I've been enjoying the first tastes of the new raid instances. I've found them to be refreshingly intricate, they involve a lot more effort that "get out of the fire." Understanding of boss mechanics has become much more crucial. It's not enough to know the "what" to do, you have to understand why as well, or you run the risk of unintentionally sabotaging your group. You have to show up prepared.
Which brings me to the most popular topic of discussion since Cataclysm went live: heroics are too hard.
On one of my forum trolling visits, I read this article, in which the poster laments that a member of their group left in shame when their DPS was not up to par to kill a boss. Their compassion for the leaver is touching, however, the idea that a groups inability to carry a bad player -- in this case essentially four man current content -- indicates bad game design is ludicrous. This is, quite frankly, the entire point of the game. You would not take a player of level 80 into a level 85 instance. A player displaying the same damage output is no different. Players do not have the right to complete an instance. Games are, at their most basic level, creative mechanisms of effort and reward. You do not put in any effort, you do not reap the rewards. Showing up is not enough.
This is not to say that games should be punishingly difficult. They are after all still tools of leisure. But their niche in that category shouldn't limit them to the single purpose of sunshine and rainbows.
So yes, heroics are hard. But to say they are "too hard" undervalues the joy of conquering them. Without different strategies, mechanics, and fun fire to stand in, instances in WoW would be indistinguishable from each other -- just DPS with a different backdrop. As it is, every instance is a unique challenge and makes for different playstyles, pacing, and approaches. They are interesting. They are absolutely fun.
I was disappointed that this particular thread was locked without a blue reply. I imagine the GMs are sick of the "QQ" and are ready for people to outgear the heroics so that we can hear the end of the complaints. But this thread touched me more than most, because the complaint wasn't quite that Blizzard should just give the players whatever they want, but rather it was full of pity for players who simply can't participate in the new game. They aren't bad people, these aren't the "l2p" trolls that make me die a little inside, they are simply...not interested. Part of me feels like people who can't be bothered to figure out how to put out more than 3k DPS at 85 just shouldn't play the game. They obviously aren't all that interested in playing, so why try? But abandonment of a game that you put, at the very least, leveling time into rings just as wrong in my heart. This begs the question, what are these players doing so wrong? Are they not pressing buttons fast enough? Are they spamming shadow bolt? How did we as community -- the introductory tool tips, their class trainer, Trade Chat, and everyone who grouped with this player along the way -- fail to teach them how to play?
In the end, I am disappointed that this sympathetic forum poster didn't say anything to the under-performing DPS. They spoke as if there were only two options -- say nothing, or be an elitist prick. But there are ways to question other players about what they are doing that don't necessitate being mean. Sure, this player might be a little hurt if you suggest they are doing something wrong. That is natural. But I guarantee they will learn something from it, even if they don't immediately seem grateful or improve. There should be no disgrace in speaking up. As long as your intentions are good and you remain civil, this kind of interaction can be only positive. This is what the "M" in "MMO" stands for -- multi-player. We aren't playing with computers. We are playing with people who are capable of growth and improvement.
This is what Blizzard is trying to teach us in Cataclysm. They are not trying to turn us all into high end raiders. They are simply raising the bar, a little bit at a time, to maintain the joy of a challenge. It's a moving finish line, you aren't supposed to "win." You are supposed to keep playing.
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