I used to be a 3.5e RPGA certified DM. I loved D&D. I even wanted to open a D&D store.

Then, World of Warcraft came out.

I was buying every book from 3.5e core set and Forgotten Realms. I was spending about $60/mo on stuff that I just read for fun (since no one ever had those books other than me). The prices got insane between books, miniatures, dice, battle mats, etc.

Groups were hard to set up. As a military person, I would move every 2-3 years & have to find a new gaming group. The process usually takes a month or two, scouring Craigslist and hobby shops. Going up to at least five awful gaming sessions before you find the group that clicked.

World of Warcraft allows me the interaction at any time. I can pop in, RP with some friends or some entirely new people, go on some quests, then go to bed. It's on-demand D&D. Yeah, you miss out on the customizability. D&D had so many options it was insane. But, that's a tradeoff I'm willing to accept in the sake of ease of use.

I really do miss my dwarven defender, though. Dor the Mighty was unstoppable.

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