Sathfilms

World of Warcraft has been so successful because it replaces real life in so many ways, but the fact remains that you’re actually not progressing anywhere or really helping anyone out - so it’s an entertaining leech on life. Nevertheless it’s successful because it emulates life in such a clever way that “knowing the right people” will get you everything and everywhere. To have a great World of Warcraft character that can tear the opposition to pieces, it’s usually about WHO you know and not necessarily about HOW good you are. Your game skill does matter, but someone who is quite average in the game (who makes a lot of mistakes) can collect powerful gear (items) if they are associated with the right people who can “carry” them through the game. It’s a major part of the game dynamic and the communities formed within the larger WoW community. To be successful at World of Warcraft you need to build a network and preferably be able to move in various different circles while strengthening an inner circle you can rely on to help you progress through the game content.

Here are some things to consider in my project (analysis of the World of Warcraft community) and comparisons to the real world:

·         What is a documentary?
·         Realm
o   Location
o   Faction balance
o   Realm age
·         Identity
o   Reputation
o   Game play
o   Friends
o   Gear
o   Mounts
o   Experience
o   Expression
o   Guild
o   Affiliations
o   Sociability
o   Gender
o   Location
o   Nationality
o   Kindness
o   Charity
o   Alts (alternate characters)
o   Online profiles
o   Forum personality
o   Personality and backbone
o   Character talent build
o   Class choice
o   Race choice
o   Friends list
o   Age
·         Guild
o   Guild status (i.e. how good is the guild?)
o   Hierarchy
o   Website
o   Forums
o   Invitations
o   Friends
o   Connections
o   Leadership
o   Ownership
o   Commitment
o   Familiarity
·         Economy
o   Auction house
o   Private selling
·         Gold
o   In-game value
o   Real-life dollar value
·         Faction
o   Prejudice
o   Rivalry
·         Professions
o   As compared to jobs in society
o   Levels of achievement
o   Connections
o   Monopolies
o   Mates-rates
·         Player versus player
o   “For people without friends”
o   Group play
o   Individual play
o   leadership
·         Dungeons and group dynamics
o   Progression
o   People who continue playing lower level dungeons
o   PUGS (pick up groups)
·         Raids
o   Team speak or Ventrilo
o   Items
o   Connections needed for gearing up
o   Progression
o   Reputation
o   Leadership
o   Guild
o   Consistency
o   PUGS

it seems that you have a similar topic with the project I did last semenster. But noticeable, your project haa a much richer content than mine, which I think is great.
What’s your reason for doing this topic?are you also playing the game or yo got friends are addicted to WOW?

moody moon
http://ellie0223.wordpress.com/

Comment by ellie0223 May 19, 2007 @ 10:23 pm

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I never know how to reply to comments properly. Do I reply here, or do I reply on your blog? Is there a “proper” way to do it? Someone tell me! Nonetheless, I’m doing this topic for a few reasons. Firstly, because I played WoW too much a couple of years ago even after I was bored of the game content within a few months; secondly, because I remember getting frustrated in the game because I had to co-operate with people I didn’t know who weren’t really that accountable to me, but in the end, because they were part of a community they became accountable, since, they either stayed committed, or had to leave the community. The third reason would be that I’ve noticed some people (who I know personally, or who are friends of friends, or just stories that one hears) really screw up their lives because of the game. They make the game their first priority, and it stays that way until things really smack them in the face and say “WAKE UP IT’S A GAME!” So, I want to try and determine how the game can do that, with regards to the community that makes you feel like you have to stay and play. I think people shouldn’t really play the game unless they understand that they shouldn’t be the best at it, lest it consume you!

Comment by Arnie May 20, 2007 @ 9:43 pm

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The feeling of community and belonging is a major reason people are drawn to it.. like many religions for example

Comment by Shannon May 23, 2007 @ 12:37 pm

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