GAMES: What do you think about playing MMORPGs?

[Carthusianish]

The primary issue w/ MMORPGs is the time factor. Right behind that is, in my understanding, the cost issue (are there any that aren’t ‘pay-to-play’?)

RPGs in general are fine, as long as you maintain the proper time balance (and accomplishing whatever responsibilities you have in life) and don’t go overboard buying stuff related to the game.

Most of the really popular MMOs only charge a monthly subscription – there are some that charge you real money for in-game items, but I can’t stand those and would never play or cross that line and pay real money for virtual items. I am okay with the monthly fee since I don’t buy many other games at all, probably none when I am really into a good MMO.

 

[Shylah]

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies! Talking about this in the open has helped a lot. I will definitely watch the time factor.

So, now I have another question. (I actually have a lot of them, but I figured it would be best to take one at a time). What do you think of Christian WoW guilds? I was in one where there was a lot of acrimony on the forums, and I’ll spare you the gory details, but it seemed like I was the punching bag of the guild. I once asked an officer why that was, and his reply was because I was an openly devout Catholic. Two other officers confirmed his theory. So, I quit the guild, and joined a Christian raiding guild, where the people are just really nice players, but they don’t involve themselves with each other’s spirituality. So, here’s the question I have: is it possible to have a healthy Christian guild where people do have real and substantial spiritual relationships with each other without being in a situation where the organization resembled a cult? I tell you, the experiences I had in that one guild were so awful… it motivated me to research into cults, and it really seemed like this one was taking on cult-like behaviors. The reason I ask this question is that I would love to start a healthy Christian guild where people do have the opportunity to enter into spiritual friendships with each other. But is there too much of a risk of it turning into a cult?

I look forward to your replies.

In Him,
Shylah

 

[deb1]

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies! Talking about this in the open has helped a lot. I will definitely watch the time factor.

So, now I have another question. (I actually have a lot of them, but I figured it would be best to take one at a time). What do you think of Christian WoW guilds? I was in one where there was a lot of acrimony on the forums, and I’ll spare you the gory details, but it seemed like I was the punching bag of the guild. I once asked an officer why that was, and his reply was because I was an openly devout Catholic. Two other officers confirmed his theory. So, I quit the guild, and joined a Christian raiding guild, where the people are just really nice players, but they don’t involve themselves with each other’s spirituality. So, here’s the question I have: is it possible to have a healthy Christian guild where people do have real and substantial spiritual relationships with each other without being in a situation where the organization resembled a cult? I tell you, the experiences I had in that one guild were so awful… it motivated me to research into cults, and it really seemed like this one was taking on cult-like behaviors. The reason I ask this question is that I would love to start a healthy Christian guild where people do have the opportunity to enter into spiritual friendships with each other. But is there too much of a risk of it turning into a cult?

I look forward to your replies.

In Him,
Shylah

I am on the alliance side. If you ever start a guild give me a pm.

 

[Carthusianish]

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies! Talking about this in the open has helped a lot. I will definitely watch the time factor.

So, now I have another question. (I actually have a lot of them, but I figured it would be best to take one at a time). What do you think of Christian WoW guilds? I was in one where there was a lot of acrimony on the forums, and I’ll spare you the gory details, but it seemed like I was the punching bag of the guild. I once asked an officer why that was, and his reply was because I was an openly devout Catholic. Two other officers confirmed his theory. So, I quit the guild, and joined a Christian raiding guild, where the people are just really nice players, but they don’t involve themselves with each other’s spirituality. So, here’s the question I have: is it possible to have a healthy Christian guild where people do have real and substantial spiritual relationships with each other without being in a situation where the organization resembled a cult? I tell you, the experiences I had in that one guild were so awful… it motivated me to research into cults, and it really seemed like this one was taking on cult-like behaviors. The reason I ask this question is that I would love to start a healthy Christian guild where people do have the opportunity to enter into spiritual friendships with each other. But is there too much of a risk of it turning into a cult?

I look forward to your replies.

In Him,
Shylah

Well, if you head on over to the Apologetics Forum here you will see why you were treated that way – many denominations of other Christians are very suspicious and often are very prejudiced towards Catholics. I think a lot of people focus on the differences between denominations instead of the similarities and they are just looking to start arguments that they think are a form of evangelization.

Were they all “Bible Christians” or something?

I think a Christian Guild would be great – I’d prefer a Catholic one but given the general disposition of most WoW players I have been around (most seem to be quite anti-religious and atheistic) I would be happy with any fair-minded, clean cut group of players.

 

[JBoscoII]

I play many games…reason is just for the exercise of my mind, pitting my thought of strategy against others. The only reason I know of for not playing certain games is the maturity of mind. For online games this comes from a false sense of community amongst other players.

