Repeats

So, lately, my roommate and I started back in WoW, leveling together like we did when we started the game.  It's funny, what changes and what doesn't.

There's no going back to wide-eyed ignorance, once you've learned the world of MMOs.  Once you've got a handle on it, you can't ignore the obvious patterns and you certainly can't help but know what's coming.  It's not a bad thing.

Give it time.

The last few months, I've been talking with gamers across a decent spectrum of interests about why they did/didn't stick with a particular game, or what they think about what's coming down the line.  Basically, most of my sample doesn't like thinking about the bigger picture or how their attitudes might change closer to release.  Settle in, this one's a lengthy entry.

Blizzard Gamers - I was fortunate enough to land a ticket for Blizzcon 2011, and attended it with great enthusiasm.  It was awesome, and I'll hold it as one of my greater geek experiences for years to come.  This was the year that Diablo III was about to be released, and they announced the upcoming expansion for World of Warcraft, Mists of Pandaria.