I really quit WoW. Officially. Subscription cancelled and all of it.
Why? The thrill was gone for one. I had five level 80 characters, they were all at the point that the only thing left to do was fish, do old quests, do dailies, or run the same dungeons over and over. But it wasn’t just that, it was the same old things that started eating at me before.
Dungeons, Raids, were out. As the only parent here, and wife of a deployed soldier I couldn’t GET involved with group activities. I never know when The Man is going to get online, a dog is going to need out, or a cat fight is going to break out between the kids.
It also really started to not be as much fun for me once Hubby stopped playing, even before he deployed.
I really thought I’d go back, once this laptop got here and I could play again, but it didn’t happen. There was always something I needed to do first. Housework, grocery shopping, cooking. There were all the times I hadn’t heard from Hubby in a few days and took no chances on missing him by logging in, so I’d say I’ll log in when I hear from him.
The next thing I knew,I was finding out we were moving to GA next winter, and R&R was here. So it boiled down to real life > WoW on a permanent basis. Yes, I’m playing other games, but they are all single players with pause features that don’t require holding up 4 other people while I go randomly AFK. Or They involve playing WITH my kids, such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band. I do miss the social aspect, but I can’t just fork out $16/month to chat.
In a way, it’s been a good thing for me, discovering other games, and platforms. Not having to schedule life if I want to play a game. Now, I can sit here at my desk playing whatever I play, and see a bird outside , and drop the pause button to go try getting a good close up shot. I can be running around a dungeon, and hear something interesting on TV, and turn around and watch for a few minutes. Or even just save and quit right there if I want.
As for my characters, well like any smart athlete does, they retired while they were on a good team, and at the top of their games.
I completely understand LJ. As a busy working wife and mother of 3, sometimes I feel like trying to balance everything is crazy hard, let alone adding WoW into the mix. The only reason I can keep playing is that I have a late-night raiding guild so they don’t even start til after the kids are in bed (but that means of course I go to bed rather late on raid nights… sleep? what’s that??)
I applaud your decision and resolve and I know your family will benefit from this.
.-= Delicia´s last blog ..While Shopping =-.
Thanks:) It’s funny, I assumed WoW would be my time filler when Hubby went to to Afghanistan. I was sure it would be, but I forgot how crazy things get when I’m the only grown up in charge around here. Even though the kids are teens, and are fairly independent, there are just so many little things he buffered by being here that I didn’t realize were such time absorbers. When you find yourself deciding what to cook/eat and when based on what you want to accomplish in a game that night, it’s time to stop and think.
I still feel guilty for quitting though, and leaving the guild. But, my life comes first, and they know where to find me:)
I’m glad that you’ve made the decision, as hard as it may have been, to put the important things first. I always had a feeling that you possessed a good head upon your shoulders, so I’m not surprised that when the time came, you made the right choice.
As long as you keep putting out the occasional blog post (and the occasional Tweet, what with me finally being on Twitter and following you now… >.>), I’ll keep reading, ’cause frankly I just plain like you.
I even read the stuff you write about Dragon Age, despite the fact I know precisely nothing about the game…
fairly long time reader, first time commenter (i think – i may be wrong)
it happens to the best of us
I am glad however, that the choice has been a positive one. Quitting in a rage of ‘Dammit I can’t stand you people any more’ is never good. You quit for the right reasons. Wow is a great great game, but very very demanding on your time – and when uninterrupted time is a rare resource, you really don’t get the most out of the game – having to hold back from the group activities etc because you know you’ll get interrupted somehow
I’ve thought about it myself lately – not being someone who gets all that into raiding, or pvp – once a character hits lvl 80 I hit the ‘meh’ wall. just can’t be bothered with them any more unless i’m really in the mood.
There is a massive wealth of great single player and non-online social games around
you mentioned some of the best above, Dragon Age would steal my life away if it weren’t for the fact my pc can’t run it (have to use friends PC upstairs 
) and guitar hero is always fun 
.
good for you – enjoy whatever you play, or don’t play
more time to make use of the shiny camera 
and don’t feel guilty, your guildies will understand – my guild has had so many people quit over it’s 5 year life because of real life having to take precedence – never an unkind thought to any one of them you’ll be remembered and thought of well, and should you ever return, welcomed back 
lol slightly rambly comment, sorry Jess
love the blog
James
aaaaaargh – too many smilies in that post – sorry
Good to see you made a decision with it. I too quit wow a few months ago since playing from beta in 2004. Almost 6 years. Remarkable really.
I have similar reasons to you as well. I just get distracted so easily, and single player games make me HAPPY. Whereas I was definitely starting to find wow a chore. Not cool for something you pay monthly for.
I hope you continue blogging, because I love your dragon age posts
Take care Jess, I’m glad our paths crossed.
As long as you keep writing, I’ll keep reading.
.-= Dechion´s last blog ..Taking five =-.