Breakfast Topic: How about those voices in your head?
by Nico Deyo 
Oct 8th 2011 at 8:00AM
Your friends will abandon you.
The first time I heard that ringing in my ears, it freaked me out. Wandering into Ahn'Qiraj-40 and having C'Thun whispering sweet evil nothings in my ear about my heart exploding and being already dead is hardly someone wants to hear on the best of days, much less while raiding. Warcraft has had a history of strange and dreadful whispers, sometimes from places in the game and sometimes from actual items (Chained Essence of Eranikus, anyone?). And they always seem to be strange and terrifying. But what if they weren't? What if they were comforting or gave you courage?
The idea that a familiar, friendly or helpful character from WoW guiding you either by being in your head or being a part of an item you carry seems a little alien, but to me, like a warm blanket for your character. Maybe it's a certain dragon aspect watching over you, or the familiar voice of your Orc mentor telling you try again. It would inspire confidence rather than fear, congeniality rather than hostility.
Would you go along with the voice or not? Who would it be? Or do you find the idea of anyone whispering in your head (quest mechanics aside) a little weird or violating?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
mibu.work1 Oct 8th 2011 8:05AM
seeing as I probably couldn't tell if they were in my head or not, I'd likely spend a good long while calling out 'who's there!?' until my guildmates freaked out. It's seriously spooky crap when you start hearing whispers.
Roguebert@Ulduar Oct 8th 2011 8:14AM
While questing, the only choices I have are: "Complete the quest" and "Drop the Quest".
That means, no matter whether there's a voice in my head or not, I'll still take those candles and I'll still whack innocent Coosh'Coosh to settle a dept that does not concern me.
I already am a madman with poor impulse control. If I don't have the freedom to choose between alternate actions, it does not matter whether the Naruu or the Old Gods are whispering to me.
Rmschoir Oct 8th 2011 8:28AM
Raid Leader: This is Raid Leader. The boss is approaching 35%. Prepare to blow cool downs. Raid 5, pop Time Warp.
Raid 5: Copy that, Raid Leader.
Obi-Wan whispers: Use the Force, Bramzart.
Raid 5: What? I'm a Mage, not a Jedi!
Obi-Wan whispers: Trust your senses.
Raid Leader: Raid 5, pop Warp!
Guild: He's not even targeting the boss!
Raid 5: I'm fine.
Han Solo: (swooping in to blast an add bearing down on Raid 5) You're all clear, kid--now let's blow this thing and go home!
Raid 5 casts Arcane Photon Torpedos, killing the boss.
Everyone receives the quest item [Prestigious Medal] except for Chewbacca the Worgen, who was not on the quest.
Obi-Wan whispers: The Force will be with you, always. Man, how cool is it that Jedi Consulars can whisper players in other MMO's after they've been killed? I hope this feature makes it out of beta!
Rmschoir Oct 8th 2011 8:33AM
That is, Arcane PROTON TORPEDOES.
Mythology fail and spelling fail.
Imnick Oct 8th 2011 10:26AM
I want a whispering voice to impersonate your raid leader and call for pulls, heroism and stacking/spreading out on fights where you really don't want them to
It would be pretty beautiful
Mortenebra Oct 8th 2011 8:30AM
For whatever reason, my first instinct is to ask, "Who are you? Where are you going? Where have you come from? What happened to you?"
It was the running theme of one of my literature classes in college: the idea of compassion. I look at whispers as a way of seeing into lore, or getting to know the quest/npc better. In a way, the game is getting to a personal level with me and, for a genre known as a "massively multi-player" arena of play, that's kind of a big deal. So, I react in kind.
Maybe it's because I talk to myself and think out loud all the time. It helps my brain sort things out sometimes. Having an actual voice or spirit to talk to (or think with) wouldn't detract too much from the norm... Or make people think I'm any less crazy.
Natsumi Oct 8th 2011 8:35AM
I ended up putting some guy on our server named Arthas on ignore in an attempt to shut the Lich King up while on the Shadowmourne quest. :p
razion Oct 8th 2011 8:53AM
"Kill... them... all..."
evoxpisces Oct 8th 2011 1:47PM
"Mercy is for the weak!"
"No survivors!"
Badmedecine Oct 8th 2011 8:36AM
if it would actually make a difference, i'd listen carefully, see if it is any logical and reasonable what it says, and if I agree i might actually follow it.
This doesnt mean it has to be good, if im on me shadow priest and the ''shadow'' would talk to me, I can do nasty things aswell >:D
Rmschoir Oct 8th 2011 8:56AM
The Shadow whispers: I know what evil lurks in the hearts of men. . . .
Arrohon Oct 8th 2011 8:46AM
The Voices are telling me to trust them or else. Oh, and that they want cake.
Homeschool Oct 8th 2011 11:49AM
The cake is a lie.
razion Oct 8th 2011 8:50AM
Depends on what the voice was from, really. If it's anything but the Lich King, I will be sorely less tempted to follow every command [following read: Voice of Lady Deathwhisper] utterly with utter devotion of mind and soul.
Deathknighty Oct 8th 2011 9:03AM
Well, usually, when the voices call to me I eat bacon.
Mordok Oct 8th 2011 9:16AM
Directing voices...hum.....I remember playing a game years ago, it may have been Fable that had a voice telling you what to do in the earlier portions of the game...don't remember if it went on in the later stages though. Loved it.
I really would like the hear a voice saying - Slimy Rogue behind you Kill It - oh wonderful voices in my head......
Antonius.Prime Oct 8th 2011 9:30AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq53JYNAYpk
Oh Denis Leary, how right you were…
vegetto375 Oct 8th 2011 9:18AM
This question can be easily answer by a shirt a used to have. It read:
"I do whatever the voices Inside my head tell me to do"
Hinalover Oct 8th 2011 9:27AM
I'll always believe that Tyragosa will always be with me.
thawedtheorc Oct 8th 2011 9:33AM
Studies have shown there is an increase of endorphins if someone hears a positive comment. This also happens if someone just witnesses someone praising someone else.