⛔️Disclaimer⛔️: First, this thread is far too long for those who have low attention spans. This is not a retirement thread. Feel free to skip to the end and post about it not being worth your time. I appreciate the BUMP. It is simply a recollection of times past and a revelation as to the significance of the game. It is full of run on sentences and probably grammar errors. A Short Intro This is a little opinion column of sorts that I wrote to share my thoughts and ideas on the KaW atmosphere and to give a little backstory as to how I have become what I am today. It is not short, and not always well written, but I hope that the ideas presented in the wall of text are interesting and thought provoking enough to make it worth the read. Anyways, on to the rest of it. I used to think that KaW was just another iPhone game. Sure, I had friends on the game, but it was always just a place to entertain myself with a myriad of different activities. From the battle list to epic battles to estoc wars, this game is full of things to do, many extremely repetetive and oddly addicting. But in my old age, (a figure of speech, as I am still quite young), I realize that as silly as this game is, pitting imaginary soldiers and spies against mythical beasts and other kingdoms, it has a certain significance, not because of what it is, but because of who plays it. I believe it was Ahdragos who said it best, that the people who play this game are what make you stay. KaW will forever be a social app for most, over an online game. The people we meet on this game influence our life, the ones we hate, the ones we love, and the ones who we barely know. It all sounds like a silly concept, that the people we meet online can affect our lives and change who we are as people, but anyone who has spent a decent amount of time on the app knows what I mean. We meet friends that we, over time, know so well, (or think we know so well), that we could consider family, and these friends change how we think, how we act, what we believe, and our general personality, which is quite an odd thing to wrap your head around, at least to me. I have plenty of friends that live near me, go to school with me, work with me, that have sculpted what I believe and how I think over the years, many that I consider brothers and members of my family, but through ficticious challenges, such as OSWs and clan creations, I have formed relationships and come to think of many KaWers as family aswell. These are people I trust, (even if it is sometimes misplaced), like I would trust a friend who I have known for years, who I can talk to about things that Im feeling and whatnot, yet I have never met them face to face or talked to with anything besides text chat. This is weird to me, because although I am an avid soccer player, (4 years of highschool varsity) and have a fairly active social life, I have always loved video games, and will forever be unafraid to unleash my inner nerd. I love meeting new communities of people, both in games and in real life, and I feel like regardless of how weird it is that I have made strong connections with people I will never meet, it is worth noting that this game, especially years ago, when it was in its prime, had a serious positive impact on my life, and provided an escape of sort, when reality went to crap. Just a side note; maybe I am just weird, and nobody has a clue as to what I am trying to explain, but I hope that everyone gets to experience this, as it is refreshing, and eventually eye opening. In my time on KaW, I have been in over 10 clans as a "permanent" member, visited hundreds, met thousands, and loved few. I have met people on this game that have given advice on everything from dinner recipes to the best way to ask someone to prom to how to deal with a divorce. Some of the people I have met on this game have been second mothers to me. Others have been just another friend that I enjoy talking to. All of this is important, remembering who has influenced me, who has taught me, who has been there for me, but nothing is as significant as the real question I am trying to ask, which is why? Why do I feel comfortable telling these things to a complete stranger? Why is someone who I get on my phone and press buttons with, someone who, (regardless of how long I have "known" them), I feel comfortable telling personal details about my life, from funny stories to family tragedies? Some may say it is just human nature. We put trust in others, going out on a limb because its what we do, that we are rational beings who do irrational things. But does that really answer the question. This app is a psychologists dream case study! Why is KaW, a "free to play" game about knights and castles, a better way to meet new people than any social media app on the market today. (Some of you may not agree with this statement, which is perfectly reasonable, but riddle me this: when is the last time you ever talked with a random stranger for the first time on another social media site, and felt as comfortable as you do when you first step into the CC of an active clan with a few friendly people.) Unfortunately, I am a lowly student, and have no idea as to why this is, or how it happens, but it seems to me that A Thinking Ape has accidentally created the best social network around, coincidentally with a built in farmville, (with dragon cows and jungis crops). Hell, maybe I'm crazy, but I just thought that needed saying. Tl;dr - for those who cant read gud It's crazy how easy it is to meet people and keep up with them on KaW dontcha think? KoS Out ️
My grammar is pretty decent as forums go froggy, but without the disclaimer, I'd get the classic one liner replies like "the*".
Okay. I read it. I agree that the social network is an important part of defining who we are as a gaming family. It is also interesting how KAW puts up obstacles to challenge our clan families. I remember enjoying a kaw family in 2011 for months until we got they'd into OSW. So many players who I had been together for months suddenly went yellow and left at the first signs of trouble. It was quite a shock, actually. It is also interesting how ppl open up to you, especially women. I've had some players telling me "my husband is a two-timing ass and I'm gonna leave him", and I'm like "you really want to be telling me this?" It's interesting the characters you meet in this game.
My old clan broke up after OSW drama, so I understand the sentiment, but I do feel like the ones that stay are the ones you know best. It is sad to see the family die out though. I just think its odd, like I said, that we, (some of us, not all) feel somewhat comfortable disclosing stuff we would hesitate to tell our friends in the real world.
I think a big reason the trust is there, at least for me, is the fact that people you talk to can't effect your real life. It doesn't matter what the person on the other side thinks of you because you'll never meet them and they'll never have a physical impact in your life. They can't fire you or stop going to things with you. Sure they can block you but if everyone feels like they can trust the other person that doesn't happen. The person you're telling whatever to can't do anything with that info except give you advice. In real life the word can spread and give you a bad name. It matters less if you have a bad name in a game. It's all about everyone trusting everyone because it doesn't really matter if you tell them or not. It can only benefit you.
I feel more comfortable talking on here with complete strangers than people I've known in real life for years.
Just had a similar yet shorter convo. I agree that it's kinda the separation piece. Easier to open up when there is no real effect in real life other than effect in your emotions. Have had lot good and similar types of interactions. And I agree it's something that should be studied. Nice piece.
Cow and Crockus made good points. I thought about that, and agree to some extent, but I feel like the really serious stuff would be better placed in a friend or family member. Maybe we are just a sucker for "Risk Free".
That's the words. Risk free. But you also need to remember that some people don't have friends and family members they can't trust.
Without kaw, then I would act like a scared kitten in different social apps and will never learn how to talk to ppl properly. I am not a social person since I am mostly alone and it bothers me if someone break that peaceful moment of lonliness so... I am not that social. But in kaw, I can talk whenever I want, without having much damage to my name. In kaw I learn to deal with people good an bad, and also learn lessons from such experiences. I also knew my problems in encountering people in kaw. I also felt like, ppl are imperfect. We just really need to find the one who are worth fighting for (I think there's a saying that was just like that..... Let's just say I kinda based it on that). Overall, kaw is the best social game that I have played
I agree completely. I have played on and off for almost five years and I've met some great people that have massively influenced my life. Cass was like a father to me, Gus was one of my best friends, my whole clan was there when I needed them. I've thought about this mystery as well, and I truly don't know why I feel so comfortable with these people on an online game that just helps us exercise our thumbs. But I am very grateful for the family connection. KC️
I have no idea what it is about this app, but it has helped me develop social skills which will help me for the rest of my life.