Animosity with World of warcraft players who still like the game?

[Equitable_Remedy]

I just want to mention I am in no way a "wow player" any more then I'm a "guild wars player" or a "xiv player" I tend to play any and every mmo that comes out and I enjoy most of them as long as they're not predatory and p2w.

With that being said I've come across multiple instances when mentioning that me liking "All mmos" and that wow is included in that all makes me a "wow player". I'm sure nobody is going to deny that some people hate wow. some hate the players and some take enjoying that game or this game to almost be a political statement.

I've lost friends in this community for simply admitting to enjoying that game or not wanting to take place / enthuse in one of the hate circle jerks that seem to be full of people who cant get that game from being in their minds rent free. I've had people talk to me different because of my 'not negative' outlook towards the game. (Had a friend that ever since he learned I played and enjoyed wow couldn't help but use me as a outlet for ALL his grievances about that game and 'how bad it is and how bad I am for playing it' like a stress punching bag). Now I'm ashamed or just scared to even talk about my history in that game in this games community in fear of being run out again.

Lastly. I'm a believer of the concept that "A person who cares the most about something has the most to complain about it" I have a bunch of stuff I think could be better about this game like many of the other games I care about. but to the people who hear my suggestions and simultaneously know I play and enjoy wow. I'm suddenly the "Angry butt hurt wow player who should just go back to wow if I don't think this game is perfect". Like I could've mentioned I played every other mmo on the sun except wow and my statements would be valid but as long as wow is a game I've played suddenly I'm "that wow player"

I started playing wow 13 years ago because I was a kid and it looked fun. I played it now because it was nostalgic. wow kick started my love for videogames and all mmos as a whole. 12 year old me didn't pick the game up to be a part of some politics war today.

Didn't mean to rant just wanted to get my grievances out there. played xiv since hw so I'm not really a refugee.. but any other refugees been experiencing these issues and this silly "game war"

None of this is a real thing.

[AriesDaBeeh]

None of this is a real thing.

Huh? What do you mean by that?