The Daily Grind: Virtual world passport

Escapism isn't always a bad thing, in our opinion, as long as you do come up for air in the real world now and then. Escapism can even be used to handle difficult real life situations, serving as a stress-relief valve or a place where you can be accepted no matter what. In our travels through virtual worlds, we expand our imaginations, broaden our horizons, and become refreshed mentally and socially.

So assuming you're not like my ex-girlfriend (who truly wished with every fiber of her being that she could literally pass through the television screen and live on the Enterprise for the rest of her life -- and talked about it incessantly), what virtual world would you like to visit in the flesh if you had the chance? Would it be the grassy meadows of LotRO's Shire, the ganktastic fields of slaughter in Darkfall, or the reimagined worlds of Star Wars in SWG? What world would you want to see in true 3D, experiencing not only sights and sounds, but taste and touch and smells as well?

Imagine that today you were handed a 24-hour passport to the virtual world of your choice -- where would you go? What would you do with that time?

Reader Comments (16)

The virtual world I'm living in now is about all I can handle. ;)

Still, if I really HAD to choose, I'd say LotRO, just because it has some pretty gorgeous landscapes and memorable places to visit: Weathertop, Bag End, etc.

You would never be able to enjoy the scenery without constantly being attacked by famished wolves, rabid boars, and every type of bear imaginable.

For purely aesthetic reasons, I'd like to see Tarantia, Thunder River and the Black Ring Citadel from AoC.

To actually live in a world it would have to be the Star Trek universe. No classism, racism, or poverty, but transporters and replicators to satisfy every whim. I guess just the holodeck would let you visit any other fictional world you wanted. I wouldn't want to worry about whether or not I was in the same parallel universe as my family all the time though so it would have to be the actual (lol) Star Trek universe and not one designed by Cryptic.

I'd like to visit New Eden, the name of the world in EVE Online, as a capsuleer, to experience what it is like to control 800 metres of solid steel with my mind, armed with huge cannons, protected by thick layers of armour and a powerful forcefield, able to bring doom in the blink of an eye to whoever dares oppose me, and to be a demi-god who cannot die.

Of course, I'd probably just end up being podded, and have to experience first-hand what it's like to be reborn in the body of a clone. I don't think that'll be a fun experience...

As a capsuleer, sure. Otherwise, no way. New Eden is a cold and harsh universe where the only thing cheaper than empty space is life itself.

Ah yes, despite the fact that I don't play EvE. I have tried it multiple times and it was the first thing that came to mind - being an invincible demigod, capable of bringing doom to pretty much everyone aside from other capsuleers and ruling in space would be pretty awesome. Though I can imagine it would be pretty tiresome to learn new skills 24/7 :P

Does it have to be an mmo??

If not, then Id say either Fallout 3 or Shadow of the Colossus, purely just to run around and explore

If so, then Id say either The Endless Forest or Final Fantasy XI. The endless forest would be great just to relax and not have to worry about ANYTHING, and Final Fantasy because...heck. Its Final Fantasy.

Middle-earth.

Easily Middle-earth. New Eden might be interesting too if I was guaranteed not to be podded!

Stormwind, World of Warcraft. I've always had a thing for that place, i love the slight slant of the buildings and the water that runs thru it.

Why, Hello Kitty Online Adventures of course.
Seriously though, either LotRO or Fallen Earth.

I have a bad feeling about this. No doubt, I'd end up a kreetle spawn and immediately snuffed out by some noob named "Bobaslut." I would go for SWG and I would cross my fingers for a jet pack and some Mando to walk around in. Then I'd head to Theed cantina and pick some fights with the local rabble. Then I'd hop in my AV-21 and cat call the nerd boys who are all stumbling about dumbstruck by the sheer Star Warsiness of it all.

"I have a bad feeling about this. No doubt, I'd end up a kreetle spawn and immediately snuffed out by some noob named "Bobaslut.""

LOL! That's exactly what I was thinking!

Am I the only one who thought his ex-girlfriend sounds awesome? Although maybe just a little crazy. I for one would love to only have to wear pajamas and fight Klingons with a torn shirt. Wanting to live in Star Trek land is one of the reasons I play STO. I just wish STO had player created holodeck content.

Global agenda or fallen earth. GA because of all the hightech gadgets, and fallen earth so I can see a prarie chicken in real life. :)

In the spirit of this question I will say LotRO. My favorite story of all time, great graphics and it has reasonable crafting :)

But realistically, I think its funny when people say they'd like to live in some historical or ficticious time/mileau. Ah yes, the Middle Ages - where 99% of the men were property and lived in squalor with fleas and lice and women were lower than that. Lovely time. Or I could live in the Lord of the Rings mileau - where Sauron is sending Orcs to pillage my town and even the crows are evil.

I think I'll stay right here where I have sushi and healthcare thank you. :)

The Daily Grind: Virtual world passport

Reader Comments (16)

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 8:32AM Tom in VA said

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 8:37AM Damn Dirty Ape said

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 8:34AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 8:54AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 9:15AM Darkdust said

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 2:53PM kasapina said

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 9:02AM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Jun 7th 2010 9:21AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 9:49AM blomma said

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 10:24AM oyvjak said

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 2:42PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 8th 2010 11:10AM Djinn said

Posted: Jun 7th 2010 4:24PM Azimn said

Posted: Jun 8th 2010 12:48AM ZachDude said

Posted: Jun 8th 2010 11:21AM Djinn said

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