It has been over a year since I first blogged about creating a game as enveloping as WOW. Well, I finally made the plunge! Recently, a student sent me a “Recruit a Friend” trial membership. I am going to attempt to blog my adventures.
First, I had to create a character. My WOW mentor, Dave, told me what Realm to create that character in. The download of the software was quick because it streams content as necessary. Each start-up does take a little bit of time, but not too objectionable. My young daughters were watching mommy do her “work” as we set up my character together — yes, I am a cow. They had fun deciding on what kind of horns I should have.
As they were doing other things, I went on my first game quest: to bring back meat and feathers from some birds. Well, I told my youngest what I needed to do — put them to sleep, and take some things from them. She is quite observant, and said, “If you are making them sleep, then why are you hitting them with a stick?” I was caught. I logged out for awhile.
I returned when the children were in bed. I got lost and ended up in some ravine with things trying to attack me. I fell down, and it looked like I was sleeping. I told a fellow player the next day, and he did not reveal to me that I had actually “died” in the game.
When I got back to the game, I was in heaven. I couldn’t figure out how to talk to the spirit — then found out I was too far away. When I met up with my mentor the next day, I asked told him that I was dead (in the game). His comment was, “Get used to it!” Such compassion!
10-day trial — have played 2-out-of-5 days. Had offers to “level me up,” but I don’t want to miss this important process in game play. My ultimate goal is to create this type of game play for a learning game or a game for social change. Boy, do I have high expectations! 🙂