How John Hughes Might See WoW

Lately I’ve been giving some thought on how player and playstyle relate.  I’ve been even thinking of how this tends to effect people.  Often times, making players feel incompetent or out of place. 

I firmly believe that this game is big enough to allow for many different types of players.  We have the min/maxers, social butterflies, carebears, and even the hardcore but don’t want to be min/maxing raiders.  All of these have a perfect right to play the game as they see fit.  A problem arises when they want to cross over into someone elses domain.

This debate always reminds me of being back in High School.  Looking out during Lunch or during P.E. you’d see all of the different types of personalities.  Yep, John Hughes discribed it best in one of the greatest 80′s flicks of all time “The Breakfast Club”. 

You see, we really are all those stereotypes, the Nerd, the Jock, the Tough, The Princess, The Loner, and believe it or not?  We all probably revert to those very stereotypes when playing WoW.  Don’t believe me? 

Look at it this way…

The Loner

You know this person. Right?  Always out there running solo.  You probably can’t pull them into your party and when you do they hardly say a word.  They may or may not do their job.   You give them a spot because your basically short one and you need to fill in.  They have the basic skills, so why not.

This person really shouldn’t join a min/max type raiding guild.  But because they are willing to be part of a group, just want to be on their terms, it’s often best if these players try to find groups that are more accepting of their need to be solo.

The Nerd

Every Raid or Guild has one..  This is the one that has every stat, gear, spec combination memorized.  And they’ll make sure to let you know what the the drop rate is on every piece of loot.  But they’re also the ones that work out all the  kinks and figure out what works and what doesn’t.  They might even be the one that knows all the strategies for every boss to help you out.   But no one  likes the nerd because they have all this knowledge and usually not the people skills to reign it in and may come accross as a bit arrogant or cocky.  Usually, though their just harmless.

This player might excel in the min/max raiding type guilds.  But because of their zeal at needing to know every fact, have a tendency to not fit into either the strict structure often associated with some of the more structured guilds.  And also, might find the more social guilds are great at first, but then they become the encyclopedia for the entire guild and might find this wearisome. 

The Princess

OH BOY!! Now I’m sure we’ve ALL come accross one of these during our WoW playing?  Right?? You know the type.  The one that needs, craves, DEMANDS all of the attention.  They’re the first one to do a /dance or /flirt at the hearthstone.  Crying out look at me!!  These can also be some of the most destructive players in a guild if not kept in check.

HOWEVER!! Just as we learned in the Breakfast Club, they have their soft spot and place also.  Ever been in a guild that just seems to have no life?  Zip! Nada! Nothing happening.. Then *DING* pops on Princess.. All of a sudden it’s a wall of pink and green text.  Vent has come alive, everyone, not just princess is talking.  It seems that the guild just is a dark grey cloud without this person. 

So yes, the Princess is great for social guilds.  Those serious min/max guilds might get a bit frustrated with the “OOooo Shiny! Me Takey!” mentality.  But for a social guild?  They might have some serious fun.

The Jock

Okay.. This is the serious min/maxer.  Not much to say here other than they’re entire life is spent on wow for the kill.  If your not a part of the team running the raids and downing bosses?  Then you might as well be sitting on the sidelines.  These people know their job, it’s almost like a precision military operation to the good raiders.  Vent – Check. Batteries – Check, Energy Drink – Check, Porta Potty.. (well you get the idea right?)..

But without these Jocks, we’d never down those bosses.  They’re great in a team. Yes, some take the game a bit too seriously, and as for min/maxing goes they’ll make sure they have the best gear.  But equate the min/max raider to any sports jock.  They’ll tell you that it’s a combination of Skill, Gear, and Commitment.  And depending on personality?  They fit in anywhere and everyone wants them (Just like the Jocks in High School.)

The Bully

Easiest way for me to put it.  This is the min/maxer or player that goes out of their way to make sure that EVERYONE knows that their spec is not optimal.  They’re the first to ask why your not SV?  The first to say, “Oh.. not that Hunter he’s BM!!”.   Their always inspecting your gear, then IMMEDIATELY telling you what’s wrong with it and how/where you need to go and improve.  And if you don’t, well your just “Epic Fail”.

However, even these players have a spot.  Often, they fit in with the Elite of Elites.  (Yes, even then they usually guild hop due to personality) but they are the ones that can help you figure out what you need to be the most “Optimized” player you can be.  Need to top the meters and can take the criticism?  Find yourself a bully.  They won’t pull any punches and will tell you EXACTLY what you need to do to improve.

So see?? Just like in the 80′s when we’d go watch all those John Hughes films.. We know have grown up and play WoW.  And in doing so?  Have we really graduated High School?