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Not Sure Whether To Quit WoW Or Not
FuryV
Member UncommonPosts: 515
I've been playing World of Warcraft for 3 years now & have enjoyed every minute of it. I'm considering quitting though, purely due to the fact that I'm admittedly addicted to it. I wake up in the morning & log on to check my mail, even before having a shower or getting anything to eat. I then sit at the computer for the majority of the day playing WoW, even if I'm not doing anything on it. I often find myself just running around the major cities for 10-15 minutes doing nothing, and then I realise "what exactly am I doing? I'm just running around". That's one of the reasons I think it might be best for me to quit.
I've quit in the past, and I've even deleted my characters. The only problem is a few days later I'll contact a GM and ask them to restore my character, which they have done for me in the past. I even sold my whole account to a website which buys accounts from you, but 2 months down the line I contacted them and repurchased my account back from them.
I have an Xbox 360 & a 32" HD TV which I saved up for and splashed out on around 6 months ago, but I've hardly used it whatsoever, due to the fact that the only game I seem to play these days (and for the past 3 years) is World of Warcraft. There's so many games out there for the Xbox 360 that I'd absolutely LOVE to play, but I know for a fact that whilst I'm playing WoW, I won't play any of the Xbox games. Even if I purchased a new Xbox 360 game, it'd most likely gather dust in the DvD rack, whilst I keep telling myself "Yeah I'll play it soon" but I won't due to playing WoW constantly.
I figured that if I was to buy an XBox 360 and a new TV to go with it, that it'd help me to stray away from WoW a little bit, but it hasn't helped at all. I literally have only played the Xbox I bought 6 months ago, around 3 times, and it's a shame as I would like to buy some of the new Xbox games that are out (such as Fallout New Vegas etc) but I know that while I'm still playing WoW, I won't find any time to play on the console.
I've been considering quitting WoW & perhaps buying Guild Wars considering it's a free MMO, and then even if I don't play it for a while, it won't matter because there's no subscription fees, so that will give me some time to play my Xbox. But considering the fact that Cataclysm is coming out soon, it's even more of a difficult choice for me now to quit WoW due to all the hype & excitement of the new expansion. I know for a fact that once Cataclysm comes out, I can kiss goodbye to any time I'd hoped to spend on the Xbox as I won't be playing any other games except for World of Warcraft.
I keep thinking aswell that if I were to quit WoW, I'd keep looking back and thinking "I wish I hadn't quit" and even more so, now that Cataclysm is coming out. For example, I'll be seeing my brother play Cataclysm (he also plays WoW) and seeing all these trailers on TV for it etc, and think to myself "why did I quit? I should have just kept playing" and then I'll regret having quit.
What do you guys think I should do, in all honesty? Please speak the truth, as long as it's not malicious/nasty I don't mind. I'd rather hear the truth tbh. If you guys feel I should quit, then please let me know.
As said I'd love to not be as addicted to WoW as I am at the moment & have been for the past 3 years, and I'd love to be able to play Xbox 360 games & even other PC games but at the moment, I'm so into WoW that I can't really pull myself away for enough time to play anything else.
Thanks guys, I'll await your responses.
Comments
You enjoy every minute of the game, but you're wandering around the cities doing nothing? I think you have to rethink if you enjoy the game or not, do you play with friends are they keeping you playing? I really don't see what you could find enjoyable about playing wow all day...not after 3 years anyway.
SKYeXile
TRF - GM - GW2, PS2, WAR, AION, Rift, WoW, WOT....etc...
Future Crew - High Council. Planetside 1 & 2.
Exactly, that's part of the problem. I honestly don't know what I find enjoyable about the game anymore, but the fact that I feel so addicted to it, is just keeping me playing. When I said I've loved every minute of it for the past 3 years, I have, but it's strange because I realise "what exactly can I love about running around a city doing nothing for 15 mins" and that's the problem. I just do, although I feel that's part of the addiction. It's just WoW in general which keeps me playing I guess. Not a specific thing.
umm so what exactly are you going to miss if you do quit? there's nothing specific you like about the game that you feel keeps you playing? loot, progression guild/friends, gotta catch em all achievements, arena team. i dunno.
Yea i was the same years back, rather addicted to wow, until me and my mate who also played talked for abit and came to our senses realising we get absolutely no enjoyment from the game any more.
SKYeXile
TRF - GM - GW2, PS2, WAR, AION, Rift, WoW, WOT....etc...
Future Crew - High Council. Planetside 1 & 2.
Sounds like its seriously crippling your personal life if, as you said, you sit in front of it all day and its the first thing you think about every day. Also, the fact that you're asking us if you should quit indicates that you already know you should, but are just looking for some suggestions as to how to actually do it. I think most MMO players can relate to your feelings about this, certinaly to *some* degree.
As for me, I pretty much used to be in that exact same position that you are describing. Ive been addicted to other things in my life - I know what addiction feels like - and MMOs can be extremely addictive. I play WoW very casually now, a couple hours a day for a few days a week. I used to be on *constantly* tho basically a year ago or so ago.
