I have become a wow refugee

Therric-frostwolf · February 22, 2019, 9:00pm

Bubonicc:

Dear Blizzard Developers,

I have played World of Warcraft since 2006, I never missed a months subscription, thats a long time. I was never an epic player - but I loved this game. It was a place to go as I overcame the loss of 4 children after my divorce, and later through dark times of bankruptcy. I revelled in the UI and addons, UI design was something I really enjoyed. The community was great (most of the time), I have been in some great guilds over the years, the two that am in now raid regularly and I get to participate when I can in amongst young children and a work schedule.

But Blizzard.

The game isnt family friendly, its all oriented to getting better gear which has to be supported by pointless and boring hours long grinds to gather azerite or artefact power just so you can feel welcome in a raid, heavens forbid you take time to be with your family. This is now exacerbated by the e-sports speed runs and the stupid world first celebration promoting the idea that the best gear is the only way.

I loathe gambling. I am someone who when he sees a poker machine den, I just want to rip it apart, and sadly - thats what this beloved game has become - a gigantic poker machine.

I like people, but dare not join groups outside my guild - you can 100% know there will be some kind of abuse in a PUG these days.

So. This isnt a rant about me quitting the game. I haven’t unsubscribed. I hope you will come back to what WoW used to be. But…WoW isnt that safe place anymore.

I have started playing another MMO - Final Fantasy XIV. Perhaps it isnt quite as large a world, or perhaps quite as artistic world. But everything matters in that games world, getting to the end game is as important as the end game itself. The people are lovely. But Im not here to spout about Final Fantasy XIV.

I am here to tell you what the players of that game call us. WoW Refugees.

And I am. We are fleeing something that was once great, with despair in our hearts to begin again in a better place. More and more are appearing every day - we have a Facebook page in the Oceanic region for FF XIV and every day more wow refugees drift in.

These arent players that wanted mobile, they are players that wanted an MMO - they still want to play an MMO.

Just not yours.

lol

Comparing FF to WoW.

I played it.

Stop lying to people. FF is not even close to WoW.

Raabititus-shuhalo · February 22, 2019, 9:05pm

What does the new raid drop on normal?

Akston-bloodhoof · February 22, 2019, 9:11pm

You can definitely do every bit of WoW with your family. I can’t see how this is different than any other period of time in WoW’s history.

I don’t see how any of WoW’s gear is gambling.

Once again, something that has been present in WoW since day 1.

People keep thinking BFA invented the problems they complain about, when they have been around for a decade.

Oh well, nice advertisement for FFXIV post.

Chaosorder-khazgoroth · February 22, 2019, 9:30pm

You are sadly a highly typical reason of why PUGS, and this forum, are highly unpleasant content.

Chaosorder-khazgoroth · February 22, 2019, 9:39pm

Therric:

Bubonicc:

Dear Blizzard Developers,

I have played World of Warcraft since 2006, I never missed a months subscription, thats a long time. I was never an epic player - but I loved this game. It was a place to go as I overcame the loss of 4 children after my divorce, and later through dark times of bankruptcy. I revelled in the UI and addons, UI design was something I really enjoyed. The community was great (most of the time), I have been in some great guilds over the years, the two that am in now raid regularly and I get to participate when I can in amongst young children and a work schedule.

But Blizzard.

The game isnt family friendly, its all oriented to getting better gear which has to be supported by pointless and boring hours long grinds to gather azerite or artefact power just so you can feel welcome in a raid, heavens forbid you take time to be with your family. This is now exacerbated by the e-sports speed runs and the stupid world first celebration promoting the idea that the best gear is the only way.

I loathe gambling. I am someone who when he sees a poker machine den, I just want to rip it apart, and sadly - thats what this beloved game has become - a gigantic poker machine.

I like people, but dare not join groups outside my guild - you can 100% know there will be some kind of abuse in a PUG these days.

So. This isnt a rant about me quitting the game. I haven’t unsubscribed. I hope you will come back to what WoW used to be. But…WoW isnt that safe place anymore.

I have started playing another MMO - Final Fantasy XIV. Perhaps it isnt quite as large a world, or perhaps quite as artistic world. But everything matters in that games world, getting to the end game is as important as the end game itself. The people are lovely. But Im not here to spout about Final Fantasy XIV.

I am here to tell you what the players of that game call us. WoW Refugees.

And I am. We are fleeing something that was once great, with despair in our hearts to begin again in a better place. More and more are appearing every day - we have a Facebook page in the Oceanic region for FF XIV and every day more wow refugees drift in.

These arent players that wanted mobile, they are players that wanted an MMO - they still want to play an MMO.

Just not yours.

lol

Comparing FF to WoW.

I played it.

Stop lying to people. FF is not even close to WoW.

Im reasonably sure you did not even read the post, there is no comparison to FFXIV, simply a statement of facts about WoW and the steady stream of people jumping to that game in response to the current state of a game that they probably actually loved.

Sorry but you cant fanboi this away.

Akston-bloodhoof · February 22, 2019, 9:41pm

…there were a lot of comparisons.

2 comparisons.

A 3rd comparison

A 4th comparison

Another indirect comparison

Chaosorder-khazgoroth · February 22, 2019, 9:43pm

Akston:

Bubonicc:

The game isnt family friendly, its all oriented to getting better gear which has to be supported by pointless and boring hours long grinds to gather azerite or artefact power just so you can feel welcome in a raid, heavens forbid you take time to be with your family. This is now exacerbated by the e-sports speed runs and the stupid world first celebration promoting the idea that the best gear is the only way.

You can definitely do every bit of WoW with your family. I can’t see how this is different than any other period of time in WoW’s history.

