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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: Is it the perfect time to start playing WoW again?
by Mathew McCurley 
Mar 9th 2012 at 8:00AM
Will doesn't have much time to play MMOs. He used to play a little bit of WoW, but it was way back in the day when things were still so new. That got me thinking -- my own WoW experience has become much more of a casual endeavor, which has shown me the light in many regards. This is a game you can play for 30 to 60 minutes a night if you so desire. The new Cataclysm questing is top notch for any MMO. A free level 80 character means you can show your friend cool content right out the gate (old world raids, fun zones, etc.) and not worry about the whole "Well, I'll never get to your level to play with you" problem.
I'll be sending my friend a Scroll of Resurrection invite because I believe that this time between now and Mists of Pandaria, during the relative calm before the storm when raiding has slowed and people get a little bit lazy, is the perfect time to help a friend get into the game. There is actually time to go and help a friend.
Do you think this is actually a perfect time to play WoW, when things are quiet and settled?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Sir Broose Mar 9th 2012 11:26AM
I, personally, liked the linear Cata questing, too. But it is true that it has seen a lot of criticism. In the postmortem blogs, Blizz even acknowledged that they weren't happy with it and felt it was too constricting.
The OP has a valid point. The article makes it sound like it is a given that Cata questing was near-perfect, when in fact, there has been a great deal of debate about that. I think Mathew's statement of "top-notch" is a bit of an assumption being stated as fact, and sharlatan's claim that the "general consensus was that it was awful" is much the same. Both statements are probably a bit of hyperbole in each direction. I wouldn't say sharlatan's really a troll, just being a bit reactionary to what he viewed as an overly optimistic claim.
And I think the point he was trying to make with the 40mins per week thing, was that having something you can do once for less than an hour a week, doesn't make the game casual. He thinks of casual as a game that you can drop in on for an hour here or there, whenever you feel like it, as often or not as you like, and still be effective. I'm not saying he's right or wrong about that as it relates to WoW or Rift, but I think that's what he meant - not that 40 minutes a week isn't casual.
wow Mar 9th 2012 8:50AM
This game desperately needs intelligent, articulate and above all patient players, perhaps more than it has at any other time.
Nublets need not bring themselves back from the dead ^^
Bynde Mar 9th 2012 11:25AM
"This game desperately needs intelligent, articulate and above all patient players, perhaps more than it has at any other time."
"Nublets need not bring themselves back from the dead"
Which one was 'nublets'? Intelligent, articulate or patient?
Tauren Fan Mar 9th 2012 8:50AM
I agree whole heartedly that is a great time to get into the game (or back into the game). I'm sure I'm in the minority on this, but these are actually my favorite times in WoW. It's a great time to level an alt or train up professions, all while not feeling like you're falling behind the curve by not gearing up your main. You even have the chance of actually running into other players in the lower-level zones, which will probably be even rarer once Mists comes and players are focused on their higher-level toons again.
I say this as a rather casual player, for whom heroic 5-mans have typically represented end-game content (until Raid Finder, at least). I absolutely love the fact that I can log on for as little as 30 minutes a night and still feel like I'm advancing a character in some meaningful way.
I guess the big caveat is that with significant changes coming in Mists, there is certainly the possibility for frustration if a player takes the time to really learn a class over the next few months. Still, if your friend finds he enjoys the game now, I can't imagine that the changes will be so sweeping that they will prevent him from continuing to enjoy it in the next expansion.
Sir Broose Mar 9th 2012 2:01PM
Actually, with the introduction of both a new race and a new class, the low-level areas will probably be pretty busy.
Nina Katarina Mar 9th 2012 8:51AM
I'd say this is the perfect time to be casual, and to experience lots of content. People are beginning to slip away because of burnout, so I'm seeing a lot more advertising for all raid roles in trade chat. Current level trade goods are getting cheaper, as folks dump their stockpiles in anticipation of Mists. There are a lot more tools out there to let you play your class and spec really well. Guilds are looking for new blood, and guild perks make everything just a little easier.
It is a great time to start playing, and to start playing again.
On the other hand, in the northern hemisphere, spring is around the corner. My snowdrops and daffodils are up and blooming, the tulips aren't very far behind. Daylight Savings Time is hitting this coming weekend. So there will be more light in the evenings, and greater incentives to explore Beyond The Keyboard. Soon the grass will need mowing, Little Leagues and sandlot ball will start up, people will be reaching the top of the stairs short of breath and start on their personal buffing up regimes.
Yeah, we're going to be losing people soon. Maybe even me for a week or so. And since that is the case, it's a great time to be a new or returning player, because there is a space for you in existing groups and the content isn't nearly as difficult as it has been.
mailto:ungorocrater Mar 9th 2012 8:58AM
Reply
Jeff Billimek Mar 9th 2012 8:43AM
Sent!
Awesome, never played cata and all my friends awhile ago. definately looking foward to it
Luotian Mar 9th 2012 9:01AM
I just wish the offer was going on longer. It would be great for my little brother, but he won't be able to play again until August. I may just have to purchase it for him, and then pay for his game until he gets back ^^; .