Let me propose some solutions and suggestions which helped me cut back on playing WoW:
First, are you working? If not, find a job right away, even if its not the "ideal" job for you. This will help you in couple ways: First, you will obviously have more money - always a good thing. Second,you will spend your energy at your job and you might not actually feel like playing when you get home because ur too tired already and dont really feel like running around Stormwind for hours.
Second, invest more time in a hobby of yours - you dont need to be obsessive about it., you can just do it casually if you like. This will increase your "real life skill" in that hobby (e.g your knowledge and experience about it). This skill is something you get to keep forever and actually matters in the real world For example, I like to practice my music sometimes. If you dont have a hobby, pick one that interests you that goes beyond anything related to video games. It should be something where you can acquire a real life skill in, for example: music, work out, cooking, building stuff, create websites, learn how to program, etc.
Third, get some exercise and work out , do it sometimes but be dedicated. This will be good for a few reasons. It will tire you out, and video games might be less appealing to you if you are exhausted. More importantly, this will make you feel better about yourself - always a good thing and this has many positive concequences in your real life.
Fourth, find a girlfriend or boyfriend or make some new friends. The above point will help in this regard.
Fifth, try to schedule how you spend ur time during the day as best as you can, doesnt need to be exact, you can even do it in your head. Dont dedicate too much time to video games though, you will be busy doing other things.
Finally, set some real life *goals* for yourself. This will relate to all the points I made above. The goals can be small or big, just *be dedicated* to them. Have a *realistic* vision for the long term and make it happen.
Anyway, those are things that helped me quit my addition to WoW, hopefully they will be able to help you too. Good luck.
If you are thinking about it, it's usually a good sign that it's time to let go. You can not rationalize a decision like this - pro or contra.
Game addiction is something you should not take lightly. It does not come with the same physical destruction as chemical drugs, but it will slowly but surely erode your social and professional life. Think about how you could use your apparently extensive gaming time to learn new, actually useful things, hang out with friends, do sports, etc.
From my point of view there is usually 2 reasons for playing a game as obsessively as you are apparently playing WoW:
- Social interaction
- Feeling of accomplishment
If you need to resort to a game to get that, maybe you need to think about why that is and how you can change it. It was somewhat addicted to a game for a while and it is not an easy thing to get yourself back on track again. Going cold turkey is a start, tho. I also have a PS3 for my gaming fix and found it to be a less demanding substitute. But it is prolly better for you stop playing all together, at least until you feel that things are under control. As others have pointed out - find a new goal that you can pursue. Or better, multiple goals to make sure you don't replace one obsession with another. (i.e. lean an instrument, learn a language, shave off some extra weight, read some of the classics, get a girl, etc)
If its fun, continue.
If its no fun, leave.
It doens't sound like you are enjoying yourself. Running around in circles in dalaran is a clear sign you are bored with the game and you need to find something new to challenge you.
If you want to quit WoW, I'm sorry to say this, but you have to find reason to hate the game (or atleast strongly dislike it). Tell yourself things like, what's the point of getting gear, if ultimately the gear will serve no other purpose then to help you get more gear... which is lame. Or, the game is too streamlined and it's not for me any more. I don't feel like running heroics all day since clearly that's what it's become....
These are just some examples, however I strongly believe, if you want to quit, you need to dislike/hate it. Otherwise you won't be able to stop thinking about the game even if you "temporary" quit.
That's just my advice. I would quit if I was you, atleast for now and reevaluate things later on. Cataclysm is coming out, yes true. But there is no need to rush into it. The game isn't going anywhere and there is no point to rush, just for the sake of rushing into the game.
Go play your Xbox.
Good Luck
It's nice to see what's going on between the eyes of a typical Wow hater (your own words btw).
So you mentally prepare yourself to hate a game? lol
Back on topic: OP: no problem it's a cycle we all have: if you want to play (finally) your new bought XBox: go for it.
Just a little advice: don't throw away your money in trying to get "rid off" the WOW passion. Mostly it is money lost. Be that on consoles or other games: you will hardly play them.
Just go on vacation for 2+ weeks. I've found when I am away from a game for a bit, even if I was enjoying it, the time away just makes me not care about even logging in anymore. When I do try logging in, I'll be on for like 5 minutes and be like, whats the point, and log off.
Time away where it isn't in easy reach should cure you, hehe.
Also, I've sold accounts before back in EQ, and a couple months or so, I was itching to play again and would start fresh, but whenever I just left for a bit and still owned a game, I had no desire to continue. Probably the whole wanting what you don't have thing, lol.
Hey man,
it is a good thing that you realize that you in fact ARe addicted to WoW. Because in order to get a way from an addiction you gotta be honest with yourself and admit that you are addicted. That was the first step, wich you allready took. You are allready questioning the purpose of the game.
I was in the same situation a few years back with everquest. It dictated my daily routines. I was unemployed, had low self esteem so i sat at home all day and escaped RL. At some point i kicked myself in the ass and started to work out at home, later in a gym. I then took a job and "resocialized" myself. MAking new friends and going out.