Bubonicc:

I loathe gambling. I am someone who when he sees a poker machine den, I just want to rip it apart, and sadly - thats what this beloved game has become - a gigantic poker machine.

I don’t see how any of WoW’s gear is gambling.

Bubonicc:

I like people, but dare not join groups outside my guild - you can 100% know there will be some kind of abuse in a PUG these days.

Once again, something that has been present in WoW since day 1.

People keep thinking BFA invented the problems they complain about, when they have been around for a decade.

Oh well, nice advertisement for FFXIV post.

Possibly your observations are technically correct. It doesnt matter though does it? People are leaving the game - thats a fact. Stormwind will be empty except for fanbois hanging out in tradechat ready to offer “your mom” responses to any polite requests for help.

Akston-bloodhoof · February 22, 2019, 9:48pm

Such a weird response.

I am correct that his complaints aren’t unique to BFA and have existed for the entire 12-13 years he claims to have played…but it doesn’t matter?

That makes his complaints intriguing to me, because obviously there are other real issues he is ignoring that needs to be addressed. If the same thing always happened, either he no longer likes it or its not the reason he is quitting.

Its important to address that issue. If its not the real reason someone quits, then we need to implore further and ask what that reason is.

If its just that a person no longer likes the same exact issues remaining in game, then we need to maturely look at what could be changed. Not acting like this is something new, the new devs are out of touch, and back in the “old days” things were better.

Chaosorder-khazgoroth · February 22, 2019, 9:57pm

No not really, but it would be pointless to argue with you, you are invested in wow and will deny anything that is said about the game. The fact is 12 million down to 1 million or less globally…and falling. If you want to blame this on people changing cool, I dont believe that to be true. WoW has changed in many ways, but it has gone over a cliff metaphorically in BFA. Why all the nostalgia for wow classic if it isnt true.

Therric-frostwolf · February 22, 2019, 10:00pm

I can fanboi away opinions with my own opinions.

Try and stop me.

Olak-argent-dawn · February 22, 2019, 10:03pm

Wow. That was a brutal farewell post to read. I’m really sorry you went through all that tough stuff in your life. I wish you all the best in life and also hope your next game will continue to provide safe shores if the seas of life get rocky again.

Cirenavi-dalaran · February 22, 2019, 10:05pm

Actually FF14 is much better system. Yes it takes time for the gear. The thing is its not a slot machine. You can actually map your progress. With WoW its a never ending dice roll, that benefits the lucky, while punishing the unlucky in progression.

Akston-bloodhoof · February 22, 2019, 10:07pm

I see.

So this isn’t about have a discussion with anyone unless they also agree with you. Anyone that might possibly disagree, its pointless to talk to…because they are just fanbois that will deny anything you state. And you have to be sure to say that beforehand, because its always much easier to immediately dismiss a person rather than listen to anything they may say.

Isn’t reddit a better avenue if all you want is an echo chamber?

Chaosorder-khazgoroth · February 22, 2019, 10:12pm

Sigh. Here is the echo “The fact is 12 million down to 1 million or less globally…and falling”

Akston-bloodhoof · February 22, 2019, 10:14pm

1 million or less? Based on? Ive heard some low numbers. but 1 mil or less globally would be insanely low and I have never seen one bit of evidence to support it.

Chaosorder-khazgoroth · February 22, 2019, 10:17pm

Hmm, the sheer competitiveness of mythic+ changed things if I think on it. They changed guilds too.

Talacocheta-khaz-modan · February 22, 2019, 11:01pm

For everyone deciding to play FFXIV, make sure to get a Recruit a Friend code from someone playing the game. You enter it into your account in the Mog Station and you’ll get some in-game items to help you level more quickly, an emote, and tickets to travel for free 99 times.

You must enter the code prior to purchasing your first month of sub time or using a game card - so do it while you’re on the the 30 days free play time. It’s not retroactive.

Also, if you pre-order the next expansion, Shadowbringers, you’ll get an earring which will give 30% experience bonus on top of everything else you’re using. I made the switch and couldn’t be happier.

Here are a few codes if anyone wants to use them, or write me on twitter @Talacocheta and I’ll send you one.

ZC93M5HT
DPP4APUG
PYRNC854

Elenstelle-moon-guard · February 22, 2019, 11:19pm

Kinda feeling you. If it wasn’t the RP scene, I’d have left WoW long ago.

I held out hope for a while, but Ion’s belief that PvP vendors are just too dang complicated for our feeble minds sealed that deal. If the devs feel that vendors are too high IQ for their target demographic, that just shows who they are catering towards these days.

Dayon-wyrmrest-accord · February 22, 2019, 11:22pm

The silly thing is that this isn’t a terrible metric to follow. The amount of time a player is spending in your game is something you should be interested in. The problem is that Blizzard is relying on cheap, predatory gimmicks like taking the control of gearing out of the players hands.

I mean, that’s not entirely new. People have spoken since vanilla about countless Scholo runs to get the Headmaster’s charge. Rare items with low drop chances have always been around. There’s a very fine line between preserving the random chance element of RPGs where players are engaged in the chase and then making it completely random where any potential drop could be the best thing ever.

I honestly dunno what Blizzard should do to change it, but player engagement and randomized loot is are not problematic on their own.

Carissaria-aggramar · February 23, 2019, 12:40am

I know it’s crazy, but I see their microtransactions all the time in WoW. I remember last just last week being forced to buy a level boost so I can actually get a character to 110 because leveling is too difficult to go through normally now. Thanks Blizzard, for making me buy all your microtransactions to play your game!