WoW gone too far (W/POLL!!)

[DannyLove]

WoW ruined the image of MMORPGs

 

[BenSkywalker]

Good point, but would you agree that he probably already had these skills beforehand? If he just ran a guild and he worked like that, he most likely was a leader before WoW.

Perhaps, but did he operate in a vacum? The raid assists, class leaders and roll leaders all also had to be on their game and deal with the same sorts of things(including counseling underperforming people and what they need to do to get better). Much like the real world, you don't get handed the keys to a guild in that position- you need to work your way up the ladder on several different fronts, you need to manage the political end of inter guild relations, all sorts of things that these younger kids are in fact learning to do while they are playing.

Now some of these people are going to have real world experience doing these things, some of them don't. They learn through trial and error, a method far more effective then being told how to deal with things out of a text book. They see what works and what doesn't, they are learning the advantages that come with devotion to a particular guild instead of hopping around time and time again(which the younger generation needs btw). All of these things are being soaked in by kids playing the game- even the younger ones. Most younger kids have only had to deal with their parents and teachers along with perhaps a coach or two in a position of authority, it is something entirely different to deal with people whom you work with because that is what you all want to do. It teaches them how to interract with people in an acceptable manner, when to bite their tongue, how not to call someone out when it isn't called for, how to do it when it is, there are so many different real life elements that you are dealing with it certainly is at the very least comparable to organized sports. Unlike sports, you can be cut from a guild at the whim of the GM or most officers and they don't need any reason at all. Also, you can just bail out whenever you feel like it(do it enough you quickly get a reputation on your server though).

Is WoW the same as real life? Of course not. What it is is FAR closer to it then any organized sport I have ever seen(and besides myself when I was younger, my kids play sports too).

 

[tranceport]

I'd think the kid is doing just fine. I'd hire him. He can plan a strategy for his interests. Document his goals and how to achieve them.

I would be very interested to see if he could accomplish them. I could use someone like him on my Team in IT.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

i'm impressed about his work ethic. i never did this for anything when i was his age. order and discipline is what i see in his logs. thumbs up.

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: nerp
Saturday - meet cute girl, quit WoW, start smoking weed, grow hair long, write bad poetry at the bowling alley, feel misunderstood.

Sunday - back to moms.

LOL back to moms funny stuff,

I dont see anything wrong with this guy he seems like is prob in jr high though.... I used to play wow

 

[RiDE]

This is the sort of stuff you start writing when you're bored as hell in class.

I probably did the same thing, except with cars and computers. LOL

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Sadly, this doesn't seem odd to me at all. I write down all kinds of stuff--I even have lists of lists. Tonight I was working on a list of software & drivers to install for the reformat (going to Vista 64-bit). I have made lists of Guild Wars characters, their specs and info; specs & info on every machine in the house; finances for my current situation, if I lose my job, if i get a raise, etc, etc.

Meh. To each their own.

 

[Malladine]

Originally posted by: Mr Pickles

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: Mr Pickles

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: TestedAcorn
So being so obsessed with a game that you have to work your life around it is totally normal?.... and how is he ever going to be my boss one day while he sits around writing his WoW schedule while he should be doing his school assignments? When I think of a boss, I certainly don't see this kid. Whenever I play video games, it's whenever i have time to play them, not saying "alright on Monday I'll level my character", "on Tuesday I farm some with some buddies".....

What's the difference between scheduling some time to practice soccer with your team of players which includes a plan for that practice in order to beat the opposing team during the match you have the following week and planning out some video game time and the goals associated with it? It's the same thing except the choice in hobbies is different. It's no different than comparing a soccer team with a team of business partners either.

You don't understand. Video games are not sports. Video games should not be categorized as a team sport no matter how involved it is, no matter how much you rely on other players to get a job done. Video games are not soccer, they are not baseball, they are not football, they are not games that can take the place of a true competetive sport. No matter how interactive they are, video games are not teaching people how to interact with other people in a way that will benefit them in real life scenarios. The fact that you would defend video games based on these excuses for sufficiency is pathetic.

Prove it. There are living examples everywhere which suggest otherwise. While video games are not sports, sports are also not video games. Both have their benefits in real life. However, both of them are mostly for fun. There is nothing wrong with having hobbies that are just for fun because fun is a real life benefit. Why people don't understand that concept, I have no idea.

