WoW trials to UK Times readers

Ace Pace · Post by **Ace Pace** » 2007-03-27 06:40pm

Is there no market Blizzard wants to leave untapped?

Have you ever opened up the daily newspaper and a big vial of crack came out? You have a choice if that happens: you can either throw it away like a good citizen, or tell yourself that you might as well try it. The first hit is free, after all. Don't think that something like this could happen in real life? Blizzard is daring UK readers of the The Times with addiction this Saturday with a free trial of World of Warcraft.

It has come to this: mass market spamming of trial discs to try to turn otherwise healthy and happy individuals into unemployed, single, overweight (well, for some of us) World of Warcraft players. Before you try to kill me, I'd like to point out I don't think every WoW player fits that stereotype. I also think that not installing this trial would be a good way to make sure you avoid that grisly fate. We all know the risk of addiction to online games is great.

So, my friends in the UK, when the dealer comes around this weekend, take a note from Nancy Reagan and Just Say No. We know how well that worked out in the US.

Is there no where they will not go to feed the mass crack machine?

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2007-03-27 08:19pm

That this isn't actually crack, but a trial for a computer game disappoints me.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2007-03-27 08:22pm

It isn't even SIMILAR to crack: you have to be a certain type of idiot to get 'addicted' to a glorified chatroom. I've played a trial. I can't resist I must play! Wait, no.

Don't blame the game when you're so pathetic you ruin your life to chat to KKleetNiNjA7723 about pretend nonsense.

Post by **Broomstick** » 2007-03-28 08:58pm

I disagree that WoW is so addictive. I'm a recreational user myself, I can walk away at any time. Really.

Now I must go to grind in the Western Plaguelands. My level 56 Tauren Shaman needs to repay her loan that she used to by her new green dragonscale leggings.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2007-03-28 09:25pm

When did Blizzard start contracting out AOL marketing strategists?

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » 2007-03-28 09:43pm

The big problem I have with WoW is how long it takes to get anywhere. Even with knowing all the major flightpaths, well over half the time I spend on any given quest is spent on getting to the location.

Rightous Fist Of Heaven · Post by **Rightous Fist Of Heaven** » 2007-03-29 09:00am

WoW addictive? To some perhaps. I've found that the only way I can keep up my interest on the game is by playing a few days at a time every now and then. Then a healthy break of couple of weeks. Otherwise, it just gets way too repetitive and fast for me.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2007-03-29 09:06am

Rightous Fist Of Heaven wrote:WoW addictive? To some perhaps. I've found that the only way I can keep up my interest on the game is by playing a few days at a time every now and then. Then a healthy break of couple of weeks. Otherwise, it just gets way too repetitive and fast for me.

I know several people who play it in this way. They'll buy a time card, play for a bit, usually lose interest before the month is up, and then months later they'll get the urge and buy more time. I imagine, however, that the real 'addiction' of the game is social, and casual players like this won't ever have 'raid appointments' or any of that stuff.

wautd · Post by **wautd** » 2007-03-29 09:34am

Meh, I've tried the trial 2 months ago but got sick of it real quick. Boring gameplay (you've found 5 boar skins? Great, now get me 10 scorpion tails to complete the next quest. Fuck that) and I hated the cartoonisch design. If anything, it almost made me to reinstall Diablo 2 again

NeoGoomba · Post by **NeoGoomba** » 2007-03-29 05:58pm

I've fallen into the "on again/off again" category. Endgame raids suck, the repetitive quests bug me, and getting teh epicz is such a timesink its not worth it. I really only have fun when my friends are on and we just screw around doing our own thing.

That, and now I have Oblivion to kill what little free time I have

Post by **Broomstick** » 2007-03-30 05:47am

Hey, if you like the game, play it. If you don't, then do someting else.

Like all these other enticing amusements, some people like it, some don't, and some get carried away.

Lord Pounder · Post by **Lord Pounder** » 2007-03-30 08:21am

I found WoW to be quite addictive, for a while. When I started my first character it was a case of finding out what happens next, then with subsequant characters seeing how quick I could get to 60. I've played MMO's for years and never got so addicted, I used to dream about being my rogue in RL, should I sap my mum or pickpocket her first. But if you take a long break from it reality prevails and you wonder what the big deal was.

