Drama Mamas: A moment of silence, please
Dodge the drama and become that player everyone wants in their group with the Drama Mamas. Lisa Poisso and Robin Torres are real-life mamas and experienced WoW players -- and just as we don't want our precious babies to be the ones kicking and wailing on the floor of checkout lane next to the candy, neither do we want you to become known as That Guy on your server. We're taking your questions at DramaMamas (at) WoW (dot) com.
Been devouring all the articles at WoW.com designed to help you dig into this week's new content patch? Obviously, we have too -- but not everyone feels that way. There are quite a few players out there who'd like nothing more than to work their own way through the new content in a little peace and quiet.
Dear Drama Mamas: I've been really enjoying the new content that came out a few days ago, now that instances are actually available to run. But I've encountered a problem that has bothered me ever since WoW started releasing patches. One of my favorite things about WoW is the story and the discovery of an unfolding plot. This new expansion has great story elements, from the raid to the new five-mans. Having been a member of my guild from patch 1.5 or so, I've been through thick and thin with the group. I am a regular guy with a standard job and normal demands of a social life. So perhaps I can't play quite as much as some others, which leads me to hit content hours to days later than some of my guildmates.
Just like watching a movie, I enjoy watching the plot develop and discovering my own strategies to boss fights. But I seem to not be able to convey this to guildmates, and any attempts to insulate myself from unsolicited advice and "helpful guildmates" is met with confusion and astonishment. I have very clearly stated how I like to enjoy new content and have asked for people to respect my wishes. I certainly understand I can't prevent giddiness in guild chat or chatting over Vent.
But my filtering out of guild chat (along with a statement that I can be reached by whisper or Vent) and my near-constant requests for guildmates to stop offering advice while I am running something really seems to offend my guild. I get cutting remarks about not being social and frustrated comments about how they are just trying to help. I don't know how to explain it any more clearly to them, and I have not asked them to converse amongst themselves as normal ... Am I missing something? Do I just need to /ignore the chatty ones for a week? Am I justified in wanting to see the content in the way I want? What hurts even more is that I am made to defend myself on every content patch ... It's like all the explanation before has fallen on deaf ears. I just want a week of peace. Is that asking too much? Signed, Krabork
Drama Mama Lisa: It's not that you're blind to the solution, Krabork -- it's that you'd simply like to run your content blind. Going into new content free of spoilers and strategies seems to have gone the way of the dodo for most WoW players. By persisting in playing through new content in discovery and exploration mode, you've chosen a path that confuses many and annoys others.
As Scott Andrews explained to a reluctant blind raider in his Officers Quarters column, going into any new content blind requires the explicit agreement and cooperation of the entire group. Even one "non-blind" player in a group can spoil the entire story or reveal the big gotcha with one careless remark. But beyond that, there are the feelings of the "spoilerites" to consider, as well. They may crave knowing how the story ends. They may want to progress as quickly and painlessly as possible. Repeated wipes may wipe their spirits. They may be unwilling or unable to move forward without the comforting hand of a tried-and-true strategy. There are all sorts of reasons to chatter excitedly about the very details you are striving so diligently to avoid -- and all of those reasons are equally as valid to them as your own approach is to you.
You've already seen that this philosophical difference is a recurring issue for you and your guildmates. What makes the situation even more problematic is the prospect of all the additional content and the expansion still ahead. I don't see the situation improving, Krabork. All signs point to making this your opportunity to hook up with a more compatible group.
What about a guild that takes things at a slower rate? If they're not gobbling down content, they won't be constantly "ahead" of you. Consider a roleplaying guild, where /ooc talk is discouraged. Or you could go all the way and try to find (or create) a blind content guild -- plenty of players avoid blind play like the plague, but plenty of others relish the challenge and excitement it can offer. Consider the change an investment in your gaming future. Good luck, and may the road rise up to meet you!
Drama Mama Robin: Krabork, you are asking too much of your current guild. It's actually really unfair and unreasonable to insist that your teammates not discuss strategies and interesting plot lines and speculate about future developments. Most players consider this good guild chat. I'm not saying that it's unreasonable to want to play your way, however. In fact, the Blizzard developers most certainly wish that everyone played blind to really appreciate their hard work, not to mention make the content last longer.
It's kind of like you are trying to play in single player RPG mode, with the other players as NPCs -- annoyed NPCs who send you tells. Though many also use guides for single-player games as well, I agree with you that the exploration and development of strategies is more fun when you do it yourself. WoW is a multiplayer game, however, and there is absolutely no way to control the actions of other players -- no matter how often you beg, plea or demand. When you enter an instance, you are agreeing to play by the team rules and, as Scott and Lisa have said, the entire team has to agree to play the instance blind.
Leave your guild immediately and start shopping for a blind content guild. You will almost definitely have to move servers. Start your search in the forums of roleplaying realms and don't stop until you find a group of people who agree with you. You have some time before the next expansion -- uh, Krabork, don't go to that link; it will spoil things for you -- and you should be able to find a good guild that also wants to play the new content innocently.
Perhaps our readers can recommend the right home for you in the comments. Good luck!
Drama Buster of the Week
Make no mistake: WoW is "real life." Talk to others in trite, dismissive cliches much? Ugh. If you talk with people, not at them, and treat them the way you would treat people in any public setting -- no hiding behind "it's just the internet" -- you'll find that they react to you in a much more genuine, personal and enjoyable way.
Remember, your mama wouldn't want to see your name on any drama. Play nice ... and when in doubt, ask the Drama Mamas at DramaMamas (at) WoW (dot) com.