It teaches them to enjoy themselves? Give me a break. That's weak. Simply put, the real world is too complex of a place, with experience to be gained that cannot be conveyed through video games. Working as a team in a video game may seem like it can emulate work as a team in real life, but taking the things you learn in a video game and applying them to real life teamwork will not work. It takes real life experience to excel in real life.

I agree.
Though his point wasn't that it teaches people to enjoy themselves...just that it's fun? As far as the discussion on it being beneficial in real life, i'm not sure either one of you is entirely right. Or the "cup half full" version: not sure either of you are entirely wrong.

I agree with you Pickles in that socializing online is in no way a substitution for socializing face to face. But I believe his arguement is that video gaming, such as WoW, is meant to be a fun experience (superior to 90% of what's on television but that's IMO). Of course the healthiest form of fun is to go outside and be with other members of the human race in person (i've learned this personally, from experience)

That said, games such as WoW are blurring the typical line between fun and work (where terms such as grinding come in), hence the notes this kid wrote.

Talking about work and fun blurring - maybe it's a product of the demands put on people today?

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: Malladine

I agree.
Though his point wasn't that it teaches people to enjoy themselves...just that it's fun? As far as the discussion on it being beneficial in real life, i'm not sure either one of you is entirely right. Or the "cup half full" version: not sure either of you are entirely wrong.

I agree with you Pickles in that socializing online is in no way a substitution for socializing face to face. But I believe his arguement is that video gaming, such as WoW, is meant to be a fun experience (superior to 90% of what's on television but that's IMO). Of course the healthiest form of fun is to go outside and be with other members of the human race in person (i've learned this personally, from experience)

That said, games such as WoW are blurring the typical line between fun and work (where terms such as grinding come in), hence the notes this kid wrote.

Talking about work and fun blurring - maybe it's a product of the demands put on people today?

Ya, that's closer to the idea. In the end, every hobby is different and not everything you do in life needs to help you "excel" or be "successful". Given that those two words represent very subjective ideas anyways is something to consider. Personally, I play a lot of video games. I got a great family. I am not rich and I am not trying to get rich. I am not trying to max out my career either. I just don't care about that, but I am very happy. I consider myself very successful because of how I feel about my life yet I play a lot of video games. Moderation and variety is always important of course because it usually makes most people happier, but beyond that who cares?

 

[KMFJD]

Originally posted by: Mr Pickles

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: TestedAcorn
So being so obsessed with a game that you have to work your life around it is totally normal?.... and how is he ever going to be my boss one day while he sits around writing his WoW schedule while he should be doing his school assignments? When I think of a boss, I certainly don't see this kid. Whenever I play video games, it's whenever i have time to play them, not saying "alright on Monday I'll level my character", "on Tuesday I farm some with some buddies".....

What's the difference between scheduling some time to practice soccer with your team of players which includes a plan for that practice in order to beat the opposing team during the match you have the following week and planning out some video game time and the goals associated with it? It's the same thing except the choice in hobbies is different. It's no different than comparing a soccer team with a team of business partners either.

You don't understand. Video games are not sports. Video games should not be categorized as a team sport no matter how involved it is, no matter how much you rely on other players to get a job done. Video games are not soccer, they are not baseball, they are not football, they are not games that can take the place of a true competetive sport. No matter how interactive they are, video games are not teaching people how to interact with other people in a way that will benefit them in real life scenarios. The fact that you would defend video games based on these excuses for sufficiency is pathetic.

That being said. Writing down how you are going to spend your week playing video games is equally as pathetic.

So is bitching about it on the internet

 

[Lithan]

I put some thought into character design in games like HGL... but yeah. That just strikes me as the kind of guy who'll hang himself if his In Game character dies.

 

[Mr Pickles]

Originally posted by: KMFJD

Originally posted by: Mr Pickles

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: TestedAcorn
So being so obsessed with a game that you have to work your life around it is totally normal?.... and how is he ever going to be my boss one day while he sits around writing his WoW schedule while he should be doing his school assignments? When I think of a boss, I certainly don't see this kid. Whenever I play video games, it's whenever i have time to play them, not saying "alright on Monday I'll level my character", "on Tuesday I farm some with some buddies".....

What's the difference between scheduling some time to practice soccer with your team of players which includes a plan for that practice in order to beat the opposing team during the match you have the following week and planning out some video game time and the goals associated with it? It's the same thing except the choice in hobbies is different. It's no different than comparing a soccer team with a team of business partners either.

