GamePolitics was on hand last night for a unique combination of MMORPG and grassroots presidential politics, the Ron Paul march within World of Warcraft.
I arrived at the Alliance city of Ironforge at about 8:10 PM Eastern time, 20 minutes ahead of scheduled jump-off. I was using an avatar named Gamepolitics (what else?), a gnome mage that I created just for this event. I play WoW, but not on the Whisperwind server where the march was being held.
Upon arrival I wandered around IF near the auction house and bank, but didn't see any sign of the Ron Paul crowd. A character named Xionn recognized the GP name and we exchanged greetings.
Still in search of the march, I wandered out the front gates of IF and found a couple of avatars sporting "RP Revolution" guild tags. This must be the place! The bulk of the marchers were assembling on the hilly road leading up to IF. I estimated 200+ characters in line. Many bore names that related to Ron Paul in some way. The organizers seemed to be at the head of the line and were trying to get everyone into single file.
I didn't join the march line for a couple of reasons. First, I've not yet made up my mind about who I'm voting for. Also, I was there to cover the event, not participate in it. So I stood off to the side and followed along as the march jumped off about five minutes behind schedule. That's not bad when dealing with so many event participants.
I took some screenshots as the march proceeded up the hill into IF and paraded around the interior of the city a bit. Next, everyone lined up to board the underground tram to Stormwind. While on the tram to SW I asked a character named Allfree why she (or he) is for Ron Paul. Answer: "I'm a longtime Libertarian and against the war in Iraq."
There was a lengthy queue to get through the tram portal into Stormwind (see pic at left). Once into the city, I followed the march for a bit longer, but then had to bail before they headed for Westfall, their next destination. At that point I felt like I'd gotten the flavor of the event and seen what I needed to see.
Based on what I observed, the march participants were well behaved. I noticed that some members of the RP Revolution guild wore a tabard with a scroll design on it which I believe was intended to represent the U.S. Constitution.
Many non-marchers were not so thrilled about the event, feeling that it detracted from their enjoyment of the game. Many seemed surprised that it was taking place, despite the advance publicity. Complaints were voiced that the march was causing lag. Indeed, the Whisperwind server did seem a bit laggy. There were some calls to ban further political activities on WoW. Some anti-Ron Paul griefers spammed rude messages. A character /spit on a paladin marcher named Ronpaulidan. Someone else threw a snowball at the marchers. None of this was too surprising and it didn't really detract from the march.
While some may have found the Ron Paul event silly, inconsequential or simply annoying, my take is that it was a most unique way to harness the social and political potential of the game space. Such activities have primarily been confined to Second Life up until this point, so it's good to see gamers pushing the envelope in other gaming venues.
Connect with us:
GP Covers the Ron Paul World of Warcraft March
January 2, 2008 -
Shout box
Andrew Eisen: Interesting read. Unfortunately, too vague to form an opinion on but at least now I know what faefrost was talking about in James' editorial.10/19/2014 - 10:39pm
|
Neo_DrKefka: Breaking GameJournoPros organized a blacklist of former Destructoid writer Allistar Pinsof for investigating fraud in IndieGoGo campaign http://blogjob.com/oneangrygamer/2014/10/gamergate-destructoid-corruption-and-ruined-careers/10/19/2014 - 8:57pm
|
Neo_DrKefka: Only good thing I seen come out of the Biddle incident was the fact a professional fighter offered to give 10k to an anti bullying charity for a round in the ring with Biddle.10/19/2014 - 7:49pm
|
Neo_DrKefka: Even after all the interviews she is still on twitter making fun of people with disabilities (Autism) yet she is a part of the crowd that is on the so called right side of history...10/19/2014 - 7:48pm
|
Neo_DrKefka: Which #GameGate supports are constantly being harassed and bullied. Brianna Wu who I told everyone she was trolling GamerGate weeks ago with her passive aggressive threats was looking for that crazy person in the crowd.10/19/2014 - 7:47pm
|
Neo_DrKefka: I believe the problem #GamerGate has with Sam Biddle is he is apart of this blogging group that in a way hates or detests its readers. Also being apart of the crowd that claims its on the right side of history isn't helping when he is advocating bullying10/19/2014 - 7:45pm
