Editorial team member Jasmin found her way into the world of MMORPGs through Metin 2. The game might not seem like much, but it meant the world to her. Over time, the game took over, forcing her to separate from it after finishing high school.
What is Metin 2?
- Metin 2 has been free to play in Germany since 2006 and is funded through an in-game shop
- There are five different classes: Warrior, Ninja, Sura, Shaman, and Lycan
- Players join one of three kingdoms and can fight players from other kingdoms
- The name comes from the Metin stones, which rain down from the sky like meteors and contain valuable loot
At times, Metin 2 was so popular that there were 26 servers. The number of servers has since decreased, but the game apparently still retains enough players to justify its operation.
The MMORPG offers both fun PvE and PvP elements. While the graphics are not high-end, the diverse maps and fitting music continue to entertain even after many hours of gameplay.
You can see what lies behind Metin 2 in the following trailer:
How Metin 2 ruined my grades
I first discovered the game on my cousin’s PC. Curious, I looked over his shoulder and dismissed the game as uninteresting. But when my younger brother also asked me to join the guild, I couldn’t resist the game any longer.
My family had long since stopped playing when the MMORPG captivated me. I invested many years in Metin 2 and worked my way up to being one of the best healing shamans on the server. If you remember a CherrySakura on Mosha – that’s me.
Over time, I even wrote my own guides for the forum and the official site. I sank deeper into the game and eventually knew by heart where the eponymous Metin stones fell from the sky.
This led me into a downward spiral, from which I sank deeper and deeper. I made many friends and acquaintances in the game, fell in love, and joined respected guilds that came with commitments. Eventually, this led me to shape my life around the game.
My daily routine looked like this at the end: I went to school in the morning, and right after school, I started the PC to play Metin 2. I even ate lunch and dinner at the PC to avoid wasting time. Only on weekends did I occasionally meet with friends.
This behavior affected my grades since there was no time for studying or homework. A “poor” in the chemistry advanced course was not uncommon, and the other subjects didn’t look much better. On top of that, I wasn’t the most popular person in school.
A friend of mine was in an even worse situation. The game had captivated him so much that he became addicted. He even structured not only his day but also his night around the game: Since fewer players were online at night, he would lie down after school, get up at night, farm all night, and then go to school afterward.
His whole life was centered around the game, and he could no longer distinguish reality from the game. Fortunately, he sought help in a specialized clinic that helped him overcome his addiction.
According to the World Health Organization WHO gaming addiction (“Gaming Disorder”) is a recognized disease. Signs of a disorder can include a loss of control over gaming behavior, prioritizing gaming over other activities, and ignoring negative consequences.
If you suspect an addiction in yourself or in people around you, you can contact an addiction counseling center near you or the online service of Caritas.
The way out of the spiral
The experience was like a wake-up call for me, and I knew I had to do something after finishing high school to avoid ruining my life. I gave up my account, then started an apprenticeship and a degree, and even completed my master’s in chemistry. Who would have thought that after the bad grades in the chemistry advanced course?!
During my studies, nostalgia hit me, and I occasionally checked back into my old account. However, I realized that the game was no longer fun without friends and a solid guild, which is why I gave up the MMORPG again after three visits to Metin 2.
But if the conditions were right, I wouldn’t mind spending my time in the game again today.
To this day, I do not regret playing Metin 2, as I managed to get back on track in time and discovered my passion for MMORPGs in this way. Today, I play Final Fantasy XIV in a healthy amount without neglecting work, my family, or my friends.
That’s why I am even more pleased that the MMORPG has not been shut down yet and that many other players can enjoy it. This article is not meant to encourage you to spend less time in your favorite MMORPG: As long as the game does not negatively affect your life, you can continue to enjoy playing.
