Most of us have been on some sort of date at this stage – we’ve flirted, kissed, held hands and whatever else comes with being in a relationship. Pairing up is a normal part of life, whether you believe in the one, soul mates, multiple partners or whatever, whether you are straight, gay or bisexual, we all find comfort in the arms of that someone special. Finding this person or people is not exactly a straight line and down through the ages there have been many ways to find Mr./Mrs. Right or even Mr./Ms. Right Now! Romance never died…
It also isn’t a thing that the French invented, we Irish have always had a flair for the romantic gestures coupled with our rough chiselled good looks, our endearing accents and good auld Irish charm we’re practically built to flirt and love! From matchmaking festivals in Lisdoonvarna to letter writing to buying bags of chips (best Youtube clip ever), we’ve always had a knack for wooing and courting but how do all these fair today in terms of technological advances? Have we picked up on online dating or do our fears of the internet hold us back from taking the cyber plunge into digital love?
World of Warcraft is the world’s largest massive multiplayer online role playing game, as of October 2010 the game now boasts over 10 million subscribers. With different types of servers, some from hardcore players to players who like to socialise, it is bound to happen that two people meet and find that not only are they compatible in a raid group but they find that there is a little spark between them, exchanging Ventrillo IDs or MSN, conversations can turn into hours and soon a little spark becomes a lot of electricity. Online relationships are no small occurrence in the world of Azeroth with players dating each other’s characters however there are those who take things to the next level and their cyber romance becomes something a lot more real.
Allow us to introduce Philip and Lisa, a couple living in Norway, Philip a native of Tralee, Co. Kerry met Lisa while playing World of Warcraft. They have since moved in together, with Philip taking the leap to move to Norway to be with his Night Elf Druid girlfriend. In the first of our two part feature we chat to the couple about their experiences with online dating and how others have reacted to their relationship…
Where did you meet online?
P: We met on World of Warcraft, I was a level 40 Rogue called ‘Tbagged’ and Lisa a level 40 something druid called ‘Kallinka’, in Desolace, about a three minute ride south of the flight plan.
Did either of you have any preconceived notions of online dating?
L: I’m not into online dating and have no friends that have experienced it.
P: I had some friends who had ‘dated’ online but things had always turned bad, one or both got bored, or showed their true colours (often insane), or refused to commit to meeting in person etc. I was after a pretty intense long term relationship and wasn’t looking for anything myself, but I’m happy I found it.
When people ask how you met, do you explain it was through World of Warcraft or is there a back up story?
P: I tell them it was through WoW, a surprising number of people turn around and ask what server I am on! I haven’t met a single negative comment to it; I think it’s becoming more and more common.
L: I tell them it was through an online game but that I had no intentions of dating anyone from it.
Are there any advantages or disadvantages to dating online?
P: Both Lisa and I were honest with each other, so we got along very well from day one. The big advantage I can see is that you can really get to know someone for who they are inside, without the pressure of physical things getting in the way.
L: It’s weird. I don’t feel like it’s really real. I need to be able to feel, see, smell, use all my senses on the person I’m going out with or else it doesn’t feel real to me but it gives you better time to talk before any meeting having to take place. Sometimes a meeting can end up awkward but I think it’s good to talk for some time first.
Have you guys ever argued over WoW? On that note who is the better player?
P: Nah, a few small things, but it’s always been in good spirits, usually over races for achievements or rare drops/pets etc. Considering I have about 4 years head start on Lisa it’s not surprising I play better, but she’s good for her time played.
L: Mostly me giving out to Phillip for being a plague about stuff in the game. Phillip is definitely the best player. I have one level 80, he has like… eight?
Do you both still play World of Warcraft and if so how have other users reacted to your relationship?
P: We’ve taken a brake since Cataclysm hit, it kind of stopped being fun due to social situations and unnecessary drama, but we both would like to play again, maybe soon. Many other players were surprised we had met on WoW, but not really many bad reactions, the usual ‘lol jst kuz she’s ur GF‘ if I’d say something in her favour with loot, or in an argument.
L: Nope, not any more. It takes up too much of my time. Yes I’ve gotten bad reactions from “friends” after I met Phillip.
Finally if you were trapped in an Arcade for eternity, what one game would you play to pass the time?
P: Any one game? It would probably be Final Fantasy tactics (DS version, Grimoire of the Rift) But if it had to be an arcade game I think I’d go for Gauntlet: Dark Legacy. I’ve poured more hours into both games than I can count.
L: I can’t choose! Either Harvest moon or Professor Layton! One of them simulate a life on a farm and I could really do that if I was stuck in arcade for eternity but the other one keeps my brain working in there! So a combination I guess… Professor Layton’s Dairy Farm Adventures perhaps?
