A long, long time ago, a friend of mine got me into WoW. He rolled a mage, and so I followed suit. Originally, we had intended to play together, but he already had something like a 20 level head start on me.
I was supposed to quickly close this gap, instead I fell in love with PvP and spent months at 29, 39, 49, etc, rather than leveling.
We occasionally would try out alts, again with the intention of playing together, but those never lasted for one reason or another. Either playing a warrior was too boring for one of us, or the other would “accidentally” level ten times; so on and so forth.
We never got a chance to avidly play together until we hit end-game. Which didn’t last long, as aforementioned friend quit the game.
He’s back, now. Thanks to Death Knights starting at 55 and me possessing 5 alts within the 59-70 range, we played together. Freakin’ all the time. Nearly every day since February we’ve spent something like 2-8 hours doing stuff in WoW together.
To an unknowing outsider, we probably look like a gay married couple that never argues for no adequately explained reason.
Problem is, neither of us are really capable of playing at all on our own anymore.
Neither of us can actually play WoW for much longer than about 10-20 minutes without the other being there.
This has had a rather strange effect.
The actual time I’ve spent playing WoW and being obsessed with it has dropped off dramatically. I have only a passing interest in the game now… at least until my friend logs in, in which case there is no part of the game I don’t want to do.
Molten Core? I’m there! Onyxia? Let’s do it! Hunting eggs on our ridiculously low level alts? Done and done! Arenas? You bet! Grinding Sporeggar rep? Just lemme grab the portal to Shattrath.
Sadly, a waning interest in the game means a waning interest in blogging about the game, and also a smaller pool of stuff to draw from in order to actually make posts.
Hence the slow-down in posts these last few weeks.
Honestly, I highly doubt this situation will change.
My interest in WoW, in and of itself, has all but evaporated. I am, at this point, only really interested in playing with friends. Friends that have been with me for years, both inside and outside of WoW.
Logging in when he’s at work/asleep/whatever is a sad affair. I log in, do a couple dailies, Wintergrasp, check auctions, then try and do either some serious dailies, or play an alt. Within ten minutes, I end up standing somewhere, idling, thinking to myself “damn, I’m bored”.
Then I log off and do something else.
Whatever remnants of the hardcore that was left in me has been surgically removed.
And yet, I think, in the time I actually do play, I’m enjoying myself far more than I ever did alone. Even getting roflstomped in arenas is more enjoyable than nearly everything I can think of to do alone.
So, there. Now you know.
I’m going to keep blogging for as long as it remains fun for me, it’s just I play less now, and by correlation play a mage less now, so the posting is less now.
Less now totally needs to become a single word. Lesnow. Oh wait, nevermind, that’s a porno.
At least I’m glad you didn’t say “I’ll quit blogging altogether, I’m done with the game”. All those “bye”, “i’m losing interest” posts popping up now at my favourite posts make me really sad. The more bloggers that give up, the harder will it be for me to keep blogging. Obviously I’m something of a parasite, I just haven’t been aware of it before. I feed, maybe not on the ideas of other blogs, but on their energy, the inspiration they give me. Who will be the last man standing?
That is so what is happening to me now. I believe it is what they term WOW “Burn Out”. Perhaps a few months off subscription would bring the fun back again.
Continue blogging! This is a great site!
I think there is a lot of “burnout” going around. I have lower level alts, but after getting my pally and mage to 80, I’m just tired of the same quests over and over.
I use to play with my boyfriend and he has recently quit to play LOTRO. I’ve tried it as well and enjoy it, but I’ve told him that I still enjoy the group dynamics and raiding in WoW enough that I won’t step away permanently.
But I really do hope your blog stays up. I have no clue as to how to gear up a mage! LOL
I’m having some burnouts as well. I used to be in a guild that farmed naxx every week, it got so boring. Right now my friends are away for a week so I, instead of group pve, do dailies and stuff. I enjoy the change and, because I’m not really raiding atm, when I’ll get in a raiding guild I’ll enjoy it way more.
