Watch this: NOW!

Urgency is required! As I watched this in my characteristically nonchalant fashion, planning to blog it afterwards, I realised that today is the last day that this movie is free to watch online.
http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/second_skin/

Second Skin unfortunately has nothing to do with hot ladies in skin-tight latex - as the title misled me to believe. It is however, a fascinating look into the world of MMO gaming from a relatively non-patronising standpoint. The 'outside looking in' mentality that usually surrounds any sort of reportage on gaming culture is both frustrating and demeaning, luckily, that is something that this documentary bypasses, so far at least. As I haven't yet finished watching it (blog urgency!) it may take a turn for the worse, but I have faith.

It's pleasing to see the positive influence these games have on people's lives. It's very easy to vilify MMO gamers and their shunning of our perceived reality. Whilst I could never commit to something so all-consuming, the idea of everyone starting out equal is one that appeals to me. Then I imagine myself in 5 years; having to remortgage the house, wondering where my family have gone as I try to prise myself from a computer chair cocoon comprising of my own piss, feaces, jizz and Wotsit crumbs. I'm not judging MMO gamers, just myself.


The Faux Bot

How much? Gnome freaking way!?

You readers know how it is, constantly forgetting to research things you've heard about on the web, so easily distracted by shiny links and playboy bunnies demonstrating wii fit. However today I remembered to look something up and my mind was blown (literally, pre frontal cortex everywhere).

I'm referring to the sale of WOW (World of Warcraft) accounts over the internet to people presumably too lazy to level up their own characters. It happens, and everyone who knows the game knows it happens, but are they aware of the cost?

http://www.buymmoaccounts.com/ has a list of characters for sale with full statistic info for those who wish to circumnavigate the laborious task of starting from the beginning and getting straight to kicking ass. I for one would love to know who utilizes such avenues. Money no object? Flex your online muscle with a Lv 70 Blood elf Priest for $1149.00, or a Lv 70 Dwarf Priest for $1099.00.
Slightly further down the scale you can get a lesser character for around the $800 mark.

If you're in the market for a high level 'bargain' I'd jump all over the Lv 70 Gnome Warlock for the low low price of $399.00. How this is still on the site is beyond me! What a giveaway.

Ah, who has such a love for the game and so much money to fritter away? What kind of satisfaction could possibly be gleaned from cleaning up online with a character you had no input in the creation of? I cant imagine a more hollow victory, its like punching out a six year old.

I'm amazed and bewildered at the same time- if you can't be bothered or simply don't have the time to level up surely its not the game for you.



The level 70 Dwarf Priest was happy with his price although still felt something of a whore being passed user to user.






Justtherightbullets