I’ve been getting a heavy dose of real life the past few weeks. Real life has a way of changing your perspective completely upside down and inside out. Now that I think about it, this is probably why I’m not enjoying Warhammer Online very much. Compared to my life right now, playing WAR and complaining about it in my gaming blog doesn’t really compare.
I’m currently in Lima, Peru. I mentioned it a few times in various comments, but I’ll elaborate. I’m spending my days volunteering at an orphanage and one of the most rundown and poverty stricken schools I’ve ever seen (or even heard of). I took months off from my usual work (boring computer/internet consulting stuff) to leave my familiar surroundings and shock myself. I wanted to do a tour with Peace Corp, but after months of effort and research, I realized it’s far too hardcore for me. But the work I’m doing still helps people in need. I have the opportunity to open my eyes to completely new experiences. At the same time, I don’t have to sacrifice human comforts like a safe house (somewhat safe), electricity, water and an internet connection!
Let me say right now that if you have the chance, volunteer! Travel! There are plenty of organizations offering similar experiences (I picked International Volunteer HQ). It is an experience you will never forget and will hopefully change you for the better. If you are currently in college, that’s the best time. Take a semester off and travel. South America. Africa. Southeast Asia. All amazing places and lots of volunteer opportunities.
The orphanage is rundown, like many buildings in Lima. It’s a small building complex with a home for the elderly, the orphanage and a home for special needs people (physically and mentally handicapped). They are people (and children) who don’t have anywhere else to go. We help out in anyway we can. I like working with the kids in the orphanage. With them, there is still hope for a better future. For the elderly and the special needs, this is likely where they will eventually die (assuming it doesn’t run out of money). I help them, try to talk to them and entertain them, but I can’t help feeling so sad when I’m around them.
That’s why I love working at the school in the slums (elementary to high school kids). The 2nd and 3rd pictures were taken at the school. The environment is so horrible, but the kids almost seem like rays of pure sunshine (or some other equally cheesy metaphor). If you see them laughing and playing, you’d never think they were living in such an environment. They are all so friendly, open and eager to learn. The entire time I’ve been there, I’ve never seen a negative interaction between any of the students. It’s rather amazing.
I barely speak any Spanish, so much of my free time is spent with language tutors, studying and using Rosetta Stone. The rest of the time, I’m with the other volunteers and enjoying the city of Lima. Simply walking around the streets is an experience to remember. It’s not a particularly nice looking city, but it’s a city of contrasts. There are wealthy touristy areas and there are huge expanses of slums. It was a shock to see shacks made of wood that is barely even worthy of being firewood, corrugated metal roofs and sand everywhere.
Being with the other volunteers is an amazing experience of its own. At my job, I interact with the same kind of people all day long. I’ve led a very sheltered life. The volunteers are such a diverse group of people. Every single one is completely different from my friends and co-workers back home. In the past few weeks, I’ve met people from Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, Norway, Netherlands, Scotland and all over the USA. Their backgrounds and life experiences are so different from my own. Most of the time, I’m with a retired guy in his 50’s (you can see him in the 3rd picture). He’s an ex-hippie who has calmed down a lot and is now one of the most solid and patient guys I’ve ever met. Even though he’s had jobs similar to mine, his life couldn’t be more different. Talking to him gives me a whole new perspective.
I took off six months from work. After two or three months in Peru, I’m planning to volunteer in another country (Columbia or Brazil would be amazing). After that, I’d love to just travel around…not like a tourist though. By then, I’m hoping to have a better grasp of Spanish and I can live more like a native. I’d love to visit Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and any other countries in South America I haven’t mentioned yet.
I still find time to play games…it’s a great way to wind down after a long day. Unfortunately, I can’t be hardcore like I am when I’m at my own home. Is that good thing?
I think you’re just in gaming limbo like me at the moment. Either nothing is compelling enough, or I feel like been there done that. When was the last time you played CoX games? I ask because it had been awhile for me and currently that game is most fun to me at the moment. There’s been tons of new stuff and apparently a whole lot more in the coming issue.
I also like that my characters in that game feel more like my own creations then in other games. They look nothing like anyone elses for the most part.
Haven’t tried Warhammer, I’d like to but I don’t really want to drop more money on something I’m not going to like.That one on one pve sounds boring to me.
Also although I recently posted here that when I went back to Lotro and was bored compared to AoC, I was a little hasty. Since I paid for 2 months of play I hit it a few more times and actually started enjoying it quite a bit, especially the crafting system. If you’re into that kind of thing it’s one of the best i’ve seen since my days as legendary blacksmith/tailor on UO.
In the meantime still waiting for something new and uber, maybe Agency looks hot.
Interesting experience you’re having there in Peru. I’d like to hit Brazil myself.
Thats great that your putting yourself out there to experience the ‘real” world a bit. I bet none of those kids could comprehend all the trauma and emotions we put into gaming here in the states. They are living in what looks like extreme poverty. Maybe you can show a few of them whacky game world. I went to Japan for a bit and really enjoy the asian countries you might look into some of those also.