I have run into the same burnout lately as well. Once I got my mage to 80, I had no desire to level one of my alts or even consider rep grinds on them for their professions. On most days, I log in to do the fishing and cooking dailies, the easier tourney dailies, a transmute and try to decide if I need to sell any of my weed hoard. Since a few of my outside interests are happening more often on raid days, I find I don’t miss the raids at all any more. For all the complaints people used to make about MC, I think those were the most fun raids we ever did as a guild. With the 25-mans now, it seems people are so loot and achievement driven that it’s more like work than fun. God I need a break….lol
Maybe burnout is going around, who knows but it may seem contagious maybe as every week it seem some other blogger is calling it quits or going on break. Everyone is at different stages of their WoW career.
Reduce time is good if that’s what you need to get time to be refreshed. Taking a break is also good as well if that’s needed. But just don’t burn your self out and hate WoW if one reaches that point. Allot of things players bring upon themselves. Leveling too fast, leveling up your next set of alts all to 80 or close in a week. You get the idea. Youve beaten all the dungeons in less than a week. Then you look around not much else to do… You’ve done it all almost.
It’s a game. Enjoy the time or enjoy whatever you enjoy or like to do. If you need to play less. Play less. If you need a break take one. Do whatever you need to do because the game will still be there.
One the best thing I did in WoW after having played Wotlk Beta was that I decided to quit WoW for a while and took a fairly long break. Best thing I did. Though tough not playing. I just went did other things and slept more as well. But when I came back everyone was at 80 even in my guild. But you know even though I was a Tank in my guild I just took my damn time getting there leveling up how slow or fast I wanted to. I took my time, no one bother me at all. It was relaxing to play without any worries.
When I got to 80 now everyone bothers me often as soon as I log in. I just play how I want to play. I just try not to get burnt out doing it. As long as I’m enjoying the game that’s all that matters wether I’m in Ulduar or not. When it becomes too much of a hassle or pressure from raiding. I just stop logging in and go do something else.
But if you need a break or reduce time playing to preserve your game enjoyment then do so. It’s a game right?
Euripides,
Just wanted to let you know – we all appreciate the time and effort you’ve put into this, and enjoy reading your thoughts and ideas very much.
The game itself isn’t terribly interesting without the people in it.
A lot of that going around.
I think Blizz has broken the game, and all the old school bloggers are becoming less bored than disenchanted with the whole business.
You can’t even blog about THAT without being attacked by a$$hats. Look what went down on BBBB. I’m right there with him.
WTB fun.
I totally understand what your going through. I personally don’t enjoy playing without my RL buds being in there as well. When they’re not on I run my AH farming for some quick cash and quickly default to the WoW forums/blogs. Of course, now some of my friends are getting into the big-time raids, and I being a student and part-time worker I simply cannot be “reliable” and my guild doesn’t let me raid with them since I’m undergeared and they only do Ulduar now. There’s no other gulds on the server that I can find who have compatible raid times so I guess I’m a little screwed when it comes to PvE. Tryin’ to learn arena. I didn’t know his warlock could be that squishy O.o
I agree with everyone here as to how this situation is popping up more and more.WoW burnout is inevitable,and a few months off subscription would help I agree.I’m playing less now,but blogging more,which I find rather fun as a new hobby.(only been bloggin a month or so)
I had a RL buddy who played years ago,but he quit a while back.But the time he was here we rarely got to do anything together other than a pug,since his play style was different.He liked to farm all day,I like to progress through end-game content and raid.Two different worlds totally,and it eventually put a strain on our freindship in the end.
I miss runnin around with him though,doing completely useless things like coaxing unflagged horde into the arena in stranglethorn or running his alt through supernoob Maraudon.To each his own I guess.
It’s an MMORPG. I think sometimes we forget about the Multiplayer part with all the time we spend quibbling about mechanics.
The game was intended to be a social one. If you are only enjoying it with your friend, then enjoy it with your friend.
Some days I just want to get stuff *done* so I’ll wander around alone. I spent a lot of time leveling like this, but now I find I get lonely very quickly with no one to talk to.
Some of my best memories are me and my husband heading out to conquer Zangarmarsh, just the two of us.
I’ll arena for hours with my partner, but I have no desire to stand in front of Org and dual strangers for even 2 minutes.
I don’t like to PuG unless I know at least 1 other person in the group; I want to share the trials and triumphs with someone I know.
