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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: How has reading WoW Insider changed your game experience?
by Aiden James Kosciesza 
Mar 1st 2011 at 8:00AM
Long, long ago, there was a time when I didn't read WoW Insider. When I started playing the game in vanilla WoW, I didn't read anything -- I didn't even know there were WoW sites on the Internet. I got all of my information by word of mouth, and when someone finally told me about Thottbot, it was a game-changer for me. It wasn't until late BC, however, that I even heard about this blog, and I don't think I read it regularly until Wrath.
Keeping track of World of Warcraft news and changes has completely changed how I play the game. Rather than wandering through the world until I come across something interesting, I get a heads-up about new reputation factions, daily quests, mount drops, and craftable items that I can then go searching for. I've learned more about my class, become a better player on my alts, and been assured that it's not just me who hates heroic Grim Batol. I even have an auction addon now, and though I don't play the auctioneer game, I am impressed by those who do.
When did you first start reading WoW Insider? Has the game changed for you as a result? What have you learned about here that you never knew before?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 5)
Christopher Perkins Mar 1st 2011 8:55AM
Someone is really trying to cash in on that Seed money with this one.
nataswar Mar 1st 2011 8:57AM
Let's just say that I could have written that article. I picked up WoW at the beginning of BC, and after a while of messing around I heard of websites out there with help and information. I browsed around, never really finding "that one site"...until finding the Insider.
I read blogs here every day, and use information from here to see things on other sites. This, to me, is the best overall WoW site out there. Casual, hardcore, raiding, lore, upcoming events and patches, something for all classes and all specs...I would be lost without you guys!
Daytona24 Mar 1st 2011 2:35PM
I would say that reading Wow Insider has significantly changed how I play and enjoy the game. I have found new information and new ways and classes to play by reading articles and printing out guides. It has also given me a new way to enjoy the holidays in the game. From the moment I wake up till right before I go to bed there are always new articles posted to enjoy. Right now there is nothing more I look forward to on the Internet, Thank you for all your hard work!
Mortenebra Mar 1st 2011 9:01AM
I used to only look at WoW Insider sporadically when I started raiding. When I became a chief officer in my guild, articles like "Officer's Quarters" helped me to become a better officer and leader, instead of just being the recruitment girl who worked behind the scenes because she was too shy and afraid and self-conscious. But even then, my readership was sporadic.
When my daughter was born a little over a year ago, I started reading WoW Insider A LOT. The majority of it was from the KYL series. I needed something I could read out loud to the baby that was intriguing-- if not to her, at least to me; but it also needed to be something that didn't require holding something open and, even worse, page turning. Have you tried holding a baby at the proper angle while turning the page of a book yet managing to keep the bottle in her mouth? Without some practice, it's fairly difficult! So, WoW Insider and Wowwiki (now Wowpedia) were my first reading materials of choice. (Pushing the down arrow key is a lot easier than trying to turn a page. Trust me.)
Now, I've got sucked in to commenting on this and that if a particular thought strikes me and being a (hopefully) constructive part of the community.
Mortenebra Mar 1st 2011 9:03AM
Ugh, did I really just use "sporadic" twice in the same paragraph? Well, technically, it was "sporadically" and "sporadic," but still... I hate it when I don't catch things like that before hitting the "submit" button. >_
restodr00d Mar 1st 2011 9:02AM
A LOT if it weren't for this site I wouldn't been reading any other site and for that WoW insider team I thank you.
aaron.of.mpls Mar 1st 2011 9:08AM
I forget when I started reading WoW Insider, but I know it was sometime in the spring or summer of 2009. (I started playing WoW in January 2009.) Along with Wowhead and Wowpedia, it's kept me more informed about WoW. (Know Your Lore articles especially make good reading during my lengthy logins (I have lots of addons on a slowish computer) and on flight paths.) And in the form of , it's given this Alliance player a lot more reason to play Horde.
Twowolves Mar 1st 2011 9:10AM
I got into WoWInsider because it's full of Blue posts and analysis, and no forum troll crap. At this point, I can't stand the forums.
Fossless Mar 1st 2011 9:13AM
I first came across wow insider when searching for more lore and background into world of warcraft. I wanted to know more about the characters story and why I was killing this person. The know your lore column is my favorite but also got into the podcast about a year back. The podcast is truly amazing with the different personalities and sometime heavy on the lore ( which I love) would to see another show a week or just a longer podcast to get my fill
But to all those associated with wow insider I thank you for an amazing escape to wow when not actually at home playing. Keep up the good work
Sir SpankalotUK Mar 1st 2011 9:31AM
Was pretty much a noob, still am by all accounts, just hit level 75. First thing wow insider taught me was the lingo (rather steep learning curve there). Then that there was more to the game that just hitting 85 and maxing out your professions.