Creating a catholic/ christian guild is a decent idea, but it is limiting. I know plenty of catholics who play the game and ninja loot. Personally I would choose a wiccan nightelf druid who actually is a good sport to play with than a catholic human paladin who uses my party to better himself instead of everyone.

An above post brings up the point that in older board games people sat face to face. If you were playing a game and dicovered someone cheating you could put an end to it and play a different game having the problem corrected. In online games, yes there is voice chat, but the person can change the name of a character or move to a different server. Im not a big player…I havent played WoW in the past four months and none of my characters are over lvl30. Regardless the guilds should be about the game and if you want spirituality your local parish is where it should be at.

 

[Shylah]

Thank you all for your thoughts and replies on this! After thinking and praying on it, I think I would like to explore the idea of a Catholic guild. I’ll start a new thread on it.

Thanks again all!

God Bless,
Shy

 

[CatholicSamurai]

All I can say is that playing MMORPG is a luxury I enjoy. I play City of Villains.

 

[Shylah]

Well, if you head on over to the Apologetics Forum here you will see why you were treated that way – many denominations of other Christians are very suspicious and often are very prejudiced towards Catholics. I think a lot of people focus on the differences between denominations instead of the similarities and they are just looking to start arguments that they think are a form of evangelization.

Were they all “Bible Christians” or something?

I think a Christian Guild would be great – I’d prefer a Catholic one but given the general disposition of most WoW players I have been around (most seem to be quite anti-religious and atheistic) I would be happy with any fair-minded, clean cut group of players.

Well… the funny thing is that they did have in depth conversations about religious practices, morals, ethics, or attitudes in connection with sciprture, but I think where I got into trouble was when I tried to explain the concept of sacramental marriage to them, and asked them how they incorporate Christ’s words “What God has joined, let no man tear assunder” into their beliefs about the permenancy of marriage. I wasn’t mean or anything, I was just asking a question! Oh man, did they get mad at me.

Well… I hope I can get enough interest to start a Catholic guild. We’ll see what happens. For now, I am just going to start thinking and praying on a guild charter and see where it goes.

Yours in Him,
Shylah

 

[AndrewLong]

I’ve been playing Star Wars Galaxies since the day it came out in 2003.

Alot of time, alot of money. 100% worth it.

But hey, that’s just me.

 

[Nevarlander]

Treat it like any other hobby and there’s nothing wrong with it. I had to stop playing them because when I do, they take over my life (and stop being fun and become an addiction instead).

 

[Shylah]

Yeah… see I don’t want this project to turn into something unhealthy (like an addiction) or weird (like a cult). The last guild I was in, which professed itself as a Christian guild, was a little of both. (Finally got to the point where I was questioning who these people were, and what were they up to, so I posted my testimony and asked them to post theirs, but that didn’t go over so well >.>)

I’ve been an assistant GM for two of the three years I’ve been playing, and I know it doesn’t have to be weird or complicated. When people look out for each other, it helps to keep things healthy. That’s what I am hoping for with this new guild.

Thanks for the feedback… I’ll keep watching…

Yours in Him,
Shy

 

[Carthusianish]

I’ve been playing Star Wars Galaxies since the day it came out in 2003.

Alot of time, alot of money. 100% worth it.

But hey, that’s just me.

Are you still playing? Wow!

I was hardcore into it but quit when my friends I was in SWG with quit and switched to WoW so I switched too since I was more or less burned out about the time World of Warcraft came out (all that grinding of professions to unlock my Force slot did me in).

Since then, I have peeked in several times to see how the game is going. My server is pretty low population now (Wanderhome).

In any case, I am sure you heard the rumors that Bioware might be making a new Star Wars based MMO? I certainly hope the rumors are true. I think they would do a great job and I would love to be in a Star Wars world again – plus I know a few others that feel the same way so I would have a good group of friends already.

 

[AndrewLong]

Are you still playing? Wow!

I was hardcore into it but quit when my friends I was in SWG with quit and switched to WoW so I switched too since I was more or less burned out about the time World of Warcraft came out (all that grinding of professions to unlock my Force slot did me in).

Since then, I have peeked in several times to see how the game is going. My server is pretty low population now (Wanderhome).

In any case, I am sure you heard the rumors that Bioware might be making a new Star Wars based MMO? I certainly hope the rumors are true. I think they would do a great job and I would love to be in a Star Wars world again – plus I know a few others that feel the same way so I would have a good group of friends already.

Yep, still playing! I’m on Shadowfire. It’s actually pretty active still!

I have not heard these rumors about Bioware. Alas, I shall do some research!