Week 7 (tri2) - External Research

Whilst delving deeper and deeper into my project I suddenly recalled a video essay I once watched on YouTube. Similar to my project theme, the video explored a seemingly unimportant reddit post. The user uploaded years worth of screenshot they took during the early days of World of Warcraft, a MMORPG giant. After hours and hours worth of searching I was unable to find said video anywhere, nor the reddit post it originated from. So, I ended up reaching out to reddit itself in my last efforts to find it.

As of the time me writing this blog post, unfortunately I didn't get any useful leads, however I did find an alternative blog post from 2014 on Blogger, titled "Nine years of Screenshots". The blog, named the Shield Block, appears to be abandoned by it's owner, and many of it's images were deleted. Each section of the blog follows a different time frame, ranging from early 2006 all the way up to 2010. The sheer amount of work put into this blog amazes me, there is so much detail and love put into each section of this blog. Each picture is complemented by a date which indicates when it was taken, as well as a detail description of what it captured.

Unfortunately, as I have mentioned, the images are no longer accessible on the blog, however I was able to bring them back using the Wayback Machine, a digital archive, functioning as a literal "time machine" for browsing the internet's history. The Wayback Machine has archived over 916 billion websites, and luckily the Shield Block is one of them.

Using this site I was able to access all of what the Shield Block blog had to offer. I love how this blog explores the literal World of Warcraft in such a personal manner. Its writer not only explores the journey of their characters, but additionally cover what is happening in their personal life, for example, upgrading his pc, coding addons for the game (interestingly in German!), and holiday events such as New Years.

World of Warcraft, Nine years worth of screenshots

As we scroll through the "Shield Block" blog, it’s clear that this isn’t just a record of in-game achievements or quests completed. For the author, World of Warcraft wasn’t just a game - it became a second home, a place where they could escape and find meaning. There are moments in the blog that show how WoW evolved from being a simple distraction to a deep, personal connection. A connection I too felt exploring my feelings towards Final Fantasy XIV previously...

The Shift from Game to Reality

Right from the beginning, the blog shows how the author goes beyond just playing the game. They talk about their interactions with friends in WoW, like the promise of gold for reaching level 15. This small exchange goes beyond just a game mechanic, it’s a symbol of how people start to care about one another within the game.

This kind of support might seem simple, but it represents a level of engagement that starts to blur the lines between the game world and reality. It’s not just about playing - it’s about sharing moments, forming bonds, and having someone else care about your progress. In a world that can often feel isolating, this sense of community offers a kind of belonging.

A World to Escape To

One of the most striking themes that runs throughout the blog is the idea that WoW offers a kind of escape from the real world. The author’s exploration of WoW's vast world isn’t just about experiencing the game - it’s about finding a place where they can truly be themselves, away from the pressures and complexities of real life.

This moment of discovery isn’t just a cool in-game event, it’s a reminder that WoW offers a space for exploration and wonder, where the world feels infinite and full of new experiences. It’s a world that can provide comfort and distraction from real life struggles, a place where the rules and consequences are different. It’s a reality that, at least for a while, feels safer and more welcoming than the real world. A theme I am more than familiar with...

Nostalgia and Emotional Attachment

There’s also a deep sense of nostalgia throughout the blog, especially when the author reflects on WoW’s visual design and the memories they’ve made within the game. These moments go beyond just fond memories of gameplay, they represent how the game has become ingrained in the author’s sense of self. WoW is no longer just a pastime - it’s a source of emotional fulfillment.

"One of WoW's selling points is its amazing visual style."

The author’s emotional attachment to the game grows with each expansion, raid, and character milestone. The visual elements and the environments they encounter aren’t just aesthetically pleasing - they hold deep emotional significance, reminding the author of the time they spent within those worlds, and how that time became a vital part of their personal history.

The Game Becomes Reality

The most powerful element of this blog is how the author reflects on the sense of belonging and purpose WoW provided. In the virtual world, they found a community, an identity, and a sense of progression that might have been harder to find in their everyday life. The game becomes more than a hobby, it becomes a place where they feel valued and validated. WoW isn’t just an escape, it’s a new reality where they can create lasting memories, form connections, and discover new parts of themselves.

In this way, the authors journey signifies how an MMORPG can transform from a simple game into a second home to a place where the lines between the virtual and the real blur, and where the emotional bonds formed are just as real as those in the physical world. I deeply resonated with the authors experiences, and I must say it even made me tear up at times. MMORPGs are truly special to people who chose to give them a chance. It is a genre I will always be in love with. It is an experience nothing else can truly replicate.

Personal Approach

One of the things that stands out the most about the "Shield Block" blog is its informality and the sense of genuine, heartfelt fun the author brings to their posts. The blog feels incredibly personal - not in a polished, professional way, but in a real, raw, and approachable manner. It’s like sitting down with a friend who’s excitedly telling you about their latest in game adventure.

The author doesn't shy away from sharing their awkward or funny moments, especially when reacting to the game's silly quests and sometimes ridiculous features. You can tell that these moments weren’t just things to laugh at, they were part of the experience, and the author embraces them fully. There's something refreshing about this laid back tone, where the pressure to be anything but genuine is completely absent. With all this in mind, Shield Block inspired me to create something as meaningful. I am excited to proceed with my own research and hopefully I will manage to captivate my audience just as much as Shield Block has captivated me.