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2007-04-01 06:17pm

Broomstick wrote:I disagree that WoW is so addictive. I'm a recreational user myself, I can walk away at any time. Really.

Now I must go to grind in the Western Plaguelands. My level 56 Tauren Shaman needs to repay her loan that she used to by her new green dragonscale leggings.

I thought you had rolled a female Undead Rogue (scum, scum, scum)*? Glad to see you picked a Tauren, they are the best/nicest race in the game easily in my opinion.

*Yes my main is an Alliance Warlock.

Teleros · Post by **Teleros** » 2007-04-01 06:27pm

Crown wrote:Glad to see you picked a Tauren, they are the best/nicest race in the game easily in my opinion.

Meh, got good racials I'll give them that. Blasted stun & extra stamina. My main's a human though - boring but nice racials (especially Diplomacy... do too much rep grinding here

).

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2007-04-01 06:51pm

Teleros wrote:
Crown wrote:Glad to see you picked a Tauren, they are the best/nicest race in the game easily in my opinion.
Meh, got good racials I'll give them that. Blasted stun & extra stamina.

On all my Tauren Shammie and my Tauren Druid;

/cast Earthstomp
/y Walk with the Eartmother!
/cast <Insert Heal here>

Teleros wrote:My main's a human though - boring but nice racials (especially Diplomacy... do too much rep grinding here ).

Diplomacy is THE racial if you are going to be a PvE player, 10% less farming/grinding? Yes please!

Post by **Broomstick** » 2007-04-02 12:52pm

Crown wrote:I thought you had rolled a female Undead Rogue (scum, scum, scum)*?

I did. Then I rolled a Tauren. Who became my main because I have so much fun playing her. I have a couple other alts, too.

Glad to see you picked a Tauren, they are the best/nicest race in the game easily in my opinion.

I could agree, although the Dranei seem pretty noble and all as well. Except they joined the Alliance /spit

Post by **Kuja** » 2007-04-02 01:46pm

Sorry, but Alliance is where it's at. Ah well, enjoy your time in the Hunchback Brigade. (Seriously, orcs, tauren, trolls, undead....what the hell Blizzard?)

Dartzap · Post by **Dartzap** » 2007-04-02 01:59pm

...In the Times of all things? That's for the people who actually run the country!

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2007-04-02 02:39pm

Annd, I hit 39 with my lock last nite.

I play once a month, for an obsessive weekend.

I very firmly did not load WoW onto the comp I keep in my dorm

Spyder · Post by **Spyder** » 2007-04-02 02:54pm

I usually just buy some time every now and then. It's never been a huge deal.

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » 2007-04-02 06:49pm

Ah, finally hit 40 on my lock.

The first thing I have to say about that is why are riding skills so expensive?

The second thing is thank Prince Sunstrider that warlocks get Riding 75 for free with purchase of a Felsteed.

Teleros · Post by **Teleros** » 2007-04-02 08:44pm

Broomstick wrote:I could agree, although the Dranei seem pretty noble and all as well. Except they joined the Alliance /spit

Couldn't have been something to do with the orcish horde that exterminated most of them, could it

? In the spirit of the modern world, I'm expecting the next dozen or so generations of orcs to repeatedly apologise for this one

.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2007-04-02 08:49pm

Matt Huang wrote:Ah, finally hit 40 on my lock.

The first thing I have to say about that is why are riding skills so expensive?

The second thing is thank Prince Sunstrider that warlocks get Riding 75 for free with purchase of a Felsteed.

What does increasing your riding skill do?

NeoGoomba · Post by **NeoGoomba** » 2007-04-02 10:28pm

Enforcer Talen wrote:
What does increasing your riding skill do?

You need to buy higher skill in lesson form to ride epic mounts.

Post by **Kuja** » 2007-04-02 11:40pm

Teleros wrote:
Broomstick wrote:I could agree, although the Dranei seem pretty noble and all as well. Except they joined the Alliance /spit
Couldn't have been something to do with the orcish horde that exterminated most of them, could it ? In the spirit of the modern world, I'm expecting the next dozen or so generations of orcs to repeatedly apologise for this one .

The one and only good part of "Rise of the Horde" was Thrall shitting his pants when he found out the Draenei had joined the Alliance.