I warn you now, the article http://www.pixelpoppers.com/2010/12/doing-my-dailies-why-i-quit-wow-and.html#comment-form is somewhat long. I always find it interesting to read stuff like this when I come across it, usually because it is convoluted with biased opinions and 'finger-pointing'. While it is of course just my opinion when I object, it's still something that I believe is an easy to isolate problem.

I would like to hear what other peoples opinions on this article actually are, because I want to see how mine compare with anyone elses, mainly to see if my train of thought follows that of similar minds, of if it's the opposite.

I'll give my opinion on it.

From what I gather, it seems like the author is placing blame on everyone except the individual being negatively affected. It's Blizzards fault for using 'social obligation' to ensnare groups of people into playing indefinitely, or it's the individuals friends for asking he/she to play.

However, I can't possibly see how someones inability to main self-control, self-regulation or self-restraint can be the fault of any other party. While another party may exploit this particular inability, this isn't Blizzards main intent. They aren't specifically going out, trying to sell the game to people they deem to have low self-control, so I don't see how a party can be blamed for providing a service to someone who has an addictive personality.

Now I am not just blowing smoke out my ass. I was in a similar situation over a year ago, before I quit WoW. I was blowing off my girlfriend at the time [usually on weekend raids] because I was wanting to be a part of my guild when we downed the last Raid for the first time. I admittedly, got way to attached to the game and it ended up costing me [regardless of my guild trying to force me to stop playing and spend more time with her instead]. At no point have I ever blamed my friends for getting me into the game, for them playing it with me, nor have I ever blamed Blizzard for the fact I got to attached to the game and ended up causing a small part of my life to drift away. I don't blame them, nor would I expect anyone else to who've been in similar situations.

For me it boils down entirely to the individual themselves. It's no ones fault but ones own for having lack of self-control, or for seeking help for that lack of self control. I understand that, children, young children, need to be regulated by their parents, because at those ages, it's easy to breed addiction into kids, especially when they only play something. But I think the main focus of this article is for people of an older age, not a younger age where life goals and jobs don't matter as much.

Well, that's just my two cents anyways. Would like to see what other peoples responses are to this.

I think self control comes with age, I used to overeat and play video games nonstop when I was younger then when I realised my childhood was wasting away I decided to stop being a fat, lazy slob and be awsome instead

Edit: survival of the fittest? :shrug:

I doubt it's a true story, but here's my opinion anyway:

The author, provided his story is actually true, is one of many pathetic weaklings who tries to blame other people for their own pitiful lack of self-control. Obviously children's playing time should be regulated by their parents, but advlts have no one to blame but themselves.

He makes it sound like playing WoW and working out are mutually exclusive.

Not so much placing the blame, as pointing out a growing cultural phenomenon.

Ultimately, playing a game, is goofing off -unless you earn big bucks for doing it.

The author of the article is asking basically what's more relevant; doing activities in real life, to possibly further ones self (advancing the character 'you' in the rpg called 'life', if you will), or the virtual counterpart.

I tend to lean towards believing that the virtual experience is still a meager simile to being out in the real world, but I also enjoy the 'other worldly' aspect of getting together to fend off a zombie apocalypse for an evening.


Just like with everything, I think it should be balanced with the rest of ones life, but where that balance lies is everyone's own call.