OMG! Not all WOW players are 12 years old...

sayuri2006 · January 2007

I can't believe so many believe that WOW is just full of little kids, as my experiences have been quite the opposite.

Sure you get little brats but on the 3 servers that I played on, I met and played with some incredible and mature people. Some had full time, respectable professions, some had families, some were even young but could act mature in the sense of respect, courtesy and language used. I went out looking for a more mature group to play with and that's exactly what I found.

Like attracts like; If you sound childish and uptight, you will most likely attract the same. I've met some really beautiful natured and genuinely fun and friendly players out there. Most were of an older age but I also met some awesome younger players.

Do not let the community here deter the new potential player that gets put off from the stories swung around here. You CAN meet some good people, bottom line.

Unknown · January 2007

I agree. I played WoW for awhile and found many people that I happily added to my friends list. People are just jealous of WoW's popularity and want there game to be in the spotlight.

Xasapis · January 2007

It's all perspective. A game with 10k subscribers and 20% of their population in their teens will have less of them compared to 100k subscribers with the same percentage of teens.

However, due to the good interface (that can get even better via use of addons), and the small amount of time required to get the feeling of the game and enjoy yourself, the same game appeals alot to the working people that have a limited amount of time in their hands.

In any case, part of any MMO's appeal is to meet new people. Not everybody you'll find will be mature or well mannered, but during my time in Azeroth I've surrounded myself with so many good people, that the few immature ones have really no impact to my fun.

DuraheLL · January 2007

Whatever you just said there does not matter at all.

There is no game ever created to date that doesn't contain some degree of decent and mature gamers.

Though if the game contains a majority of theese "1337 kids" it's a nightmare, WoW is one of them.

So if you think that because you found some decent people that it brings the game itself one step higher on the pedestal you are very wrong.

All I can ever say, is SWG (pre-CU) community, if you weren't there, you'll never see it from the perspective we do (vets)

Xasapis · January 2007

I've been in pre-CU SWG, abeit not for long. The concept was nice, the community was nice but in the end, for me, it did not add up to an enjoyable game experience. I attribute loss of interest in a game down to two things, a)boredom of the game itself and b)lose of ties with the community. Usually a) happens before b). I guess however that eventually you want to move on, else the game becomes a glorified chat room. In any case, when I was not drawn in the game when I tried to play the role I like, aka combat healer, plus my ties with the community were not as strong. Thus I left early.

In comparison, WoW had a bigger grip on me. I'm not sure I can explain it, but it was fun to play. I remember playing it together with EQII and in the end I was drawn more into it. The community ties came later on. And alot of people I met in-game, I had the pleasure to meet IRL as well when I travelled around Europe.

Experiences in a game may vary but one's good experience does not invalidate somebody else's bad experience and vise versa. Sometimes people love to magnify the bad aspects and ignore the good ones.

All I can say is that I'm enjoying myself. I am on the lookout for a potentially better MMORPG, one that can deliver more than pre-release hype. Still, both the game aspect and the community pull is pretty high for me to keep me in WoW for a while.

baff · January 2007

LMAO. Swg was for Noobs.

All games have kids playing, if you play 4-8pm you will see more of them.

WoW is has no different a cross section of age groups than any other pay to play.

I would suggest to you that like attracts like, if you find yourself surrounded by immature people.......

There are some under 30's in my WoW guild (and even a 14 year old), but only one or two.

The people I know who play WoW are all my own age group. I don't know anyone of the younger generation who plays MMO's at all. Doubtless they exist as young people do everywhere. No skin off mt nose, I'm old enough to deal with young ones without issue.

Dragonbait · January 2007

I'm the youngest of a group of 6 friends who are all avid WoW players. And I'm 32.

killerwig · January 2007

I think WoW is a fantastic game with a generally poor community, from what I have experienced. And I don't buy into the "like attracts like" theory that the OP puts forward here. And also - I'm not looking to put the spotlight on any other game, as another poster suggested - WoW is the game that I am currently playing (for the next few days, anyway).

I wouldn't imagine that the majority of WoW players are 12 years old, either. I've met a lot of mature players in game, most of who are in the large, well-established guild I happened to join. Yet general chat, trade, local and the general populace in the city areas are filled with an equal number, or greater number of unmoderated idiots. They have stupid names and guild tags, and spout stupidity from every pore of their virtual avatars. Since i have been playing, which admittedly isn't all that long (about a month), I've seen it every day without exception.

Yep, it's easy to ignore it all and just live with it, but that doesn't make it any the less prevalent. It's a common complaint from the people I have teamed up with and chat to in the game. A few friends and I have made a general concensus about this problem, that we agree upon.

