World of Warcraft - a complete waste of my time?

[poiuyt]

Hi,

I've bought WoW 2 months ago, and have played it fairly regularly since. The thing is, I've come to the conclusion that it is a complete waste of my time. Sure, it can be fun and the fact that a whole other world has been created is rather cool but I've started to think that maybe I should concentrate on bettering my REAL life than resorting to what is essentially a children's computer game.

At first I thought WoW was really quite cool, but now I can't help but think its actually very sad. All the hours I've spent playing the game, I could have been doing something REAL, and therefore more fulfilling. A couple of my friends play it, and obviously sometimes we all play together and speak to each other through the headsets, but isn't that actually pathetic? Why am I not actually meeting my friends and doing something, again, real with them, instead of vegetating infront of a computer game.

I'm willing to be persuaded that I'm wrong. Your thoughts?

[noobatm]

It's called entertanment. It's good as long as you don't think it's more important than real life things.
Just my opion.

[raunchy]

I don't think that socializing with friends online is any worse than some other activities -- while you are playing WoW and chatting with your friends, you're thinking, concocting, calculating, engaged in a social activity (esp. if you're in a raid or instance) ... it is far better imho than something like seeing a movie (little to no social engagement or interactivity) or reading a book by yourself.

As for it being a 'waste of your time'; if you feel that you could be doing something better than go for it. However there are many people that see WoW as simply a recreational casual playtime experience that they like to play after work, school etc. If you have the mindset that in order to achieve anything in the game you need to be hardcore l33t and play all day, then you may need to change your thinking and play habits. As it stands, WoW is one of the most time-friendly mmorpgs out there (not as much time needed to invest for rewards)

[Dhymlos]

I really don't think there's much I could do to persuade you otherwise. It sounds like you've already taken a pretty strong stance on the subject.

WoW is a recreational activity like any other. In this regard, it is innately a waste of time. The important thing is to examine whether or not you enjoy said activity and if you are getting what you want out of it. If not, then find something else.

As for the whole friends thing, what does it matter what you are doing together so long as it's something you all enjoy? It's not pathetic unless it's something you don't. The game itself may not take place in a real setting, but you are certainly doing something real, spending time with the people you care about.

Hope that put things into perspective. Just my 2c, and best of luck regardless.

[Valas Azuviir]

WoW is a game, you're meant to have fun. If, you're not having fun, then quit. It's that simple. It's no different from bar hopping, you don't think that's fun, then don't do it. etc etc.

As for fulfilling, we all have different criteria for that. To some climbing a mountain is fulfilling. To others lying curled up on the couch with a good book, with some decent music playing in the background can lead to them feeling fulfilled. Different strokes for different folks. What works for me, might not work for you and vice versa.

Though on a small note, WoW is not a children's game. It might be rated T for teen, but at the same time it's pointed out that the rating value may change due to the online component, matter of fact, it's a lot of adults playing the game, what with the need for a CC in the US for ID purposes. How many kiddies have their own CC?? Then there's the small matter that few of the kiddies have the required sense of discipline to be part of a raiding guild. etc etc Yada yada, bla bla.

You get the whole idea.

Though I am curious, considering your other post was about how offensive you found the Southpark episode about WoW, from whence the sudden change of heart.

Or might there just be an ulterior motive to this all, and yes, I know, I shouldn't be expecting the worst from people, but in this case, it comes with the job description of being Moderator, being able to ferret out disguised trolls. :scratch:

I'll be watching this thread closely..

[sycamore]

If you don't find it fulfilling and think it's a sad waste of your time, don't do it. End of.

[Gealach]

Hmm, troll is the first word that came to my mind.

From a certain perspective (not mine, hopefully not yours) even living is a waste of time. If we're going to die anyway, why delay the inevitable.

But if your post was simply an opportunity to be snide and insult us, well the moderators won't let me post how I really feel about that.

[Chelica]

It really depends. Some people enjoy spending time via Gaming with their friends. Some enjoy going out to a bar, and etc. But in the end, it really depends on what you think is fun. If you have to think about it, I think you are really leaning more towards going out and having your fun that way.

