Comments on: Social Study: The Wrath Effect Part 2

By: Mimetir

Mimetir — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:39:41 +0000

@J – I respect your opinion on this, and thanks. However, the second half of this column was what the rest of the themed posts were leading up to, to some extent. In my opinion although it’s important to think about people in group settings it’s also important to think about how individual players feel, even in a game enviornment. The fact that these things does happen doesn’t justify them, or that they won’t affect people.
Mimetir´s last blog ..Juddr: w00t! Or, possibly, h00t! I’ve joined the permanent team over at World of Matticus – article a’comin’ to introduce myself properly.

By: J

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:15:23 +0000

The first half of this column was interesting – the focus on guildies vs. pugs, their respective mindsets, and how that has shaped the overall community during this expansion. If anything, I think you could have gone much further w/ that topic.

The second half derailed into…how players “feel” when they are bullied? I’m just not sure how it pertains to the theme of your articles (Vol. 1 & 2). The competitive spirit comes from the fact that this is a game (obviously). The desire for superiority comes from the fact that we’re all human. And the inexplicable rudeness comes from the fact that this is the internet.

By: Mimetir

Mimetir — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:57:08 +0000

@Matticus – true, competition can be a positive force, particularly between groups of people. I guess the difference derives from a player’s or team’s ability to show good sportsmanship in that; or at least, ensure the sportsmanship doesn’t turn rotten.

@Frijona – I think you’re right – hardcore doesn’t necessarily mean someone who raids seven nights a week.

Why are PUGs more prolific? I think it’s mostly because the PvE grouping content has become more user-friendly and leans less upon teamwork from a solid group who know each others’ playstyles in and out. You don’t *need* to be a Sunwell level group – or even know anything about one another – to run Naxx.

Also, I think a lot of guilds skip much of the early-Wrath raid content now in favour of other end game raids and/or hard modes/achievements. If players fancy running Naxx and their guild doesn’t run it (perhaps out of principle) – well, why not PUG it? Sure, it might go badly or it might go really well, but a PUG is a chance for a player to have some ‘fun’ in relative anonymity – which is a concept I’ll be examining more in the future.

What are your thoughts on PUGs’ prolificy?

@Lychordia – welcome back, and good luck. I hope you find some good, friendly groups – I believe they’re out there, the good PUGs, moreso than the bad ones. Let us know your thoughts and how you get on as you travel this road!
Mimetir´s last blog ..Juddr: @mattycus Carefully. And not while wearing plate armour.

By: Lychordia

Lychordia — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:38:01 +0000

As I have said before, I resemble most of the disconnect and have withdrawn from the WoW as a whole due to the constant measurement levels that I feel that I don’t live up to. I just have to re-adjust my playing style and learn to attack the game from a different mindset. Too bad it took me this long to discover it. I just hope I am not too late and can find some patient PUGs that will be willing to try my skills. So not only am I learning to cope with the new social norms, but I am also learning to deal with new guild tactics as well. It’s been a hard and bumpy road.

By: Frijona

Frijona — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:50:27 +0000

“WoWâ€™s accessibility has created an illusion which some players subscribe to: an illusion that almost everyone is a hardened and seasoned player now. It masks the fact that everyone plays differently, for different reasons and has differing amounts of experience.”

Very true. I think the dichotomy of casual vs. hardcore needs to be readdressed. Given the different end-game options present in Wrath, it may mean something different. Is my friend, who plays every night without fail and hundreds of pets and mounts a casual player because he doesn’t raid? I would disagree.

Mimetir, any thoughts on why PUGs are more prolific in Wrath than previous versions of the game?
Frijona´s last blog ..WoW is Too Hard – A Casual’s Perspective

By: Matticus

Matticus — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:42:53 +0000

I personally use it as a level of motivation when comparing other guilds with my own. I don’t lean too hard on it but I do say “These guys are at the same level we are and if they can do it, I know we can.”. Competition can be effective as a motivator among certain types of players.