Looking for some new friends! (And other meditations...)

Hi all. I've been gaming a long while with EQ 1 being my first "live" online social experience leading to online friendships. As with anything though things change, and sometimes people just lose touch of each other for one reason or another. Over the years in various MMOs I've been in a few different close-knit groups of like minded gamers.

Well I've kind of come to the realization that I'm once again in a between state without having a group of like minded gamers that get together online fairly frequently to have fun. When I first joined Gaiscioch it was with GW2 in the beginning and I did a decent job of trying to keep active with you all. My biggest problem was that I was still trying to keep connections with a group of guys that I'd been gaming with for a few years now and although we all chat now and then in voice coms and once in a while cross paths for a very short time in one game or another it has just become a very sporadic thing. As something would interest a few of us we'd make a go of it, but then one would lose interest, or one would get a new job, etc.

It kind of tugged me in multiple directions and I lost my connection I was starting to form in GW2. And it's only become more and more sporadic. We're all just kind of going our different directions which is simply how things work unfortunately.

Most recently my fiance (and her daughter, and her daughter's boyfriend) convinced me to play WoW with them. That was fun for a time until my fiance started going back to school and I realized I just wasn't having that much fun in WoW without her. There are other games out there I much more prefer than WoW. WoW isn't a bad game, it's just not for me unless I have people that really enjoy it that I know to anchor me there.

Playing WoW again (I played for half a year at release, so playing now was quite a different experience) gave me the opportunity to really focus in on what aspects of MMOs I don't care for. To me, WoW focuses too much on gear dependence, hostile competitiveness, and nearly fruitless end-game grind. Starting fresh was a fun, fast, wild ride of constant progression that suddenly hits a massive brick wall that forces you to repeat the same content over and over as fast as possible an absurdly high number of times just to get a tiny chance of getting one piece of upgraded equipment required to get your item level to a certain level just so you can do the same thing over and over to get your item level high enough to do the same thing.

Now grinding is a mechanic I know well and understand is part of most games. In many games though the grinding is fun and/or (hopefully both) provides a frequent feeling of accomplishment or progression. In WoW though once you got to that early 500ish item level the sense of accomplishment or progression pretty much disappears. Oh, there's plenty of ROOM for progression. In order to partake in the end-end-end game stuff you need some item level number or another in order to not be laughed out of a raid. It's just that it takes an absurd amount of effort and time to make even a tiny step forward.

Meanwhile you're subjected to a vitriolic atmosphere that's based on DPS numbers, and derision if you haven't memorized every facet of an encounter. Step in the wrong spot, don't have the top 5 DPS, make a mistake and be prepared to read all sorts of negative comments. All the while running full speed to get to the next encounter that you can dread seeing what people might say about your lack of performance or how much your equipment sucks. *sigh*

/rant off

So like I said, I really discovered what type of play style I don't like. I guess I'm more of a laid back gamer. I'm usually pretty good at what I do, but in some games a player's skill makes no difference compared to their ability to trade for amazing equipment or the fortitude to grind and grind and grind and grind for it.

I like playing games because they're fun to play, especially with friends. I don't play games to beat them, or to beat them in X amount of time. I don't enjoy trying to sell stuff in auction houses to amass fortunes in order to spend more time in auction houses to spend that fortune on better equipment that lets me find stuff to sell in an auction to... I don't enjoy rushing through content to get to the end as fast as possible just so that I can get my reward and exit so that I can rush through content to get to the end as fast... I don't enjoy playing games that require me to build my character exactly the right way or I'm not invited to groups.

I do enjoy playing through content at a pace that actually gives me a chance to go "Wow, look at that ceiling up there. That's really freaking cool looking!" I do enjoy struggling to complete content but succeeding eventually because the friends I'm with make a good team. I enjoy dying/wiping on occasion so that my friends and I can laugh at our mistakes and learn to do better next time. I enjoy experimenting with character advancement to try new things, and to find a play style that is more fun for me even if I'd be more powerful doing something else.

I enjoy finding new equipment in the wild, not buying it from an auction house because finding it is a surprise while spending time in an auction house is not. If an item looks really cool or really does add to my character in a significant manner then yeah I might spend some time getting it, but if it's simply just because it's more powerful then no you won't see me grinding content over and over and over for it.

/rant off... for real this time!

So what am I looking for? I'm looking for like minded gamers. I'm looking for people that simply enjoy playing these games no matter what the outcome of that session might be. I'm looking for people that might enjoy seeing what's over that hill over there even if it's not where we wanted to go. I'm also really looking for fellow alt maniacs that don't mind logging into lower level characters now and then.

