Is World of Warcraft your dirty little secret?
January 1, 2010 § 8 Comments
I was at a New Year’s Party last night where I saw a number of very old friends, many of which I hadn’t seen since high school. During the general milieu someone mentioned that he and his wife play World of Warcraft. It wasn’t a big thing, and the conversation didn’t dwell on it, but I noticed myself making a conscious choice to not share the fact that I also play World of Warcraft. Well, actually the choice I made was to not tell them (and also the whole group) that my girlfriend and I both play, mostly so as not to embarrass her because I know she sill blushes a little when people find out she plays.
But it got me wondering though, how many of you play World of Warcraft keep it as their dirty little secret? Are their certain people you tell and others that you don’t? Do you hide your game play from people? And, I don’t mean do you hide the /played time from your significant other, but do you keep it a total and complete secret from everyone? On the other hand, do you make a point to tell everyone you know? Do you include it in your CV, your facebook profile, wear WoW shirts/hats/etc, have a WoW related bumper sticker, and dress up like a Tauren for Halloween? Or are you somewhere in the middle–you don’t offer up the info on your own, but will bring it up if someone else does?
“[Insert clever sign off phrase here]”
~Fizz
PS: For those of you wondering, once the group had dispersed a little, I did happen to mention to my friend that I play WoW, and even that I run a blog. But I did manage to refrain from mentioning my girlfriend plays as well.
The Cranky Old Gnome 
Unlike some people I don’t come right out and say it for no reason but if questioned I’ll say I play. If I’d have to feel embarrassed about saying it around people, those aren’t the people I want to be around.
It isn’t something I hide at all. Most of my family and friends know I play. I have WoW friends on my facebook and most of my Twittering deals with WoW. What I don’t do, is talk about it openly at work. If someone asks, I’ll say it, and I’ve mentioned my husband and I like to play computer games, but I don’t go into detail. Isn’t any of their business, imo. Also, I’m a supervisor at work and don’t want any employees that might play to think I’d let them get away with anything WoW related (calling in on big content patch days, visiting WOW websites at work, etc) just cause I play as well. I know, I’m a killjoy. However, if it came up in conversation, I’d say I played; it just never has.
I’m kind of half in the WoW-closet. Most of my friends know I indulge but in most wider social and professional circles I definitely keep quiet on the subject. I don’t think I’d deny it if anyone asked me directly, but I couldn’t see it actually having a beneficial effect on my career…. it’s bad enough meeting undergraduates in clubs, imagine also meeting them in Azeroth =P
I’m rather in the middle of it – I don’t tell everyone I know, but if someone were to mention it, I’d probably jump in and say I did too.
Although if it were in a larger group like you were in, I might have waited as you did, until the group dispersed a bit.
I’m halfway embarrassed that I play, since for the longest time I was the disdainful person who looked at you funny when you mentioned you played. I thought games were stupid and a waste of time, so I still have a little acceptance issues with the fact that I DO play, even though I have for years and even have a blog about the game >.>
I happen to be that self-same friend. As it turns out, my wife also plays. And while I am not at all shy about bringing up my hobby (addiction?) she tends to be much more close-lipped.
My friends and family know (it’s hard to keep my giant geekiness a secret from those that know me well!) and I don’t shy away from telling random people, friends of friends etc. I don’t really mention it at work though as I like to keep my professional and private life separate, and it never really comes up…
WoW is very much a secret for me – my boyfriend and brother know I play (neither of them do) but that’s about it. I have forbade my boyfriend from mentioning my gaming to anyone when we’re out and about, but if someone says they play I would be tempted to admit I do too. No-one I know seems to play WoW, but perhaps that’s cos we’re all keeping it secret from each other… I wonder…
Well, I guess I fall somewhere in the middle.
I don’t keep it a secret that I play. Everyone that knows me, knows I play. Both my co-workers and friends. Mainly because a lot of people I know play and we’ll discuss it in passing at work.
I dont’ come out openly and volunteer the info in a general conversation but if goes that direction I’m not going to pretend I don’t play.
I don’t feel like I have anything to hide so why bother? =) But I understand those that do as well. It’s not always looked upon so openly by others.