World of Warcraft is for most people their first MMO, with little or no experience in other games of it's type. I suggest that this is where the problem lies. WoW - a fantastic and enthralling game - is a victim of it's own success, and because of this the community is all the poorer for it. It's because the game is so accessible, so easy to pick up and play, and the excellent fantasy artwork appeals to a great many people from all walks of life - across all age groups. And that means that experienced MMO gamers, who are used to a little moderation and at least a naming policy, and who stumble upon a non-RP server, are in for a bit of a let down when they experience what the general community is like. - And it's no one's fault - it's just the way things are with WoW.

Take into account any other game of it's type, and you'll find that typically most people have to be pretty switched on to the genre to even pick it up and play it. Whereas Blizzard, amazingly, seem to have broken that unspoken rule. And i'm saddened to say that with all the TV commercials and word of mouth, it's only going to get worse.

The normals are here to stay, I'm afraid.. along with their ASBO kids and everyone they know with a computer + internet connection.

Shadoed · January 2007

Originally posted by DuraheLL
Whatever you just said there does not matter at all.
There is no game ever created to date that doesn't contain some degree of decent and mature gamers.
Though if the game contains a majority of theese "1337 kids" it's a nightmare, WoW is one of them.
So if you think that because you found some decent people that it brings the game itself one step higher on the pedestal you are very wrong.

"From the survey data, the average age of the WoW player is 28.3 (SD = 8.4). 84% of players are male. 16% are female. Female players are significantly older (M = 32.5, SD = 10.0) than male players (M = 28.0, SD = 8.4). On average, they spend 22.7 (SD = 14.1) hours per week playing WoW. There are no gender differences in hours played per week"

WoW Basic Demographics - The Daedalus Project

Only stats i could find, but blows the "mainly kids" idea away.

If there are stats to to the contrary, please list, i would be interested to see them.

Personally my overall impression of the players is that the majority are older and the online community as a whole is pretty good. Btw, the oldest player i have spoken to was in his 70's and he was a great bloke to play alongside.

Actually, in addition, this is quite interesting (i do use the word very loosely);

Nierro · January 2007

I've probably grouped with about 5 mature, nice people outside my guild. Hell, i've probably only talked to 5 or 6 mature, nice people outside my guild.

BadSpock · January 2007

Originally posted by DuraheLL

Whatever you just said there does not matter at all.
There is no game ever created to date that doesn't contain some degree of decent and mature gamers.
Though if the game contains a majority of theese "1337 kids" it's a nightmare, WoW is one of them.
So if you think that because you found some decent people that it brings the game itself one step higher on the pedestal you are very wrong.
All I can ever say, is SWG (pre-CU) community, if you weren't there, you'll never see it from the perspective we do (vets)

I was in SWG pre-CU from launch day 1, community was nothing special. At all. Maybe I was just not on the "right" server.

So stop being all "high and mighty" that you are right and the OP is wrong because you played on a WoW server with "l337 kids" you didn't like

"So if you think that because you found some decent people that it brings the game itself one step higher on the pedestal you are very wrong."? Maybe it does bring the game one step higher on the pedestal for him, ever stop and think that other people have opinions too?

oh wait I'm sorry you are always 100% right about everything, all the time... soooooo many people with your attitude in these forums, sad really.

Maxximus · January 2007

Originally posted by jason_webb
Originally posted by DuraheLL
Whatever you just said there does not matter at all.
There is no game ever created to date that doesn't contain some degree of decent and mature gamers.
Though if the game contains a majority of theese "1337 kids" it's a nightmare, WoW is one of them.
So if you think that because you found some decent people that it brings the game itself one step higher on the pedestal you are very wrong.

"From the survey data, the average age of the WoW player is 28.3 (SD = 8.4). 84% of players are male. 16% are female. Female players are significantly older (M = 32.5, SD = 10.0) than male players (M = 28.0, SD = 8.4). On average, they spend 22.7 (SD = 14.1) hours per week playing WoW. There are no gender differences in hours played per week"

WoW Basic Demographics - The Daedalus Project

Jason:

Ah, I have finally found the error in your project's demographic study:

It addresses CHRONOLOGICAL age and not the inherent level of MATURITY.

Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week...

Only stats i could find, but blows the "mainly kids" idea away.

If there are stats to to the contrary, please list, i would be interested to see them.

Personally my overall impression of the players is that the majority are older and the online community as a whole is pretty good. Btw, the oldest player i have spoken to was in his 70's and he was a great bloke to play alongside.

Actually, in addition, this is quite interesting (i do use the word very loosely);

dunadurium · January 2007

"not all" implies that most are... that is enough for me not to like the community.

