Monday, May 21, 2007

Greetings class, and welcome to your first lecture on Humanoid Geography. I am lecturer Stardragon, and with me is guest Paladin Acteon, who will smite the first of you to doze off. We have gathered here in Hyjal to study eUrbanisation, which is the effect that video games have on your mind and your life.

(Yes, yes sit down, of course you didn't see me come in, I'm a Rogue.)

Phase 1: All games start out as LEDCs, or Lush Environments Developing Cohesion. That is to say, one throws oneself into the game at the expense of physical responsibilities. The reason for this being, new games have an element of surprise and promise that is at the same time enticing and challenging. Needless to say, at this stage the game dominates your free time, and even your thoughts when involved in other matters.

Phase 2: Soon enough, you will have acquainted yourself with the game, and it progresses to an NIE, or Newly Integrated Environment. This means you have gained a level of expertise in the activity, and have integrated it into your life successfully. This entails striking a balance between virtual and physical responsibilities, while at the same time maintaining a suitable level of progress in both.

Phase 3: Finally, the game matures to an MEDC, or Mastered Environment, Developed Character. You have a set routine in a game now, be it DotA, WoW, or Warcraft. This means you know what you want to do when you log in, you get it done, and you resume normal activities. This essentially frees up much of your time to advance areas of your physical life. However, there is the imminent danger of growing bored with the game, and you may be compelled to purchase a new one and thus repeat the cycle.

*Further lectures will touch on the effects of Migration, that is to say the decision of the friends you play with to pursue other games.

Class dismissed, next week's lesson is subject to cancellation due to conflicting raid schedules and server downtime.

Ah, the life of a gamer.