Hello everyone,

Being this my first post, I have to say I've been an avid reader of this forum for years. I must confess you guys amaze me everyday with your knowledge and opinions.

My teacher is the girl in the middle. She is one half of "Colectivo Nubol" .

What they do is what they call "participant intrusion", which is documenting experiences of social integration. It's just doing social stuff they never did before and writing about it. For example, in the photo they are cosplaying for their first time ever. They have done a lot of activities, like regional dance, going to soccer stadiums, running marathon... and they are very serious about it, giving everything.

So, their next challenge is the MMO world. They need your experience in order to choose the right target.

- It has to be a game. It can't be something like Second Life.

- PVP has to be optional because they don't have any kind of experience or skill in videogames. It can´t be too hardcore neither.

- It has to be a representative experience, so it can´t be a niche title, too childish or too anything. Something giving a nice global view of what a MMO (community) is about.

- Big, lively and active community. 

- Human driven events by GMs/GSs and/or players. Stuff like weddings are a big plus.

- F2P with full access to chat is better, but they would even pay a subscription.

Well, that's it. I can't wait to read your answers. Thanks in advance!

In this order:

LOTRO

DDO

Rift

Champions Online

I would say Guild Wars 2. It's easy to get into and has a large and -in my experience-  helpful community. I wouldn't recommend Word of Warcraft because most if not all players over there are already high levels and more focused on doing end game content, while in Guild Wars 2 there is still a decent amount of people in lower level zones as well (at my server anyway, which is Far Shiverpeaks). If they choose Guild Wars 2 and they need any help, send me a personal message and I will give them my in-game name. Good luck with your research!

- Nevermind, forgot that it has to be F2P.

Originally posted by Spiersberg

Hello everyone,

Being this my first post, I have to say I've been an avid reader of this forum for years. I must confess you guys amaze me everyday with your knowledge and opinions.

My teacher is the girl in the middle. She is one half of "Colectivo Nubol" .

What they do is what they call "participant intrusion", which is documenting experiences of social integration. It's just doing social stuff they never did before and writing about it. For example, in the photo they are cosplaying for their first time ever. They have done a lot of activities, like regional dance, going to soccer stadiums, running marathon... and they are very serious about it, giving everything.

So, their next challenge is the MMO world. They need your experience in order to choose the right target.

- It has to be a game. It can't be something like Second Life.

- PVP has to be optional because they don't have any kind of experience or skill in videogames. It can´t be too hardcore neither.

- It has to be a representative experience, so it can´t be a niche title, too childish or too anything. Something giving a nice global view of what a MMO (community) is about.

- Big, lively and active community. 

- Human driven events by GMs and/or players. Stuff like weddings are a big plus.

- F2P with full access to chat, but they would pay if it's worth.

Well, that's it. I can't wait to read your answers. Thanks in advance!

haha I wish I could sell myself on one cute bloke.  But slightly facepalm.  

Being an avid forum reader for years and not knowing which MMO's that are FTP to try is quite contrary.

Anyway I think there is something in a game called world of warcraft that might fit the decribed criteria. Maybe AION if your looking for weddings ect. Everquest 2 has "dev" interaction at times but it's sparse and there really isn't too much fanfare leading up to it.

Free to play - TERA

Pay to play - Guild Wars 2 and or World of Warcraft

Originally posted by DashiDMV
Was always wondering what Linda Hamilton was up to nowadays.

ohoho well done.  

Veteran of 27 years of MMO's here. A little challenge, picking an MMO for two young'uns.

1. Id say LoTRO
2. TERA
3. EVE(once you learn about MMO's), its got kinda a long learning curve.

• Have fun, remember to take breaks and don't get TOO caught up in your particular game.
• Welcome to the MMO world.

Originally posted by LIOKI

Being an avid forum reader for years and not knowing which MMO's that are FTP to try is quite contrary.

Thanks for the responses so far!

I'm interested mostly in abstract discussions, like solo vs group, economy, sandbox vs themepark, stagnation of the genre, etc. I've played just around ten MMOs myself and I know I can find here people who knows far better than me.

