Z and Cinder’s Blog Challenge #2

How has WoW changed or impacted your life?

Like many others, WoW has had a huge impact on our personal lives. 

Mr B: for me, the impact on my life was greatest when I was younger. Pre-WoW, I was on a route to self destruction, drinking so much I didn’t realise I’d knocked my teeth out, smoking my wage away, fighting and generally being an idiot. If something hadn’t have changed, I would be in jail right now.

Luckily, my brother suggested downloading this new game called World of Warcraft and after a few teething problems (I rage quit a few hours in when I couldn’t do the Void Walker quest), I found my mojo a week later and haven’t looked back since.

Finding a new group of online friends, spending hours online with them in game got me off the streets. I found new like-minded friends and stopped drinking. Then, Mrs B came along and now I had two priorities…

Mrs B: it took me three years to adopt the “if you can’t beat them, join them” attitude to the “stupid game” he spent all his time on 😉 I rolled a NElf mage initially (didn’t last), neither of us can remember when I rolled the Gnome, but I’ve always been a Mage. 
From my point of view, other than finding a great hobby, the impact has been a little less profound but just as important. Other couples go to the pub, or the cinema, or dancing… We play WoW. Having something to enjoy together has helped our relationship no end, we always have something to talk about (that isn’t the children!!) that’s for sure.

As a couple, we have made – we hope – lifelong friendships with a few of our in-game friends. It frustrates us daily that we aren’t closer geographically to them too. We have met one couple, with hope to meet others soon. Life, kids, work all inevitably get in the way, but we continue to hope. These friendships have had a great impact on both our personal and gaming lives… not sure where we would be without them!

(Pic from our naked raid with our lovely pals)

ZandCinder’s Blog Challenge #16

Which zone or area in WoW reminds you of home? 

I suppose if we are to answer this, we must first establish where “home” is – WoW home, RL home, spiritual home. Am I overthinking this?!

For us, home is in middle England. Google Shropshire, our home county.

We are landlocked, we have a big river and a few smaller rivers, we are a farming community with lots of arable land, a few reaaaaally big hills and many old historic market towns (if you’re really interested, google Ironbridge, Shrewsbury, Much Wenlock, Market Drayton for examples). There’s a short rhyme Salopians like to quote:

“Shropshire born, Shropshire bred. Strong the arm, thick in the ‘ead!”

So you might not be surprised that I’ve always been drawn to Halfhill. I’ve written about it fairly extensively (here is the most popular post).

I always loved the quests at Halfhill – especially the farm (I know lots didn’t like it, but I spent a lot of time hanging out in that little hut with my dog), the cooking and rep quests and the fishing in surrounding rivers.

I also think the lovely little community and market they have in Halfhill also reminds me a lot of home. When I visited to take pictures, I even had a wonder round to see what everyone had for sale and reacquaint myself with my old pals. Patted my yak and pig, dig up some weeds. Joy in the small things.

I could harp on for ages, but essentially, I just love this place and think because I feel at home in my hut with my animals and the little market to shop in, I have little inclination to live anywhere else. I would love it if they did something similar in future expansions (partly why I was so excited for garrisons, but they just didn’t cut it for me!), but perhaps just as a place for you, not saddled with tasks needed for Rep or mats. A flower garden with stables and a pet menagerie would be fantastic. Even better if I could enchant it like the Mage class hall in Dalaran, with floating books and magical broomsticks.

What a lovely topic, I look forward to the next!

Oh, by the way, I asked Mr B to contribute but after thinking about it for too long, he pulled a pained expression and pleaded to be let off this one. I can’t decide whether he’s just being lazy, or whether he has so many favourite places he just can’t decide /facepalm

ZandCinder’s Blog Challenge #15

Why do you love WoW and what makes you keep coming back to it?

I’ve been trying to catch up with all the blogs I’ve missed out on and reconnect with what used to be – and I’m sure still is – a really lovely blogging community. I stumbled upon this gem en route… find it here.

I know I’ve come in a bit late to the game, but I hope you don’t mind me joining in with your challenge and this topic seems particularly apt.

Mr B: it’s simple really. The lore. The endless game play. Something for everyone. I’ve been playing so many years, as have others, that it’s testament to how much game play there is. I’ve been so impressed with this expansion so far, I can’t wait to really get stuck in.

Mrs B: I’m not sure if there’s just one or two reasons. For sure, there’s loads of lore and history, but that’s never really been my thing. It’s just so confusing. I know lots come back for the raiding and end content. This is something I enjoy but never have the time for… so it’s not that.

I think the reason I find myself craving WoW above other games I enjoy, is that I can do achievements, I can mog, I can raid, I can chat with friends, I can pet battle, I can solo content or play with friends, I can do nothing but admire the scenery if I like… so many things I enjoy all in a package you can’t find anywhere else. It’s so versatile that there’s always something you could be doing… of course, whether you want to or not is a different issue!

We are looking forward to the next topic!