How to Start Playing an MMORPG

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Read reviews about the game - do you want a medieval game?

   Futuristic? Anime-style? Is the game full of bugs? Are expansions constantly released for it? You gotta know where are you going to spend your precious time and money...
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   Step 2: Find out how can you try the game - through free trials or "buddy" keys?

   Free trials can be found constantly on the MMORPG's website or on special occasions.
   
   Some games give keys to their players so they can invite their "buddies" to try the game (and usually, if you buy the game and subscribe to at least one month, the friend who invited you gets one month for free). ,, Some games can also be bought on retailers, including their game time cards. , During that time, the credit card information can be removed from your account, preventing another month from being charged and not interfering with the game time you still have (be it the first free month or an already paid month from subscription). ,, What you have to know is required hard disk space and graphic cards (but for these you should check Google and forums). , A solo Gamer? Role-player? Which are the populated servers? And the empty ones? Some games cater to specific play styles.
   
   Also, pay attention to your time zone: games can have servers for different areas of the world and/or languages, so you might not want to play in a server at the time most players are at work or sleeping (which could be an advantage in certain types of MMORPGs, usually an exploit) or mostly speaking a language you may not know (remember: players from a country may choose a server not assigned to their country/language as their "official" server). ,,,, Yes, READ the MANUAL.
   
   It's not a geeky or nerdy thing to read a manual
   - it saves you time from asking on the chats and/or forums how to attack enemies or how to reach 'X' city. , Guides are usually done for newbies, telling them useful information in a practical way. ,,, Do their quests, learn what they teach you and then go to the "real world"
   - only there you'll really know if you like the game or not. , It's a great way to make friends, to find other players to group with, to learn about the game or just to talk! One of the best ways to know about them is reading the official forums: look for the threads of guild recruiting, pick the guilds that interest you, present yourself and wait for contact!
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   Step 3: Check the price of the game

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   Step 4: subscription and expansions - you don't wanna try something that you won't be able to buy and/or subscribe and/or buy the expansions that everyone is playing.

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   Step 5: If you're too young to have your own credit card

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   Step 6: talk to your parents to see if they would pay for your game

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   Step 7: your subscription and eventual expansions.

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   Step 8: Pay attention to billing instructions: most companies charge you for the game

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   Step 9: give you a free month and may require a credit card's information to be entered

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    Step 10: even though you haven't started playing your first free month - they will charge your credit card for another month (of subscription) only when your free month is over.

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    Step 11: Read the official forums (or other trustworthy forums) - there you can obtain lots of information on the game and its characteristics - and perhaps get a buddy key :)

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    Step 12: Check system requirements - just to have an idea

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    Step 13: because 90% of the time games do work in your system.

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    Step 14: Find out the best servers for your style of play - are you a PvP Gamer?

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    Step 15: Download the game - but don't expect to start playing right away because after downloading and installing you have to...

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    Step 16: Patch (update) the game - and this may take N hours more...

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    Step 17: Create an account - do it while you're downloading/patching the game.

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    Step 18: Read the manual - do it while you're downloading/patching the game.

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    Step 19: Find a (written) guide - a guide can also include instructions found in the manual.

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    Step 20: Read the tutorials/follow the guide - if you're lucky enough for your chosen MMORPG to have a good tutorial

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    Step 21: you might not need the manual and/or the guide.

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    Step 22: Read (at least in the beginning) the dialogues with NPCs

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    Step 23: quest givers - they may contain more information on the game and its gameplay.

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    Step 24: Many MMORPGs have newbie areas designed specifically to give them a taste of the game and/or to prepare them for the "real" world.

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    Step 25: Finding a friendly guild helps a lot!

Detailed Guide

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