As for games I'm very flexible. Unless it's WoW. I think I'll stay away from that if I can... lol. Every other MMO out there I've enjoyed for the most part. Some of my favorites would be Champions Online, Neverwinter, The Secret World (I've barely ever gotten out of the starter zone just because none of my friends wanted to play but I really would like to play it more some day), GW2 (It's been a while since I played, but I've read the atmosphere is turning into one similar to WoW's specific item and build or L2P type) and RIFT. I've also enjoyed playing some Defiance, and DC Universe Online. I did pre-purchase The Elder Scrolls Online and imagine that'll be a focus for a while, and Wildstar also has my interest. I've played pretty much all Western MMOs, those are just the highlights. I prefer PvE over all, but I do enjoy larger scale PvP like you would encounter in Warhammer Online and GW2 now and then too.

I also enjoy playing on occasion the various action RPGs (Diablo 3, Torchlight 2, Path of Exile - haven't tried this much, and Marvel Heroes), as well as turn based strategy games (Civ 5, Warlock - Master of the Arcane, etc) although I prefer playing more cooperatively. I like many of the real time strategy games too I just don't care to play against other people. I especially enjoy Tower Defense maps that players have developed. Although I haven't played any of those since Warcraft 3 was big.

So if there's a group of people out there that are a bit laid back in how they play, and maybe like to check out different games now and then (I love having a main game, but sometimes it's just fun to play other games with friends whether it's another MMO or not)... pick me, pick me! :) 

In all honesty I imagine I'll just have to be patient and stick it out for another month until TESO is up and start building connections with everyone else here again. Maybe I just needed to give my fingers a bit of exercise and to get my rant on. Thanks for reading in that case! lol

What timezone are you ?

Kalizaar, If you don't like the WoW community, I don't think you'll like Wildstar. Most people I know who are following Wildstar are pretty much saying that most of WoW is headed there. Just something to think about.

If you're into ESO then I'd love to run some quests with you.

ESO should have a much more mature community. That's just my feeling. 

I wholeheartedly agree with your WoW observations, and truly hope that kind of end-game elitism doesn't appear in ESO. 

Timezones allowing, maybe see you in Tamriel.

I find myself very much a like minded player.  I hop around on various MMOs including GW2, RIFT, SWTOR, LOL, WOW, Neverwinter, Aion, GW1, Diablo, Starcraft, Xbox 360, and PS4 - I am pretty casual and jump around to see who is on what as I like to explore and experience with people.

Kalizaar,

We sound very similar in our MMO interests.  I also started out playing EQ1.  I loved playing it with a close knit group of friends.  While EQ was a grind (compared to other MMOs), I never felt obligated to rush through the content.   To me, playing an MMO is more about the PVE journey than the destination.  

I know this guild never had a strong presence in WoW.  I played the game off and on, depending on if people I knew in person were also playing.  

As far as GW2, and soon ESO, these have been the first MMO's i've played exclusively with the Gaiscioch family.  (I've drifted apart from everyone I used to game with).  

Gaiscioch has become my new gaming family.  I don't PVP much, if ever, and its OK with this group :)  I'm not a power gamer; i'm always the last one to level up; I often don't finish leveling a character, as i've started a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th character.  I take my time and enjoy the journey.

For all of us like-minded casual gamers, look for me in GW2, and soon ESO.  :)  

Well, if you're looking for a relaxed gaming community with a play the way YOU want to play atmosphere. You have found it in Gaiscioch. If you look at the Gaiscioch Steam group, you'll see people in games across the whole spectrum. While the main family stays in one or at most two MMOs, you will also find smaller groups or offshoots in many of the games you mentioned.  And if the game you're interested in doesn't have any members playing at the moment, I can pretty much guarantee that someone here will know a fun group of people to play alongside in that game.

Welcome and happy gaming!

Welcome to the family.   I too am new here, and looking to find a tight group of friends.   I can understand your experience with wow.   Many games are modeled after that concept unfortunately which only frustrates me.  I played everquest and really enjoyed most of that.  It was about grouping and I made friends their.  As you said, after a while you lose touch.  Alot of my friends were not logging in as regularly, I was stuck having to look for groups and that is what sort of put a nail in my coffen, when I would log in to spend 4-6 hours trying to find a group, to only get one group that lasted 30 minutes.  It made progression horribly slow.   However with wow and games like it, they seem to put the grind in the back.   You rush through the levels, they take no time, you don't really explore the world, it just becomes a tool to help you get to endgame, to grind grind grind the same content looking for gear, to raid and basically do the same with raiding as you do with dungeons.  