I would have never thought it would be possible, but some day I sat down my Bard in PoK, the char that meant so much to me for years. I logged out and never logged back in. EVER. It was like a total cut, and it was absolutely easy for me, because i had realized that it's a waste of time and ruining my life.
Since then, I never engaged in a MMO hardcore. I hesitate to join guilds and commit to them 100%. I keep it casual and have fun in games like EVE Online, Global Agenda or Age of Conan. If it starts to feel like work i make the cut.
I trust that you are a rational, logical and intelligent guy since you made this post, so i am not worried. You will make the right decision
Who's paying the bills?
Show some respect and stop wasting their money.
You have a mental addiction to WoW. You keep playing in search of the excitement you once had at the beginning of your play. Somewhat like what drug addicts do when they chase that first high. Your WoW moment, like most of us, has come and gone. Your boredom takes you away from the game, but in time you forget that feeling and come back. It's a vicious circle only you can break.
Ive been playing WoW since may of 06. I know exactly how you feel. I have caught myself running in circles in Org or Dal for no reason. I would sneak out of bed after my wife falls asleep and play till 10mins. before the morning alarm would go off and sneak back into bed . As soon as i wake up log on and check my mail before work. I have faked being sick to turn down sex just to raid. 3-4 times a month i had dreams of WoW , and was so epic i didnt ever want to wake up. I live in Arkansas so when i drive to work its full of woods. Ive caught myself daydreaming bout hunting in the woods as my Hunter with my bow. Xbox , PS3?..out of the question. It would sit there and collect dust. I wont even sit down to watch a movie. i have at least 20-30 movies still in the package. As far back as 40 yrear old version to Avatar. yes i have yet to see Avatar.
So here is what i did to break free from this evil beast called World Of Warcraft. I uninstalled the game set my disc to flame.and started playing Guitar Hero! Very addictive game..get burnt out after bout six songs and go on with my day. I still have the urge to play MMORPG though. So i play the unlimited free trial of Warhammer. Do some Scenarios a Lil RVR and i have my fix in bout 2 hours time.
You know your addicted when you turn down sex just to play WoW. So i had to do it!
I do miss it, and tempted to buy Cat...but prolly wont since im the poster boy for WoW addiction.
Face it, 4.0.1 is WoW's flop, all MMOs have a decay moment, now it's WoW's turn, I'd start looking for good alternatives
I'd recommend you take a break for a while and see if there's anything else in life (or even in other games) that you might be missing.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Sounds like you have an addiction problem and that you're already making justifications of why you shouldn't quite because it's a waste of time because you'll just be back shortly...
Quit using the computer entirely except for whatever you HAVE to do (checking your email, you do NOT have to do), go outside and do something for a few weeks.
Shadus
+1
Playing: Rift, LotRO
Waiting on: GW2, BP
Most addiction advice centers upon trying to find some less damaging activity to become addicted to... they seldom focus on addressing the cause of the addiction.
I miss the MMORPG genre. Will a developer ever make one again?
Explorer: 87%, Killer: 67%, Achiever: 27%, Socializer: 20%
Restore bridges with your real life friends and do stuff with them. Even board games can be a good start, since you probably won't have much to tell them especially if they are not playing WoW.
As long as you arent having any negative physical or psychological impact on you then do what you think is right. Play if you want to play or quit. I for one have been down the road of it having negative impact on my RL and am looking to return for the expansion, and just before so I will be ingame for the changes in the world. Now how long I will play after that is yet to be seen. I will under no circumstance let it ever impact my life as it once did. No game is ever worth that cost.
Some people can't live in the world unless they have a passion. They have to believe that they have the power to do something, or change something, or create something, or fight for or against something. Life has to have intense meaning for them, or they will never live their life at all.
If you are one of those people, until you find and pursue your passion, you will never stop escaping from your life into games, or drugs, or novels, or television, or movies, or alcohol, or something else. You'll always find some way to escape, because you have no reason to stay in your life.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
~Albert Einstein
+1. Nice!
I suggest that you need to find balance with your gaming and if you can't do that on your own you should look into seeing a psychologist or therapist for a small bit.
They could be a huge help.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
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This
Its obvious your growing bored of WoW if all you do is run around doing nothing. I was doing similar things before I told my girlfriend I was quitting and trying a different MMO.
My advice to you #1 is get a girlfriend (or a dude friend? lol) if you dont already have one and it will solve your problem easily. My grilfriend luckily plays games with me sometimes but she keeps my mind off MMOs when I take a break...its called sex and it feels great :-)
Also there are a ton of epic single player rpgs out right now worth trying so nows as good a time as any to take some time off. Mass Effect 1/2, Oblivion, Dragon Age 1/2, Fallout 3, Stargate 2, Civ 5..to name afew. Get your head straight and take a break for a good 4-6 months dude...head back (or to a new MMO) next year refreshed. It'll be well worth it to come back to Catatyism (sp? lol) sometime next year with a good long break under your belt.
"I play Tera for the gameplay"