I have seen some old folks playing WoW, but I am just wondering, how old is the youngest WoW player you've ever seen or heard of? Lol, that must be very interesting. I know a 3 year little girl from http://www.ignworld.com/newsshow/217.html She is really amazing.

My friends daughter plays or did, not sure if she still does, but she is 6.

That the 3 year old plays is really disturbing. That's actually probably not healthy, developmentally. I'm really hoping they strictly limit the amount of time she gets to play

Just goes to show you how ridiculously watered down that game is.

 What a great slogan. "World of Warcraft, Even a 3 year old can play it."

Wow, three years old, that's crazy. How does a one and a half year old even learn to use a computer that well? I mean, maybe it's real but I'm not inclined to believe that a kid who wasn't even two yet knew how to read quest info, figure out where the necessary kills and items were, and level to 20...

The youngest player I've ever met was either 8 or 12. I think I met an 8 year old...he sure as hell acted like one...but if not, I believe the youngest was 12. Mind you, just because they're playing doesn't mean they're playing well...the one couldn't reach level 10, kept trying to challenge people 30+ levels above him to duels in Goldshire, and kept asking if I was his "mommy". -_-

Originally posted by Alishany

I have seen some old folks playing WoW, but I am just wondering, how old is the youngest WoW player you've ever seen or heard of? Lol, that must be very interesting. I know a 3 year little girl from http://www.ignworld.com/newsshow/217.html She is really amazing.

They should put a bag of potato chips and a soda next to her and see how she turns out in a few years.

 You have to define "Playing" sure the 3 year old chased bunnies and ran around "exploring", but did they understand the titles, the loot systems, Auction systems, quest info, things of the such? How much do her parents really help her? No offense to the little gal, but it seems as if she simply ran around the game world a lot looking at things, possibly killing something here and there. I couldn't imagine a 3 year old properly operating a computer's keyboard and mouse, might-as-well playing a game and actually KNOWING what they're doing, not just doing it.

As for the youngest that KNEW what he was doing, he was 9 (he was actually decent at the game and quite mature, for his age. He didn't go around just screwing around). I haven't played in a very long time though, as the game got boring quickly.

My six year old niece plays. 

Originally posted by nickelpat

 You have to define "Playing" sure the 3 year old chased bunnies and ran around "exploring", but did they understand the titles, the loot systems, Auction systems, quest info, things of the such? How much do her parents really help her? No offense to the little gal, but it seems as if she simply ran around the game world a lot looking at things, possibly killing something here and there. I couldn't imagine a 3 year old properly operating a computer's keyboard and mouse, might-as-well playing a game and actually KNOWING what they're doing, not just doing it.

As for the youngest that KNEW what he was doing, he was 9 (he was actually decent at the game and quite mature, for his age. He didn't go around just screwing around). I haven't played in a very long time though, as the game got boring quickly.

You summed up my thoughts perfectly. There is a difference between doing something just to do it and doing something with a goal in mind and knowing the appropriate strategies to achieve said goal.

I know a 8 year old who can play FPS' and RTS' and all other games but they just mash buttons to make the game do things. My friends son, who is 8, plays Runescape (I think it is?) but just stands there and swings a sword...he doesn't understand loot, and money, etc....

So to imply that WOW is a horrible game because a child can "play" the game, it is simply a gross exaggeration.

Now let's talk about "Who is the youngest player you have seen effectively raid, and actively and appropriately participate in a raid on a regular basis?". That is a whole other issue.

Originally posted by templarga

Originally posted by nickelpat

 You have to define "Playing" sure the 3 year old chased bunnies and ran around "exploring", but did they understand the titles, the loot systems, Auction systems, quest info, things of the such? How much do her parents really help her? No offense to the little gal, but it seems as if she simply ran around the game world a lot looking at things, possibly killing something here and there. I couldn't imagine a 3 year old properly operating a computer's keyboard and mouse, might-as-well playing a game and actually KNOWING what they're doing, not just doing it.

As for the youngest that KNEW what he was doing, he was 9 (he was actually decent at the game and quite mature, for his age. He didn't go around just screwing around). I haven't played in a very long time though, as the game got boring quickly.

You summed up my thoughts perfectly. There is a difference between doing something just to do it and doing something with a goal in mind and knowing the appropriate strategies to achieve said goal.

I know a 8 year old who can play FPS' and RTS' and all other games but they just mash buttons to make the game do things. My friends son, who is 8, plays Runescape (I think it is?) but just stands there and swings a sword...he doesn't understand loot, and money, etc....

So to imply that WOW is a horrible game because a child can "play" the game, it is simply a gross exaggeration.

Now let's talk about "Who is the youngest player you have seen effectively raid, and actively and appropriately participate in a raid on a regular basis?". That is a whole other issue.

 

Yep, I agree with you, that a whoe new issue:-)

 Have a friend who lets his 5 yr old play although pretty sure he just mashs buttons but this is wow we are talking about.

Originally posted by templarga

Now let's talk about "Who is the youngest player you have seen effectively raid, and actively and appropriately participate in a raid on a regular basis?". That is a whole other issue.

When EQ came out, my son was 5. By the time he was 8 he was raiding with me once a week. He was almost 13 when he started raiding in WoW and has done everything from MC to AQ40 and now ToC25.

10, but they were a bunch of ten year olds so they must have started earlier.

But to be honest isn't kids that age the people I usually hangs out with.

My friend's kids play and his youngest is 8. 

I play in a guild where the minimum age is 25 so its hard to say. The majority are over the age of 25 and all are around that age.

My son played WoW when he was 5. He understood quests, combat and loot, etc. and could read. In fact playing WoW and City of Heroes helped him to learn to read, since I told him if he wanted to do the quests he would have learn to read what they asked him to do.

He plays Champions Online and Free Realms now (he is 6 ) but he fully understands the game mechanics. etc.

He can read everything but I dont encourage him to type (he is too slow). I also dont let him team, on account of the kind of weirdos he might meet :D

I once let my 4 year old nephew play my hunter, he needed loads of help from me though but he had fun killing wolves outside ironforge.

While some see a 4 year old or even 3 year old playing WoW some sign that WoW is easy it just goes to show how much appeal the game has. 

And we all know a 3/4 year old could not get to grips with the quest system, auction house, PvP, dungeon/raids and general grouping, they could however run around lowbie areas killing boars.

My ten year old sister-in-law plays once in awhile.

I used to play in a guild run by a family and thier friends they knew from real life on deathwing . Thier son aged 5 started playing but he used to get so upset with being ganked they all restarted or migrated to aerie peak which is a pve server .