A reminder to everyone about generational differences

[NegativeS]

They're working on the 6th boss that requires some precise positioning to avoid wipes due to AoEs going off in the wrong places. The raid leader was reminding them that targeted players need to be moving clockwise to so everyone would be in the right position. Unfortunately, some of them weren't on almost every attempt.

Finally, one of raid members spoke up to say that maybe Boomers know what clockwise is but Zoomers don't have a clue and that maybe the raid lead should explain it differently. The raid lead said that it means move to your right. That then started the argument about whether clockwise is right or left. (In the meanwhile, I put together a picture of an old-fashioned clock with arrows marked clockwise and counterclockwise and sent it to my friend to share so they would have something visual to work with.)

I'm gonna be entirely honest with you, if any person high school-aged or older doesn't know what CW/CCW is, they are completely cooked and shouldn't be taken seriously. I've led a few WoW raid teams, and if a DPS honestly told me they didn't know what I meant by 'clockwise', I'd kick them from the group so fast I'd probably break my mouse.

This isn't a generational matter of analog clocks going out of style, this is some of the most basic geometric and mechanical knowledge known to mankind.

For the developers, please remember this in game design. What makes a good experience for one generation may be a poor experience for others. Most games it wouldn't be a big deal. They're single player and can more easily cater to a narrower demographic focus. For MMOs, it makes a big difference because the generations are coming together to play. Design needs to tread a common ground that all can relate to.

Developing content for the lowest common denominator of player is how you kill your MMO. WoW almost fell into this trap a few times, FFXIV is currently in the process of falling into it.