My first MMO character #1: Harvey Randall
A PC Gamer editor recounts his earliest MMO experiences, from a forgettable Runescape character to a pivotal World of Warcraft account secured at age 12.
The author’s first MMO character was Leetman, a rogue in World of Warcraft, created after persuading his parents to fund a subscription at age 10. Though he never mastered poisons or reached the level cap, he earned enough gold for a mount, which he recalls as a significant achievement at the time. His tenure as Leetman ended with the release of The Burning Crusade expansion, when he switched to a troll shaman named Earthborn. The character is now deleted, leaving only memories of his early struggles and modest triumphs.
Harvey Randall, the editor, traces his gaming roots to World of Warcraft, where his enthusiasm for MMOs began. He later developed a strong attachment to Final Fantasy XIV and its character G’raha Tia, though his freelance career started writing for outlets like TechRadar and The Escapist. His portfolio expanded to include PC Gamer, where he now contributes, specializing in RPGs, soulslikes, and other niche genres.
Randall’s early gaming life was shaped by persistent requests for a WoW subscription, which his parents granted when he was 12. This milestone marked the beginning of his lifelong engagement with MMOs and other role-playing games. His freelance work across multiple gaming websites reflects a broad interest in interactive storytelling and complex gameplay systems.
Despite his early missteps as a rogue, Randall’s experiences in World of Warcraft laid the foundation for his career in games journalism. His transition to Final Fantasy XIV and other titles highlights the enduring influence of those formative years. Today, he balances writing with playing tabletop RPGs, though he avoids naming a favorite system.