Wow, MLG is getting smart, that is. I know that this has become the debate of the minute, and since I don’t want to write a three page post on the forums and I needed a blog topic you lucky kids get to read my rant! I know what most of the people out there in console-land are thinking (I know because I am from there, too) - that MLG is making a huge mistake by having WOW as one of their game lineups. I would’ve agreed with you a year ago had I not seen the pull WOW had on the WSVG circuit.

World of Warcraft is a game like no other, hence the reason it has so many subscribers. MLG is not only providing itself with a different genre of gamer, but also having a game which has even more players then its flagship; a genius move and should be considered another step for competitive gaming. I am also looking forward to the social experiment that will happen when you throw WOW players and their tendency to compete dressed as their toon, mingling in the same room as the pro Halo players like T2 who do everything in their power to be aesthetically pleasing to the media. 

However, I think both sides have their arguments, having never competed in WOW but having played it for fun, I can see how some people are skeptical of just how competitive this title can be. I automatically discount anyone’s opinion who throw in made up spells and equipment because they are that unfamiliar with how WOW works. That would be like me criticizing boxing, to me it just looks like people beating the crap out of each other, when in reality there are in fact a lot of aspects involved with the actual mechanics.

I don’t know exactly how the rules will work. With that said, a 3v3 setup where players compete how? I don’t know if you’re allowed only a certain class or if you try to stack your team with a healer and a tank. I would really think a team of warlocks against a team of druids would just be unfair, and would you be limited per class for what talent build you could use? I’d really like to see a 3v3 of druids, one spec’d out as balance the other team to feral. Without much research done into the rules of WOW I can’t do a lot to defend its authenticity as a “pro” gaming title, however, I can defend the fact that I think it’s time another game besides Halo (I HATE SAYING THIS lol) gets the spotlight.

The pro gaming universe is so large and so many AMAZING people lost the spotlight when WSVG went under. I hope that with this new hope for the PC gaming pros, we can see TRUE professionals reappear on the gaming scene. Players who, for the majority, are adults that take gaming and its direction seriously. Not as something they just do while in high school because it’s easy when you live with your parents. I am really looking forward to attending MLG San Diego, not only to compete in Halo, but to also cheer on my fellow teammates in Rainbow Six, and of course to witness the WOW tournaments!!! I promise a recap with lots of pictures!