[unbdm]

I would rather play WoW than watch TV. I would rather have my kids play WoW than watch TV. Of course too much of it is a bad thing; After a 5 hour session, I had to drag the kids off the computer to make them go on a bike ride tonight, but once we got out in the fresh air they loved it. My point? Just balance it. The only reason I would come to the conclusion you have come to is if I over did it, and needed to pull back... I'm compuslive, I could do that, but I haven't yet with WoW.

Best of luck,
Barry

[Nakh]

If you don't enjoy it then don't play it.

No offense at all, but i don't see any revelants things to make a post about that on the forums..

Make your own decision as long as your happy, don't complain.

Good luck in whatever you'll decide.

And if it was an attempt at trolling... i'll keep my mouth shut too.

[Jerkey]

As one poster said, everything is relative, and at the end of the day, if you take nothing positive out of world of warcraft then it is indeed a complete waste of time. Just as I may hate say... playing volleyball, while some people consider it a perfectely good use of your time, I may not.

[Calamir]

I have to agree with the above posters. If you're not enjoying WoW, if you're not getting anything positive out of it, then stop playing. Like any computer game, WoW should be played around RL, not replace it.

[Blethigg]

Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted.

[Loriel]

Games like WoW are entertainment, and as such they are imho a substitute for other leisure activities like watching TV etc. Some people watch TV 4 hours per day - time which could easily be spent playing WoW instead. For my time and money WoW is certainly a more social and active experience, and I hardly ever watch TV anymore - I really should cancel that cable bill.. :)

Personally I think WoW is the most advanced and (for me) rewarding form of entertainment yet invented, but I certainly respect the fact that others might not agree with this - in which case they should simply stop playing :)

[djiss]

Personally I think WoW is the most advanced and (for me) rewarding form of entertainment yet invented, but I certainly respect the fact that others might not agree with this - in which case they should simply stop playing :)
QTF, that why player get addicted to that game so easily :)

[Loriel]

Very true, WoW is indeed addictive - and in the wrong hands it is bordering on dangerous. IMHO, WoW requires a fair bit of self discipline and getting your head straight wrt priorities. I have a full time job, family, friends, 2 kids - and if I gave in to the impulse and played WoW as much as I really wanted to, it would all unravel pretty quickly.

[mesonm]

I'm willing to be persuaded that I'm wrong. Your thoughts?

You aren't wrong...If you have better things to do, do them.

[Javal]

Is playing WOW a waste of time? Of course it is. Going to the movies is a waste of time, watching a football, baseball, hockey (etc) is a waste of time. Most things that are considered entertainment are also a waste of time by your definition. Many play WOW with their friends and when they log do something else with the same friends. I personally started WOW because friends that are nowhere near me also play WOW. I live in CA and it is great to run around the world of WOW with my friend from MN.

[Naolin]

I state, LIFE IS A WASTE OF TIME. There I said it.

[Imraath]

Games like WoW are entertainment, and as such they are imho a substitute for other leisure activities like watching TV etc. Some people watch TV 4 hours per day - time which could easily be spent playing WoW instead. For my time and money WoW is certainly a more social and active experience, and I hardly ever watch TV anymore - I really should cancel that cable bill.. :)

This is so true... I don't watch television, so the couple of hours I spend at night playing WoW is my entertainment. If I get grief from someone saying I waste time playing this game, I gladly point out how much TV they watch on a daily basis and do a comparison.

It's an easy choice for me... Would I rather be in front of a TV, not interacting with anything or on my PC, directly controlling the content and socialising with people I would not normally get to talk with?

[Steamboat]

This does bring up a point though that I'm curious about. For some reason WoW (or any MMO) seems to have a stigma with it that it's somehow more of a waste of time than similar things: i.e. Watching movies, sports, playing trivial pursuit, bar hopping, etc.

My wife treats it the same way. For years I have watched 2 football games on Sunday and it has never been questioned. For those of scoring at home, that's 6 hours of TV in one day. Sometimes she goes out drinking with her girlfriends. Sometimes she goes to parties that I don't attend. Sometimes I go out drinking or bowling with my guy friends. Sometimes I go watch the latest boxing match on PPV. My wife has never hesitated to allow any of that.

