Monday, October 15, 2007

Back to the Future

Well, it's been awhile. Why did I take a break? Easy. I didn't have anything to say that wasn't pretentious. So I didn't.

In the meantime (and thanks for asking) I've gone back to Star Wars Galaxies for awhile. While I've enjoyed all the Sony Online games, I really got the itch to do some serious roleplaying. Sadly, I haven't run into many fellow RPers in EverQuest II or Vanguard. And let's face it, it's hard to give up all the cool clothes, vehicles, ships and houses in SWG. I mean, aside from the roleplay.

So... off I went to try to tie up many of the loose, unfinished quests for my character. At some point during the proceedings, I found the leader of my old guild -- sorry, Player Association -- online. After a bit of a chat, I rather impulsively asked to be let back in. The poor devil never knew what hit him.

So, as a proud member of the biggest (and certainly the best) roleplaying guild on Bria server, I have done a fair amount of gaming. It's actually put me in an odd situation, although it's one I've been in for as long as I've been an online gamer.

You see, I level at a glacial rate. As a social gamer (read: roleplayer), there is often not a lot of extra time left over for doing things like, you know, doing game stuff. So I do my leveling when there's no one else online. Of course, when there is no one else online, it is a little dull, and I get distracted and would rather hang out with my family. Or read. Or something. So I never, ever level.

Is this a problem? Well, kind of. See, as a popular and active member of the guild (as an example) I am often placed for becoming a leader of some group or other. When this happens it's usually quite the embarrassment, since I'm generally much lower level or less experienced than the people I'm leading.

All things being equal, though, I actually prefer the social aspect of games. I know that's not what they're for (come on, everyone knows you need to max out and become uber in minimal time to play the game the right way), but it's why I play. And the best bunch of people I know hang out in Star Wars Galaxies, Bria server, in the Player Association House Fion.

Tell 'em Urt sent ya.