An MMO is Helping Me in RL

[JenniferB]

I never thought that a video game would actually help me overcome other problems. I joined a LGBT guild on LOTRO. It happens to be a very active guild with wonderful members. Last weekend we had a pride parade. I was in the band.

i haven't had a drink for over a week and have lost 10 pounds without changing that much, except I haven't been eating out as much. What's making it work is an active calendar where we play together, many times after work. When I have obligations I never drank, and in this case I don't want to stop the game often by having to go to the bathroom. I've noticed I'm not spending money like I did either. Friendships are developing from people who aren't hung up on others who are different.

I know this isn't a solution for the long run. But because I'm really enjoying myself, I'm not partaking in other vices, and still getting my workout in at the gym. Go figure!

Jenny

[Guest Kaylee234]

Sounds pretty awesome to me! What server are you on? I have a LOTRO account myself and could use a distraction now and then (and spending less money too)

~ Kay

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Hi Jennifer,

I don't know anything about LOTRO but I can Proudly share a Life-Changing and Life Story about how a LGBT Center saved my life from Suicide.

I also made many friends their also.

I used to attend “MY CENTER” aka “The LGBT Community Center in NYC” http://www.gaycenter.org They are located at 208 W. 13^th Street.,NYC. I am very PROUD to say that they “Literally” saved my life from Suicide when my whole family disowned me and also did terrible things to me. I also volunteered there for approx. 2 years. I considered it a “SAFE HOUSE” where I could get away from all my pain and suffering at home.

Before leaving, I presented them with a plaque with the following saying.

Making a Difference
An old man walked up a shore littered with thousands of starfish, beached and dying after a storm. A young man was picking them up and flinging them back into the ocean. "Why do you bother?" the old man scoffed. "You're not saving enough to make a difference." The young man picked up another starfish and sent it spinning back to the water. "Made a difference to that one," he said.
You make a difference every day.

“The Center” made a “Life-Saving” difference to me and I would like to use my PASSION to RETURN that favor to someone else in NEED.

Hugs,

Carla

[Guest Alexis25]

Gaming is magical especially the ton of games out there. Even as a hardcore gamer, meaning I try to break records in games, gaming has always helped me get through life, if I was upset I would go on an MMO or MMORPG and would go into a world I control and in a world in which I control and make a difference in. I would always pick a girl character because in the virtual world I can express my female brain and its great, because I'm only 16, and I can't really transition yet so I prepare for the real world in games and I even fell in love with a guy over a game. Gaming is truly amazing and I'm amazed it helped other people then me.

Also lord of the rings online isn't the only game out there! So go try out other games and you will be happy in each one!

[JenniferB]

Gaming is magical especially the ton of games out there. Even as a hardcore gamer, meaning I try to break records in games, gaming has always helped me get through life, if I was upset I would go on an MMO or MMORPG and would go into a world I control and in a world in which I control and make a difference in. I would always pick a girl character because in the virtual world I can express my female brain and its great, because I'm only 16, and I can't really transition yet so I prepare for the real world in games and I even fell in love with a guy over a game. Gaming is truly amazing and I'm amazed it helped other people then me.

Also lord of the rings online isn't the only game out there! So go try out other games and you will be happy in each one!

Actually this is the fifth MMO I've been active in over the years, starting with Asheron's Call. Although I have to say this is my favorite. It's not just the guild, but all the different things you can do. As far as the band. You can create your own music. There are quite a few instruments in the game, and you can work on each instrument, sync them together, and play songs. Plus there are dresses for special occasions. This game isn't just a regular MMORPG, but I found it's a more social one than any others I've played. It's really good for role playing.

[Guest ~Emmie~]

i haven't had a drink for over a week and have lost 10 pounds without changing that much, except I haven't been eating out as much.

I'm extremely jealous. I drank more when I played MMO's, esp. WoW, and gained considerably more weight. I would make the excuse I was just trying to emulate a female dwarf, 'cept I hated Alliance-factions. I count my being active as a bonus to online games getting progressively more stale.

However, I haven't tried LORTO yet. You might have sent me into a relapse, Jen.

-Em

[Guest Zayden]

I play WoW as well as a few other games. I do it more for my guild than anything now. Not looking forward to the eventual coming out to them lol.

[Guest Kaylee234]

Yeah I've always liked LOTRO. Of course I'm a huge Tolkein fan, and the dev team tries to keep the game and story lines in the same style as the books.

Gameplay-wise, it's generally a typical MMO but has some mechanics I think are nifty (like the music system and Dread). And they have regular seasonal events that you can earn cool rewards for participating in. I'll just say that this game is wonderful if you like to dress up and roleplay and socialize. Oh, and the GMs are very responsive. I had a bugged quest last night and within 10 minutes a GM had arrived and fixed the problem.

~ Kay

[JenniferB]

Yeah I've always liked LOTRO. Of course I'm a huge Tolkein fan, and the dev team tries to keep the game and story lines in the same style as the books.

Gameplay-wise, it's generally a typical MMO but has some mechanics I think are nifty (like the music system and Dread). And they have regular seasonal events that you can earn cool rewards for participating in. I'll just say that this game is wonderful if you like to dress up and roleplay and socialize. Oh, and the GMs are very responsive. I had a bugged quest last night and within 10 minutes a GM had arrived and fixed the problem.

~ Kay

I like the fact that you don't have to follow the quest line. You can focus on deeds that increases your traits. Or rep, that can decrease prices, or allow you to acquire items you can't get any other way. But one of my favorite parts are skirmishes, where you can choose, at any time, from a variety of instances (can choose from 27 atm) . The skirmishes scale to the player's level (or any level you desire), and rewards are based on the difficulty of the challenge. Plus you can solo, or group skirmishes.

Jenny

[Guest GinaInside]

Hi Jennifer,

I won't say Second Life saved my life, but I was guided there at a time when I really needed it! I have a couple avis, my avi pic here is one

I have not been to the games you all have mentioned, SL is enough for me.

Hugz,

Gina

[Guest Bellexia]

I think it's good and bad your story. It's good you found a social connection, I did in wow until raid guild drama... well that's just raid guilds. Still, those mmo's can eat your life away. I guess in the long run it's no different than LP or any other online media, you seem to have a good balance, of getting out and being active. I am in a LGBT/furry guild in Rift, although I am rarely ever on anymore. Tend to stick to Combat arms or borderlands if I do play. I suppose all that matters is personal happiness however temporary that may be in people, you are happy and that's all that matters. It's rather inspirational really.

[Guest Nicole Thrace]

I play SL also. We have in world real time support meetings and cool places for trans people to just hang out and chat. Send me an email or shoot me an IM if you wanna hook up in SL

HUGS,

Nicole

[Guest LuRay]

Was never a fan of LOTRO, or that MMOs help me IRL. I've always been a WoW player, getting ready for 5.4 and the HC progression wipes.

[Guest Luuceee]

Ive been absolutely hooked on Star Wars the old republic for almost 2 years now. Its a great mmo and i always play a female naturally. Im in a guild on there but its not an lgbt one, i must admit id love to find one that would be great.

[Guest LuRay]

Never played in a LGBT guild, will never do so.

Have met several people from my guild IRL and im just that skinny gothy wench people expected.