Each of us has started with MMOs and has not been able to get away from this genre. But what was your first contact with online games, and how did it go for you?
No matter if it was a MOBA like LoL, an online shooter like Destiny, or a large online role-playing game like World of Warcraft – at some point, everyone here has started with MMOs and online games. But how did you come to the genre and how was your “first time”?
Jürgen’s First Time – Guild Wars 1 Sold Me
I, Jürgen, played my first “real” online game with Guild Wars 1 in 2005. Before that, I was exclusively offline and didn’t find it very interesting to grind online with thousands of other people when you could play high-quality single-player games.
Then there was the annoying topic of “subscription fees.” The big player World of Warcraft was expensive, and I was about to start studying and was therefore tight on cash. Paying monthly to play was not an option. But eventually, I wanted to try an online game and see what was so great about it.
I then chose Guild Wars 1. The game was already Buy2Play at that time, looked great, and was presented very charmingly in GameStar.
An MMO Like a Solo Game
In addition to the low price, I liked the idea that you didn’t always have to be with a team. You could take bots with you and explore the instances alone. That suited me well. I was still extremely shy back then and didn’t want to burden or disturb anyone.
So I had real problems solving a specific quest in the tutorial of Guild Wars 1. You have to form a group at least once to venture outside the walls of Ascalon. I was afraid to ask anyone for a long time. I was scared that I would play poorly and make a fool of myself.
In the end, it worked out, and I found a similarly shy teammate who wanted to venture out with me for a short time. Later, I had fewer reservations, and today I hardly play alone anymore!
Guddy’s First Time – Awestruck into Roleplaying
It was the late 90s that pulled me into the realm of online multiplayer. Ultima Online was my game of choice: today it looks heavily pixelated, dubious 2D, and overall: Where is the action?! But I loved it and still fondly remember it, even as the memories slowly fade. You don’t get younger, after all. (Just better.)
Back then, I lived in Königswinter. That, in turn, is located in the mystical nature reserve Siebengebirge, which also contains the Drachenfels – a mountain named after a German server in UO! That was a sign! For sure. Ultima Online was my first virtual role-playing experience. Back when roleplaying was still written in capital letters, and you could lose yourself in the world and the characters.
I haven’t touched Ultima Online in a long time. It was replaced by too many other games and activities. But it was my first MMO and accompanied me through my youth for a few good years. I have experienced more roleplaying in this game than in any other MMO. For that alone, I still love it today.
What about you?
Each of you has started with MMOs. But which game was it and how was your “first time”? Let us know!
