Writing as someone whose previous idea of an interactive computer game was Minesweeper, the introduction to WoW was, to say the least, intense.
Example:
"TEESA...DON'T JUST STAND THERE, SHOOT AT SH*T."
(Re-familiarized myself with designated shooting keys on the keyboard. Clicked on something/someone that could possibly be an enemy. Chose which shooting weapon to use- )
"LOOT THE DEAD MEN!!"
(Oh. okay. That's fine too. Abandon previous idea of shooting strange creature. Approach heap of dead men that supposedly have a commodity I would fancy plundering. OOO and yes they do! Sweet. Should I choose to get a cloak or leather pants- )
"TURN AROUND! TURN AROUND! THE ENEMY IS BEHIND YOU!"
(Damnit. Are you for reals? Okay. Screw the cloak and pants. Am now running for dear life.)
"NO, YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY!"
(&%#&%%$%).
And with the aforementioned insanity, this game comes with plethora of opportunities to hone decision making skills. As with other MMORPGs (Something Something Online Role Playing Games), I was first tasked with creating a "virtual identity." Ultimately, I chose to be a middle-aged, 2 inch dwarf with a flaming red beard. I've designated that "BubbaGumpz'" purpose in life is to primarily hunt and shoot at things from a distance.
From then on, Bubba and I have been on an adventure in the WoW world. With the help and company of friends, we've killed an innumerable amount of creatures, collected pounds upon pounds of tough jerky, trained for an increase of weaponry and shooting skills, completed tasks known as "quests," and through it all, died about 289,383 times. While I'm still unclear as to how everything we do ties together, I've been told that it will all make sense when we reach Level 80.
The coveted, yet mysterious Level 80. The elite inner circle. The level known only by the true devotees to WoW-dom. All the deep and shallow questions we have in life will receive answers upon reaching this much desired, long awaited level. Why is there rampant inequality in many institutions across America? Why haven't we eradicated world hunger and poverty? Clearly, world leaders, policy makers and politicians have not been playing enough WoW.
Magic 8 Ball, will I EVER reach Level 80?
Let's see. Currently, I am at Level 20. And mostly, this is not by my own doing but by my WoW mentor. I suspect that most nights when we WoW together, he's shaking his head in utter disgust at my gross ignorance of the beautiful intricacies of the game. If WoW were a class, I would definitely not be setting the curve. Fo' sho'.
The consensus is that Level 80 is still pretty far away. Very, very far away. But, I'm a believer in celebrating milestone achievements along any long, arduous journey. So within these 7 days, here are some milestones I feel worth recognizing:
1. I now know that when the boys in my college dorm all disappear into a room together with their laptops, it wasn't to watch porn.
2. I now know that a LAN party does not involve the need to dress up to a theme and do your hair.
3. I now know where I can find a good amount of people between the hours of 8pm and 3am.
So even if I never make it to 80, I feel it has been a fruitful, and interesting journey thus far. Given my predisposed aversion to such channels of entertainment, it was definitely one I could not have foreseen taking. Nevertheless, as with any journey, it has been one that has brought some insight.
Go Bubba!