|
MechaTama31: Of course, I'm looking at these tweets in isolation, I don't know a thing about the guy.10/19/2014 - 7:06pm
|
MechaTama31: If anything, the sarcastic implication seems to be that the SJW crowd is bringing back the bullying of nerds. But it's the GGers who are out for his blood? I'm lost...10/19/2014 - 7:01pm
|
MechaTama31: I don't really get this Sam Biddle thing. The reaction to his tweets seems to be taking them at face value, but... they're tongue in cheek. Right?10/19/2014 - 7:00pm
|
Andrew Eisen: I have it. The problem, so far as I can tell, is neither of them allow me to overlay my webcam feed or text links to my Extra-Life fundraising page.10/19/2014 - 4:08pm
|
quiknkold: and yes, its free10/19/2014 - 4:05pm
|
quiknkold: should grab Hauppauge capture. has mic support and can upload directly to youtube10/19/2014 - 4:05pm
|
Andrew Eisen: The former.10/19/2014 - 4:00pm
|
quiknkold: was it StreamEez, or the StreamEez feature in Hauppauge Capture? cause I know Capture has alot more support from the devs.10/19/2014 - 3:54pm
|
Andrew Eisen: I actually tried StreamEez last week. Flat out didn't work.10/19/2014 - 3:53pm
|
quiknkold: I use the Hauppauge Capture software's StreamEez. Arcsoft showbiz for recording. I just streamed a few hours of Persona 4 Golden with zero problem using the program. Xsplit is finniky when it comes to Hauppauge10/19/2014 - 3:40pm
|
Andrew Eisen: Trying to capture console games and broadcast with Open Broadcaster System because I've had technical difficulties using XSplit 3 weeks in a row.10/19/2014 - 3:37pm
|
quiknkold: and what are you trying to capture?10/19/2014 - 3:31pm
|
quiknkold: same one I have. ok. what program are you using?10/19/2014 - 3:31pm
|
Andrew Eisen: Haupaugge HD PVR 210/19/2014 - 3:28pm
|
Comments
Otherwise I would of joined.
The tram queue reminds me of that TF2 griefing vid that was on Joystiq about a week ago. "I'll let you through the portal if you promise to vote for Ron Paul."
Fangamer
This text incorrectly implies that Second Life is a game[ing venue].
"apparently, Whisperwind is non-PvP, so there was no chance for a repeat of the funeral raid. Pity, that would’ve raised a lot more awareness."
Perhaps they were testing the waters, so to speak, to see how chaotic it would be, before trying it on a PvP server. It's too bad they took the tram, otherwise Horde players could have joined in the march too...
All-in-all it was a good event, but I can't see what kind of positive impact this would have, because Whisperwind people just largely were mad because we quequed up their server. Anyway, I have a ton of screenshots, and I will find somewhere to host them later this evening.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~
"... I saw wave of low level alliance characters die from hunter snake traps. Also, tricked a few 70’s into flagging with me as bait, and had an undead rogue in tow..."
Those low levels who died to traps were not flagged. It is a bug with snake traps. I have to agree with SlyFox as well "... WOW isn’t a public service, it’s a paid for game and doing something of this magnitude would indeed lag a server, thereby detracting from others’ paid for experience and in-game time."
All those RP-bots lagged the server and caused other people who pay their money to play a less than enjoyable experience. So, a couple hundred people who pay their $15 a month, the majority were probably not even from that server... are more important than those that pay their $15 a month to go relax, enjoy themselves, and get away from the stresses of reality?
The bot whose comment was... “I’m a longtime Libertarian and against the war in Iraq.” So this person may very well be what... 20, 21? What is the average age of a RP supporter? From the gamer comments, younger than most other candidates. Now, GP might have gotten a 40 year old... but I have my doubts.
Glad this wasn't on my server so I could enjoy my time without lag and in peace.
Mort, Mort, Mort... I've heard that name before. Planescape Torment! The floating skull character, right? Am I on the right track?
Jalana, Medivh (not my main). I know the snake trap bug. I overly compressed my story. I tricked a few people into flagging themsleves (gank bait) in another location.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~
(Note: The name on Lightbringer is Kled, pally, human. Say "hi" if you are there. I will most likely say high back.)
I standardly play horde on Tortheldrin.
PVP servers ftw.
