Race to 80

Even with 2 level 80s in World of Warcraft I still have to motivate myself to level up another character. So I have decided to hold a friendly competition between me and a couple of friends. This blog will be the place where I post updates on all of our characters, and I will summarize my last leveling day.*

While I didn't have time to prepare a leveling diary I will use this space to give you a back ground of the three characters in the race.

Sávannah - Level 31 Blood Elf Hunter


My girlfriend started this account about a month ago and I never got around to leveling her, so I decided this would be a good time to get her to 80. I have two level 80s, a Dwarf Hunter (Shadowpirate) and a Dwarf Priest (Tonofmidgets). This would make my second level 80 hunter, I have plans to get 3 to level 80 (one for each spec).

Gwanmage - Level 35 Human Mage <Team Rocket>

This is the character of one of my friends. He started this account a while ago but just left it idle while we leveled his DK. He has one level 80, a Human DK (Gwanar), His "main" is a level 55 Pally that he dropped when he made his DK.

Yoyohunter - Level 44 Dwarf Hunter <Realm of Yoyos>

This is my brothers' character, he did start this before both me and Gwanar started our accounts and leveled a few times, but me and Gwanar just see this as more of a challenge. My brother has two level 80s; a level 80 Dwarf Pally (moomoomood) <Team Rocket> and a level 80 Gnome DK (yoyodeath) <Team Rocket>.




*A leveling day is counted from noon to noon.

Divisions in Gaming Communities

 

Part 1: Clan Divisions

In this three part series we will look into the different ways that a gaming community can be divided. Along with addressing the problem with these three different ways that a community can be separated, we will also provide a way to “solve” this problem (or make it less of a problem).

If you have played any form on online game, whether it is a MMO, FPS, or RPG, you have probably encountered or have been a part of an online clan (or guild). While the formation of a guild is not the main problem, given that the reason for most guilds forming is innocent enough. Most clans start off with a common belief or interest and just want a way to communicate with each other. However, it is multiple guilds interaction with one another that can cause a problem.

The Problem

Guilds interacting with each other can yield, for the most part, 3 different results; the clans could relate with each other and an alliance could form, mutual indifference, or the two clans can be too different to coexist and a rivalry can form. The main problem with clans interacting with each other is the chance that a rivalry could form.

When clan rivalry forms, they two guilds can admit that they have their problems and go on their separate ways just ignoring each other. However, they could figure that there isn’t room for both of their clans in the game (queue old western movie here) and the members could go at each other’s throats. This can involve ganking (“unfairly” killing low or under geared characters) or obscenities and just plan being immature or rude (possibly publicly ruining the two clan’s public image).

 Example of a World of  Warcraft guild bank

The Solution

The solution can be easy if the two clan leaders can find somewhere neutral to meet or talk about the guilds differences. For example, my guild in World of Warcraft was having problems with another ICC raiding guild. There was some debate over whether or not one of my guild members was unfairly denied an item. After this my guilds became furious and quit from the group and were frankly rude to their members. As I was on vacation at the time, it was a week or two later before I could talk to the other guild leader. Basically I have ___ tips to any clan/clan leaders when dealing with a situation like this:

1.) Understand their side of the story.

2.) Try to compromise or state your side of the story.

3.) If you can come to an agreement (i.e. not behaving like idiots) you do not have to be friends with each other.

4.) If you do not come with an agreement try to state that you would like if your clans do not interact at all (i.e. do not publically make fun, or criticize each other).

Conclusion

I sincerely hope that this article will help some clans in the future. I am in no way against clans, I happen to think that clans are a very important part of an online community. If differences or arguments do not cause too much drama, they can be a very beneficial social experience. If you have any suggestions please leave a comment below, or post in the forums.

Next in this series Divisions in Gaming: Genre Divisions.

What I am playing:

After recently moving into my college dorm I have not had time to set up my 360 yet. So I have been tethered to PC gaming, which is not necessarily a bad thing. After I got my Alienware M15x laptop I have been getting more involved in PC gaming. Right now my game library consists of; Team Fortress 2, Borderlands, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, Portal, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. 

Anyway, since I haven’t been in the mood to play that much CoD or TF2, I have been playing WoW a lot more lately. Currently I am playing on my two level 80s; Shadowpirate <Team Rocket> (Survival Hunter, 5893 GS), and Tonofmidgets <Team Rocket> (Holy Priest, 4.8k GS). Today, I didn’t get much playing in due to the fact that I am the Guild Leader of <Team Rocket> and I had some drama to sort out. However, I did get some play ton on my long neglected Priest, so I hope I can get him to start leading our B-Team ICC raids. (We are now recruiting just as a FYI, click the link below for more info.)

One of the things that I have been noticing with WotLK dragging on, is that I have been losing interest in WoW. More, and more I have been logging on just out of habit, and sitting in Dalaran until I realize there is nothing for me to do and log out. Now more than ever I have been wanting Cataclysm to arrive so that I can beat this pre-expansion lull.