We have all been there. As gamers, once we get ourselves comfortably wrapped into a genre we tend to stick to it like wet toilet paper on cold concrete. It isn’t really a flaw, but rather an age-old law of the jungle. We stay within our comfort zone for fear danger may be lurking nearby.

For me, my comfort zone was simulation games like Armed Assault, Silent Hunter 3 and 4, and Falcon 4.0. Very rarely would I venture off the path and try something new. However, a short while ago I was presented the opportunity to take my first dip in the MMO/MMORPG pool. As usual, the old law of the jungle was sitting right beside me filling my head with skepticism and insecurity.

While no stranger to multiplayer gaming in general, I had really only dabbled a few times in the RPG side of things. Much to my chagrin, I soon found out all my preconceptions were dead wrong. I found myself having a great time playing some of the most visually stunning games I’d ever played, and above all else, I was meeting and interacting with more people than I ever had before.

My journey began by researching the various titles available. I had no idea there were so many, and that most were free. I will admit I started off by clinging to familiarity when it came to selecting my first MMO. I chose to play Pirates of the Caribbean Online since I am a big fan of the movie series.

Just as with any new experience though, there was a bit of a learning curve. I was pleasantly surprised to find a pretty thorough “Newbie’s Guide” that got me past the first few awkward steps. Although not overly impressed with the “eye-candy”, I was pleasantly surprised by the voice overs of the actual actors, and the sounds in general.

It was during these first few moments of exploration that I noticed a roadblock to fully enjoying the MMO experience. For lack of a better term, I call it “Stage Fright”.

Anyone who has ever played a multiplayer game probably knows what I’m talking about. It’s when you happen upon a group of players just standing around and no one is saying a word, or you see players running around oblivious to the fact there are others with which to interact. Being new to this particular genre, I admit I just began milling about and working on my quest as an individual. After a few minutes of this I had a realization, “This is a MULTIPLAYER game, stupid!”

It just doesn’t make sense going it alone when there are so many players available with which to work. So I opened the chat dialogue, and before too long, I had assembled a full crew and made quite a number of new friends with whom I now regularly interact.

The lesson here is no matter which MMO you play, open your mouth as soon as possible. Start talking. Start making friends. You’ll find your quests easier to complete. You’ll level up faster, and enjoy more of the game than if you decide to fly solo.

Conversely, if you are an old hand “Level 30″ top dog player, reach out when you see a new player. If you see a single-digit level walking around alone, open a chat. Invite them to join your guild. What better way is there to build a strong guild than to “grow” your own players through the minor leagues?

Now after a while, I decided I’d really like trying something totally different from anything I’d ever done before. I was never really into the fantasy-type games. Call me crazy since normally I’m a fan of those movies. When it came to gaming, however, it just never piqued my interest. So what would be something totally off-the-wall personally for me to try? I looked around at all the titles available and settled on Atlantica.

I was not really prepared for the experience this game offered. The visuals are stunning, the game play, addictive, and the community seems to be thriving. I am now thoroughly engrossed with Atlantica and find myself wishing for more free time every day. I applied some lessons learned and have really enhanced my overall MMO experience. My character belongs to an active guild, and has quickly risen to Level 11.

So, if you are new to the MMO genre, or are thinking about giving it a try, keep in mind the most important thing is the “MM” part - Massively Multiplayer. Interact with other players. Be vocal. Ask questions. Remember, there will always be a few idiots out there. However, the overwhelming numbers of players are very willing to help out or have you tag along on some quests to earn your bones, so to speak.

At first, you may feel like you are trying to take a sip of water from a fire hose, but like me, you will soon find yourself adapting to the new environment and working your characters like a pro. There are plenty of MMO titles available to satisfy your particular tastes. As for me, I’m looking forward to future releases like Quake Live and Jumpgate Evolution.

Above all else, do not be afraid to try something completely different than what you are accustomed to. You never know what fun might be waiting for you out there. For now though, I’m off to play some Atlantica Online.

Source:

http://mmohub.org/2008/chronicles-of-a-noob