For a fact i can tell you i was at future shop (canada) the other day and i saw a kid who must have been no older than 10 (seriously) with his mom buying wow....if that wasnt scary enough the same day in the afternoon i saw a kid prolly 12-14 at eb games buying burnning crusade. AND i personnally know a 15 year old (been playing since he was 13).

I dunno but i think it says somthing when 10 and 12 year olds can play a game no problem.....

~Dunadurium

Maxximus · January 2007

Ooops, my bad on the "quote"...

Let me try again:

Jason, I have finally found the error in your project's demographic study:

It addresses CHRONOLOGICAL age and not the inherent level of MATURITY.

(Thank you, Thank you. I'll be here all week...)

coffee · January 2007

Originally posted by dunadurium

"not all" implies that most are... that is enough for me not to like the community.
For a fact i can tell you i was at future shop (canada) the other day and i saw a kid who must have been no older than 10 (seriously) with his mom buying wow....if that wasnt scary enough the same day in the afternoon i saw a kid prolly 12-14 at eb games buying burnning crusade. AND i personnally know a 15 year old (been playing since he was 13).
I dunno but i think it says somthing when 10 and 12 year olds can play a game no problem.....
~Dunadurium

Very sientific, so if a 10 year old buy EQ2 or EvE or VG or any other future MMO, you want play it?

Originally posted by dunadurium

I dunno but i think it says somthing when 10 and 12 year olds can play a game no problem.....

Yes it shows the game is very enjoyable for both young and old, and is not for the 1337 kids such as ya self, who consider your self sepcial and above all others... enjoy your loney game world in what ever MMO you play.

Originally posted by Maxximus

Ooops, my bad on the "quote"...
Let me try again:
Jason, I have finally found the error in your project's demographic study:
It addresses CHRONOLOGICAL age and not the inherent level of MATURITY.
(Thank you, Thank you. I'll be here all week...)

Says the guy who hides his age in his profile.

Harafnir · January 2007

Originally posted by Nierro

I've probably grouped with about 5 mature, nice people outside my guild. Hell, i've probably only talked to 5 or 6 mature, nice people outside my guild.

So... Out of 8 million people playing a game on hundreds of servers, with thousands of people on each server.... Everyone in YOUR guild are mature and nice people. and EVERYONE but 5-6 people outside of your guild are immature brats? oook.

You know, if I liked to dissect what people said and turn it against them, I would see an extremly obvious situation here where your opinion is seriously subjective and without any contact to reality, an opinion that normally only really really young kids or immature teenagers can identify with. That everything surrounding you is perfect and everything outside your extremly limited scope is bad. If I liked to dissect what people said I would say that the immature one in that discussison would be you, not the other 8 million players...

But I dont... So I wont.

Vatigu · January 2007

Last I checked kids were able to play GTA: San Andreas and F.E.A.R, as well as Doom 3(not according to the ESRB rating but they did anyways), maybe they weren't as good as other players but it doesn't say anything about the game. Hell the only difference is wow doesn't have any sexually suggestive content therefore it isn't even rated mature to try and keep kids away. Therefore kids CAN play it if they want to. I dunno about the States but up here in Canada our Charter decrees age discimination is still discrimination. On a related topic; I will bet anyone $10 that any major release game had at least a share of players below 12 years old.

Dowie · January 2007

Well i have been playing wow for about 2,5 years now. And well it has the most horrible community i ever seen in a mmo! and your nice and shiny graphic won't prove a thing. The problem with Wow is not the average age, it's the people cooming from battlenet and half-life. People cooming from these kind of games have no clue what a community should work like in a mmo. They think it's all a fragfest and action-packed competitive combat.

In a mmo the community should be able to work together and work as a small society. But all the problems with the behaviour can't all be blamed on the people, the game is acually designed so that you won't have to work together with anyone that's not in your guild.

Vatigu · January 2007

I think you're a bit in the wrong to think that Thousands of players on a server can work as a *small* society, the idea behind a guild is to form your own small society. I have played SWG EQ2 EQ1 Guild Wars and I very much prefer the WoW community. If general chat pisses you off to the point where it's a problem to you it's as easy as a "/leave 1" do you see a 12 year old on a ski hill and think "oh crap; immature noobs" I have played with several players under the age of 13 and believe it or not other than on vent (goddamn their voices hurt my ears) you wouldn't be able to tell they're under the age of 18 unless they told you. When you see the general chat and you assume "omg that noob is so immature" how many other people do you think are in that channel that just, I don't know think the same thing and mute the character. Do you blame soccer for the one streaker in the audience? Or do you blame the retard that streaked across the stadium.

kb4blu · January 2007

Originally posted by jason_webb

Originally posted by DuraheLL

Whatever you just said there does not matter at all.