With all the addons (I personally hate addons, most of them ruin the game), people get all worried about the numbers and addons you got.   I got yelled at once in a raid for not having deadly boss mods for a boss that we wiped on.  Yet I was the tank, and was not the cause of the wipe, in fact I was doing my job correct and was the last man standing, literally, because once the chaos happened, people start running around in a panic instead of focusing on their job.  But because I didn't have some addon to help me with knowing how to do my job, avoid the boss dmg, because I played with skill and was old school, researching,  memorizing, and knowing how to actually play without relying on some crutch of a program.   I got yelled at.  Raiding in wow was a buzz kill for me.   I wanted to see the content, but hated doing it because it felt like an honest waste of time.  Nothing like spending 2-4 hours doing a raid, dropping bosses, and getting nothing but flack from it, and drama.   It was even more painful when you run the content, but get passed on loot because your knew, even though you are doing your job.  Its even worse when you are one of 3 in a raid of the same class, are the only one of the 3 that stays alive, but you don't get dibs on the loot because its only your first or second time their.   Its like...wait a second, I am surviving, I am doing dps, I am contributing more than those that are dead, doesn't that count for somethign that I have the same chances to improve my gear, yet alone will actually make the raid benefit from me actually improving my gear and not the constantly dead people.    It really made the game feel more like work than fun, and I hated doing that.  

As for the gear, i agree, getting a drop, especially one you weren't expectign is way more exciting than buying it off the exchange.  However at the same time, farming the money, to buy some super awesome crafting gear that you have no friends or ability to make because its a raid drop has its own rewards of accomplishment as well.    Nothing like knowing you earned something the old fashion way of working hard for the funding.   Me however, I love exploring the world.  In recent years, I have found more joy from simply seeing all the hidden spoilers in the world, finding places that are familiar or I have never visually seen as in some of the more fanboy games like starwars.   I like crafting, I like knowing that in eldar scrolls, crafting can create great gear, if not better gear, and through crafting you can actually improve your gear to be the best.   Even more so if you happen to find that one drop with a look you love, stats you like, but is only say green quality, you can improve it to make it better and worthwhile.   I love being self sufficient, and making stuff for my friends, and I love just simply grouping up, exploring the world, dungeon crawling and having a great time being a part of a group, and when we as friends drop a boss for the first time, its exciting.   Even more so when we know we are undergeared and did it through teamwork and skill.   

So again, welcome to the family, pull up a chair, stay awhile, and grab a cold one.   Enjoy the journey, enjoy the company, and make memories together. 

Welcome to the family Kalizaar! I'm new here but I know you'll find the opportunities you are looking for!

@Syphon, Thank you for the look back to the way it was... We used to spend all week planning not where to go next but how to accomplish our goals! Battle strategy and knowledge made the difference between failure and success. But, that was the way it was back in 1999 when a small group devoted to Norrath, as well as to the team, started an adventure we thought would never end. Yet Real Life proved stronger and with job changes, marriage, births and military service our numbers failed...

Today, I feel like a lone solder who has walked many miles to find fellows like himself and now I'm here and happy to belong to an amazing family of believers!

Let The Adventures Begin!

Howdy... 

I will tell you my play style and what I love.   Then you can decide if you want to game with me ( I can already tell that I would be happy to game with you). My first MMO was also EQ.

I love to explore.  I like climbing to the tops of hills and going behind large rocks and clumps of trees not for any other reason than to see what might be there or to experience the scenery.  I remember climbing to the top of a mountain on Naboo and finding a small lake and a beautiful setting sun.  There wasn't anything else there - nothing to kill, no quest markers - nada, just a peaceful lake and a great view.  I went there several times afterward just for the peace and tranquility.

My favorite adventure was in LOTR where we had a 5 person group that would do every quest - in every zone together from the start to the finish of the game.  We would play alts during other times but our 5 mains - would only play together so that we would level together... this was actually tough since we all had other commitments with work, family, friends - but we pulled off playing together 2 nights a week for almost 2 years.

