Thirteen years ago today, The Secret World launched. Twelve years ago today, it began its first anniversary event, and I got to experience one of the most unique and memorable moments of my MMO career. When I think about what keeps me coming back to MMORPGs, this is a moment that is always top of the list.
I’ve told this story before on my personal blog and on other sites I used to write for, but I don’t think I’ve ever properly told the tale here on Massively Overpowered, so for those who weren’t there, settle in as I tell you of what I have dubbed… the Joelzilla Incident.
It was the first day of the event, and as would become habit for all of TSW‘s world boss events, I was jumping between zones via the #event chat, killing all the golems I could for that sweet AP.
I arrived in Blue Mountain, and I learned that by purest happenstance, I had wound up in the same instance as a streamer who was currently conducting an interview with then-game director (and now director of Dune Awakening) Joel Bylos. Bylos had joined her in-game on his GM account.
The crowd gathered, as excited to see Joel as to fight the boss. As chat buzzed, the boss spawned in, and a moment after Bylos used his GM powers to blow his avatar up to Godzilla-size and proceeded to join us in fighting the boss. It was possibly the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen in a game, and I was in stitches through the whole fight.
When the boss fell, Joelzilla did the /dance-gangnam-style emote (a surefire clue the game released in 2012) for a few moments, then shrank his avatar down to the size of an ant, ran off, and vanished into the mists of history. “Refuses to elaborate; leaves.”
After this, I think I logged off for a while, but I got back to it before too long, and I came across that streamer again. Along with several other players, I wound up tagging along with her as she played and streamed long into the night.
I don’t fully remember everything we did anymore. I remember sitting in the Padurii forest for a while because she liked the lighting there. I also remember that we ended the night dancing on top of Suzie’s Diner in Kingsmouth. Looking through my screenshot folder, it seems we also ran The Black House and Last Train to Cairo at some point. I went on to become friends with that streamer for several years, the most lasting friendship I’ve made in an MMO to date.
That first day of TSW‘s first anniversary is my favourite memory of my entire MMO career, maybe my entire lifetime of gaming generally, and the Joelzilla moment that got it all rolling was the highlight. When I think about why I play MMOs, this is one of the first things that comes to mind.
I am at best an awkward fit for the MMORPG genre. I’m extremely introverted, and while I do dabble with group content, I usually prefer to play solo when given the choice. I have little taste for grind, and story — something MMOs often struggle to deliver — is the most important part of gaming for me.
Looking at all that, you might justifiably wonder why I’m playing MMOs at all. I can’t say I haven’t had the same thought once or twice. But there some things that are special about MMOs that single-player games can’t match, and singular, unique events like seeing a forty-foot game director throw lightning bolts at a giant rock monster is one of them.
This is one of the main things that keeps me coming back to MMOs (the other being long-term persistence): the potential for those incredible, once-in-a-lifetime moments. They may be rare, but when they do come, they’re unforgettable, and even when they don’t, the possibility for such is thrilling.
Joelzilla stands above all else for me, but there have been other, similarly unique moments here and there throughout my many years in this genre. Buggy mess that it was, I’ll never forget fighting on the front lines of the Karka invasion in Guild Wars 2. Seeing the Vale permanently scarred in Mists of Pandaria will always stick with me. Back in TSW, the end of the Whispering Tide was also an unforgettable moment for me, and that was basically just watching some Filth birds fly through a portal. Just knowing that something will never be repeated is special on its own.
A lot of people like to rail against FOMO in games these days, and mostly I agree. If over-used, it takes the fun out of it. Most content should be permanent… but the occasional one-time only event to celebrate a milestone or tell an important story will make memories like nothing else.
I still love single-player games, and there are many things they do better than MMOs, but their static nature can wear on you after a while. The unpredictable nature of MMOs and their communities can be a blessing and a curse, but there’s something to be said for being able to log into a game and never really know what’s awaiting you.
I think if you play MMOs long enough, everyone will have a Joelzilla moment. Maybe for you it was the assassination of Lord British or game master events in Asheron’s Call or the fall of Lion’s Arch in Guild Wars 2. Maybe it was a private event run by your guild, or maybe it was just a lizard dude who sleeps on bridges. But I think we all accumulate stories like this, and that’s what makes this genre special.
If you want the chance to make some more memories, don’t forget that there will be a fan-run anniversary event for TSW today. If we’re lucky, Joel Bylos might even make an appearance.
There’s an MMO born every day, and every game is someone’s favorite. Why I Play is the column in which the Massively OP staff members kick back and reminisce about all their favorite MMOs. Whether it’s the new hotness or an old fan favorite loaded with nostalgia, each title we cover here tugs at our heartstrings and keeps us coming back for more.