But when it comes to warcraft. OMG. She acts like a request to play for 2 hours is a request to waste a week of vacation days sleeping. My friends and family generally have the same response.

If you are ok with me spending X amount of time at leisure, why does it matter to you what I do with it?

[Dynatos]

That argument is alright for things that have no added benefit, Steam. Video games, watching television with friends, spectating at a sports event, and bar hopping all have the same overall "benefits": socializing while enjoying some sort of entertaining activity. I.e., benefits to your social health.

What it can't be compaired to is something that has even more benefits, such as those to your physical health. Playing on a sports team benefits you both socially and physically, thus providing more benefit than vegetating in front of a video game.

That being said, I don't enjoy sports or the bar scene; I do enjoy video games. So, I'll continue vegetating.

[Xlorep DarkHelm]

Hi,

I've bought WoW 2 months ago, and have played it fairly regularly since. The thing is, I've come to the conclusion that it is a complete waste of my time. Sure, it can be fun and the fact that a whole other world has been created is rather cool but I've started to think that maybe I should concentrate on bettering my REAL life than resorting to what is essentially a children's computer game.

Now, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but honestly, your phrasing of the last sentence in th above paragraph seems to be an effort to troll for flames. Video Games are no more "just for children" than movies, TV shows, books, or comics are. They are another form of media, available to use. They provide a different form of entertainment, and have in fact been used to provide much of the same kind of medium for sociological, political, and other kinds of statements that the other mediums do.

WoW's "Teen" rating simply means that it was made with the focus of what would be "socially acceptable" for people of teenage years or older to play. Older meaning anyone over the age of 13.

At first I thought WoW was really quite cool, but now I can't help but think its actually very sad. All the hours I've spent playing the game, I could have been doing something REAL, and therefore more fulfilling. A couple of my friends play it, and obviously sometimes we all play together and speak to each other through the headsets, but isn't that actually pathetic? Why am I not actually meeting my friends and doing something, again, real with them, instead of vegetating infront of a computer game.

Well, like has been stated in this thread already, if you don't like it, don't play it. Nobody's forcing you to do something you don't like.

I'm willing to be persuaded that I'm wrong. Your thoughts?

Honestly, I find WoW quite rewarding. As I have a physical disability limiting how much activity I am able to do, I find being able to go into WoW, with my friends, provides something that almost can take the place of the loss. I can keep in contact, and do things with friends I picked up while in the military, as well as family members stationed overseas, who are all around the world.

Your statement about the time you wasted in WoW as opposed to doing something "real", could be applied to all other forms of mediums available. You could have been doing something "real" instead of going tot he theater and watching a movie, or going to a gallery to look at pictures & sculptures, or going to a library and getting a book, or sitting out in the sun listening to music, or sitting on your couch and watching TV... They all can fall under the rather horrendous misstatement you had given. Once again, I'm left with the notion that you are trolling for flames.

[amgyn]

its probably been mentioned before and X-D's post states what i want to say.. probably better than i would have..


its all a matter of opinion.

[Chelica]

Life is too short to dwell about what you think is a waste of time or not. I say, give it a try, which is what you did, and form a conclusion. Is it worth your time? If not, try a different hobby.

You might think that it is a waste of time, but others might think it is a blessing in diquise when compared to going out and watching a movie that has a crappy ending.

1 month of WoW = 1 trip to the movies (Food, Parking, and Admission).

[silkfire]

Hi,

I've bought WoW 2 months ago, and have played it fairly regularly since. The thing is, I've come to the conclusion that it is a complete waste of my time. Sure, it can be fun and the fact that a whole other world has been created is rather cool but I've started to think that maybe I should concentrate on bettering my REAL life than resorting to what is essentially a children's computer game.

At first I thought WoW was really quite cool, but now I can't help but think its actually very sad. All the hours I've spent playing the game, I could have been doing something REAL, and therefore more fulfilling. A couple of my friends play it, and obviously sometimes we all play together and speak to each other through the headsets, but isn't that actually pathetic? Why am I not actually meeting my friends and doing something, again, real with them, instead of vegetating infront of a computer game.

