FFXIV Nico 05
©2014 Craig Ashby
Screen Capture

FFXIV Nico 05 sees me in action profile. My bard’s claws looking as deadly as a fresh and fierce manicure. Have I told you that I am in love with me in game?

It’s just that I am so pretty. A more beautiful version of myself in real life. IRL for those of you not in the know.

This is the great thing about persistent gaming environments. You really have a chance to bond with your character. You can grow with them like a real person. They become an extension of yourself.

Now like any magic, this has negative side. All the things that haunt you IRL follow you in game. This is especially true of my character currently.

After taking a break I came back and my old free company had imploded. Free companies are like Warcraft guilds. Groups of people who share a house and chat.

I knew the implosion was imminent and my trip to London was a good time to bow out. Now I am completely isolated just like in New York.

It’s not that I don’t know a lot of people, it’s a choice. One I make to allow for work. A little bit of a lie. It’s not all work because I am still playing this game.