Escapist does MMOs and WoW for a week
by Mike Schramm 
Oct 24th 2007 at 11:59PM
Escapist Magazine (who have really been hitting it on all cylinders lately-- hard to believe they're the same folks who did the subtle PDF/graphic hybrid a year or so ago) have released an issue called "Raid" this week, looking at MMOs in general, and WoW in particular.Of interest: their features is an article called "World of Germcraft," about the Corrupted Blood plague that spread through Azeroth, and how scientists used it to study real outbreak patterns (we've also covered this here before). "The Angel in the Guild" is an interesting article about a young woman who finds herself dealing with her guildies' real life problems, and "The Good Ending" is Sean Sands' story of leaving Azeroth with a bang.
All excellent reads-- I've always liked the Escapist's professional and insightful tone (if a little haughty-- it's like the Granta of online videogame media), and reading about World of Warcraft there is just icing on the cake.
[ via incgamers ]
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Features
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Merus Oct 25th 2007 12:21AM
And Yahtzee will do a WoW review, and it will be accurate, yet painful.
Sean Riley Oct 25th 2007 12:43AM
Nah, he's already done Tabula Rasa, and besides, there's only so many jokes you can get out of the MMORPG tropes.
Is it just me, or did the "Angel in the Guild" article actually read as really... well, counter-productive in the idea of helping women be equal in MMORPGs? Being the 'sensitive one' is a pretty standard cliche for women -- I'd be more impressed to have seen an article about a female guild leader who was kicking ass and taking names. On the other hand, the other story there, about the need for group management and team building in guilds, is a genuinely fascinating one.
Zamiel Oct 25th 2007 12:49AM
Yahtzee rocks my socks
Valyre Oct 25th 2007 1:36PM
After reading the Angel article, I was stunned. How could they forget the rest of the stereotype?? I expected to hear all about how she helps the wounded and suffering with her pretty human priest. Where's the paragraph about her insights into armor fashion and design? Reskinned tier 1 for primal mooncloth?! How dreadful!!
This article painted a grim picture for girls, with an analogy to a guild being a strip club, and society where you can't speak up when you're sexually harassed. The only function you can excel at is Guild Mom.
Why would she stay in such a guild, or not even tell her "real-life lover" GM when guys make passes at her? (Anyone else think about SNL's skit when reading that? gross) Maybe it's because she liked the attention from a group of guys - to the point some have her phone number.
Add onto that the general tone of the article, and I got the impression she wasn't just the HR department. She was a full service provider. She "could take care of the men's kill for the day. ... a housewife." Must be tough when you don't have actually a husband, but nice if you're trolling for guys. Subserviant? Check!
Or maybe the real issue is there isn't a difference between male and female gamers, no matter how much people want there to be one. I can comprehend strats, pick spec's, press keys, and click my mouse as well as a guy. I can be hardcore and bust chops when people aren't doing what they're supposed to be doing. I'm here to down bosses, not be the "fourth-best guild" on my server. (Who actually says that? lol)
Sedna Oct 25th 2007 2:30PM
agree with 4
I understand that WoW brings together people with a variety of different viewpoints and life experiences. But when- and how- did objecting to behavior you find offensive become "drama"?
If a player is making obnoxious comments to you, you (calmly) ask her to stop, and she complains you're causing drama, she is attempting to shift the blame for her bad behavior onto you. Enough. Do not let the drama excuse be a cover for obnoxious behavior, on any side of the coin.