Frigid Dreadplate: Maxed Out

I am fascinated by World of Warcraft. It is literally a world that exists within the world. In fact it's existence is so formidable that the World (of Warcraft) is more real the the world (of reality) for a lot of people. I have never played the game (apologies to those I offended by calling it a game - it's a lifestyle), and probably won't because I am very soft and get motion sick when I play video games (I will whip you in foosball, though), but I am amazed by it. Why, you ask? Let me break it down for you.

1. Any game that can get a person to spend more time on their computer than most people spend at their full time job has accomplished an amazing feat. I mean, when Dr. Phil has an episode about a guy who is driving his family to bankruptcy because he spends more time in the World (of Warcraft) than he does trying to get a job to feed his kids, you know that your game wields the power of the ages. I personally know people who can play for at least 12 hours a day non-stop (except to use the bathroom...I hope). Every day! Wow...or WoW, if you prefer.

2. The World (of Warcraft) has created a whole new language. I could sit and listen to people talk in WoW-speak all day long and never get tired of it. It is meaningless to me, but just as cute and fun as listening to baby talk (when a baby tries to speak, not when an adult is talking nonsense to baby). Here is a video made by a dear friend of mine who is high in the hierarchy of the World (of Warcraft). You cannot be mad when you watch this! I could be having the worst day ever, play this video and immediately feel better. Hearing a person talk about Blood of the North as seriously as if they were talking about their college degree is just a delight...

(here is the link if you can't see the video embed below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXtcXyRo3eE)

3. The World (of Warcraft) has surpassed the bonds of regional friendship and created a new super-friend. An Uber-Friend, if you will. This new relationship is forged in the fires of combat. It is a bond created and strengthened in a way that could only happen under the constant pressure of battle. This new friend is called a Guild Mate. Closer than a brother, your Guild Mates will always be there for you, defending you on your raids and quests, guarding your back and DPSing for you all day (I'm still not sure what that means exactly, but I think DPS is my all time favorite World (of Warcraft (yes I just used parentheses within parentheses - you'll figure it out)) slang). That is unless they get grounded by their mom.

I finish with this - I know that I will never fully understand this World (of Warcraft). It is beyond my ability to fully comprehend. I can understand getting lost in the world (not of Warcraft) of a great book, but a book has an end. The World (of Warcraft) goes on forever. There is always a dragon to kill, some gold to get or a quest to take on. I'm glad my WoW friends have a place where they can go to have fun and excel at something they are really good at. I just pray that they don't get lost in the Dark Wood of Crogdor (I just made that up) forever. The world (of reality) would definitely be a better place if they spent a little more time here with us.