I have been hitting a Warhammer wall of sorts RVR starts getting old however, I have become quite good at PVP. I might even be able to hack it in AOC of which I consider a more skilled PVP game. Not to belittle Warhammers system but well combat is a little more involved in AOC.
Horizon for games FallOut 3 and Fable 2.
What you are doing is admirable, and you should have no qualms of not speaking of games when there is more important work to do.
I work for a non-profit religious organization, and you probably could not tell by my blog or my antics at times..
But, I feel fulfilled doing this work, and every once in a while you step back from it all and go…”ok, real life needs attention”.
Again, I nod to you in honor, and just remember, games will always be there.
(And PS: If your not ready to go back to AoC, no issue. I am keeping the spot warm as I went back and I am pleased. It really made me think twice about the old MMO mechanics.
AoC does things the way that I wish…No more slow mo MMO copy cats for me!)
@Robert It is quite possible that I am somewhat burned out on MMO’s for the moment. I was very hardcore into Age of Conan for months, so it’s not surprising that the generic but solid gameplay offered by WAR is failing to grab my attention.
This is especially true considering my situation. On a given night, there are a lot of other things I can do rather than play a game that isn’t compelling to me. Last night, I was out til 5am hanging out with a Peruvian local I met at a local bar/club. I randomly met him last night. I’m doing stuff that I would never, ever do in the States and it’s quite fun.
It has been a while since I played the CoX games. I really do enjoy them, but the experience grind was too much for me. So I’d play for a week, then give up… I’ve installed and uninstalled CoX probably a dozen times now, heh.
Oh, I think the Agency definitely has potential. It has a number of core features that are quite different from the normal MMO and I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
@Severein The kids I’m playing with and teaching have been the best part of my trip so far. It is amazing to me that they can be so happy and cheerful when living in such conditions. And ya, I highly doubt they’ve ever played a video game.
Heck, the school in the slums doesn’t even have running water. I have a feeling quite a lot of the shacks don’t have water either.
My spanish is slowly (very slowly) getting better, so I’ll be able to interact better with the kids as time goes on.
As for WAR, RvR felt old to me from the very beginning. I haven’t played enough yet to reach the higher tier gameplay, so maybe I just haven’t seen the best that WAR has to offer yet.
@Openedge1 The work is definitely very fulfilling and enjoyable, but sometimes can be quite difficult. There have been some hard moments…I have to admit that I find it difficult to cope with being surrounded by dozens of special needs children. I get such a flood of emotions. I feel horrible because I want to be cheerful and supportive, but I feel so bad for them. Sigh.
But this trip isn’t just to help people in need. It’s for my own personal growth as well. I’m so sheltered back home and my life perspective is all messed up.
Gaming is my biggest hobby, so it’s been kinda strange lately because I haven’t spent much time on my computer. I think my body is in gaming withdrawal, hah.
http://www.darkfallonline.com/
Found this today although apparently it’s been in the works for years. You have to see the gameplay trailer to believe it.
Have you ever played a “sandbox”(I only just learned that term) type game? I originally got hooked on gaming playing UO for years. It was open ended, do whatever you like based on skill points rather than leveling and I haven’t found a game I felt so totally immersed in since then.
No targetting your opponent, you have to actually aim and if someone shoots an arrow at you, someone walking in front of you can actually get hit instead.
This is the style of gameplay I’m missing. Perhaps you would to?
@Robert Yes, I’ve been hearing about Darkfall for years. That’s the problem. It’s been so long and it promises so much that I’m really skeptical. A guildmate of mine says he has friends in the Darkfall beta and he assures me the game is real.
If it delivers, that would be amazing. But the company is unproven, the current MMORPG market will be tough to crack and so many players are so critical. I wonder whether the company can deliver a quality, polished product, have a smooth launch and continue to provide content. We’ve already seen what can happen, even to an experienced MMORPG developer like Funcom.
As for sandbox games, yes, that’s why so many people (including myself) loved Star Wars Galaxies before SOE screwed it up.
Incredible! People who take time away from their lives to do things like what you are doing are true saints.
Those kids probably appreciate your company more than we can imagine.
This seems so interesting! I’m currently a sophmore at James Madison University but I’m really interested in taking a semester off, because I don’t feel as focused as I should be. I’ ve volunteered a lot in the past and have gone on mission trips to Chihuahua, Mexico where I experienced extremely poor stricken areas. I’ve also gone to the Grand Bahama Islands and Biloxi Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. If you could send me more information on this project that would be greatly appreciated. My email is mattheme@jmu.edu. What you’re doing is so amazing!
first of all, thank you for this very interesting site
and yes i am also a MMO fan and Darkfall Online is something that should be like Ultima Online of modern times
Lets hope it will be public very soon