She was one of the top smiths during the open beta season of Ragnarok Online. Her get up in-game was easily recognizable with her trademark boy’s cap and shades and her vending spot has become an institution. But all that in-game stuff is all behind her now. She is now facing the challenges of real life and “levelling up” in the real world.

In the game, she is considered one of the most financially successful characters with lots of elite equipment to boast. I wonder, if you can be able to manage your “wealth” well in a massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG), can this also reflect in real life? Let’s go ask Melissa, aka Elissa Adrianna Emmerich of Ragnarok, after the jump!

Master Diwa: Hello Elissa, please state your full real name.
Elissa Emmerich: Melissa Adriana Go Villar

M: Why did you quit playing Philippine Ragnarok Online (pRO)?
E: Just got bored with it. Cheesy Player vs Player (PVP)/siege system (PvP systems in Korean games really suck, I like the Player vs Enemy/Monster grinding from time to time though)

M: How long have you been a retired Ragnarok player?
E: As soon as the Agit Lords 2007 hype began.

M: How did you decide to finally call it quits in Ragnarok Online (RO)?
E: An English version of Granado Espada, a game I’ve long been waiting for, was finally made available last May 2007.
As soon as I signed up for the Pre-Open Beta period, I sold all my siege-essential equipment, Doppleganger-Turtle General carded weapons, Ghostring armors and so on, to the NPC!

I kept my Orc Sunnies though, the only boss equip left with me. (It was not affected by the wipe)
I was supposed to quit RO a long time ago, but I’ve always wanted to try out most boss cards and other Whitesmith builds.

M: You sold your items to the NPC!?? Waaa! That would make any RO addict cry in chagrin. You think it was worth it to stop playing RO?
E: Well worth it, magkano lang naman mga yun. It was a difficult decision though. I really wanted to stay until Rachel to try out the new set equipment, I even farmed a lot of ingredients earlier this year just for Rachel (1000+ Rune of Darkness FTW!).

M: How has RO affected the way you live in real life?
E: Not much. I never took RO seriously (except when I was at Lv98 already XD). There were 3 of us playing with Elissa kasi for the first 2 years (Adrian, Dee and Me).

M: What’s the first thing that comes to your mind with the words, Shadow Circle? Why?
E: Successful people. Most of my friends in this guild are now living great lives.

M: How was Waukeen as a guildmaster (GM) and friend?
E: Literally, great. LOL pish boss XD

M: What are the best moments you had as a member of Grand Lethal (GL)?
E: On my first week with GL, I was shocked on how your members spoke. Very vulgar and brutal yet so funny.
M: How was I as your GM and co-conspirator? LOL!
E: I never looked at you as my GM, but as a musician. I love great music and you sure do make such. Go Konami XD. GG na lang ako.

M: Aww how touching! XD You are known to have a cult following of male admirers in-game, has anyone actually asked you out on a date? How did you react?
E: When I took control of Elissa full time, I get around 1-2 PMs about this per week. I simply refused on the first few offers.

But when I got fed up with all those PMs, I started to degrade those who asked me out XD. I called them names and kinda discriminated them,I’m so mean talaga lol. Minsan I ignore them na lang, lalo na on my prontera shopping hours (DO NOT DISTURB ME WHILE I’M SHOPPING!) heh.

M: Elissa’s image in Ragnarok was a snobbish, elitista, does this also apply to Melissa? How come?
E: This image is the result of all those PMs I get. Dati, I talk to 5 or more players at a time. At first it was nice to chat with a lot of players while leveling-hunting to alleviate the boredom. We talked about sensible stuff, life, parties and much more. But as the time passed, good chatmates stopped playing and crap players started to come in. The only thing they can say is: “Oi adik, musta?”.

I’m kinda snobbish also in the real world; I just talk to strangers when I’m in my safe zone. Safe zones mean places like Tower Club, country clubs andhigh caliber business places. I prefer to meet business people not only because of their potency, but also because they may have a good looking son or daughter. choss!

M: Elissa is quite the businesswoman, you manage your money well in-game. Is this also true in real life?
E: Yes. Everyone in the family was raised to handle their finances well. We are a family of investors and risk takers.

M: Is it true that you worked as a salesperson? How did it go?
E: Things went so well, I got promoted several times in just a few months. From an entry level positon to a supervisor, then from manager to a director.

M: Wow! Director! That’s cool, congratulations!
E: Heh, thanks, but I resigned eventually.
M: WTF? You resigned? Why??
E: I missed a lot of parties, outings and other fun activities because of my work. Sometimes I need to report 8am (usually 10am dapat) and I get home na mga 1am.

M: So, from sales director to call center agent, isn’t that quite a leap down don’t you think?
E: In terms of monthly income, its really a big leap down; Like, 1/20th of my original pay. But I don’t mind, the environment on my new work is really fun. My co-workers are always in a party mood. I had to buy a lower end car to suit the workplace though.

M: I heard you’re very much of a car afficionado, what car(s) do you own? Do you maintain them yourself?
E: Not really, I just like changing from time to time to maintain my image when I go to certain places. I currently own a 2007 Toyota Camry, 2006 Nissan Murano and a 2001 Nissan Sentra-Exalta.

My dad’s driver takes care of my cars; whatever maintenance and stuff which needs to be done. I just clean the interior stuff, thats why it smells so fruity inside. D:

M: What is a normal day for Melissa?
E: Live, work and play (lol just stole this line from some ad.)

M: How do you indulge in-real life?
E: Traveling, sitting pretty on clubs and shopping. You have to see my passport, its so colorful XD. Mostly marks from Tokyo though, I just love shopping there. Not because of anime (I’m not into this) but because of the clothes there. I really love Japanese fashion. Kaso Coke doon is mga 400 pesos ata. o_o mahal ng mga food.

M: What other things interest you aside from business and gaming?
E: I buy and sell properties. Improve businesses and do consulting stuff. aka. boring crap.

M: Did you try other MMO games after Ragnarok? What games?
E: After my first attempt to quit RO, I played EVE-Online (still on it now). Then when I finally stopped RO, I tried Granado Espada.

M: So now you’re filthy rich in Granados Espada too eh?
E: Getting there :D.

M: Lastly, what is your message to those still trapped in Midgard?
E: Why are you still playing that game? Because you are afraid to leave your friends? Or RO lang kaya ng computer mo?

There are other things to do out there. Play Granados Espada, EVE, Quake Wars or Command & Conquer 3. LOL joke. Pero really, try channeling your time in doing something productive. Finish first your responsibilities.

It’s also fun to play games from time to time pero mas-masaya when you go out with friends (not in Midgard), go clubbing and partying. Korny ng mga ibang date ng date sa RO, date sa Biolabs. LOL!

So there you have it folks! Thank you Elissa, or should I say Melissa, for sharing your wonderful experience with us! More power to you and your endeavors. Stay tuned for more “beyond Midgard” experiences only here at The Master’s Den!