Sociologists review WoW

[Roland]

This probably the first intelligent article on the topic that I've read. There's just so much that's vapid and sensational in WoW publicity and PR that this article is really a breath of fresh air. Much respect for the author.

Agreed, I don't know how I got it, but my email always get's emails from the escapist and I find them all interesting. As an ex-WoW player I never got this addicted just because I sucked at it, but I can really see how it could be incredibly addictive in just the ways writer describes. I think a point that developers often miss is that for a game to be really, really addictive, like Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Fallout 3, or WoW (all RPGS) there has to be a certain unpleasant element to them. Something that makes the player feel like they just did something really, tough an hard, and did good work, and got a reward for it. Like studying for a math exam 8 hours a day, then getting an A on the exam, it's miserable, but the A is super rewarding because of it, and you want more, WoW gives that to you in little pieces. Leveling up is so great because grinding sucked.

[Eligor]

Agreed, I don't know how I got it, but my email always get's emails from the escapist and I find them all interesting. As an ex-WoW player I never got this addicted just because I sucked at it, but I can really see how it could be incredibly addictive in just the ways writer describes. I think a point that developers often miss is that for a game to be really, really addictive, like Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Fallout 3, or WoW (all RPGS) there has to be a certain unpleasant element to them. Something that makes the player feel like they just did something really, tough an hard, and did good work, and got a reward for it. Like studying for a math exam 8 hours a day, then getting an A on the exam, it's miserable, but the A is super rewarding because of it, and you want more, WoW gives that to you in little pieces. Leveling up is so great because grinding sucked.

Basically offering a sort of surrogate contentment and satisfaction, especially if there's no actual work in one's life that offers such. It makes sense.

Makes me glad my life is busy enough.

[Draco97]

I prefer Draenei. Better proportions.

Indeed, better proportions and the accent did me in.

Night Elves just bring horrible, horrible nightmares of Goldshire.

On topic: I agree with Roland, I played WoW for two and a half years, and raided for the last six months to a year of that, and I HATED it with every ounce of my being, but getting that one purple virtual item made it worth the hours spent preparing for it and dealing with raid wipes.