Long time visitor of mmorpg.com, first time writer. Hello and I hope this message finds you well.
I remember my first graphical MMO, The Realm. It was Christmas of 1996 and I recieved Lords of the Realm II as a present. On the CD was a "trial" for a new game Sierra came out with called, "The Realm". Curious title, never heard of it. Installed the game only to find out it required an internet connection. Being all of 14 at the time and new to internet gaming, I wondered what I was getting myself into. I had, really, no idea what I was getting myself into ;-p From the first sound of the login screen, to the character creation, I was hooked. This was something I had never done before. I don't know if it was the sensation of playing online with other people, or what, but the sensation gripped me. It could have been the "connection establishing" or "you have been connected to The Realm, you are number X out of 24 in que for The Realm." The count down was killer.
This game had it all, things that were brand new to computer games. Item drops on death, house robbing, player trade scamming, pking, over zealous GMs, awful level grinding, etc. I miss those days, when it was WORTH something to become max level. No raids, no special items. Just the basic for every player. Even though I miss those days, I don't miss the old complexities that accompanied those first generation MMOs.
I do miss Gimli. Gimli was the first person I every leveld with and parted with. He found himself in the same situation as me, Christmas gift, The Realm trial and fun times. We played together for about a week, semi-role playing and having a hell of a good time learning the game. It was like meeting a brother you never knew.
Fast foward a few years and 15 some MMOs later, I still think of Gimli.
Even though The Realm is old now, and only 250+ players remain, I still have an active account. So Gimli, if you are out there, Stickky (ya, stupid name) is still out there and I am sure there are some Wasps and Ratlings we have yet to tame.
I played Utlima Online when it came out with friends. But led by my RL buddys it was not the same experience I had years later with Dark Age of Camelot. First time logged in...standing on the beach of Connla...I wanted to see more...meet other heroes...good memories. Nice post, phreack!
Wed Jan 16 2008 11:35AM ReportawwwwwwWWwWwWwWWW
Wed Jan 16 2008 1:17PM ReportGood luck on your search for your long lost gaming brother. I think with a name like Gimli, the odds that he still uses that name are slim, and the mounds of people who want to prank you... will.
So keep watch phreack, aka Stickky.
Such is the nature of many online relationships ... ephemeral and not nearly as deep as you think they are at the time.
I know a lot of people form lasting friendships, but far more often people come and go, and while they may make a memorable impression, the truth is, without the game there's not much there.
Wed Jan 16 2008 1:44PM ReportWell, I've been in the same situation, there were some really good online friends I've met in various games, but like the poster above me said, without the game there's not much there. It's sad of course, but you never really know who's playing from other computer, maybe for that person you were just a "come and go". All this may sound funny to certain people, but, IMO, that's the truth.
Wed Jan 16 2008 4:02PM ReportTip my hat to you.
Missing People Poster;
BT MUX/MUSE: 91, odD, Kman, Pendo, Alex, and countless others
EQ: Crohmm, Andy, and Camron
Wed Jan 16 2008 4:56PM ReportI hope you find him!
It saddens me to see how close I was... I got Lord of the Realm II also, and loved it. The taunts and insults you could send, goodness. I still tell people that I will salt their lands!
Thu Jan 17 2008 1:52AM ReportTrue about the "game-only" friend. Still, would like to meet him again ;-p
Sun Jan 20 2008 10:35PM ReportMMORPG.com writes:
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