my brief journey to the World of Warcraft
Katie was picking out which photos to print at the photo shop. Since the CD I burner her had hundreds of photos it was taking a while to load. I popped over to the video game store. I found Quidditch for GameCube for $8! Fun stuff. Then I saw this 2-week trial of World of Warcraft for $1.99. I knew better. I'd often said that the reason I never tried that game is the same as the reason I've never tried heroin--I knew I'd like it and I'd get hooked. (Clearly an exaggeration and I don't mean to belittle people suffering from chemical addiction by equating it to addictive video games). But I was curious and figured it'd be fun to try it out over vacation. So I played for a few hours today and what I found is that it sucks me in and it's hard to stop but I also don't enjoy it as much as other things I could be doing.
It also hurts my wrists to play for a long time. The bottom line is that my time is limited and how much I can do that taxes my wrists is limited and I'd rather do other things. So I uninstalled it and threw the DVD in the dumpster.
So many things that I have to do require sitting in front of the computer, plus it's how I keep in touch with friends and family. Together that gives me more than enough time in front of this bright screen. Which isn't to say I don't enjoy the occasional computer game, but not one that requires as much time as WOW.
For me games are mostly a social pastime. I really like a recent series of ads (see this example) for Dungeons and Dragons I've seen in comic books--it's just so much more fun to play with people in person.
It also hurts my wrists to play for a long time. The bottom line is that my time is limited and how much I can do that taxes my wrists is limited and I'd rather do other things. So I uninstalled it and threw the DVD in the dumpster.
So many things that I have to do require sitting in front of the computer, plus it's how I keep in touch with friends and family. Together that gives me more than enough time in front of this bright screen. Which isn't to say I don't enjoy the occasional computer game, but not one that requires as much time as WOW.
For me games are mostly a social pastime. I really like a recent series of ads (see this example) for Dungeons and Dragons I've seen in comic books--it's just so much more fun to play with people in person.
Labels: games, play, reflections, technology
posted by russell at
11:51 PM
3 Comments:
I have avoided computer games since I started university, for obvious reasons of addiction (Resident Evil did me in during my last few years of high school). I do like your exaggeration, though!
By
BlondebutBright, at 3:48 PM
i have only recently pulled myself away from the world of knights of the old republic (1 and 2). they are fun and awesome games (i admit it is fun to twirl double-bladed light sabers and the immediately hack giant scorpions to pieces) but there is so much other stuff i need to get done. sophomore English papers do not grade themselves.
oucdjc!!
By
tim, at 5:46 PM
Yes, Tim is right to say KOTOR is awesome. I enjoyed playing it when I borrowed his XBox. He is also right that essays do not grade themselves (I might also add that a MA thesis does not write itself, either...).
I actually lapsed and played through most of the 2-week trail (you can download the software for free). It was fun, but I think I'll stick to less all-consuming games and save the money, which comes out to about $200 for a year of playing.
By
russell, at 3:19 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home