I played World of Warcraft for nearly five years... from the age of 10 years old until I was 14, from just before the release of Burning Crusade until the year after the release of Cataclysm.
Thousands of dollars... thousands of hours... all dedicated to wandering the land of a world I could never dream of imagining. A world rife with mystery, bursting with life and teeming with a grandiose sense of omnipotence that could overwhelm my childhood sense of wonder more than anything else I can think of, save maybe the earliest memories of my playing of Ocarina of Time or Super Mario 64, or that one time my uncle took me to see Tarzan in theatres.
Of course, I look at the ancient MMO now with indifference, neither hating nor overly fond of the game, which I have come to realize in time that is just as such: a game; a game that I played and don't deny ever doing so, but do not let myself bother with nowadays. Maybe I stopped playing out of a sense of outgrowing a part of my childhood, maybe it just got boring (or, as many would agree, casual). I can't say why exactly, but it doesn't matter really, its role is just a closed chapter, but while looking through the various corridors of Youtube, I came across some of the best considered music soundtracks in video games, with World Of Warcraft being very prominent on that list (a decision I agree with).
Anyway, during my latest episode of nostalgic PTSD, I began to listen to the soundtrack of this massive MMO and it took me to a place of tears. Overly dramatic? Perhaps, but nonetheless an exhilarating reminder of the power that our nostalgia can bring us. I will NEVER forget wandering the desolate deserts of The Barrens, not knowing where my lonely path would lead me, nor will I forget the mesmerizing feeling of wandering primeval forests from Teldrassil and Silverpine, to Elwynn and Stranglethorn... places I cannot forget, and the homes of memories that bring unparalleled joy.
Where is it that your gaming travels have taken you that bring you the fondest and most powerful of memories? Both good and wonderful.
Thousands of dollars... thousands of hours... all dedicated to wandering the land of a world I could never dream of imagining. A world rife with mystery, bursting with life and teeming with a grandiose sense of omnipotence that could overwhelm my childhood sense of wonder more than anything else I can think of, save maybe the earliest memories of my playing of Ocarina of Time or Super Mario 64, or that one time my uncle took me to see Tarzan in theatres.
Of course, I look at the ancient MMO now with indifference, neither hating nor overly fond of the game, which I have come to realize in time that is just as such: a game; a game that I played and don't deny ever doing so, but do not let myself bother with nowadays. Maybe I stopped playing out of a sense of outgrowing a part of my childhood, maybe it just got boring (or, as many would agree, casual). I can't say why exactly, but it doesn't matter really, its role is just a closed chapter, but while looking through the various corridors of Youtube, I came across some of the best considered music soundtracks in video games, with World Of Warcraft being very prominent on that list (a decision I agree with).
Anyway, during my latest episode of nostalgic PTSD, I began to listen to the soundtrack of this massive MMO and it took me to a place of tears. Overly dramatic? Perhaps, but nonetheless an exhilarating reminder of the power that our nostalgia can bring us. I will NEVER forget wandering the desolate deserts of The Barrens, not knowing where my lonely path would lead me, nor will I forget the mesmerizing feeling of wandering primeval forests from Teldrassil and Silverpine, to Elwynn and Stranglethorn... places I cannot forget, and the homes of memories that bring unparalleled joy.
Where is it that your gaming travels have taken you that bring you the fondest and most powerful of memories? Both good and wonderful.