I'm willing to be persuaded that I'm wrong. Your thoughts?
If people would be thinking like you there would be no WoW - ever!

[bwirum]

Hi,

I've bought WoW 2 months ago, and have played it fairly regularly since. The thing is, I've come to the conclusion that it is a complete waste of my time. Sure, it can be fun and the fact that a whole other world has been created is rather cool but I've started to think that maybe I should concentrate on bettering my REAL life than resorting to what is essentially a children's computer game.

At first I thought WoW was really quite cool, but now I can't help but think its actually very sad. All the hours I've spent playing the game, I could have been doing something REAL, and therefore more fulfilling. A couple of my friends play it, and obviously sometimes we all play together and speak to each other through the headsets, but isn't that actually pathetic? Why am I not actually meeting my friends and doing something, again, real with them, instead of vegetating infront of a computer game.

I'm willing to be persuaded that I'm wrong. Your thoughts?

Why on earth are you even posting this? Why don't you just quit? If I didn't enjoy the playtime I had, I'd do just that, quit.

[Merging soul]

your talking bout WoW wasting your time why nottalk bout the time being wasted on this pointless thread.

you intentionally made it to start a flame war.

go leave

[Ashoran]

This thread reminds me of the time my 10 year old cousin asked me why I still played computer games at 21, because computer games are for kids.

It did burn a little.

But yeah, everyone is wasting time in their own way.

[Delayahe]

Well, I'm new to Wow, haven't even gotten through my first trial month. After playing all the Black Isle games, Diablo, even the old Starcraft online multiplayer with friends I always said I would never get involved in a MMORPG. Too much time, no story arch or ending to work towards. I just kept my multiplayer gaming to XBOX live and my trusty old Medal of Honor. Short and sweet.

Well, I love this freaking game. I'm only at level 14 but I've been really enjoying it. I play a little at a time usually, but probably log on to it 6 times a week. I am a professional person and work very hard, so when I know I have a day to chill and get lost in pizza boxes I really look forward to it! I think there are those people out there who may develop a kind of life damaging addiction to it, but so what. Beats the hell out of a drug problem. This has been a great game so far to explore and enjoy. I look forward to developingmy character as much as I have in other RPG's like Baldur's Gate I & II.

[Pounamu]

It's a hobby. All hobbies are wastes of time to someone who doesn't share the hobby.

P

[Benzoate]

It's a hobby. All hobbies are wastes of time to someone who doesn't share the hobby.

P


Excellent observation!

I might add that people who view activities that aren't work/church/family related are a waste of time. If it isn't "productive", then its wastefull.

[mesonm]

This thread reminds me of the time my 10 year old cousin asked me why I still played computer games at 21, because computer games are for kids.


Talk to your cousin in ten years...heh

[Sayal]

Certainly sounds like a troll post with some of the statements made. Or someone's spouse got on to bash the game instead of speaking to the husband or wife that actually plays WoW.

Computer games are a form of entertainment, just like movies, reading, sewing, etc. Whatever that person finds relaxing. Some hobbies have something to show for them like sewing, gardening, rebuilding cars etc. This happens to be one that has no material things to show but can be just as satisfying. I've been playing computer games since they came out for the TRS-80 in the early 1980's. I started online games with Meridian 59 and have played in beta and final release for every game except the ones that were PVP oriented like Shadowbane and DAOC.

I've never considered games to be just for children. When you stop playing ANYTHING in life, that's one giant step to the grave. Taking pleasure in play is one of the basic natures of life. My husband and I both play online games, I play more than him as he has some other major hobbies that take up his time. But we do schedule 1 night a week to play our higher level characters together. I'm fast approaching 50 years old and goddess willing I'll be playing "children's" games into my 90's.

If you don't enjoy WoW, cancel your account and get the heck into something...ANYTHING that brings a smile to your face. Not to mention you'll make the login queue shorter on Alleria or whatever server you're on. *grin*

[Valas Azuviir]

Ok, considering the OP hasn't returned to the boards in about 4 days, and everything has about been said with regards to his question/statement, I'll be closing down this thread.