An Addict Copes With The World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Launch

Fastest-Selling PC Game Ever Tempts Millions

Dec 13 2010, 1:06pm CST | by Robert Evans

An Addict Copes With The World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Launch

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is out. And it has already made history by becoming the fastest-selling PC game ever. 3.3 million copies moved in a mere 24 hours. By TechCrunch's count, that's roughly $132 million in sales.

This is wonderful news for Activision stockholders, but a dire portent for those of us just barely holding on to our MMO sobriety. I quit World of Warcraft nearly three years ago. Re-adjusting to life outside was a long, arduous process, filled with dramatic music swells and tearful confessions to family members. By the time I emerged from addiction's long dark tunnel of face-punches, I felt strong enough to take on any challenge.

But that was a lie. One viewing of the Cataclysm trailer was enough to make my arms shake with that familiar longing. My mouth went dry. My heart-rate sped up. Flashbacks of marathon gaming sessions and that first, sweet Clear of Blackwing's Lair started running through my mind. I flipped over to Blizzard's online store and stared at the sales page.

$39.99.

And, since it's the future, I wouldn't even need to wait for delivery. I'd just start the download, finish up some work, grab some gaming snacks, and boom. There it would be. Waiting for me.

Many of you are now in the throes of similar temptations. I warn you: don't only remember the good times. For every glorious new purple acquired, for every dungeon conquered, there were dozens, if not hundreds of hours of grinding. Remember that fortnight you spent doing the exact. same. quests. for Netherwing rep? Hours and hours of work for a freaking animated dragon.

Or the two hours a day you had to spend gathering reagents for fire protection potions so you could down Ragnaros?

Remember regular weekly raids and DKP? Do you really want all of that in your life again?

The answer is probably yes. Or at least it will be eventually, because Blizzard has a ton of new WoW expansions planned for the future. This will never end. Every year or two, like clockwork, our resolve will be tested.

And, one by one, we will break.

All roads lead back to WoW. You may hold off until old age and ruined joints confine you to a hospital bed but, as sure as the sunrise, an addict is always an addict.

But hey-$15 bucks a month ain't bad, compared to cigarettes or 4G data.

Updates

The EU’s implementation of Basel III: A deeply flawed compromise

Source: Vox

This article may be reproduced with appropriate attribution. See Copyright (below). By all accounts, EU member countries have for months been debating how to implement the minimum bank capital standards agreed under Basel III. ...
Full article at: Vox More like this 19 minutes ago

RipTen Review: Squids (PC)

Source: Ripten Videogame Blog

Perhaps it was because of the era I was born, the place I grew up, or a combination of both that I did not have marbles in my childhood. I was more of a pogs kid, so when I think of marbles today it’s usually bec ...
Full article at: Ripten Videogame Blog More like this 35 minutes ago

Padres victims of Santana gem in 9-0 loss at Mets

Source: San Diego Local News 1

New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy (28) tags out San Diego Padres' Blake Tekotte (9) before throwing out Chris Denorfia for a double play during the ninth inning of a baseball game May 26, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Fra ...
Full article at: San Diego Local News 1 More like this 46 minutes ago

where to buy

Buy from Amazon

Don't miss ...

Gaming

New Xbox to be unveiled at E3 2012?

Robert Evans
The excitement about new smartphones, tablets and anything mobile drive Robert to unearth the latest rumors and developments in this fast moving space. He adopted 4G as soon as it become available and knows where the mobile market is going.
Robert can be contacted directly at robert@i4u.com.