50 Tidbits I’ve Loved In MMORPGs

1. Non-combat pets. I’m a sucker for a loyal whatever to follow me around like an adoring fan trying in vain to get an autograph.
2. Level-matching systems. Any way to let me and my buddy, who are 15 levels apart, have fun in the game together is a wonderful thing indeed.
3. Hype.
4. Speculation.
5. Analysis.
6. Being wowed by the littlest details done right.
7. Great music that makes me want to stay in one spot until I’ve heard it all.
8. In-jokes, puns and gags.
9. Stupid ways I’ve died and am proud of them.
10. Finding the right mix of guild for me. It’s harder than you’d think!
11. Murloc movie title jokes. Lord help me, but I still think they’re funny.
12. Combat pets. Loyal friends who kick butt for you while you hid in the corner from the Blair Witch.
13. Going into a new zone for the very first time.
14. Spending a half hour creating the perfect character — look, name, class, race, server, etc.
15. Deleting that character right after logging in to make an even better one.
16. /burp
17. Having a trusting friend follow me blindly off a cliff.
18. A responsive, intuitive user interface.
19. Water that looks like water, not just blurry white fuzz.
20. Discovering a new trick for an old skill.
21. Funny, dumb or unique-looking gear.
22. Saying something really weird in guild vent when everyone’s getting far too serious about a raid.
23. Playing tag in the middle of a raid, or better yet, hide and go seek.
24. Logging in to a mailbox stuffed with more money than Job.
25. Responding to beggers by mimicking everything they say. “Can I haz gold?” “Can I haz gold?” “What?” “What?”
26. Finding people in real life who play the games I do. And then having very awkward conversations with them about it.
27. Destressing after a long day by lopping the head off a dragon and wearing it as a codpiece.
28. When someone is randomly nice and/or selfless toward you.
29. When I finally reach a huge goal and reap the rewards.
30. The sense of advancement and achievement that is measurable and noticeable (unlike real life, sometimes).
31. Feeling like I get my money’s worth out of a game.
32. Getting sucked into race/realm/faction pride.
33. Discovering that a class you’ve long overlooked is actually pretty fun to play, after all.
34. Weather effects.
35. Scripted events – in the game world, or in dungeons.
36. The rare occasion when the game can honestly surprise me or catch me off guard.
37. Being able to develop your character to fit your personality and playstyle.
38. Taverns.
39. Being almost at death’s door, then killing a guy to hit the next level — BING! Full life!
40. Flying.
41. When a skill or power that I use seriously impresses the rest of my group.
42. Finally getting to the point where dying doesn’t bother me (nor wiping).
43. Playing a girl toon and getting hit on by a guy, then /yell “I AM A GUY AND YOU JUST HIT ON ME AND NOW YOUR SEXUALITY IS IN QUESTION!”
44. Unleashing a day’s worth of crazy in guild chat.
45. When I say something completely ridiculous in guild chat, and a newbie guildie believes me, and then I have to go along with it for the rest of the night. (“Why, yes, I was a former spy for Belgium…”)
46. Getting that kill/node/drop/quest item out from under the nose of a competing player of the opposite faction.
47. /kiss and /hug to any players who start to get mean to me. If they’re really, really mean, I might Care Bear Shine on their butts.
48. Reading up on the game when I’m not playing it (but, y’know, not ALL the time… that would be addiction!)
49. Seeing a game you love suddenly achieve pop culture awareness.
50. When I beat the game and see the coveted “THE END” screen. Yes, it really does exist! You’re just not good enough to get there, I guess.