Addiction
I don’t know what’s the lesser of two evils, MMORPG addiction or Net addiction. I remember the days (actually, nights) that I’d spend hours chatting in IRC, posting on message boards and diddling with some scripting and usually all three at the same time. At least chatting in IRC got me out of the house from time to time as most of the people I used to chat with would hang out together. I remember on quiet nights, I’d fire up a singleplayer game and spend a couple hours on it. But now, for a few years what has gotten my attention is the genre of video games called Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games.
MMO’s can be scary things. Their main goal is to keep the player ensnared in them. To become a thrall whose main objective is to continue their monthly subscription. I’ve complained about the game mechanics of Final Fantasy XI and how everything you do in that game is a time sink. But in reality, the game in its entirety IS a time sink. Just like every other MMO out there. World of Warcraft is one of few MMORPG games that are friendly and accessible to the casual player; one who only plays for an hour or two a day. Yet that game is also a time sink and seeks to keep you drawn into it to continue paying $15 a month.
Now, I’m not saying playing MMORPG’s is a complete waste of time. I’ve had wonderful memories playing with friends in both Final Fantasy XI and World of Warcraft. Most of such games require social interaction and you meet and befriend people similiarly to meeting people in a chat room. Except you can do stuff with them while chatting. However, all these people and all these adventures, do they really add up to something worthwhile? I think it depends on how you appreciate it. A large part of me wouldn’t give up the time I spent in Final Fantasy XI. Meeting new friends and playing with them. Hanging out in game and chatting. I wouldn’t give up the time I met like-minded people in World of Warcraft where we’re fantasy writers and weave our characters in storylines. I wouldn’t give up the fun I had.
Was it worth spending all that time in video games instead of continuing to chat with people in IRC (and even meeting/hanging out with them), to maintain a presence in a few online message boards, to continue to involve myself in other peoples’ lives through their blogs? Putting it in that perspective, now I’m not so sure. Yet, if there’s anything I’ve come to learn in life, it’s that nothing is more worthless than wallowing in the past. Reflect on it, learn from past choices, but don’t keep sitting in the dark crying the woes of the here and gone. Realize what’s going on and do something about it.
What am I going to do?
Well, to be honest, I don’t have a plan. However, I’m already weaning away from complete addiction to World of Warcraft (maybe too much). I’m setting up my Macbook Pro for development work and have also begun to look for blog links and community sites for similar interests (I’ve actually done this recently when I first got my Apple laptop :P). The web design/development community I used to frequent seems to have poofed into the ether but I’m sure I’ll find a new place. And maybe even get a recommendation or two to check out. Will this enrich my life? Maybe not. But what was fun and fulfilling in the past, I’m hoping will be just as fun and fulfilling now. Another part of my betterment is to go out more. Hanging out will be a close to home type of excursion while my hopeful upcoming vacation will have me spread my wings and venture out to completely unknown places.
Speaking of which, I should just fill out new passport form papers since I can’t find the old ones I filled out but didn’t submit.
It’s me, Nudge, from /r! Did you end up going anywhere for your vacation?
February 7, 2008 at 11:17 am