Breakfast Topic: A little sumpin' sumpin' on the side
by Chris Cohron 
Jul 17th 2010 at 8:00AM
We've all been there before -- that magical moment when we let go of our loyalties to the object of our affection and simply give in to those inner desires for something new and exciting. Before we know it, we have turned away from our first love, leaving it huddled up in the corner feeling dirty and unwanted. Even if we don't personally engage in this abandonment, we are always anticipating the next story of someone else's doing it and the nitty-gritty details that come out. No, I'm not pulling headlines off the latest celebrity gossip columns again; I'm talking about your loyalties to WoW!
From old crushes like EverQuest and Star Wars Galaxies to newer flames such as Star Trek Online and Dungeons and Dragons Online, we all have games whose siren songs draw us into their grasp, away from our beloved WoW. With plenty of new and exciting MMOs on the horizon (we're looking at you, The Old Republic), now is the perfect time to start experimenting with a polygamous online gaming habit. While the frozen shores of Northrend have been nice, a trip into the Mines of Moria in Lord of the Rings Online may be the perfect thing to liven things up a bit and get that passion for your first love back.
Here are a couple of things to look for when finding that pinch hitter in order to keep the flame alive until the second honeymoon called Cataclysm arrives:
- Community A trip to any game's forums can offer great insight into the political activities of the Neanderthals, but some game's player bases seek to offer something unique and exciting to their fellow players aside from Chuck Norris jokes. For instance, Star Wars Galaxies offers up an incredible community of roleplaying groups, and EVE's many corporations and their ruthless actions make loot drama look like toddlers fighting over the ball at recess.
- Game type While WoW reigns supreme as far as PvE encounters go, some argue that the PvP function is lacking in many ways. The realm vs. realm play of Warhammer Online and the brutal, open-world PvP of Darkfall each offer up different ways to sate that bloodlust, when killing Arthas doesn't cut it.
- Genre You can only drive an obscenely large sword into the skull of a rat so many times before it starts to wear on you. If fantasy games such as LotRO and Aion just aren't doing it for you, then perhaps a much larger change is just what the doctor ordered to fight off those pre-expansion blues. While STO and EVE offer up the common "space" theme, there are many other unique genres, such as the new cops-and-robbers sim All Points Bulletin and the post-apocalyptic Fallen Earth. Swapping out that broadsword for a shiny 9mm can do wonders!
Have you ever wanted to write for WoW.com? Your chance may be right around the corner. Watch for our next call for submissions for Breakfast Topics via Seed, the Aol guest writer program that brings your words to WoW.com. The next byline you see here may be yours!Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
M.Arnold84 Jul 17th 2010 8:25AM
I'm currently waiting for DC Universe online to see if can subside my actual need to be a superhero. And I'm also intrigued at Lego online which looks lime alot of fun. But no matter what MMO I play I always get drawn back to WoW.
eyeball2452 Jul 17th 2010 9:37AM
Yup, DCUO and SWTOR are are my radar. My alternative is to go back to console games when I get burnt out on an MMO.
I just like the pick up and play experience that I don't normally get with an MMO. I've completed ME:2, AC2 and ArkAsy so far this year.
Wolftech Jul 17th 2010 9:56AM
I agree with DCO. I was disappointed with both COH/COV and Champions Online. The problem I think that will happen with DCO is everyone will play clones of their favorite superheroes rather than creating their own (I shudder to think how many Batman copies there will be).
musicchan Jul 17th 2010 1:16PM
LEGO Universe is pretty fun, but it's definitly aimed at younger children and it doesn't play like any other MMO I've been in. (Even Free Realms, though I admit I didn't get too far into that one) There's no leveling for one, but it is a ton of fun to run around with a mini fig and smack things to death with typical LEGO weapons.
Bart Jul 17th 2010 8:27AM
Tried Star wars galaxies once...it's just old now far far too old, plus there was hardley anyone online...Also I did the mission to build a speeder, parked it, forgot where I parked it, remembered and found it was gone...
