My first MMO character #2: Joshua Wolens
A writer recounts their first MMO experience at age six, choosing a half-elf character in EverQuest but avoiding exploration due to fear of getting lost.
At six years old, the author watched their father enjoy EverQuest and insisted on creating their own character, rejecting a gnome magician for being too short and opting instead for a half-elf with a randomly generated name.
Fearful of getting lost in EverQuest’s vast world, the author spent their character’s early life confined near Freeport, fighting orcs and rats without ever venturing beyond the city gates.
The author describes their childhood introduction to gaming through Quake 2 on the family computer, which sparked a lifelong passion for video games and writing about them professionally.
Now a games journalist, the author’s work has appeared in outlets like Vice, Fanbyte, and the Financial Times, with a focus on CRPGs, immersive sims, and ambitious but budget-conscious titles.