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October 01, 2008, 09:02 AM
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#1 (permalink) |
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Character Info
Opathu 80 Orc Warlock Scarshield Legion Euro RP PvP Guild: Theatre of Cruelty Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 0/20/51 |
Media request ... from a Warlock!
Some folks here may know that in my "real life" I work as a freelance journalist. I'm a British guy, been covering all sorts of topical issues for mainstream newspapers and magazines -- not just in the UK, but overseas too -- for many years now. I've managed to get into the Beta via those connections (a small mercy compared to the eternal fear of having no commissions) and have been before that a former roleplayer. So I come to this community as a friend, rather than outside force. That said, the Blizzard public relations guy in the UK has suggested that I write a piece looking at how WoW (and other MMOs) are actually being used as a place for families to now meet e.g. a father with his son, brother with brother, sister with mom, or possibly close (RL) friends with each other -- when separated by physical distance. The rise of the 'virtual family'. I guess that's just a version, or extension, of the way we lead our lives now: Skype/VoIP, email, MSN chatting, etc etc. A weekend supplement (color magazine of a newspaper) here in the UK has expressed an interest in the idea. I'd probably (initially) have to find UK examples of people who could talk to me about this (i.e. find family members or close friends willing to chat and be profiled). I'm wondering if anyone can help with suggestions for this piece? Perhaps I should be linking this to other trends, other technologies, other discussion about 'virtual communities' or the 'virtual family'? Should I restrict this to family members, or include -- say -- a guild which then meets up in "real life"? And is there a flip side to this: that of the WoW/MMO "widow", the addictions and destruction online game playing can bring into a family unit? Like I said, I come to this as a friend (been playing Warlock chap here since Jan '06) with a background in gaming and RPGs. So it's not an exposé of anyone, I promise  I'm simply looking for possible interviewees (UK first, then EU, then elsewhere); examples and trends I may have missed but might be along similar lines ('the virtual family'); and suggestions or contacts/further reading I could follow up.Oh: if you want to know the real me, I am here: Nick Ryan. I've a background in reportage writing and features; I wrote a large book on extreme Right groups and am currently writing a new book about London, partly connected to its Muslim population/underlife too. (Let's leave politics out of this though, eh) Thanks for your time, and if you feel uncomfortable with any of this, fine -- don't be involved and I won't chase. 
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October 01, 2008, 09:23 AM
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#2 (permalink) |
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Re: Media request ... from a Warlock!
I might have some thing for you I just have to talk to the people to ok it btw I'm on the US servers |
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October 01, 2008, 09:47 AM
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#3 (permalink) |
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Character Info
Vaell 80 Blood Elf Warlock Scarshield Legion Euro RP PvP Guild: The Final Contingency Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 0/41/30 |
Re: Media request ... from a Warlock!
Hey Nick / Oppy, I've been aware of your line of work for a while, what with being ex-guildies, same server, somehow connecting on a creative old git level and I think I might have a story of sorts for you. I met my girlfriend through wow, thing is - she lives in Greece and I live in England. For all the geeky connotations it's a very real and committed relationship and we frequently fly over to the other country to spend time together in a less virtual setting. Most recently 2 months over the summer. She's 27, I'm 35. I was taking a break from relationships a couple of years ago, and kind of nerded out in wow. But it just goes to show that you never can tell what's round the corner. We've been "together" for around 18 months now. In fact, the romantic in me would suggest that the chances of meeting "the one" in your very own home town are slim. And what with the world becoming smaller and more accessible this is becoming more and more common. There's been some serious consideration to either me moving to Greece, or her to England in the future. I'd be happy to go into more detail with this via email if you want to delve a little deeper. I'd better check with the lady first though. I'm sure she'll be cool with it though. I've never met such a relaxed and open minded woman in a bar, at work, through friends... anywhere 
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October 01, 2008, 10:23 AM
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#4 (permalink) |
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Character Info
Opathu 80 Orc Warlock Scarshield Legion Euro RP PvP Guild: Theatre of Cruelty Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 0/20/51 |
Re: Media request ... from a Warlock!