Anyway, check out this guy’s site if you haven’t stumbled across it before: http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/
He did a bunch of studies on the psychological aspects of MMORPGs and published his findings there. Really interesting stuff about how the reasons why we play the game change over time, different phases of burnout, really neat insights. Nick’s in “hibernation” mode now so I don’t know if anything new will be forthcoming, but what’s there is worth a read, click on Article List by Category for the easiest browsing.
Rip,
If you and Vox made characters on Duskwood and would like a hand goofing off, look me up. I’m always up to running around Azeroth with cool people for no good reason.
Ghost
Working full time and playing part-time has been imo a good thing for me and has helped me avoid burnout. Do I play too much? Probably. However, there are many days that I just simply cannot play due to RL responsibilities and issues. Having those distractions take me away from the game are good in that I have a chance to recharge and when I do get to play, it isn’t like a chore.
One thing I will say is that this site is my go to site for easy to find, easy to read, up to date information on Magedom. I certainly hope that Euripedes will continue to enlighten and entertain us, but at the same time, I understand that life changes and so does it priorities. Thanks for what you have done!
The wife and I took a long break from WoW. We stopped playing in Jan and just now came back. Should be fun again for a month or 2.
WTB next expansion
I’d say the best thing to gain ones interest in WoW again
is to find a different guild, in my opinion.
I play I imagine because I talk to one other person who,
like me, is fairly young and plays as much as I do.
We both have our elitist moments where we scoff at people
in Ironforge for kicks, looking at gemming and spec’s, and
wondering if they truely thought they put their talent
points in right.
Or raiding level 60 stratholme, haha.
Nothing gets you enticed again in what has already
been refered to as a social game then putting yourself
into the middle of a bunch of new people.
NOT TO SAY be Mr. Bubbly lovey social butterfly, haha.
Just never know what might do it.
Though, there are enjoyments outside of WoW,
but for my sake we’ll pretend those don’t exist.
As the saying goes, one will never know how much they
truely love something until they loose it.
Loose your authenticator, or password, for a week or two.
Still loving WoW? Come inform us on how terrible frost mages get nerfed in the coming patch (scenario,
no cause for alarm).
As for me, I’ll continue watching Scrubs.
Best not be catching that Swine Flu!
Or the more devistating illness, burn out.
Take preventative measures. Take a break!
(Did I warn everyone I ramble?)
Ummm…
Before you go, could you please point me to some good pre-raid gear?
I am totally clueless on where to find the upgrades I need to get into Naxx.
THANKS!
Ever since dailies and achivements came out. I view wow as a chore and not fun.
I am still playing though if only to get that 10 achievement points. But feelings towards the game are often bitter and resentful.
Battlegrounds are so degrading because Horde never win EoTS on my server. AV is the only BG Horde can win at and the queue time is >1hr.
Go on… sod off!
Where’s my bacon?
Don’t think I need to say i would miss you if you went… with Megs gone I am really coming up short on seriously screwed up blog posts that make me cry with joy, so if you did go…
@stupid mage: try http://www.misself.com/?p=613 for pre-raid gear… it will get you started at least… few more lists out there as well amongst the blogsphere.
Here’s a thought for your next blog post.. recipes for Lettuce… timely with Noblegarden departing and all those bunnies running about
The people make the game imo. I changed guild a few months ago and have never enjoyed the game more than now. Retarded humour and silly talks on VT makes my wow-experience just about 100% more enjoyable. Sprinkled with a heavy dose of loving abuse ofc. 😀
With that said, many people seem to be quite bored with the faceroll-content of wotlk. Although Ulduar has been more challenging than Naxx (thank GOD). 5mans are easy, raids are easy, rep is easy etc etc. No one needs cc anymore, my mage has been reduced to food provider (really mr warrior, you don’t want intel? well, I want to feel useful, so take it and SHUT UP, don’t you dare right click to remove it).
Le sigh.
@ stupid mage
5man instances are overflowing with cloth gear, just get a group and ninja every cloth item with spellpower. Get revered with Kirin Tor for a nice dagger (or have the Titansteel Spellblade made), exalted with Wyrmrest for shiny epic boots. For a pre-raid set I would suggest the ebonweave robe and gloves, they have a nice chunk of hit that will do you good in naxx.
Sorry, have never bothered to figure out how to do the wowhead link thingie. 🙂
omg this is exactly my situation…god i don’t even bother talking to my guild much lately…only when i have to
I think Blizzard needs to nerf mages, so we can have more to qq about.
