends on the definition of family. My parents/siblings? Game. Extended family, cousins, uncles, aunts? Game.
My marriage and kids? Family. No contest.