I didn't fully get this at first, but after this weekend, I'm beginning to understand.  Kevin and Tina have that 'still fresh' ambiance to them, and it's totally contagious.  They're seeing the game with new eyes, and it's full of awesome.  After this weekend talking specs, raids, instance runs, and other whatnot, I started catching the fever myself.  

It's hard to put your finger on, but I think it all boils down to the fact that the game is still full of wonders for Kevin and Tina.  (Think about it.  Five years after launch,WoW is now simply overflowing with cool crap.)  The instances aren't tired and dull.  They don't know that you can sneak past the mobs here, and that there's a trap over there.  It's all still an adventure.  The mobs are cool, each new zone reveals unexplored content, and the new terrain features are even interesting.

On top of all that, they play with their son.  So WoW has now become a family event.  (Oh, go ahead, you hardened grognards.  Utter a collective “Awwwwwwww”.)

They even went to BlizzCon this year.  They were awestruck by the size and scale of it.  Never having been before, they found the huge displays, the professional gamers, the cosplay, and the whole over-the-top atmosphere to be beyond anything they expected.  They *loved* it. 

Both I and my jaded wife got to hang out with them at BlizzCon.  When a moonkin walked by, my wife and I were prone to smile wanly and say, “Oh look, dear.  It's yet another druid costume.”  Kevin and Tina?  They pointed, they laughed, they stared, and they took pictures.  When we saw the guys all wearing the same guild tabard, we maybe chuckled a little.  Kevin and Tina found it nigh upon hilarious.

So, yeah, there's a bit of a contrast.  We, the WoW burnouts, have apparently been having trouble appreciating the game.  They, the noobs, are enjoying every aspect, every nuance, and everything the game has to offer.  They can't wait to log on.  They love to play.  I log on like it's my job.  I really found myself wishing I was one of them. 

You can probably guess the end result of all this.  After our time with Kevin and Tina, I got home, logged in, and found their PvE server on the list.  Then *I* did the unthinkable.  Like my wife, I made myself an Alliance toon, a draenai DK on their server.  I really look forward to hanging out with them in game, and I'll let you know how my adventures among the noobs turn out.

And, at this juncture, we have to depart.  As always, if you enjoyed this bit of MMO exploration, come and visit us over at WanderingGoblin.com, where we explore the nuances of virtual space each and every day.  For now, ciao!

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