It isn't needed for the game to be F2P, but it's a plus. They will even pay a subscription it's really a better representative experience.

Originally posted by MMOGamer71

In this order:

LOTRO

DDO

Rift

Champions Online

I would agree with the above, most notably Champions Online.  Its very forgiving,  not sure what the population is like,  but one thing Champions Online (and also DC Universe - but DC has a tougher combat system)  does right is Character Creation, which I find is a great starting point when getting introduced to a new game.

Overall I feel DC Universe is a better game, and they would likely understand most of the references made in regards to characters.  It isn't exactly the "traditional" MMO though.

I wouldn't be opposed to them trying SWTOR either,  it has a pretty great story, and enough content that they could play together.  It also envelops the Star Wars theme which is ideal if they are really interested in Pop Culture, socially or otherwise.

You mentioned the one in the middle being your "Teacher",  in which I would say LOTRO would be good simply because most teachers appreciate Tolkien, and with the resurgence in popularity due to the Hobbit, I could see that being interesting to a degree.

GW2, WoW, TERA are all games that call themselves MMO's....their community is made of mainstream gamers that aren't exactly the shining example of the MMO community.  the best game I can think of if you really want a true MMO community would be:

Lord of the Rings Online or Everquest 2

If you dont mind a slightly more niche game go with "The Secret World"

If you can stomach the outdated graphics and want to try a TRUE MMORPG that is free to play, try Anarchy Online.

Originally posted by pinktailz
Personally, i can recommend only Guild Wars 2, best mmo all around nowadays, world is living, everyone help eachother and fight together, graphics is awesome, ess snow storms in mountains, well i love snow ^_^

It is good in many ways, but dare I say it?  Dull.  Fundamentally dull.  Very samey.  

My vote would be for Everquest 2. It has a ton of content and one of the most mature player bases I have every played with. My second vote would be for LOTRO. As the player base is simular to Everquest 2. 

I would not recommend WoW due to the extremely immature player base. I would not recommend Guild Wars 2 as it is th emost socially awkward game I have played. It's difficult to get people speaking as there is little reason to group in the open world. And don't pay Eve as you won't see any other players for the first 3 to 4 days and when you finally do run accross someone they will blow you up. 

Just my opinions lol

Originally posted by Aeonblades
Rift - takes the best things from WoW LotRO WAR and smooshes them altogether in one pretty package.

haha Aeon, I hate to disagree with you because I generally think you speak sense, but no.  

World of Warcraft has become casual and caters to the widest demographic. I personally dislike the game but you asked for something easy with a wide demographic which would make it the most feesable choice.

Edit: "Help two cute girls finding their first MMO."<---------- Irrelevant title and borderline offensive. We aren't all ugly trolls who have never been with a woman and won't cater too your needs specifically because you are female.......at least I won't.

Originally posted by MightyChasm

Originally posted by pinktailz
Personally, i can recommend only Guild Wars 2, best mmo all around nowadays, world is living, everyone help eachother and fight together, graphics is awesome, ess snow storms in mountains, well i love snow ^_^

It is good in many ways, but dare I say it?  Dull.  Fundamentally dull.  Very samey.  

That doesn't matter.  GW2 would be a fantastic game for first time gamers.  Unfortunately it isn't F2P,  they would pay immensely on the box price for something they likely wouldn't play for very long - especially if this is an experiment.

There are a whole host of amazing F2P games out there.  Even a game such as Spiral Knights would be a good starting point, though it is substantially more kid friendly.

There are so many games that could fit the bill,  but their decision should really be based on general interests rather then what we say.

For fantasy, LOTRO, EQ2  or WARHAMMER, would be great games, and to a lesser extent Rift and Tera.

Superheros would like CO or DCUO

Sci-Fi could  go with SWTOR, and to a lesser extent, EvE (not really beginner friendly), or if they wanted to wait for Phantasy Star Online 2, that will be a fantastic beginners game.

More kid friendly - Wizard101, FreeRealms, Spiral Knights

Non Combat Focused would be A Tale in the Desert, amongst others.