Video Game
ASIN: B000067FDW
Developed by Blizzard Entertainment
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/
Developed by Blizzard Entertainment
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/
Playing/Interest Level: Grades 9th and above.
Summary:
The World of Warcraft video game is one where the player can be a hero, magician, mage, troll or dwarf, among other characters. In this online world of myth and magic, the player can overcome mountains, fortresses, canyons, and battlefields, while at the same time looting and conquering various challenges, leading to gaining both allies and enemies.
Per the Amazon summary, WoW is set four years after the Warcraft series which chronicles a war between the Alliance, which is made up of humans, dwarves, gnomes, and elves, and the Hordes, including orcs, tauren, trolls, and the undead. A player can take on any type of character and level-up after various quests for better powers and rewards. The interface is very in-depth, and the game’s artificial intelligence is very complicated and detailed, so a player is able to interact with both the computer and other on-line players. The map systems continually let players know where they are and what elements and powers they have in order to combat their foes.
Critical Evaluation:
This game contains certain lessons within the playing structure that might usefully be incorporated into the player’s general mental attitude. Minor differences are made to seem insurmountable between the Alliance and the Horde, creating meaningful differentiations between them. Because both groups are made up of separate regimes and species, playing for one side from the hero’s point-of-view makes the other side seem like the most hated enemy in the world. Yet, as a player talks to the opposing characters, they tell him about their history. The Horde believes that the Alliance attacks them because they look different or grotesque, while the Alliance thinks that because the Horde has shapes such as orcs, ogres, goblins, and the undead, they must be evil and therefore destroyed. Years later in the game, however, it comes to pass that the Horde and Alliance share a common enemy, the Lich King, who threatens to destroy their world, compelling both sides to join forces. Such a situation can be viewed as an analogy for how real-world nations, who all believed themselves to be the best, came together to fight together in both World War I and World War II. Because of such historic events and developments, such as the Warsaw Pact and the United Nations, the separate countries of the earth came together as a people. This game, as in life, teaches that unity makes any group stronger, and no one ever knows who their true allies might be. In the game, as in life, although we’re not one people yet, we’re one step closer to a unified planet.
Reader’s Annotation:
Enter a world of dragons and magic and traverse a hero’s quest. In this game, you will find magic, adventure, and mystery as you fulfill quests and build alliances.
Author Biography:
World of Warcraft is a game developed and designed by Blizzard in 2001. This game was to be set in an environment where players could interact with each other as they fulfill optional quests. Quests are meant to further character development and to “try to avoid what developers called player collision. The game interface allows players to customize appearance and controls, and to install add-ons and other modifications.” (Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Warcraft#Development)
This game runs on both Mac and Windows, and boxed copies include a “hybrid CD” that holds games that work on either computer. Blizzard entertainment was started in 1994 and “quickly became one of the most popular and well-respected makers of computer games.” (Retrieved from http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/). Their well-designed games lead to a rarely seen experience in the world of video games—entertainment that also informs in a relevant manner.
Genre: Fantasy - Adventure
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game.
Curriculum Ties: None, but this would be a welcome addition to a gaming night at a high school or library and many different players can interact and work together inside the game.
Booktalking Ideas:
-Which character is the most enjoyable? Among all the warriors, mages, and priests,
who has the best specialty items or powers?
who has the best specialty items or powers?
- What are the best quests and rewards? At what level are these achieved?
-Do you play with friends or strangers in your groups?
Play-Alikes:
-Elder Scrolls, found at http://www.elderscrolls.com/
-Guild Wars, found at http://www.guildwars.com/
Challenge Issue:
There is violence. Creatures must die in search of elixirs and other tasks given to them by the “elders” in the game, but it also teaches teens to work together in order to reach a common goal and to not judge characters by their appearances.
Reason to include in blog:
This is one of the most popular games that teens play and, luckily, my boyfriend plays at times, so I was able to look into many levels of the game and even create my own character. I am not a gamer, by any means, but it was interesting to be placed inside such a well-developed world. I could see the appeal of escapism this could bring, especially if one can talk to other live players as they play, an innovation which could bring teens socially together in an additional way.
References:
Blizzard Entertainment. (2011). About Blizzard Entertainment.
Retrieved from http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/
World of Warcraft. (2011). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from
Product Description. (2011). In Amazon. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/World-
Warcraft-Pc/dp/B000067FDW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1301284401&sr=8-3
Trailer:
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