I now know how seriously some people take this game, it can be a little scary at times, like the thought of jumping in a battle/arena and getting resto shammy owned, which tbh happens all the time whilst questing. It does have to be said that fear hasn't been realised and most of the people I meet in game are friendly and helpful.
Geeks/Nerds of the world unite!
slashleen Mar 1st 2011 9:14AM
I didn't know about WoW insider until @wow_news started following on twitter and I decided to follow back. WI has greatly changed how I play the game. I do less fumbling around and make more tactical decisions. I also love giving the heads up to my friends who are WoW veterans because WI always has the scoop first.
Norrel Mar 1st 2011 9:18AM
I've been reading since some time in BC. My favorite class columnists are Christian Belt (mage) and Chase Christian (rogue). They have very different approaches to their columns, but they are both great to read. My main was already a mage, but I credit the rogue class column here for my choice of playing a rogue as my "main" alt.
dannyflorida Mar 1st 2011 9:18AM
When I first started playing WoW five years ago, I was enjoying myself so much that I wanted to further immerse myself in this game culture. So, my first stop was the official forums, which led to various blogs and other websites. I loved WoW and still do, but I felt drained after browsing through these out-of-game resources. All the negativity. So much about what's wrong with the game, so much about how bad it is, so much hate. It brought my mood down about WoW, when the whole idea was for me to find like-minded folks who loved the game and raise my mood about WoW.
Then, I found WoW Insider: so much of the news and information I was looking for presented in a positive way. WoW Insider not only further immerses me in the culture of the game, but it lifts me up and makes me want to play WoW. It is nearly exactly what I was looking for, so thank you for that.
I don't expect you to become a PR arm of Blizzard, but please do stay on the positive side. Make it your overall goal in everything you do to make readers excited to play WoW after visiting WoW Insider.
I have to mention one feature in particular: Your lore articles are awesome. I look forward to them more than anything else. The information so much enriches my gameplay.
Kriegle Mar 1st 2011 12:51PM
I have to wholeheartedly agree. Whenever I experience burnout or can't psych myself up for raid night, I can come to this site and within 20 minutes of browsing the articles... I just want to play so damn bad!
allison.lins Mar 1st 2011 9:35AM
I've played off and on since vanilla as well. Being an avid console player I knew about sites like gameFAQs and participated there. I figured there was something for WoW and started searching. Most were cumbersome sites. WoWinsider was a nice blog/newstory type site that didn't just give the information it usually explained it for those of use who didn't "get" it.
I played a warlock almost exclusively. Sure I leveled some alts (never really past 60) but I've been a lock since beta. Last month I decided to roll a tank to accompany my BF for leveling. I choose warrior to 58 and then switched to DK. I'd never had a lot of experience with Melee let along the DK's. Sure, I knew the basics but I just didn't get some things.
I found wowinsider a super helpful resource. Most of my searches would bring up very old information or it would only be for one spec, and usually not what I was looking for. I found wowinsider really helpful to "get my feet wet". I finally understood why there seems to be different information about blood tank and why frost is the way to go. It gave me a base so I can goto other sites and understand whats going on.
raposo02790 Mar 1st 2011 9:35AM
I'm not as selfish as I would be I read about the ignorance in the community and I strive not to be that person. Ty wowinsider for opening my eyes
Tim Mar 1st 2011 9:51AM
Love the site, one of the only blogs I read every day. Heck I read it so much and play so many classes I could go for more articles. :).
Great Job!
zara Mar 1st 2011 9:56AM
I've only started reading wow insider recently, a few months before Cata hit us. It's like a ritual for me. I have to read up on everything before I even click on the wow symbol. It's taught me how to become a better healer and mad me far more interested in everything else that goes on in Azeroth. Also your pod casts kept me sane whilst writing my dissertation. Thanks :)
tbutton Mar 1st 2011 9:58AM
I came here because of the brilliance of arcane brilliance. But how I play changed because the UI of the week got me hooked on interface tweaking, and Goldcapped lured my out of my genteel mining/engineering poverty and into the seedy underworld of glyph sales.
Koleckai Mar 1st 2011 10:11AM
First started reading this site in June of 2010. While WoW-Insider is entertaining, I don't think it has changed my WoW Experience because the information given is very basic and oriented towards beginners.