I get it now.

Summary

After a 20-year break, the player returns to *World of Warcraft*, unexpectedly becoming hooked. What began as a brief exploration through an invite from Soda Poppin’s guild turns into a daily obsession. They reflect on the collaborative, slower-paced nature of the game, contrasting it with their past competitive experiences. Their hardcore mode journey leads to humorous and humbling moments, like their first death and learning from it. The social side of the game, connecting with fellow players and experiencing unique role-playing moments, is a major highlight. With coaching on AOE farming and a growing connection to the world, the player’s adventure continues to evolve.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker returned to *World of Warcraft* after not playing for years, initially expecting to play casually but getting hooked quickly.
• 😀 They found themselves playing every day, experiencing classic signs of immersion like less sleep and neglecting other games.
• 😀 The speaker started their journey with a sponsorship offer and initially thought they would stop after the first two hours.
• 😀 The social aspect of *World of Warcraft*, particularly their guild 'Only Fangs,' became a significant part of their experience.
• 😀 They describe a memorable interaction with a recurring character, 'Piss Job,' who role-plays as their warlock's imp and adds humor to their journey.
• 😀 The speaker shares an important learning moment after their warlock character died in the game, making them more cautious in future gameplay.
• 😀 They transitioned to a new mage character and, after some initial setbacks, began to make progress in the game with a new sense of care.
• 😀 The speaker humorously discusses the dynamics of hardcore gameplay, where a character’s death is permanent, and the risks of making mistakes.
• 😀 They plan to attempt area-of-effect (AOE) farming with coaching from a more experienced player but are cautious about the risks involved.
• 😀 The speaker values the freedom to explore *World of Warcraft* on their own terms, enjoying the beautiful environments and dynamic interactions.
• 😀 The game’s collaborative nature, with moments of group content and casual conversations, has brought a new layer of fun compared to competitive games like *Dota 2*.
• 😀 Overall, the speaker appreciates the blend of personal growth, social interaction, and gameplay immersion in *World of Warcraft*, with plans to continue playing and exploring.

Q & A

What prompted the user to start playing World of Warcraft again after such a long time?

The user received an invite from *Soda Poppin* and an offer from Blizzard to play for two hours, which led to them getting back into the game. They didn’t expect to continue playing after the two hours, but found themselves playing every day since then.

What was the user's initial perception of World of Warcraft before returning to it?

The user thought WoW might be slow and not as engaging as more competitive games. They were skeptical about its ability to capture their interest due to its slower, non-competitive nature compared to games like Dota 2 or Starcraft.

How did the user feel about WoW’s gameplay after spending more time in the game?

After spending more time playing, the user found WoW to be much more fun than expected. They began to appreciate the collaborative and social aspects of the game, which were more engaging than they anticipated.

How does the social aspect of WoW differ from other competitive games the user has played?

WoW's social aspect is more collaborative, as it allows players to work together in guilds and interact with each other during gameplay, which contrasts with competitive games like Dota 2 where the focus is on direct competition.

What is the ‘Only Thanks’ guild, and how did the user join it?

The ‘Only Thanks’ guild is a streamer collaboration initiative, primarily associated with *Soda Poppin*. The user joined it through an invite from *Soda Poppin* as part of the guild’s membership, which is based on streamer invitations and viewer count.

How does the user feel about the concept of guild leadership in WoW, and how has their view changed?

Initially, the user was skeptical about the corporate value of guild leadership but has since gained respect for the skills required to manage a guild. They now understand the stress and organizational skills involved in being a guild leader, especially after seeing *Soda Poppin* handle certain challenges in the guild.

What role did the character 'Piss Job' play in the user's WoW experience?

‘Piss Job’ was the name of the user's warlock's imp, and the character became a humorous and memorable part of their experience. After the user’s warlock died, the player behind ‘Piss Job’ reappeared in a new character form, providing the user with a sense of continuity and connection in the game.

How did the user's warlock character die, and what lesson did they learn from it?

The user's warlock character died because the user was distracted, not checking buffs, and making risky decisions in a dangerous area. This death taught them to be more cautious and attentive while playing, especially in hardcore mode where a character’s death means permanent loss.

What is the concept of AOE farming in WoW, and how is the user approaching it?

AOE farming in WoW involves pulling multiple enemies toward the player and using area-of-effect spells to kill them quickly. The user is cautiously exploring this strategy as a mage but is aware of the potential dangers and inefficiencies if not done correctly.

What is the user's approach to leveling and exploring in WoW compared to following a step-by-step guide?

The user prefers a more organic exploration of the game world, engaging with Twitch chat for advice rather than following a strict step-by-step guide. They enjoy discovering areas and quests on their own, balancing exploration with the challenges of the game.