I have a been in the online scene for a long time and the better part of it was playing online games, much to the dismay of my parents. I've had an interest in it even back when Meridian59, the first Online RPG, was just coming out. The first online RPG I played was the Realm by Sierra. It was a dull game to be honest, filled with bugs and crashes that frequently happens every week but the idea of playing with people from all around the world had me going even through all the dullness.

I really started seriously playing MMORPG when I was 17 though. I even recall the date, it was January 1st 2000(think of it as a new year's resolution hah). That was when I started Everquest. It was also the time I started an addiction to online games. For the next 3 months while waiting for my university application I didn't eat, sleep or do anything much other than playing EQ. If I was sleepy while playing I would just crawl under the desk and sleep, eating was done in front of the PC and prayers were done with utmost haste. There was nothing else much on my mind. In other words, I was a total wreck.

My gaming schedule encountered a bump when I got into UTM. Even so, I tried to come back home every other week so I could comtinue my adventures in the world of Everquest. I rejoiced when term breaks arrive since I would have the time to play as much as I wanted to. I joined the best guild on my server, becoming one of the best players in my class in terms of gear and skill at one point and also made a lot of online friends. Everyday my goals were to get the best gear, help the guild kill badder and meaner enemies and become a better player. Being a good player I expect to be complimented on my skills and to look down on the unlucky people who do not deserve to be in my guild, those were my dues. This cycle went on for the next 3 years.

Now, I still do play online games at times but not to the level of addiction that I used to. Usually just to pass the time and meet up old friends online. I've never been as passionate for anything else as much as I had for Everquest. I met a lot of great people too. Being a great player probably helped my self-esteem at the time. It's not something that I need now though.