Everquest: Just a Game, or a Way of Life?
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I first became interested in EverQuest from a friend. He strongly suggested that my non-gamer, business-minded boyfriend would love this game as a Christmas gift. While skeptical, I made the purchase and kept the receipt. A month later, I too was hooked, and the computers were moved together to allow for maximum playing capabilities. Both of us play together, but when one plays alone, the other computer is accessible for quick Internet reference.
It began as just a game -- a fun way to let off steam, to be together, and to be creative, yet strategical. We promised that the game would never take the place of our social life. Then it happened. Sundays were spent playing EQ all day long. Saturday night dinner and a movie became an adventure to Befallen for some "quality time". Although we sat right next to each other in real life, our characters flirted constantly and became very close. We took our relationship to another dimension.
And then it really started. Our real-life personal e-mails referred to EQ. Instead of needing a hug, I needed SOW. And how many times have I wished for breeze in real life, not to mention teleporting when life gets tough. I began making excuses to play –- this was a great way to see programming languages in motion; this will heighten my creativity levels; this is great for developing strategy skills. I became addicted in the worse way.
The Internet did nothing to cure my addiction. I built a web page for personal reference. I began checking various web pages for updates and skill building strategies. Work and social life was a nuisance until I could get home to play my character. Things that I use to love doing became a chore. Thank goodness medding took a time so I could at least eat and do laundry.
Of course, both my boyfriend and I swore that once summer came and the weather got nicer, we would play less and do more. Luckily for us, we have had a lot of rain, so our playing has not been interrupted with nice weather.
Then one day the cold reality hit us that this is only a game. We noticed that real life friends were taking the games to higher levels, playing night and day to level, and letting personal needs slide. While nothing is wrong with this, we began to wonder how we wanted EQ to fit into our life –- just as a game, or were we prepared to be sucked deeper into Norrath? Game issues were taken outside of Norrath, causing real life friendships to weaken. I was forced to draw the line with people -– is this their EQ character trait or a real life personality? And it hit me: is this really just a game, or is it life to some people?
I think that all gamers need to realize that gaming isn't real life. It is just a game. You don't measure this by how long you play or the intensity of playing. IMHO, you measure this by how much it affects your personal life. All "hobbies" are expected to take up a lot of time and you are even allowed to let them affect other aspects of your life. So, my challenge to all, is it a game, or a way of life? That's for your own personal judgement. As for me, I need to buy a laptop!
