So, a quick introduction - I'm basically an RPG (role-playing game) fan who has never gotten into a "modern" MMO game, with some friends who are now getting me into World of Warcraft.

I know, as far most gamers, you'd think everyone would have at least tried WoW before this, but I have not. I have listened to my brother and his friends use WoW jargon to describe the intricacies of the game almost incessantly. I was a big fan of Warcraft III, the game that preceded the story to WoW, so I've got a pretty good starting point as far as lore goes (which, with my friends though, isn't usually very far).

I've played this MMO: http://www.pardus.at/

It prides itself on being L33T-free!

But it is very basic compared to most. However it did have a great community and a lot going for it, I just wouldn't call it a "real, modern MMO". I met my girlfriend playing it though, so I've got a huge soft spot for it.

As far as choosing WoW over other MMOs, it seems to me that it is, right now, the quintessential MMO experience. Trying to get into MMOs without trying WoW seems like getting into cookies without trying Chocolate Chip.

Alright, so far as relative experiences go, I actually have a lot more than most new players...I think.

I have played The Elder Scrolls series since the early days of Morrowind. When you get down to it, these games are pretty much like offline MMOs. This, however, is nothing compared to how MMO-like Final Fantasy XII was. It had everything but an internet connection (which worked for me, since I only had a crappy internet connection at the time).

*Warning* - Gaming and/or unfunny humor:  http://qkme.me/3ti9mt
(I also like chocobos and airships as much as the next guy, but you can't tell me that that story followed through)

So, I mean, yeah, I'm ready to play WoW - let's do this.

"Okay...what now?"

First character, Blood Elf rogue, just playing around with different things and trying different classes, seeing what I want to continue playing as. Eventually I came to realize that Warlock was by far the most metal class, and I chose Orc because they have the highest damage potential (seemingly from what I've heard). Commanding demons, calling hellfire from the skies, and inflicting debilitating plagues upon thine enemies? The only thing missing was horns and an electric guitar.

And one of those came with time.

So far the experience has been pretty fun. Running dungeons was a bit tricky at first (my minion kept getting us into trouble, too). Had a PVP battleground match that was "Capture The Flag", we won that (take that, Alliance!) :D

(Note: I've made Horde jewelry so I'm literally obligated to play Horde anyway)

The other is my take on the Tree of Gondor from LOTR.

Horde symbol reference:

Source: http://kamros.deviantart.com/

I probably will focus more on PVP (player versus player) than PVE (player versus enemy) eventually. It just seems more fun to me. (and having played MOBA games like DotA and LoL, more of what I'm used to, but those are actually much, much different anyway). I also plan on trying to branch out from my "Real Life" friends in the game and trying to make my own experiences with it, which seems like something I should really try to do, to get the full experience.

So hopefully I'll have some more cool experiences worth sharing as I discover more interesting things! And hopefully will reach some real, enlightening conclusions on what it's like to live and play in a parallel world.

More posts to come soon!