Twowolves Mar 9th 2012 9:23AM
Maybe it's just me, but everyday is a good day to start playing WoW, even if it's just to run an alt to 10 or 20 for the joyful sake of experiencing the simple game play of those early levels.
ravyncat Mar 9th 2012 9:30AM
I think if someone is tired of WoW--like the bitter/angry posters I see a lot of on MMO-Champion--then nothing will make them happy. A free 80 is not going to fix whatever it is that they feel is broken with the game.
It is a good time for me to play because I am still having fun with WoW. I think the answer is, Yes, it's the perfect time to play if you like the game.
It is also a good time to get new players into the game. They will have time to experience enough of it to see if MMO's--or at least WoW--is for them.
robsmith77 Mar 9th 2012 10:54AM
I'm not sure, possibly depends when you stopped and why you stopped playing in the first place. I really enjoy the game, so it's always a good time to play again.
evoxpisces Mar 9th 2012 11:09AM
What always amuses (and annoys) me is how many people who play or played WoW for a while and complain about it and say how bad it is. No one is forcing those people to play. If you're not having fun, why play it? But don't bring the people who still enjoy playing it down.
With that said, I totally think it's the best time to start playing WoW, whether you're a returning player or a brand new player. I personally think WoW is more fun than ever. But maybe it's just me.
Bossy Mar 9th 2012 11:27AM
Please read this: ....
Since I am doing the Iron Man challenge my FUN in playing WOW simply tripled.
To all who feel a little burned out: I can only say this: take up the Iron Man challenge and play a complete new DANGEROUS game.
My third character is lvl 22 now, a rogue.
So YES: playing NOW and in this harcore way was never better. I even learned to look up the vendors and I LOVE the hard leveling.
So try it: you'll be amazed in Azeroth.
www.wowironman.com
Glaras Mar 9th 2012 12:27PM
I'm not doing the challenge (yet), but I do have to agree with you. Judging from those I know who are doing the Ironman, it seems to have revived their enjoyment of the game tremendously.
Sir Broose Mar 9th 2012 2:11PM
I have also started an ironman character, and it really does change the intensity of the game. I actually feel nervous anxious (in that good, exciting way) while playing, and it makes me so crazy hyper-focused, knowing that death is death, the game is quite the rush. I can't imagine actually making it to max level. There are just SO many ways to accidentally die, no matter how hard you try. But we'll see.
I agree, it's a blast!
Btw, I'm on my 6th attempt, for anyone who wondered. I get better each time. There was definitely a learning curve, shifting the paradigm from being okay with the occasional, and seemingly inevitable fatal error, to taking the time and care required to NEVER die, requires a whole new way of thinking - more than you realize until you try it.
Dexterworgen Mar 9th 2012 11:35AM
I'll tell you what this is the perfect time to do, GET YOUR PVP GEAR! No I'm serious, hear me (read me?) out. You can get pvp gear by simply doing BG's, and by converting the free valor points from the RF into conquest points. If you do that, a casual player need only win 2 BG's every day to cap, something that can usually be done within an hour or so. This will give you a full ilvl 403 pvp set, equivalent to any arena players, with the exception of a ilvl 403 weapon.
Why is this important? I hear you all ask, well I'll tell you why. When Mists does launch, what will be the main difference from when Cataclysm launched? NO FLYING IN MISTS. This means that, as soon as we get onto that glorious panda-filled paradise, we will, like it or not, be running into members of the opposite faction all the way to 90.
This will inevitably mean conflict. Even though the gear is most certainly only going to last you maybe 2-3 levels before being trumped by Mists gear, It will give you a very distinctive edge when first hitting those initial leveling zones. Trust me. You WILL run into that rogue who thinks its funny to hit you while you are fighting 2 mobs. You WILL find members of both factions who simply want you dead.
The secret to staying alive is to be one step ahead of these gankers, and other than playing with a friend or group of people, the best way to stay alive, and maybe dish out some punishment is to earn that pvp gear, and now is the time to do it.
Boobah Mar 9th 2012 12:20PM
Not to be too much of a jerk, but if you're on a PvP realm, do you really need encouragement to keep an updated set of PvP gear? And if you're not, it's a fairly moot point anyway, since harassing players of the opposing faction (by jumping in front of their targets and the like in an attempt to get them flagged) leads to reporting, suspension, and bans.
devnull Mar 9th 2012 11:55AM
could someone send me a scroll?
devnull@mailinator.com
pNut Mar 9th 2012 1:05PM
Sent
DarkWalker Mar 9th 2012 12:00PM
I'm advertising the SoR promo to eligible players not because I want them to come back, but simply because any takers would receive a (here in Brazil) up to $120 expansion bundle for free (both WotLK and Cata are $60 each here).
Also, I do agree that the lull between expansions might be the best time to start or go back to the game. More so with the current SoR promo.
But WoW is not exactly the kind of game I prefer to play with real life friends. Two factions, 245 realms divided between 4 server types, and diverse preferences makes being in the same realm as everyone I might want to play with an almost impossible proposition. I would rather pick a MMO, or even a common multiplayer game, that does not feature factions (or where opposing factions are not prevented from playing together) and where either players are not divided across servers or else players are free to server hop, for free, as much as they want.