Groundhog Day

February 2 is celebrated in the US as Groundhog day (except in Alaska where Svenn is, where it is celebrated as Marmot Day instead- there being no groundhogs in the state due to its extreme winter climates). On this day a prognosticating rodent is brought forth to determine whether or not he can see his shadow. If the groundhog sees his shadow; 6 more weeks of winter, if not; winter will soon be at an end (again the exception being Alaska where winter is pretty much guaranteed for another 2months regardless:).

Groundhog Day is also the name of a classic Bill Murray movie in which the main character, Phil Connors, is stuck reliving the same day (2 February) over and over again. Over the course of the movie, Phil moves from various forms of suicide attempts to self reflection to seeking out ways to help others, bettering himself, and gaining the love of his costar. He has limitless options, and while some his time is wasted in reckless pursuits, some of it is spent in quiet reflection, and he spends a good deal of it learning to do things such as play the piano, ice sculpt, and speak a foreign language. In the end, Phil is able to break free of the cycle only after he changes his life for the better. The popularity of this movie stems in part from people’s ability to identify with Phil Connors- stuck in rut, each day appearing much the same as the day before.

Sound familiar? WoW is an almost perfect parallel to the movie. Death posses few repercussions and is easily over come. There is no meaningful progression of time, though one can argue that patches and raid progression mark its passing somewhat. Time can be spent in the game in a wide variety of ways, some reckless, some contemplative, and some learning- but each day remains unchanged in its essence. Hogger will be back tomorrow no matter how many times Svenn kills him today. Instance locks will expire overnight, and even Raids and Wintergrasp Quests will reset at the end of the week. The only thing that changes, the only lasting impression that is made is on the player controlled character.

The question is; how do you approach your WoW Groundhog Day? Do you see it as a way to pursue silliness in the absence of consequences or a mindless repeating existence, a daily grind for the next badge or piece of tier gear? Or, do you see it as an opportunity for self improvement, a vehicle for introspection, a shot at love? Is it something altogether different?