I like this question. I'm curious what kind of columns the readers would like to see.

Personally I'd like to see a column dedicated to LGBT issues. There's a large percentage of the player base I think this could speak to, and not just LGBT folks, but also their friends and family that play.

I really want to see Ask a Faction Leader return.
If only to be confirmed in my suspicion that under Garrosh, the new Horde warcry is
ALWAYS ANGRY. ALL THE TIME.

Luke, having been here for quite some time, I'd both love and dread a GLBTQ article. It'd be great to discuss that communities issues and presence in the World of Warcraft, as well as helping inform those of us who support that community, but find ourselves out of touch, not having a personal connection to it. (My best gay friend moved across the country, and we barely ever talk anymore.)

However, I dread the shitstorm that crops up every time these issues are spoken about in depth. I don't think we should shy away from an article like this just because of some close-minded people, but I'm not eagerly awaiting their BS either.

When all is said and done, WoW Insider might not be the right place to explore these issues. Or it might. That's the sort of decision before the new EIC.

I'm sorry but what LGBT issues? I do not intend to bash your idea but you can bring your personal issues on this matter to Drama Mamas IMHO. No need to create another column.

I would love either Ask A Faction Leader to return, or possibly a new column that's written by different members of the community (via Seed or by request), and the column may just be about their personal stories related to WoW, how they feel it's done over the years, and how they think it will continue.

And if THAT does happen...ahem...*Puts up propaganda posters saying "Maymer for Random Writer! A Vote for Maymer is a vote for random nerd culture jokes!"

I HEREBY CLOSE THIS ARGUMENT. Henceforth, replies here may discuss the original topic, but not the LGBT subject. This can of worms is getting sealed right now.

Well you managed to peak my interest Luke. How exactly would you imagine a Wow based LGBT column to be structured? What type of topics would it contain? I don't really see how it relates to WoW other than "there are LGBT players that play." I have no moral stance against it or anything, I just don't really see a connection to this web site.

(Hope I'm not starting a firestorm)

Peace.

I'm gay. I see NO reason to have an lgbt column. This is a WoW blog.

In hopes of getting back on topic (yeah right), I think it would be interesting to see a column dedicated to submitted fan fiction, with images taken in-game to bring depth to the the stories. Or possibly a similar column where an interesting image is posted and the community gets to write short impromptu Wow fiction based around it.

I'd like to see:

"The Beard and How to Trim It" by Matthew Rossi
"Two Priest Columnists Enter" by Dawn Moore and Fox Van Allen
"The Room Makeoverachiever" by Anne Stickney
"Blood Pact" by Christian Belt

MattK that's actually a good point, and I agree with you, but I believe the ensuing (potential) shitstorm would be short lived. The long term effects I believe would outweigh this, and overall be a positive.

As for the suggestion to take personal issues to Drama Mamas, that's fine for personal issues but that suggestion is shortsighted. It's not all about drama.

That being said, I realize this is a contentious issue, but I am interested in seeing other ideas for new articles as well.

I miss [1. Local]. It was always fun to see the WoW Insider community showcased and celebrated. There's some funny folks up in here some times. And occasionally someone says something pretty poignant, too.

@Guttsu I love the fan fiction idea.

I'm going to close my suggestion by saying an LGBT Column wouldn't be just about those issues per se but also Warcraft from a different perspective. There's lots of topics that could be covered. Everything from answering reader questions and examining how minority groups fit into their community, to silly things like for example I dunno Transmog Eye For The Draenei.

Also, "The Beard and How To Trim It", LOL. Love it.

I remember wowinsider announcing the start of a Know Your Lore/15 Minutes of fame/All the Worlds the Stage type thing, where they were going to profile the stories of the Characters of random, everyday players. It was during the low point towards the end of Wrath, and it sounded like it would include a header drawing of the selected characters done by someone on the staff.

And then the Cata beta started, and the article never materalized, because there was new stuff to talk about again.

I'd love to write an article about Tanking. Discussing the changes and differences between tanks, as well as giving tanking strategies for bosses. That's long been one of my major complaints–-despite coming from "Tank"spot, the Tankspot videos contain very little information pertaining to tanks and what their role is in a fight. Many fights depend greatly on tank execution, and most strategy videos give only the most general idea of what they really need to be doing.

There's boatloads of information in most boss fight strategies that is completely irrelevant for a tank, but a simple "make sure you tank swap at 3 stacks" gets lost in the mix.

I agree with Cutaia. That was a nice feature.

I'm not downplaying the LGBT idea for a column, but do you somehow feel outcast or being preached at by straight homophobes when you read the articles on here? I certainly don't feel those undertones or any type of sexual preference condemnation from anyone other than the idiots that seem to always post in caps.
Like I said, I'm not dissing the idea, I simply see no need for it.

How about a "Day in the Life" column, written by guest writers, or WoW Insider readers?

It would be a bit of an RP article, from a character's point of view, chatting about what they did that day, or something that happened to them in the world......of warcraft.

Depending on the writer, it could end up being very boring, or very amusing!

@ Luke

Really? LOL. I'm gay - have been for all 38 years of my life. I can't for any reason understand why someone would want LGBT issues discussed or represented in a video game or a video game blog.

World of Warcraft is not a real-life world simulator. We deal with LGBT issues every day of our lives - FOR REAL. Why would you want to deal with it in a video game as well? I'm seriously asking because everytime this comes up I have to laugh and roll my eyes.

It is my opinion, and probably that of hundreds of thousands - possibly millions of other players that LGBT issues and discussions about them belong in the real world, not in that place where we go to escape reality.