Zan Jul 18th 2010 10:42PM
Hmmm guess you weren't on a high pop server. Starsider has loads of ppl. Anyway, yeah it is old in game mechanics, but I find the graphic engine has aged pretty well if you crank up the settings.
To date there hasn't been a more complex non-combat game (that I have found). I enjoy it still, but only as a side game. I will run at least 2 subs for any of the main MMOs out there. Though I am waiting for Cat to release before coming back to WoW.
Zan Jul 18th 2010 10:43PM
Oh, and your speeder would be in your found Datapad :)
Cheers
Bart Jul 23rd 2010 1:10PM
@Zan
Yeah, old game is old
(Plus the trial ran out about 3 years ago :P, £120 for a year anyway last i checked!)
Anon Jul 17th 2010 8:31AM
Or if you're interested in something more old school, there's Revelation: Lands of Kaldana. http://www.kaldana.com/
Gallant Jul 17th 2010 8:33AM
while most MMOs have me slamming my head into my keyboard, with the jerky animations and terrible environments, i have been enjoying the original Knights of the Old Republic on the side as well as Final Fantasy IX. Final fantasy IX was the very first rpg i played back in 2001(i was 11 at the time, i'm now 20) i remember being fascinated with the class system, which is probably why i picked up wow. I played KOTOR back in 06-07 and it amazed me back then with its ability to tell a story. that was the very first Bioware game i played and i enjoyed it immensely. I anticipate playing The Old Republic for months to come after its release.
Gallant Jul 17th 2010 8:37AM
as a side note; my two favorite characters from FInal fantasy IX were Vivi and Steiner; the mage and the knight. i don't think its a coincidence that my 2 80s in warcraft are a mage and a pally :D
Sharvis Jul 17th 2010 9:32AM
I love those games. Sadly I have no Xbox to play my version of the Star Wars game, but FF9 is still available. I miss the medieval feel of that one, compared to the more modern feel of the later Final Fantasy games. And yes, Vivi is awesome.
I too look forward to the Old Republic MMO, it looks amazing and Bioware knows how to put out great games.
Molly Jul 17th 2010 9:35AM
FFIX was my very first RPG as well, and it's still my favorite FF game. I adore Vivi; maybe keeping him in mind will help me level a mage, heh. I also love Quina, because she's just so over the top ridiculous (plus, she fights with a giant fork).
I may have to track down a copy of KOTOR. It's been ages since I played it, but I definitely enjoyed it way back when.
Sleutel Jul 17th 2010 11:39AM
KotOR will always be awesome, I think. I'm not even sure how many times I've played it through now. You may also enjoy Dragon Age: Origins--I did.
Even good ol' Diablo II still gets pulled out from time to time here. Sooooo many hours spent on that one when I didn't have an internet connection at home--and even when I'd bring my laptop over to my friends' place for a little impromptu LAN party. :D
kazeko.fuuga Jul 17th 2010 2:01PM
FFI was my first rpg...lol I feel old...
Skwerl Jul 17th 2010 4:51PM
Quina is a he/she if I remember right, me I prefer FFV Galuf is the king my friends,
Also my first RPG was Chrono Trigger.
Tim Jul 17th 2010 8:37AM
Although Old Republic looks sweet, I just have too much RL stuff to do to start fresh on any other MMO. WoW is my video game wife until Blizzard divorces me which doesn't seem like it will happen anytime soon yet. But after the launch and if they do a free 10 day trial which every MMO seems to do, I might try that on a extended vacation time.
Mal Jul 17th 2010 8:43AM
Usually If I want to get away from wow for a while I don't look to another MMO. God no.
Sel Jul 17th 2010 9:00AM
I have tried a few other MMOs along the way when I get bored of WoW, and nothing has caught my interest enough to switch over full time. Because of this, when I need a break from WoW now I cancel my account for a month or two, find something else away from the computer to do, and just enjoy some time away from the game. It never fails that eventually I will miss playing, so I'll reactivate and actually have fun again.
Erzfiend Jul 17th 2010 9:01AM
Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I'm a one-MMO type of guy.
Besides, playing with lots of other unfamiliar MMO's is a good way to catch a virus...