While that is the floating skull's name if I recall... this is from Terry Pratchett's wonderful series Discworld. 'Mort' was the first book of his I read and fell in love with him as an author. The recent announcement concerning his health was a sad day for me.
To all those complaining that the march interfered with their gaming, I say, "Get a life and read a book for the night."
Good Day.
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Get a life? What if you have a life, and Tuesday night is the only time you have to play each week? Or you had 25 people clear their schedules to raid Gruul's lair? Which again, is nomally done only once a week.
So perhaps you are being unfair to people who would complain about this, can you say you know their reasons? I'm not saying they shouldn't have organized this event, because they aren't breaking the ToS or other rules. But I am saying that this message, statement and march comes at a price for the normal players of Whisperwind. To whom I apologize to. Because even the "report as spam" function stopped working, so they had no avenue to report people who may have been spamming, or breaking other ToS rules. But like I said, overall, I like the idea of this event. Even though I don't support RP.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~
"To all those complaining that the march interfered with their gaming, I say, “Get a life and read a book for the night.”
Consider that next time you pay to do something and are prevented. It's no different from someone parking on a toll turnpike and backing up traffic behind them. Oh, you paid to use the road too? Sorry, your date/movie/whatever will have to be postponed. Go read a book. Sorry, that's just hugely obnoxious of you.
Anyway, I think this was the wrong venue, and a badly misguided idea, if for no other reason than Ron Paul is already regarded as the crazy candidate, and having a bunch of warlocks and mages and gnomes marching in support doesn't make him look any more sane to the mainstream. Ordinarily, I don't care what the mainstream thinks, but when it comes to presidential elections, no one's getting anywhere without them.
I'd have done it simply because they're political activists. Not worth $15 a month IMO though.
It might have called attention to the fact that RP has a surprising amount of internet-based support - but that's not a surprise to anyone paying attention to the election, and the media has acknowledged that RP's stayed in the race thus far almost entirely because of a strong network that uses the internet wisely.
I agree. You didn't happen to gank me or see me running around there? I saw a few lvl 70 allies around there.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~
To turn the RP arguement. WoW is not RL (regardless of what the players might think at times). They do not have politics, well as we know them. A sword tends to make a debate or campaign short. (Hordes!!)
They were their to show support of a RL persona running for an office outside of WoW. That is not RP. RP is in lines with the world you are playing in. Did they have the "right"? Yep since it is not a barred activity and they are paying members. Did the griefs have the right to complain? You betcha.
political or not, most of you who were griefing (or wanted to) would have been griefing regardless of the reason for the gathering.
Not telling you how to do your job, just trying to help.
"RP" in this case I believe (don't quote me) stands for Ron Paul, the candidate not Roleplaying, what WoW is for.
I assume that you are one of the ones who is annoyed by reality enough to prefer escaping to WoW where consider yourself to be 'Uber.' I believe that EZK's assertation of "Go read a book" fits your bill, but perhaps "get a girlfrend/boyfriend" is needed more. I am sorry for lagging your server, but losers like yourself give WoW players a bad name. There's a fine line between "Healthy Escape," and, "My Real Life is so shitty that I have no will to better it, so I work only to pay my internet bill and WoW fee." If that last line stings a bit you might consider hanging up your riding crop for a few months and lvl up irl.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~
I meant Ron Paul by RP, sorry that's my mistake.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~
FYI: Allfree is my toon on Whisperwind. I'm actually 28 years old and just finishing law school in May.
I'm sure there are young supporters, like the people vacationing in Iowa for the candidate, but I'm not one of them.
I didn't know you could get 200+ people on screen at once in WoW.
Another question I had was, could the march have been attacked by another large group? Maybe an ambush waiting for them?
I think this would have been interesting to watch, like GP did.
Sorry. I knew it would offend. I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to pay $50+ for the game disk and then another $15 per month to actually be allowed to play the game. (Then again, plenty of people pay $30+ a month to watch TV and be bombarded by advertising)
I think I understand the position of those who may have had plans made long before the march was announced, but really is it that important that a little lag is going to totally screw up your life? Is it something that simply could not wait another day or perhaps another week?
By the way, could anyone actually describe the level of lag caused by this march? I am familiar with LAN games of Unreal 2003 and the potential lag in that.