You don't understand. Video games are not sports. Video games should not be categorized as a team sport no matter how involved it is, no matter how much you rely on other players to get a job done. Video games are not soccer, they are not baseball, they are not football, they are not games that can take the place of a true competetive sport. No matter how interactive they are, video games are not teaching people how to interact with other people in a way that will benefit them in real life scenarios. The fact that you would defend video games based on these excuses for sufficiency is pathetic.

That being said. Writing down how you are going to spend your week playing video games is equally as pathetic.

So is bitching about it on the internet

Sorry, did you say something?

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: Mr Pickles]

You don't understand. Video games are not sports. Video games should not be categorized as a team sport no matter how involved it is, no matter how much you rely on other players to get a job done. Video games are not soccer, they are not baseball, they are not football, they are not games that can take the place of a true competetive sport. No matter how interactive they are, video games are not teaching people how to interact with other people in a way that will benefit them in real life scenarios. The fact that you would defend video games based on these excuses for sufficiency is pathetic.

That being said. Writing down how you are going to spend your week playing video games is equally as pathetic.

Video games teach skills and galvanize certain aspects of intelligence that sports, such as soccer, never could. Are you saying that certain video games aren't a matter of sharp minds and clear thoughts, much like chess is?

If you classify video games as pathetic, do you feel the same way towards chess?

Not to mention, where do you pull this out of your ass that video games can't teach you a way to act in real life? I played EQ with a guild who had a 60 year old grandmother as a guild leader, while almost all of the other members were successful, organized and mature adults. This was not a guild of hardcore raids and such, but I still learned many life lessons from the men and women in that guild. The fact that I socialized with these people as an adolescent helped both my maturity and intelligence grow much more than they normally would have.

Oh, and next time tell Korea that video games can't be considered a competitive sport.

EDIT: Not to mention, virtual interaction provides a diversity of viewpoints otherwise unavailable to many. How was I suppose to have discussions with people from China, Britain, Japan, Germany, as well as all over the U.S. in real life as a kid? There was no other place to accomplish such a thing as online.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: 40sTheme

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: Malladine

Originally posted by: 40sTheme

Originally posted by: pontifex
so this was you right? the whole "my friend" thing is always about the OP. isn't that some kind of law? it should be.

No. My friend, Zach Blosser (Verbrennenkinder on this forum; third post in this thread) found it in his first block Physics class.
Also, I think it's hilarious that you guys think it's normal to plan your life around WoW, and to write down in a notebook what you are going to do in WoW. Life isn't about video games.

without committing my own opinion here...what is life about?

Seriously. That's like said it's stupid to plan your life around your kids soccer games, or their drama club practice. Maybe your own golf tournaments. Or weekend movies. Maybe summer weekend barbecues with your family. Or maybe planning your week around work? Doctor's appointments maybe?

Should I go on? Seriously...

Honestly, if this kid has enough brain to plan out a week's schedule for playing WoW as a pre-teen or teenager, I'd say that once he graduates from college, he'd potentially be excellent management material.

Remember, what's stupid to YOU doesn't make it stupid to the world.

Should I explain that video games are nowhere near as important as any of those things listed? Seriously...

It's my opinion that this is just a bit weird. I'm not one of the people who would vote Insane in my poll, I would simply say that it's not exactly normal to write out what you're going to do in a video game in your SCHOOL notebook (when you should be paying attention; I.E. learning, something that is important).

Remember, what's normal to YOU doesn't make it normal to the world.

Edit: Also; as far as planning when to play soccer goes, do you write out everything that you're going to do when you play?

Should I explain that I find sporting events such as baseball, golf, and basketball in the same league as sitting on your ass in front of the TV?

The point is that this kid is taking the time to plan it out. It's showing that s/he has fairly advanced organizational skills, and this can easily translate out into the 'real world'. Again, it is absolutely no different than any of the previously mentioned tasks - though you may find the task pointless, from the kid's point of view your life is probably equally as pointless. No different than your favorite hobby.

 

[SPARTAN VI]

It's like another language. Twink? Farming warlock?

Is this a high school kid? His schedule should consist of trying to get into a decent college. Of course, maybe he forgot that notebook somewhere else.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Should I explain that I find sporting events such as baseball, golf, and basketball in the same league as sitting on your ass in front of the TV?

The point is that this kid is taking the time to plan it out. It's showing that s/he has fairly advanced organizational skills, and this can easily translate out into the 'real world'. Again, it is absolutely no different than any of the previously mentioned tasks - though you may find the task pointless, from the kid's point of view your life is probably equally as pointless. No different than your favorite hobby.

