Like a Christmas Day that’s years behind schedule, the fans of WoW chew their fingernails to nubs and try to think of things to pass the hours until the next fansite exclusive update. Personally, I’m about out of distractions. Before this May I had my degree to worry about, now that I’ve graduated I really have nothing to keep me occupied. I have a night job at a restaurant, which leaves my days free to browse the internet, write, and play games. The problem is, it’s still August. There really aren’t any (non-sports) big releases now besides Doom III, and who knows if my machine can run that. September through the end of the year should be great, with plenty of good RPG’s, Shooters, and Action-Adventures to keep me calm, but calm like someone in a Methadone clinic. For over two years now, there has been no substitute for what I truly crave. I play other games, read about other releases, but WoW has been the primary thing on my mind in terms of videogames for so long it’s hard to remember when I wasn’t anticipating this game. And still…nothing…at least not for the common player.

Months ago, beta testing began. Like so many of you I waited to see if Blizzard would choose me. A (small) number of Stratics staff received accounts, and are blissfully testing their hearts out. I could be reading the beta forums, but I really hate trying to make sense of the half-English so many of those players pass off as communication. I read the occasional snippet or guide from this or other sites, but that only seems to make the pangs worse. Indeed, I have discovered what’s worse than waiting, and that’s knowing so many are loving the game already. From what I’ve gathered, this game is going to be so immersive and consuming that I will at last become comfortably numb in MMORPG bliss…whenever it is finally released, that is. My face is pressed so hard against the proverbial glass that my whole head aches.

I find it ironic that although the commencement of beta testing marks the last legs of the journey before the glorious “Gold” status and shipping, it surely seems like the longest and most arduous trail yet. I’m sure once I tear the box of my own retail copy of WoW apart and install the game, I’ll look back and realize the years of wait were worth it, and start what should be one of the better long-term gaming experiences ever. From this side of the fence, however, it’s hard to keep that chin up. My patience is spent, my morale low, and like a junkie in day one of detox, I’d sell my own sister for just one little taste of what I’m after.

So here’s to you, beta testers. I’m not bitter, only envious. I raise my glass in appreciation for your endeavors. I know you’re working hard to help Blizzard bring about the final release: trekking across new lands, making new characters, leveling, crafting, grouping, and forming guilds…

…you bastards.

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