WoW Addiction / Game Addiction

World of Warcraft (WoW) is one of the most powerfully addictive games in Cyberspace. Yes, your parent, wife or mate should be worried.

World of Warcraft players will know exactly what I am talking about. This game by it's nature, requires you to spend as much time as possible in the World of Warcraft, to increase your level, attend raids, or keep across whats happening with the latest auctions and equipment.

In the past, computer games and console units would keep players in front of screens for long periods. These were single player (player vs computer) type games, and parents in extreme cases would have to resort to 'switching the TV or console off'

These days, online games such as World of Warcraft, where users log in to play with thousands of other 'real' players - the addiction can be much greater.

Blizzard the makers of World of Warcraft require a monthly fee of 14.99 US from users, just so they can keep playing the game.

The basic goal of the game is to achieve a 'high level' or level 70 as it stands now. This very sheer nature of 'gaining levels' means a player must fight monsters, complete quests and the more time they spend playing WoW the quicker they achieve the level they need.

Now this is not some game thats over in a few days. Achieving level 70 by legitimate means in reasonable time usually takes some months. (Its possible to 'power level' and have someone get your character to level 70 in 1 week - but this is a paid service)

Parents have every right to be concerned. I was addicted to WoW for several months. It affected my work habits, my sleep patterns and my family was tearing their hair out as I buried myself in the computer room player WoW for hours on end.

I am a grown man, of 28 years. I hate to imagine, how parents of teens manage to control their WoW habit. Not only must their kids be playing world of warcraft for hours on end, the parents in many cases would be paying Blizzard for access to Wow. I got into the game, a friend introducing me - and I was forever trying to level my character as quickly as possible. I resorted to using 'bots' a program called WoW Glider - where is automatically plays and levels your hero while your at work, and spent hours at night 'grinding' as they call it, just killing monster after monster. Sad Sad. It probably took me 6 months to beat the addiction, finally getting bored of the game. (Thankfully before the Burning Crusade came out)

Maybe parents shouldn't pay for WoW access? Is this the only way to stop it? But is the addiction so bad that Wow might make the teens steal to pay for Wow cards? (Prepaid subscription cards are the main choice for those without a credit card)

We'd like to hear you comments on how addictive WoW is? Please comment on this article by clicking the comments below.

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