According to qualitative research data, WOW players with higher level characters value gaming more than school. We found that happiness associated with gaming was directly related to character level. We also found an inverse relationship with character level and importance of school to happiness. The average character level was approximately m=55.44 which correlated with a higher overall level of happiness due to gaming which was roughly m=4.1 on a scale of 1-7. The average level of happiness due to school was much lower at approximately m=2.88.

While exploring the starting area, we ran into a much more experienced player (level 14) killing harvest watchers. His screen-name was Moozie. To get a better understanding about the people are behind these avatars, we conducted qualitative research through a short interview to learn more about who he was. Moozie turned out to be an adult, between 22-35 years old. He has been playing since last June. His favorite characters are humans, but his best character is a night-elf druid. On his one account, he was three other characters.

In World of Warcraft, there are many different races each with their own ideology and culture. The human race was once a well established society that was prestigious and noble. Now the human race is in a war on the alliance side. Humans by nature are aggressive and inquisitive. As a race they value virtue, honor and courage. Historically the humans have been involved in many brutal battles but their spirits are held up by their belief in the Holy Light. Their race tends to be naturally proud and ambitious but they can be arrogant and overly zealous.

Matthew Sidran