I got a part! (And I quit a game group . . . and a game)

Over the next five months, I’ll don the mantle of Ozzy, an aristocratic Englishman who’s good friends with Percy, the Scarlet Pimpernel. No, it’s not the part I dreamed of, but it’ll be downright fun!

Over the last year or so, my wife and I have participated in a WoW get-together with some real-life friends. Unfortunately, my rehearsals will conflict with this occasional commitment, so I’ve given up my spot to another friend. It will be very interesting to hear from my wife how the group dynamic changes with a new player (playing a different class).

To me, though, it’s something of a relief. I’ve been having less and less fun in WoW. (I know I’m not alone in this.) I’ll enjoy the hiatus. I’m keeping my account open so I can play with her, more informally, as she gets her paladin to the level cap, but I won’t be logging in for any other reason.

I’ll also let my LotRO subscription lapse. LotRO is a game I’ve been enjoying much more than WoW, mostly because even though it’s somewhat inferior from a gamey perspective, it’s more satisfyingly immersive than any game I’ve played in a while. But some of the elements of WoW that I didn’t like but that provided building blocks for LotRO are starting to show, breaking my willing suspension of disbelief. Worst of all, I’m finding it lonely. I’ve been grouping in it a lot more than I ever did in WoW, but since my real-life friends are either non-gamers or are back in Azeroth, I don’t have anyone to chat with about LotRO.

So what will I do with my spare time? Well, besides the hours dedicated to the Scarlet Pimpernel (which will increase geometrically over the next few months), I expect to indulge in some standalone games (Neverwinter Nights 2 and Portal look mighty tempting), catch up a bit on my reading, and if I’m lucky find some way to get people to play card and board games with me!

Add comment November 8th, 2007