Global Chat: This is not GDC edition
Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat!
The Massively crew was pretty heavily immersed in GDC 2011 last week -- those of us on site and those of back at "home" all enjoyed the flood of exciting news from San Francisco.
That didn't mean that information elsewhere stopped, though! We kept up our regular schedule and had lots to say in other arenas. As usual, our readers had plenty to say as well, so follow along after the break for this week's Global Chat!
Massively's Daily Grind is always a good source of discussion, and the recent question about recycled content brought some thoughts from reader Tom in VA: "All I want from Blizzard is for them to offer solo versions of the 5-man dungeons (i.e., Solo, Normal, and/or Heroic versions of each dungeon) -- perhaps with a different set of quests and rewards and/or the assistance of NPCs (in the solo version). Maybe that's 'recycling,' but for me it'd make a lot of 'new content' available that I I'm not going to play otherwise. If Blizzard did something like this, I'd re-subscribe to WoW."
Beau's talk of the healing ability of instant access doubled as a place for readers to share some of their own stories, including Massively reader Shazzie: "Like Pingle above, I also have MS, and I know what it's like to get a diagnosis of something (the MonSter, in my case) that's going to possibly be dictating the rules of the rest of your life. Unlike Pingle, I'm not symptom-free, but my symptoms aren't too bad, for the most part. The annoying thing is I usually look fine, so people don't understand when I'm fatigued or suffering other 'invisible' problems. 'But you look fine!' is really, really annoying to hear. The damage is internal but still there, kthx?
"The internet has been a lifesaver for me. When I feel trapped or overwhelmed with real-life issues, I can get lost in one of many wonderful game worlds. It's fantastic, and it's saved my mental health on more than one occasion, I'm sure. I know exactly what you mean about just pausing, looking around your in-game environment, and just taking it all in.
"Thanks for sharing, Beau. It can be uncomfortable to bare our problems, disabilities, and/or weaknesses, but it can also be relieving, in a way. Best of luck to you controlling your personal monster!"
This week's EVE Evolved followed a similar pattern, and Hercluesmrb had this to say: "I enjoy your articles every week. As a person who deals with a family member who battles with clinical depression, I can feel for you when you are hit by an especially difficult episode. Most people I have met online have a tough time opening up about personal issues affecting game play, especially when it involves 'jobs' and such that EVE Online creates within a corporation.
"I applaud your honesty and openness regarding your personal life and goals for the corporation. The corporation (seemingly now alliance) is in good hands, and as a newer player (only six months played or so) I will remind you (a veteran player): Everything in EVE takes time. I am sure you are aware of that fact, but I believe that only good will come of this project you have taken on.
"EVE is a very special game - and I always smile when I read different articles that present very creative community-driven entertainment in the genre. Best of luck to you and your alliance."
Check out the original stories for the full discussions, and add your own stories here!
