The Flow Experience of WoW

My toon in WoW

A couple of days ago, I was reading about flowing experiences in learning from Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn. Wlodkowski explained that when everything works correctly, you are then fully engaged. I immediately tied this back to my involvement with World of Warcraft (WoW), where on most days, I have this flow experience. Wlodkowski continues by pointing out that time rapidly slips away, and we are fully engaged with all the skills we have. We are in full concentration. My experience with WoW has been this and more.

Learning and Leadership Through WoW

My involvement with WoW is both for pleasure and being part of a research project. Two years ago, I volunteered to assist with a research project conducted by two members from the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). The project was an exercise in leadership and training. As the project proceeded, we established a guild, used WoW to develop lessons, and provided training. I developed a lesson on How to Create an Operation Order. The guild now helps to orient new members and provides training to those who are interested. You can find our guild, the Azeroth Training Society, on the Sisters of Elune server. You can find more information by looking up Tubarks, Stonemiser, or Amberhawk. While I find the project interesting, this post is about flow experience and how I think WoW fits in.

Four Patterns That Support Flow

Wlodkowski lists patterns of action which contribute to the flow experience.

Clear Goals

From the moment you enter WoW, the game coaches you with quests that grow progressively more challenging. World of Warcraft has several quests to help players gain game experience. Some quests require a player to collect items, deliver items, provide a secure escort, or simply move to a new area to explore. Once you complete the quest requirements, you turn it in and receive another quest with an increased level of difficulty.

Immediate and Relevant Feedback

WoW is very good about providing feedback. Quest givers are readily identifiable by a bright yellow question mark appearing above their head. Items you need to collect tend to “sparkle.” If you engage in a confrontation, you can rapidly determine if you will expire through the graphical interface. Successful completion of a quest results in a reward of “riches” and experience.

Challenges That Stretch Your Skills

I believe one strength of WoW is its ability to keep pulling you along in the game. There is always one more thing to do: one more quest to complete, one more achievement to earn, one more level to acquire, one more area to explore, and one more item to create. WoW also keeps you within your “experience” level. Quests too far above your skill level are simply too hard to complete without the aid of others. It is possible to work in a higher-level area, but as a lower-level character, you will create a drag on other members. Also, it is not fun to resurrect continuously and run back from the graveyard. The challenge is to complete the quests and advance in level without expiring along the way.

Meaningful Engagement

Wlodkowski ties vital engagement to an activity which adds meaning to life. While I can not say that WoW is a calling for me, I enjoy the time I can play, especially with my guild mates. The involvement in a research project using something I enjoy has been rewarding for me.

And here is an example where the flow experience did not go as planned. It is called Leeroy Jenkins. Note: There is some adult language.