For a while I wasn't sure if I'd continue playing World of Warcraft into the next expansion. I was by no means planning on giving up my gaming habit, but I really felt like I was ready for something new: either another MMO or one of the latest generation consoles. Many pros and cons were weighed, and I have decided to stick with WoW for at least one more expansion. It was a difficult decision for me but in the end it was the rocks that won me over.

Yes, the rocks.

You see, I am part of a small, but growing number of WoW players who collect rocks. For those of you who overlook this highly sophisticated hobby, I encourage you to give it some research. Blizzard has gone through great efforts to supply an expansive assortment of wonderful, prized rocks over the years and expansions. These items are really what separate World of Warcraft from other MMOs, by adding another dimension of enjoyment to the game.

a. Rock	b. Pet Rock	c. A Very Pretty Rock	d. Shiny Polished Stone
e. Lucky Rock	f. Happy Fun Rock	g. A Pretty Rock	h. Rock Chip

Above you can see my treasured collection. Admittedly, not all of my rocks are 100% pure, but I am quite the sucker for derivative pieces. You'll see exhibit d is actually a stone, but it holds a great deal of sentimental value to me.

For those of you unfamiliar with rock collecting, I'd like to point out exhibits a and c. These are Blizzard's latest geologic additions to the game, added during The Wrath of the Lich King expansion. I feel they have both had a huge impact on rock collecting and Blizzard's philosophy on it. You see, exhibit a, Rock, is the first of its kind in that it is extremely common. It's so common that many elite rock collectors scoff at it, saying it is unremarkable. The same has been said about A Very Pretty Rock, which was criticized as "treading old ground."

I personally disagree with these assessments, though. Previously, very few players were exposed to rocks as it was regarded as a pastime of the elite. Now though, because of these new WotLK rocks, many new players are being introduced to rock collecting for the first time and their influence on Blizzard is making many great changes and development to rock collecting. I think the brash comments from veteran rock collectors are just the result of feeling overwhelmed by the surge of new faces in the community. By the time Cataclysm comes out, I think we'll all find that the increased interest in rock collecting will really help to innovate it to new heights. Archaeology, anyone?

That doesn't mean we can't revisit some more old favorites, though! Maybe it's just nostalgia, but I'm really excited for rumors about an Orphan Pet Rock that "looks sad." If Blizzard is listening, I'm very interested in finding a companion to my prized Lucky Rock. Perhaps a Luckier Rock?

Whatever the future may hold, I am on the edge of my seat.

So, to all the pack rats out there: Blizzard has stated they plan to improve upon the backpack next expansion. What do you intend to fill it with? If you're not a pack rat, are there any quirks or fun pastimes you've assigned to yourself in the game?

Tags: game-discussion, gamer-discussion, rock, rocks, world-of-warcraft-discussion, world-of-warcraft-hot-topics, world-of-warcraft-topics, wow-discussion, wow-hot-topics, wow-issues, wow-topics

Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Expansions, Humor, The Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm, Archaeology