There is no game ever created to date that doesn't contain some degree of decent and mature gamers.

Though if the game contains a majority of theese "1337 kids" it's a nightmare, WoW is one of them.

So if you think that because you found some decent people that it brings the game itself one step higher on the pedestal you are very wrong.

"From the survey data, the average age of the WoW player is 28.3 (SD = 8.4). 84% of players are male. 16% are female. Female players are significantly older (M = 32.5, SD = 10.0) than male players (M = 28.0, SD = 8.4). On average, they spend 22.7 (SD = 14.1) hours per week playing WoW. There are no gender differences in hours played per week"

WoW Basic Demographics - The Daedalus Project

Only stats i could find, but blows the "mainly kids" idea away.

If there are stats to to the contrary, please list, i would be interested to see them.

Personally my overall impression of the players is that the majority are older and the online community as a whole is pretty good. Btw, the oldest player i have spoken to was in his 70's and he was a great bloke to play alongside.

Actually, in addition, this is quite interesting (i do use the word very loosely);

Hmmm I play a hunter. Maybe I skewed the graph. I am 61

wolffin · January 2007

I play a hunter and am 35

nomadian · January 2007

The famous Daedaulus project, what you have to realize is the age is of the people that filled the survey in, and the chances are kids won't fill them in.

But anyway, from my experience I think it is fair to say there is a large number of kids playing the game, much more than any other mmorpg I've played except Rappelz Online or Guild Wars.(actually they had more, in fact) Anyway there are ways to avoid it all by switching the general channels off and finding a good guild though.

DuraheLL · January 2007

Originally posted by baff
WoW is has no different a cross section of age groups than any other pay to play.

But the "decency" of the community differs strongly.

WoW is a fast-paced game which is seen messy and easy, that way the game makes the people. Energic, and annoying people everywhere. That's how it is and that's why the community sucks.

DuraheLL · January 2007

Originally posted by heerobya

I was in SWG pre-CU from launch day 1, community was nothing special. At all. Maybe I was just not on the "right" server.

So stop being all "high and mighty" that you are right and the OP is wrong because you played on a WoW server with "l337 kids" you didn't like

"So if you think that because you found some decent people that it brings the game itself one step higher on the pedestal you are very wrong."? Maybe it does bring the game one step higher on the pedestal for him, ever stop and think that other people have opinions too?

oh wait I'm sorry you are always 100% right about everything, all the time... soooooo many people with your attitude in these forums, sad really.

Nothing special? SWG was made more to interact with people than any othe game I've seen so far. Thus I haven't yet explored the other sandbox games so closely so there might be equals or even better ones.

In SWG you were FORCED to rely on other people, that way not so many wanted to act like total asses.

Also the very strong Star Wars fanboys contributed to tons of hardcore RP'ing and the overall feeling the community brought to you was amazing.

We were speaking about the game in GENERAL not about how HE plays the game. So don't be so cocky I explained it from the "overview" perspective.

I'd say it's more sad with people not realizing the truth is way more sad than people who try to have right all the time.

DuraheLL · January 2007

Originally posted by Maxximus

Originally posted by jason_webb

"From the survey data, the average age of the WoW player is 28.3 (SD = 8.4). 84% of players are male. 16% are female. Female players are significantly older (M = 32.5, SD = 10.0) than male players (M = 28.0, SD = 8.4). On average, they spend 22.7 (SD = 14.1) hours per week playing WoW. There are no gender differences in hours played per week"
WoW Basic Demographics - The Daedalus Project

Jason:
Ah, I have finally found the error in your project's demographic study:
It addresses CHRONOLOGICAL age and not the inherent level of MATURITY.
Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week...

Only stats i could find, but blows the "mainly kids" idea away.
If there are stats to to the contrary, please list, i would be interested to see them.
Personally my overall impression of the players is that the majority are older and the online community as a whole is pretty good. Btw, the oldest player i have spoken to was in his 70's and he was a great bloke to play alongside.
Actually, in addition, this is quite interesting (i do use the word very loosely);

Oh, but then, we are not actually talking about actual "KIDS" but people who BEHAVE like them. People who: spam, flame or just act rud and immature in any way. Who enjoys ruining the game for others. Could easily be 30, 50 or heck, even 90 year olds. Age is never superior to your maturity.

mtgsong · January 2007

yeah, i met a lot of old people in there, but they're cool. more trustworthy than 12 years old kids, but only some

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