The Egotistical Priest
An irreverent and opinionated discussion of the many classes
in the World of Warcraft gaming universe.
On Burnout
by Vonya
Burnout.
Such a harsh word. A period in a gamer’s life when they don’t want to log in, dont want anything to do with the game.
Often, this is associated with a feeling of responsibility, of being trapped. They HAVE to log on. As though they have no choice.
Most times, this feeling subsides with time, especially if they take a break from the game. Sometimes, playing other games can remind them of why they liked the original game so much, and speed the process.
Well, folks, I’ve been in a period of burnout for quite a while now.
Every time I’ve tried to rekindle my interest, it’s been for shorter and shorter periods of time. Usually, the period of heightened interest was related to me learning something new. Inevitably, once I learned enough and stopped being interested in the research process, my attention flagged again.
I believe that Wrath of the Lich King is going to renew my interest for a long time. I’ll want to play through the new content on both Vonyari and Khuuna, my priest and hunter. I’m interested in the 10 man content, and how Blizz has made all content accessible to 10-man raids, instead of requiring 25-man or larger groups in order to see all there is to see.
But I also think that until the expansion comes out, I’m probably going to remain burned out on WoW. You can only do the same content so many times before your eyeballs explode.
So, what I am going to do until that time is dial down my posts to one a week, and try to focus on writing stories until then.
I could post on the new WotLK information for priests, but it changes so often at this point that I think I’d feel like I was on a twisted merry go round.
I’d rather wait and post on it when things are more solidified.
This doesn’t mean I will refuse to post “real” posts if I think of them. It just means that, at the moment, I can’t think of any posts that aren’t focused on Wrath of the Lich King or on priesting tactics that are almost certainly going to be outdated and useless once the expac comes out.
July 29th, 2008
There is quite a bit of that going around.
I do have a short list of things I want to finish up before the xpac (I sense a post there) but it does seem more like tying up loose ends and getting ready then anything else.
Once my list is completed I may well take a bit of a break myself.
July 29th, 2008
Burnout can be a dangerous foe to conquer and it can come from many different sources. I’ve personally moved up from 4 nights of raiding to 5 nights and I’m starting to feel a bit of the burn myself.
I believe you hit the nail solidly on the head when you talk about the feeling of HAVING to log in. If it’s something you have to do it ceases to be a game and if it’s not a game, it’s not fun and if it’s not fun, what’s the point?
Good luck with your break, I hope you can find renewed interest and fun in the game.
July 29th, 2008
Please don’t feel that you HAVE to post. I enjoy reading your posts and would hugely prefer having you merrily return to blogging with Wrath rather than burning yourself out further now. Take a break and come back refreshed!
July 29th, 2008
I go through periods where I want to play WoW every single night… and then I go through periods where I only log in once or twice in a month, and even then it’s only to check my mail or do something for a friend.
I have a couple of friends right now who are taking a break from the game until the expansion. They’re no longer interested in the same old grinding or farming, knowing that new content is just around the corner.
I think everyone needs to take breaks every now and then, so kudo’s for knowing when you need a break. Plus, if you know you’re going to be excited and want to play all the time once the expansion hits, it’s perfectly normal to take a breather and get other, non-game stuff done right now. =)
July 29th, 2008
Wait… burnout is bad? But I love reading your stories!
July 29th, 2008
Wait…one “real” post and one storytime post a week? Hmmm…methinks we’ll be coming ut ahead in this deal…
On a serious note, I definitely feel where you’re coming from. After leveling two characters to 70 and two more well into their 60s, I’m starting to feel a bit of burn myself. Doing my writing and playing other games has helped to keep the burnout to a minimum thus far, though…we shall see what happens…
July 29th, 2008
But…whatever will the slavering masses do without your irreverent posts on priesty WoW-ness?
July 29th, 2008
I understand the need to end mindless repetition. Grinding gold, honor, rep can be tiring on just one character let alone others. I hope that your time off allows you to focus on other aspects of your life that give you joy. Hopefully, the time off will also renew your interest and love for what you do with priest and hunter alike.
And if I might make a more selfish comment… YaY story time! I love when my reader brings word that you have displayed yet another chapter in the great book of story time! It takes me back to a time of Saturday mornings with sock bottom pajamas, it’s that good!
July 29th, 2008
[...] Burnout. Even uber Vonya from Egotistical Priest isn’t immune to the [...]
July 29th, 2008
Tis the season and summer is here and vacations are happening, people getting wrapped up in the excitement of an expansion, and the heat, dang.
R & R for everyone
July 29th, 2008
I get that burned out feeling every time I’m asked to heal in Kara right now, or for the most part any instance that isn’t new. It’s a bit of the curse/blessing type of thing, since it’s given me a reason to go have fun on my shadow priest. Though if I spend any more time in a lake farming motes of water Im libel to go insane.
I’m trying really hard to remember that the final push always causes massive burnout, getting to 70 and then trying to get raid geared as fast as you can. So while I try and find a different outlet I look forward to storytime.
July 30th, 2008
I read your blog pretty faithfully, and I’d hate for you to lose interest and quit maintaining it. So please, feel free to take a break! I myself am getting pretty tired of the 25-mans my guild is doing. ZA is about the only raiding I still look forward to. Hopefully the expansion doesn’t get pushed back, eh?
July 31st, 2008
[...] notice the clever Blog Azeroth shared topic? Same title different post. I is so [...]
August 1st, 2008
Happens to everyone, but mostly to those in officer and raid leader positions. I have also noticed this pattern when expansions releases draw closer. People getting frustrated they are not where they wanted to be progression wise and so forth. But I hope WotLK does ignite your interest again.
August 6th, 2008
I feel your pain, such as it is. I feel an article coming on…
Enjoy the break, Vonya…but I’m definitely looking forward to more Ego posts come Wrath time.
August 6th, 2008
[...] the expansion, but the burnout bug is starting to catch. Lots of bloggers have mentioned it lately: Vonya, at Egotistical Priest; Tsukikoh at Black Grimoire; Cayleigh from Married IRL, just to list [...]
August 6th, 2008
Don’t worry! I’ll make you proud and do my best to continue to keep Holy Priests everywhere updated with Wrath information =D!