World+of+Warcraft+(Susan+Griffin)



World of Warcraft is a very involved multi layered entertainment game with a character progression process. You can have multiple characters or identities throughout your game progression. The game playing involves millions of players choosing between the two main groups; The Alliance and The Horde. Both have different races, classes, professions and with each of these choices you find yourself completing quests either alone or in groups.

This is my first experience playing this type of game, my choosing a character was based more on the description of what they could or could not do within the game and being a Human, it seemed an easy way for met to start my adventure.

I have made it finally to level 5; this has taken me many hours/days to achieve and while it has been time consuming I am finally moving around more within the area I am completing quests. Currently I have only been into the Northshire valley area where I can now swim, run, explore the mines, and escape the cemetary.

The rules with this game involve achieving a certain level of success before you have the ability to communicate with other players. I have not reached that level so the the isolation contributes to a slower learning process and less feeling of engagement in the game. My first week I thought this game was using a negative reinforcement process of learning, violence as a basis of success, and the use of simple repetitive motions to learn a skill. There were many players running around and no interaction with any of them except when I would be killed off. It has been hard to learn the "lived social practices" of this game or experience transformational learning at this level. It seems to be a case of keep trying and eventually I will get better and survive for longer periods of time.

After achieving a few more levels of involvement I think these are a few of the Principles of Video Game Learning.

As I progress further in this game I think many more principles of learning will develop. I am determined to gain at least to level 15 in this game. Alliance Shield
 * Semiotic Principle - I perceive there are many interrelations within and across this game involving images, words, actions, symbols yet I have barely been able to begin to appreciate or understand them.
 * Identity Principle - again, great potential here to to learn different roles and abilities as you progress in the game.
 * Regime of Competence - the learning occurs at a level of barely able to understand..then you get it...then you move forward so you have to work to complete the acquired skill.
 * Discovery principle - this has been the only method for me so far in this game. Discovery and trial with errors. Learning how to fight and defend with only one weapon has been a fast process.

Reflections after one week of playing the game:


 * This is a fast paced game if you can stay alive long enough to complete the quests assigned.


 * There is interesting terrain built into this game, it was fun to see the different animals and creatures
 * Much of the terms/words used int his game I don't understand yet - this should come with time and experience
 * I feel very lonely playing this game, it frustrates me I cant talk or develop team work beyond using body positioning to show I am trying to be a "team player"
 * I don't like it is so violent.....that you get better by destroying more things
 * When one creature killed me several times...I realized I was getting mad at him...and wanted to hurt him.
 * Its easy to spend a lot of time here in this game.

I have found a lot of resources for learning about this game. I have been reading and printing information to help me get better faster. So far, most are free but they do have sites you can suscribe to for moreh elp. thee are also books and extra help files. Most of my information and resouces have come from www.wowwiki.com/World_of_ Warcraft. The game itself allows you to ask a few 'people' who are statues with pre-programed responses or use the help files built into the game. I found this harder because the game is always going when you are playing.

Reflections:

I do not understand the whole "point" of this game yet. I was frustrated playing it and feel very inept. I am determined though to learn it a little more and see if I begin to really like it and want to continue. Most likely, once the interaction starts with others it will be more interesting.

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