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Unreal 2003 supports what, like 16 or maybe 32 players per game? And those games are hosted locally by one of the players, rather than at a central server for all the players. Lag in an MMO is far worse than any lag in a shooter, simply because the amount of data each server receives and sends out and the amount of data each client must receive and render is exponentially higher.
If these Ron Paul Supporters were planning to do this for more than one night, I could see a reason to complain. But because it was only for one night and only a couple of hours at that, it does not seem to be anything of consiquence to get your panties all twisted about.
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
So are we looking at jumpy animations or are we talking about the screen freezing and as soon as you start moving again you are 20-30 meters away being eaten by a bear?
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
There are 3 issues: Lag, Latency, and Server Queque.
When you get that many people logged into a certain area, your PC client has trouble rendering that many avatars, this causes lag, and is an issue when in a major city, because you are lagging while managing inventory, gold etc. and can cause issues. This is mostly an issue on the users computer, but a system with well beyond the recommended specs will see slowdown, unless you are cranking out over 60 fps.
Latency issues can occur with that many people, but this is due to the server being underpowered, and is generally not an isse anymore, because Blizzard upgraded their hardware with the release of the BC expansion.
The main issue is the server queque, which prevents people from logging in once a realm gets to "full" capacity. This ameliorates server-side latency issues, see the above paragraph. This person must wait until a certain number of people logout, and with a 400+ queque, where a bulk of non-normal users are not logging out, can mean waitng indefinitely. For example, on Medivh (once a premier raiding guild server) when the BC expansion was released only saw 250 peak queques during it's peak usership. So a 400 plus wait time is absurd. This can upset people's plans, especially when you are talking about coordinating 5, 10, or 25 people all from different timezones, work schedules, etc.
"I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to pay $50+ for the game disk and then another $15 per month to actually be allowed to play the game."
For an MMO, there is cost of service. Any game that is constantly changing has to get money someway. Blizzard gets this in a monthly access fee, but give away content patches fairly regularly (at least quarterly). Other MMOs have no fees, but you must buy updated content patches.
~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~
As an ex-WoW player (not ex by choice), trust me, you have no idea what its like to lose that game. Its been seven months now, and it still hurts a little (doesnt help i have to watch my dad play it every day). That may sound a little sad and pathetic, but honestly, it was possibly the greatest gaming experience i ever had. Seeing as ive attempted to put together large man groups, or even 5-mans before for the higher end instances (dungeons), it can be incredibly difficult to get together enough people who can survive it long enough. Ive actually seen a 25-man planned out a month in advance before, so it is with due cause for those individuals to complain about lag. By the way, lag is a fact in WoW, so if their complaining about it, it must have been something terrible, 2-7 FPS (frames per second), for them to complain about it.
P.S. It is so, so, SOOOO worth the $15 a month once you understand what you're doing.
Ah my bad took it out of context.
It was AWESOME to see everyone even level 1s and 2s storming the blimp tower and some actually making it to the top at the end!!! =)
Do people get pissed off if their electricity goes out on a night they are going to raid and call their electric company to complain that they can not get on WoW?? Please take no offense to that, it was joke.
Actually, I don't take any offense to that... however I do call them because I pay for their service and want it to work as intended. Now, I pay Blizz to support their server, when people log on and disrupt the server, it is akin to Nat'l Lampoon's Christmas Carol when Chevy Chase turns on the lights and blacks out the town. But not to such an extreme degree.
Long story short, if Blizz caused the lag I would be upset with them. However, under normal conditions, the servers work fine. This RP demonstration was not normal conditions, hence it was the problem. So I have sympathy for those who are upset at the problems caused.
@Mr. X
Didn't mean to insult, but it seems a lot of RP's supporters are not 28 year old law students. And to someone young, a couple years seems like a lifetime.
@ EZK
$15 a month, so think going to see two movies a month in the theater. However, for that $15 in the theater you get 3-4 hours. So roughly $4-5 an hour. Now, in WoW Say you put one hour a day, so 30 hours... $0.50 an hour. It is probably the cheapest form of "entertainment" outside of reading a book, cheaper still if you play to obsession like I used to. 6 hours a day, give or take. Now with that RL thing, that job thing, all that jazz, I am at less than an hour a week day.