Breakfast Topic: What makes a WoW geek?
by Stephanie Drury 
Dec 1st 2010 at 8:00AM
During the BlizzCon 2010 opening ceremonies, Chris Metzen spoke about the power of words, particularly focusing on one: "geek." He then followed up with a montage of what the word meant to him. Chris's dialogue was about what brings us together as geeks, celebrating common factors we all share as a community.
This of course got me thinking, what does "geek" mean to me? More pointedly, what does it mean to me in the World of Warcraft? What great accomplishments have brought me closer to my community? Raid achievements come to mind, such as obtaining the Hand of A'dal title as a guild an expansion ago (or two). But there are some things I consider elite -- and therefore geekier -- that set my fellow community members on top of what I consider the geek pedestal:
- The Loremaster title -- definitely my chart-topper for geekdom. Kudos to you!
- Anyone who has completed the Scepter of the Shifting Sands quest chain.
- The Black Qiraji Battle Tank mount and Scarab Lord title. This was a whole server-wide event that brought the players together as a community toward one common goal: opening the gates of Ahn'Qiraj. I think this epitomizes the celebratory meaning of geek.
- Obtaining a legendary item -- this also involves a group working toward a common goal, strengthening our sense of community.
What does "geek" mean to you? Is it that elusive title? A rare pet or mount? Perhaps something that isn't even obtainable anymore, or something that was added in Cataclysm. What do you think brings us closer as a community or find celebratory of geekdom in WoW?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
exogenesis. Dec 1st 2010 8:04AM
For me, there is one thing that just SCREAMS out "geek". And that thing is:
Insane in the Membrane.
'Nuff said.
divamom1996 Dec 1st 2010 10:47AM
yep, yep
Nex Dec 1st 2010 9:07AM
ye. this one.
And also: the Spectral Tiger (assuming it was purchased)
Malozing Dec 1st 2010 9:34AM
That screams hardcore geek. For me, to be a WoW geek, you must enjoy the game. That's all.
Hampster Dec 1st 2010 12:20PM
In my mind Insane screams "I've got a lot of free time." At least with most Loremasters they get into the quests, dive into the story and really let the events of the zone they're questing in envelop them. THAT is geeky.
Straz Dec 1st 2010 6:09PM
Yeah I have 2 Loremasters/Seekers, a Thunderfury, and completed the Shifting Sands chain. I look at people with Insane title and think to myself "wow they have a ton of free time."
Columhcille Dec 3rd 2010 11:48AM
Getting the Achievement "the Insane". and the title "High Warlord" That's geek >D hahaha. My husband has both, and he's helped others farm their "Insane" title rep by farming lockboxes on his rogue, pulling 100 boxes an hour for 7 gold ea, garnering himself about 10k gold for ea person's total needed lockboxes. Loremaster is hardly an achievement in comparison to everything required for "the Insane" title. and they just nerfed what it takes to get it, too.
Klerud Dec 1st 2010 8:05AM
, the Insane
It says it all
dannyleitner Dec 1st 2010 8:10AM
Yeah i guess that would be a "Geek" thing. Takes a lot. But ill have to say either grinding for the Ashes of the phoenix mount or the one that drops of off the LK... You gotta have some time on your hands for that! haha
dannyleitner Dec 1st 2010 8:08AM
Well, one thing i wish i could have done was the opening of the gates, it has been something i always wanted to do, mainly for the mount and title of course. But i guess ill never see that happen. Now im working on getting the Raven lord and Rivendare mounts, before they to are removed, dont know if they ever will but i want to get a cool mount before they are gone, as well as the bear/tiger/raptor mounts that have been removed.
Kyuuga Dec 1st 2010 9:00AM
To me, a geek is a person who plays a game, enjoys it and dedicates to it. I mean, it's not a bad thing - it's like a person who goes to the gym every day just to get some muscles, he's still a geek but instead of playing a game he lifts some weights.
Proud in being a geek.
Eli Dec 1st 2010 8:13AM
Well I feel it's not just computer MMOs that can lend to someone being a geek.
I spazzed when I got the Horseman's Reins from Karazhan a month before WotLK launched.
Similarly, I spazzed when i got a jump-shot tomahawk kill from 30 feet away in Black Ops.
Does the latter make me less of a geek just because it's considered more "mainstream"?
ambermist Dec 1st 2010 10:08AM
I don't think the writer is suggesting that one brand of geek is "better" than another, but this website is WoW Insider, so he framed it in terms of the game to which the site is dedicated.
I'm sure many of us would be considered "geek," and not just "WoW geek," but this particular piece is aimed at the World of Warcraft audience, isn't it?
ambermist Dec 1st 2010 10:11AM
*she
Helps to look at the author BEFORE posting about them.
Eli Dec 1st 2010 11:09AM
Regardless, I would still call myself a geek, no matter which way I'm looking at it. over-enthusiasm for a hobby makes you a geek IMO. Hell, I love being a geek. Makes stuff fun :D
Starsmore Dec 1st 2010 1:16PM
Horseman's Reins from Karazhan? lolwut?
You mean the vampire horse, right? (Which isn't "The Horseman's Reins" I don't think.. stupid work firewall..)
Eisengel Dec 1st 2010 2:40PM
Quite so. The Horseman's Reins summon the Headless Horseman's mount, not Attumen's mount (those are the Fiery Warhorse's Reins). Although the confusion is understandable, I've been trying for three years to get the Horseman's Reins - and I've only ever seen them drop twice.
ENNUI!!
(P.S. a geek)
Eli Dec 1st 2010 4:32PM
Oops, I meant the [Flaming Vampire Horse]
Michael Dec 1st 2010 8:13AM
Did somebody say [Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker] [Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker] ??
Martin Dec 1st 2010 4:02PM
Oh god, keep this crap out of comments. It's bad enough in the game.