Krizzlybear,
I’m seriously considering boycotting your blog over that comment. Mages are already nerfed enough. =P
I know how that feels. I’ve been kinda burnt out on my mage a little, to the point where I find myself sitting in Dalaran, fishing out of the fountain, talking to friends in Vent. In fact, while playing my DK the other night, I spent two hours just standing outside Shatt, talking to a friend who was standing right next to me outside Shatt.
I’ve been combatting that by spending more time on my little Pally. She just got the noble title yesterday at level 34, which makes me horribly proud. While Sundays with friends is still 5-man day, I find doing more than a couple things on my main horribly boring as of late. I’m sure that will change in a little while, once we aren’t all running around, grinding for holidays, and can get back to regular wanderings.
But that’s just me. I really hope you can find your zen, be it taking a break, running around an alt, standing outside a forgotten major city talking with friends, or just eating bacon in your undies. ^_^
I have thy blog pinned right next to Out of Mana’s in my aggregator 🙂 – who is out of action these days hee. You are a great read!
I’m right there with you about the “can’t focus on wow when friends aren’t present” business. If my mates log off (and they have been mostly offline for months now) there just doesn’t seem to be that overwhelming need to play these days – and there are only 3-5 of them still subscribed to wow. It’s super hard to blog about my hunter if the only things I have done online are the auction house (remains addictive) a rep daily and some herbing on a lowbie druid… all of which may have been skipped for dinner out or the gym @_@ *grin*
Oh wait – forgot to say: loved the post title, very poetic.
Come back to D+D, we miss you! 😀
This is quite sad news. Not unexpected, looking at the way the other blogs have been going, but I still enjoyed your blog posts immensly. Ahhh, it seems that I always come into trends too late, so everyone else is moving on.
Sad to see you go, but I have a feeling that taking a break will help you come back into the next expansion.
I share the thoughts of most here. I have been burned out before and am feeling it again.
WoW is a SOCIAL game and when your friends play time drops off, it sucks.
I have gone back to FPS a bit here and there (finally got around to downloading TFC2 from Steam).
and at some level, I think WoW is a poison to all other MMORPGs for me. I think “hmmm, I should try to talk the guys into trying XX game” and then remember…. I have put so many hours upon days upon weeks upon months of time into my WoW toons…. give all that up to start something new? It would be like working somewhere for 25 years, your retirement is set and you just up and quit to start something brand new….
lastly, I will continue to read your blog as long as you are around, in fact, if you would ever decide to blog about things other that WoW full time…. please let us all know, because you will bring your wit, humor and smarts with you…. I would enjoy to continue to read your blog, no matter what subject you choose to type about!
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I understand you soooo much 🙂
I’ve played for more than 2 years with a friend now, we’ve leveled like 8 of our characters together, among which 3 duos are 70+, and 2 are 80 and raiding together.
Now my friend stopped playing, bored by the game, and having much more things to do in real life.
Suddenly the game went dull for me. It’s so sad to not talk to him ingame and have fun with all the silly memories we pilled during these years. It’s as if nothing is really as good now.
My guild is still here and I’m still playing and having fun with them. Raiding Ulduar is nicer than Naxx. But the game definitely lost something for me.
Playing less isn’t that bad, enjoy your time together, quality is so much nicer than quantity after all.
Most of us play mmos for the social aspect, and a good friendship is among the bets things that can be 🙂
I only found your blog the other day and I have been loving your posts – to the point of reading excerpts out loud to my husband. 🙂
Burn out happens – some times you come back after it, some times you don’t. In my guild we’ve had people that left and never came back, but we’ve also had people that left for a few months (or in one case even a year) and then came back and are now really enjoying it.
Whether you continue to play or not, I sincerely hope you keep blogging. Your non-WoW posts have been brilliant to read! 🙂
[…] bloggers like Kestrel and Euripiedes still write and play, but have written posts about how the game has lost its magic grip on them. It […]
[…] bloggers like Kestrel and Euripiedes still write and play, but have written posts about how the game has lost its magic grip on them. It […]
Haha I read this post a while ago and sort of shrugged it off but now I find that I’m in exactly your shoes.
If my friend isn’t online every aspect of the game loses its luster, laughing about fails, raids and getting pwned just can’t happen without them.