To me the game is an extension of myself - it is like I am in a movie or a book - and I am writing the story as I go and my character does what I would do if I was in that situation while some of my decisions aren't always what some would call "right" or  "good".  My favorite example is from a quest where I let an "evil" person live (my choice for him to live or die) since they would actually be the most aid to me in my journey but I knew full well they could turn on me at anytime and end up my worst enemy.  My character isn't always "good" and she has a mean streak in her but if she gives her word - she stands by it even to the dismay of upright citizens.   As an extension of me - I hate to craft but love gathering which is usually what I do to provide materials to our family marketplace so that I can order the armor and weapons that I need every few levels.

Anyway - I game for the adventure and the story.  The only "grind" I put in is on my way from one adventure to another or if I need it to level favor with a local clan or other entity so I  am not KOS or something of that nature.

I will be playing ESO - I tend to play a lot since I am retired.  But I also play Xbox with my grandkids - and real family comes first.  I will be

@morigana99

in ESO for any that want me on their friends list and I do damage - and some CC - I can't heal or tank worth a damn - so I stick to what I don't screw up at - which isn't any type of guarantee :)  I take the game as a game.  There is nothing that can happen in it that will make me lose sleep at night - except maybe deciding on the next skill to take when I level up.   I do both PvE and PvP (although most of my PvP is during "family" events") and I'm also looking forward to Destiny on Xbox - my times are all PST but I can go from 1 p.m. to 3 a.m.

I just realized what a "singles" profile this is sounding like and I'm becoming a little nauseated - so I'm done.

Man I'm flighty... forgot to check back in here! Lots of great posts here, whether they sound like a "singles" profile or not. ;)

I've been trying to get in the habit of logging into Raidcall and joining people in GW2 the last few days to prime myself for ESO next week. I informed my fiance that I might be slightly non-responsive Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday as I do a major game-a-thon to take advantage of early access and a couple days off.. hehe.

Unfortunately she's been real busy lately taking some night classes so she hasn't been interested in gaming much lately or I might have been able to talk her into joining me. Although WoW is her first MMO experience, and pretty much first and only computer gaming experience on top of it, and she hasn't been very comfortable trying out other MMOs with me. I have a feeling ESO won't be in her future any time soon.

Definitely looking forward to gaming with you all! In Raidcall I'm Kalizaar, and in ESO I'm @Kalizaar. If you're in GW2 I'm usually on as Kalizaar, Kraybar, or Beldark unless I'm trying to experience some of the pre 80 content I've missed (a TON). Although I suppose in guild roster you can see people's ID which is Kalizaar.4729.

LOL Morigana - you should hook up in-game with my sister (Karen/@Saharine), as you sound like gaming twins :-D  I, too, am somewhat of this style of play, although I do tend to rush through certain quests if I am in that frame of mind... however, I can rarely pass up a resource node without gathering it!  Sadly(?), I have a full-time job which takes up large amounts of my time Monday-Friday but, other than that, much of my life is spent on the PC.

Looking forward to hopefully teaming with many of you 'more casual' gamers over the coming months!

Morigana isn't that heresy ... what do you mean you don't lose sleep over how to remove a certain mob from the world of pixels!

:D

very much tongue in cheek, and Ill let you know if I find any hidden sunsets in my week of madcap playing before real life and work reclaims me.

I absolutely love this post LOL, and Morigana, there is nothing wrong with those types of posts lol.

It seems we all have the same background. Allow me to make an easy gaming progression flow chart for where I have been:

EverQuest --> DAOC --> Horizons (Points if you remember it) --> SWG!!! --> EverQuest 2 --> FFXI --> WOW --> DDO --> LoTRO --> STO --> Warhammer --> Rift --> EVE Online --> SWtOR --> The Secret World --> and soon TSO.

I have done it all from being an officer in the Reapers of Sorrow guild in EQ to being a solo player in FFXI. I enjoy exploration and crafting followed by running dungeons first and foremost. I always play a tank or healer and if you need healz/tanks, I'm there.

@kurtz0619 = ESO

PS4/PSN - Kurtz540

Kia ora

I'm looking a bit green here, coming from "The 4thcoming" maybe the oldest I can remember tiny bit of Diablo 2 WOW and GW2, I might be more a liability than an asset lol but I'm up for a cause run around.

Because of CRAFT I meet new friends everyday lol, I'm getting bad at remember stuff

Kiwi - we were all green once and I'm not sure that sometimes I still don't turn one shade or another of that color.

And actually Darack - my favorite way to relax when I put my head on the pillow is to relive some of the adventures I had in an MMO - I find it a wonderful way to get rid of any stress - and I do think of my escapades probably more than I should - except it is quite relaxing for me so I don't fret over it.