Vaell, that sounds right up my street. Lucrowene, I'll check if I can cover the US situation, but in principle I don't see why we couldn't at least talk further (maybe over email or PM first). Just to see what the situation is: it may well be I could fit this into the piece. Has anyone else got any thoughts on the *theme* behind this? i.e. the virtual ... I dunno ... community/family that translates into a very real-world setting? Has there been other stuff done on this? Anything interesting you've seen ... etc. thanks again. NR p.s. buff warlocks, we're looking rather flagging now in beta ... a tired, wilting flower are we ... *** Information added 1 Minutes and 20 Seconds later... *** Oh: addition to my last note. "Wired" magazine is going to (re-)launch in the UK next year. The new editor has asked me if I have any serious feature ideas. Can anyone think/suggest anything connected to the MMO world? Or, come to think of it, anything else, too? ;) |
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October 01, 2008, 11:01 AM
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#5 (permalink) |
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Re: Media request ... from a Warlock!
Hi Nick. I might have some stories that can interest you. I am with someone that i meet online, almost 10 years ago, and that lives across the ocean. Instead of "lets watch a movie together with the kids" or "lets go out for a romantic dinner?", we have "lets do an heroic with the kids" and "wanna do some daily quests together?". I will email you so you can contact me, if you chose to. Last edited by Malboro; October 01, 2008 at 11:34 AM.. |
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October 01, 2008, 11:13 AM
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#6 (permalink) |
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Re: Media request ... from a Warlock!
My story is not near as romantic but my brother and I live in different states (Virginia and South Carolina) and I introduced him to WoW. We play together everyday, talk on Ventrilo and keep up with our families just by virtue of everyday contact. We are both in our 50's, parents deceased, and this might be a time in our lives where we would drift apart and lose touch. I have 3 boys that all play although only one is playing on my server. Their partners also play which, when we get together, or talk on the phone, it is certainly a WoW-fest. My husband does not play nor does he understand our facination with some game you can't "win".  I'll be happy to talk more if you are so inclined. P.S. I also got in the beta by virtue of my son's invitation. I have horde warlocks on in both PVP (Lich King) and PVE (Northrend). I would prefer to play Alliance but I'll settle for this. Gives me a bit of insight into our upcoming world. |
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October 01, 2008, 11:34 AM
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#7 (permalink) |
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Character Info
Opathu 80 Orc Warlock Scarshield Legion Euro RP PvP Guild: Theatre of Cruelty Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 0/20/51 |
Re: Media request ... from a Warlock!
Thanks everyone so far, these are all great. Let me collect my thoughts, and your initial comments, and I'll drop a note to my editor. |
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October 01, 2008, 12:02 PM
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#8 (permalink) |
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Character Info
oosel 80 Gnome Warlock darkspear Euro PvE Guild: apex Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 41/30 |
Re: Media request ... from a Warlock!
it's weird but i think you missed on getting your best material from wwi in paris. you would have seen from that how wow spans whole continents and brings family and friends together....whilst it was geeky to go im glad i went and met guildies from no less than 3 diffrent continents. both myself and the mrs play and sevral wow guild mates will be at our wedding. also try and get a hold of jonathon ross he was there along with his wife and son who all play wow..... wow has cropped up in so many conversations with random people from people who we work with and have ended up in the guild to a guy who asked us on the train about wow because he saw the blizzard goody bag i was carrying |
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October 01, 2008, 12:35 PM
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#9 (permalink) |
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Character Info
Barghbq 80 Orc Warlock Azshara US PvP Guild: Grey Hand Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 53/0/18 |
Re: Media request ... from a Warlock!
My son, who lives with his mother in another state, and I use it as a way to connect and play together even when we're apart. It's more interactive than a phone call and gives us something else to talk about than "how was school today?" |
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October 01, 2008, 02:07 PM
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#10 (permalink) |
Character Info
Taquarin 80 Human Warlock dragonblight US PvE Guild: Covenant Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: ?/?/? |
Re: Media request ... from a Warlock!
I have several family members that play. Most of us live within a 100 mile radius of each other,while others live in other states, yet before playing WoW, we would only get together for holidays. In the past two and a half years we have all become much closer. I would say we chat with each other at the least once a day. Most of us are on the same server and we also have two guilds. We do have a few other family members that are on another server yet we have alts on the other to stay in touch. Me and hubby brother in law nephew x 3 sister in law niece Aunt cousin A family that plays WoW together !!
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Taquarin Am I evil? Yes, for I am a Warlock! |
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