..and problem solving skills. My 5 year old plays WoW sometimes. He has been playing since he was 3. As a result, I have seen him apply both organization and problem solving skills which he learned in the game towards real life. He has also been learning how to use the keyboard and mouse much more effectively as a result. I imagine that once he gets old enough to start being able to read and write much better then it will help him with his typing skills. All of these things are valuable life lessons.

For the record, he plays video games everyday, but he also plays outside with his friends almost everyday too. Contrary to popular belief, you really can do both even though video games are your main hobby and interest.

 

[40sTheme]

Originally posted by: SPARTAN VI
It's like another language. Twink? Farming warlock?

Is this a high school kid? His schedule should consist of trying to get into a decent college. Of course, maybe he forgot that notebook somewhere else.

Yes; he's in high school. My friend Zach found the notebook. We're seniors and the class his teacher had before that was full of freshmen, so it's understandable in a way that this kid doesn't give a flying crap about his education and cares more about WoW.
Also, someone said up there whether or not I think chess is pathetic. I do not. I do not think video games are pathetic either. I play them.

However, someone who takes chess or video games seriously enough that it impairs their education and controls their schedule has taken the game too far. In the big scheme of things, how important is chess or video games going to be to this kid? You can't get paid being a world champion WoW player, and competitive video gaming is hard to get into and not too incredibly lucrative. It's kind of the same way with chess as well: tough to enter, not that great of a payout.

 

[shingletingle]

Originally posted by: 40sTheme

Originally posted by: SPARTAN VI
It's like another language. Twink? Farming warlock?

Is this a high school kid? His schedule should consist of trying to get into a decent college. Of course, maybe he forgot that notebook somewhere else.

Yes; he's in high school. My friend Zach found the notebook. We're seniors and the class his teacher had before that was full of freshmen, so it's understandable in a way that this kid doesn't give a flying crap about his education and cares more about WoW.
Also, someone said up there whether or not I think chess is pathetic. I do not. I do not think video games are pathetic either. I play them.

However, someone who takes chess or video games seriously enough that it impairs their education and controls their schedule has taken the game too far. In the big scheme of things, how important is chess or video games going to be to this kid? You can't get paid being a world champion WoW player, and competitive video gaming is hard to get into and not too incredibly lucrative. It's kind of the same way with chess as well: tough to enter, not that great of a payout.

How do you know if WoW is hurting his education? Do you know his grades? If he is doing poorly in school then, yes, I'd agree that he needs to get his priorities in order. But you haven't said anything that indicates this is the case. You've only shown that he has an organized WoW schedule.

 

[cdmccool]

I think it's funny as hell, but I don't see anything wrong with it. So what? The kid is organized and sets goals when he plays WoW. Writing this stuff down doesn't make him insane.

Maybe he realized he was wasting all his time watching hot Night Elves dance, and this is his way of addressing that problem.

 

[cirrhosis]

I used to do this kind of thing when I took games really seriously. For EVE, I've had a good deal of notes; I never kept a notebook (was never that organized regarding games) but used to have notes spread all around the place. I've used spreadsheets and so on - I imagine most MMO folks have at some point. Lately I've become far more casual in my game habits and really can't be arsed to make an effort to write shit down.

 

[coloumb]

I don't see anything wrong with this - I see it as training for when he/she has to plan out a weekly schedule for work.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Xavier434
For the record, he plays video games everyday, but he also plays outside with his friends almost everyday too. Contrary to popular belief, you really can do both even though video games are your main hobby and interest.

Shut up, man! Now people won't believe me when I say I can't go outside .

 

[manko]

Looks organized to me.

 

[TheVrolok]

I'm all for this kid. Hell, I used to write out gear lists/setups for my various MUD chars back during high school because I was bored out of my f'ing mind. Maybe this kid is just smarter than you presumptuous kids and doesn't need to hang on every word of his physics teacher's lecture. Most of high school is BS anyway. I had no problems playing video games hardcore while I was growing up (and now) and I still managed to make friends, date, and play sports all at a relatively high level (get laid frequently, first team all-state senior year of HS, etc.). The fact that you think this kid simply can't get anything accomplished outside of WoW because he's so organized is absurd. I realize you're still in high school, so you have plenty of time to grow up and understand how things really work. (meaning, if you had to come post on an internet nerd tech forum about this kid.. you can't really be all that different)

 

[cKGunslinger]

When I was a kid, I had handmade maps and notes for Adventure Land, Zelda, Shadow Gate, etc.

Nothing new here.