Psychology of Pets
I have not been playing World of Warcraft very long, but one thing that I have found really interesting is how connected I have become with my minions (being a warlock). For instance, does anyone else sometimes feel bad for a pet when they don't give it game time, even knowing full well that it is a digital creation that can't feel, the team at Blizzard has still done so well that I definitely invest a personal relationship into my pets. Some sort of serious Freudian stuff going on there. Even reading other posts around the forums I have seen people talking about their pets that they always use, and it got me to wondering: what makes people more or less likely to create relationships with pets? Does it stem from the reason they got into the game, (eg achievement hunting, RPing, social) and is it easier to bond with a vanity pet or battle pet when compared to the combat pets used by warlocks and hunters or even mounts? Anyways, things I was thinking about, and having not played for very long, I would love to hear anyone's thoughts/opinions/personal experience.
Re: Psychology of Pets
In my case I've always chalked it up to the type of person I am. I've been a roleplayer in WoW since I started playing and I've roleplayed for years before so its only natural for me to create backstories for every detail of my characters.
My warlock's demons each had personalities and quirks and so did her preferred mounts and companion pets. As time has gone on and I've expanded my stable of alts I always go through my stable of pets and mounts and pick out the perfect pairing for my new character and give them names and reasons for being with the character. Thus I become super attached.
Though, I have noticed something new with Pandaria and pet battles becoming a thing. Pets that I don't ever use in RP, but use constantly in Pet Battles (I'm looking at you, Amber Moth) I've become attached to without ever really having roleplay reasons. It's reached the level that I refer to Roshi by name to my fiance and he actually knows who I'm talking about. Its much the same with many of my other favored battle pets. I can't say exactly why this is the case, I guess it's just a fondness that grows from familiarity.
My warlock's demons each had personalities and quirks and so did her preferred mounts and companion pets. As time has gone on and I've expanded my stable of alts I always go through my stable of pets and mounts and pick out the perfect pairing for my new character and give them names and reasons for being with the character. Thus I become super attached.
Though, I have noticed something new with Pandaria and pet battles becoming a thing. Pets that I don't ever use in RP, but use constantly in Pet Battles (I'm looking at you, Amber Moth) I've become attached to without ever really having roleplay reasons. It's reached the level that I refer to Roshi by name to my fiance and he actually knows who I'm talking about. Its much the same with many of my other favored battle pets. I can't say exactly why this is the case, I guess it's just a fondness that grows from familiarity.
