Stop Using the Map. You'll Love WoW Again

[Darien]

Great post. I agree pretty much completely. I want to try it, but my brain is too hard-wired to open the map non-stop. I'll probably try it later, on one of my alts. Btw there's probably way more you can do to enjoy the game, similar to this.

Yep, I've been trying to do it, and I keep just instinctively opening the map whenever I start traveling. It's definitely a bit of a learning curve.

[Beldur]

This is a good observation. I think I am going to do this challenge when I finally roll a hardcore character. Just take it slow and deliberate and focus on the world/lore. Probably make an addon to completely disable all maps & mini maps so I won't be tempted.

[Dannenheim]

When I got pfquest, one of the first things I did was practically disable everything except NPC markers (cus they be in some funky places).

Then I ran some characters I've never tried before. With my minimal setup, I learned where certain mobs are, how to get to certain NPCs. Are they around this corner? No, I find only these vendors here. Yo is that an elite down there? This ends up building a second map in my head that I overlay over the game map. If the world is the main character then of course I'd learn most about... the world I'm running in.

Now, I could've just downloaded a more detailed map rather than all this trial and error, but the presented information would be indigestible and unfamiliar. I wouldn't feel like I'm living in the zone, just passing through it.