I have resisted trying out Massive Multiplayer On-Line Game (MMOG) because I do not believe in paying for the software and than another $10 per month to play it.  UNTIL, someone showed me what World of Warcraft (WOW) was all about.  WOW was developed by one of the world best PC Gaming development group in the world - Blizzard.  On the World Cyber Games (Olympics of PC Gaming), they have two titles out of 8 tournament games. 

World of Warcraft is a Role Playing Game (RPG).  You pick a character be it an Elf, Human, Orgs or the Undead race.  You can choose to be a female or male, you hair style, face, etc...  You get the picture.  And than, you run around levelling up.  It is exactly like Diablo, which is one of my all time favourite game.  Most of the RPG in the market stole most of the game interface (how you run, fight and od things in the game) from Diablo.

While it is a Diablo like game (and it should be because Blizzard also created Diablo), you are playing in an enviroment where there are literally tens of thousands of real people also running around.  It is a virtual world.  It will take months to discover the four corners of this cyber world.  It is very very big.

The graphics are not as good as what you should expect for a non-networked game.  Let's say that there is no comparison to the level of graphics in DOOM 3 or Half-Life 2.  But, it is good enough for you to stop every so often to just enjoy the lush scenery.

A few new things happened that I have not experience on PC gaming. 

1.  Comradeship.  As you move up the levels the monsters become tougher and they all attack at the same time.  You need to partner up with someone and work as a team of 2 or more players.  Occasionally, someone running along sees you getting in trouble and throws a healing spell or help you takeout the monsters.  This is the really cool part of the game as it shows the good side of humanity - lend a helping hand whenever possible.

2. People come up to you and interact in a way that I have not interacted in PC gaming.  A female character came up to my Druid Elf and started dancing in front of me.  "Do you have any money?" she asked.  Sounds familiar   "Well, I need more than that!"  She laid down on the ground.  "Now what?" I ask.  "Lie down beside me," she replies.   I did.  She said "69" with a smile.  I gave her 10 copper pieces and she ran off saying that is not enough for the dagger she wanted to buy.  Cyber hookers

3. Like in the real world, there are also beggars.  I invited a player to join me last night.  I needed help becuase my undead mage was up against some very tough monsters that are resistant to magic.  The other player was a warrior who can take a beating.  After playing for 15 to 20 minutes, he asked me "How many hearts do I have?"  Once I figured out what he was asking, I said "Yeah, I got one."  Than, this guy, or kid, started to beg.  "Can I have it? Please?"  I felt sorry for him because I had eneded with winning a lot of good items (we roll the dice to see who get to keep the really cool items when you are playing as a team).  I gave him my heart because I only had one and he had 5 and needed two more to complete his quest.  Beggars.

4.  I have to go home now and level up

Harharharhar.....