Say It Loud, Say it Proud: I Love WoW

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Anea of Holy Discipline poses the question:

“Are you ashamed that you play WoW?”

I was going to chime in with my 2 cents in her comment section, then decided it was great fuel for a post.  Rather than crit her comments with a wall o' text, I'll just answer her here!

Then I remembered something sitting in my drafts that fits well with this topic, so let's combine the two!

(Taboo) Table Talk

As I've probably mentioned before, I don't have anymore coworkers that play WoW, and I don't have many IRL friends that do.  Sideshow works with several people that play or used to play.  My parents now play.

But I find plenty of opportunities to talk about it outside the game anyway.

Sure, Sideshow and I often talk about gaming with each other.  We do this at home, at the store, and at restaurants.  Sometimes I wonder what others are thinking, but usually I just don't worry about it.  I figure they'll either think I'm geeky-cool, justadork, or foreign (y'know, not speaking a “language” they comprehend).

About the only time I've been a bit uncomfortable talking about WoW while out to eat (and Sideshow totally knows the dinner I'm referring to…) was when we were out with a friend of Sideshow's from work.  He tends to talk rather loudly, which can be tolerated most of the time.  And we usually would all sit and talk about the game, raiding, gear, arena, PvP, patch changes, etc.  We'd do this while waiting to order, waiting for our food, and throughout dinner.

I usually do stop my conversation when a waitress approaches, but that's something I do no matter what the subject is.

Well, this one particular evening, the restaurant was quite busy.  Instead of having a booth or table a bit off to the side, we're kinda smack dab in the middle.  And surrounded.  At the time, our friend was leveling a warlock.  So, him and I were discussing warlockery stuff.  He then shared his spell rotation with me.

Very loudly.

While waving his arms and talking with his hands.

I can't imagine what the nearby people thought about hearing “Lifetap! Lifetap! Shadowbolt!” etc.

And we're talking, LOUD.  Like, it would have been on the embarrassing side even if it wasn't about gaming.

On the flip, a few times Sideshow and I have overheard others talking about WoW while out to dinner.

Geek Encounters

I probably show my affinity for the game more than I actually say it to others.  Despite a disappointing lack of gamers where I work, I do have the Lich King on my work computer's wallpaper.  (Previously it was a Blood Elf.)  I used to have a co-worker that played and that was incredibly fun (even though we were both a bit shy about sharing it initially.)  At that time I was shier about admitting it in public, but I was also a newer player… and actively RPing.  (Double taboo!)

I do have a few coworkers that do read my story, even though they do not play WoW.  (That's kinda cool, you have to admit.)

But the biggest way that I subtley tell the world that I play World of Warcraft is merely a little plastic rectangle.

The WoW credit card.

This is a great way of “outing” other players.  People that clearly have no clue what it is say silly things like “Did you get this from your bank?” “Ooh, that's colorful!” or look at it like I just handed them the Ace of Spades.

Here are a few examples of the card leading to small talk:

• I went to get an oil change at a Fast Track.  I hand over my WoW card to pay.  The guy (who is also the owner/manager of that one…I think…) looks at it and asks if I play.  I say yes.  He asks what level.  I say 70 (TBC era).  I ask him if he plays.  He says he does a little, but prefers StarCraft and Diablo.

• Sideshow and I are at Target.  We're buying a console game.  We check out in the electronics department.  The guys there are having a discussion about Fable 2.  (I can't remember what game I was buying that day…)  I swipe my card through the reader, but the cashier catches a glimpse of it.  He smiles, nods, and whispers, “That's cool.”

• A few weeks ago (maybe a month?) we go to Quiznos.  I hand over the card, the girl's eyes light up.  She says she has the same card.  She asks what server I'm on.  Then I ask about her.  She tells me she plays a priest and is in a top raiding guild Horde-side of her server.  Unfortunately, I think my blank look of non-recognition gave her the wrong idea…. it was the fact that she said her guild name like I'd know it.  The damage was already done though, because she said something along the lines of “I guess if you're not on the server you wouldn't know… but we're top <some number here>.”  I nod politely and then our transaction is done.

Now, while it was totally cool to encounter her, I'd rather have a more … I dunno… non-epeen discussion so quickly.  Or, at least have said where they were in progression, rather than hoping I'd be familiar with the guild's name.  I'm sure I'll have another opportunity to WoW-chat with her again and at least next time we already know that the other plays.  And she's not the “enemy” so, I think we're cool.

This may sound all well and good and dandy… but sometimes I get negative reactions to the card.

Strange looks from the card to me and back to the card… a raised eyebrow… eye rolling…

I've even heard some “So & so that I know plays and never hangs out with us anymore” or  “Aren't you addicted?” And other ridiculous stuff.  Might as well say “Aren't you already fat enough?” as I buy cookies and ice cream from you.  I mean, no need to be rude.  Learn some manners before I wtfpwnurface.

So, Anea, I just gave you my long answer above.  The short answer is: No, I'm not ashamed!

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