WoW completely ruins another life
by Mike Schramm 
Jul 25th 2007 at 5:30PM
The Australian media is at it again (why is Australia such a hotbed of this stuff?), with another report on how playing online games can horribly ruin your life. This time, they profile a guy named Mark Nichols, who apparently "played out his days in a virtual world... while his real life crumbled to pieces." Not surprisingly, he blames the game.The best part is when he mentions WoW itself: "Then I heard about a game called World of Warcraft. That's when it all went south." Before he played WoW, he was apparently logging four hours a day in Half-Life, which is enough to make any sensible person reconsider what they're doing. But he was compelled (no choice involved, obviously) to install and play the game anyway. You can imagine the rest-- he loses his job (because, playing on a US server, he'd rather play during the day), loses his girlfriend, gains all kinds of weight, and generally becomes a mess. All because of the game. The last part is great, too: "Games have eaten away at my 20s and I was in stasis for a while," he says. "Hopefully it's not too late." As if the rest of his life will be completely ruined just because he chose to install a game.
I can't say much more about this than I've already said, but I will give the mic to the very insightful Rushster over at WorldofWar:
"I do hate the term 'real life' when used in the context of 'gaming ruining real life.' WoW is real life. It's a real-life entertainment activity just like knitting, watching TV, going to the movies, gardening etc. I do wish people would stop saying their 'real-life' was falling apart. I'm sure if you watch too much TV or go to the movies for 12 hours a day it can't be good for you either or your relationships."
Well said. If you're playing WoW for 12 hours a day-- stop now. Just uninstall the game and walk away. Leave the rest of us to enjoy the game responsibly, and have a good time without the media buying the stupid line that it's the game's fault for ruining this guy's life.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, News items, Humor
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
that deaf guy Jul 25th 2007 5:38PM
Change the title to "Another guy ruins his own life" =D
Naago Jul 25th 2007 5:49PM
The stereotypes associated with WoW are unlike any other recreational pastime.
People are simply uneducated on the subject.
The other day, my buddy met some guy who was shocked that he plays WoW, simply because he wasn't 500lbs and covered in dirt.
I think an easy solution is this: good, cool people who play WoW, talk about it. why do you like it? don't be ashamed based on ignorant people's opinions of you.
i am proud to play WoW, the same as i am proud of my taste in music, books, friends, etc...
please speak up, so people can see that many many types of people play our beloved game ;)
Horixon Jul 25th 2007 5:54PM
These kind of stories bug me. I have been playing WoW for over 2 years. I am an active raider working on leveling yet another toon to 70. I also happen to work full time, exercise, spend plenty of time with my friends and family. I met my fiancee before BC came out, and I'm doing most of the wedding planning while she finishes school. And I still manage to find time to be bored. This guy did this to himself. It isn't hard to balance all of these things, and still enjoy it.
Paul Jul 25th 2007 6:05PM
His lack of lack of self control must have crit...
But seriously, doesn't the simple fact that this isn't happening to 99.99% of WOW players mean something is wrong with him, not the game?
Lex Jul 25th 2007 6:13PM
We will never stop hearing these stories. Put yourself in this guy's position: you've lost friends, family, health, and income because you chose to play a game way too much.
You can either choose to think a) I've made huge mistakes and brought disaster on myself, and now I must fundamentally change my behavior to fix it; or b) I let an evil thing into my life by accident, and everything will be better once I get the evil thing out.
People will always choose to shift the blame, because you can't cut the evil thing out of your life if it's you.
Don't hate the game, hate the player.
Pingmeister Jul 25th 2007 6:28PM
Bottom line: This game is easier than life outside the game.
I am sure there are plenty of folks who get drawn into that type of virtual success.
I suppose even I must admit that I likely don't manage my spare time as wisely as I could. I do spend too much time paying WoW.
I don't let it interrupt my successful marriage or my successful career (semiconductors) but it certainly has a negative effect on what I get done outside of work.
chaz Jul 25th 2007 6:32PM
Who's covering Lindsey Lohan when these jackass reporters are writing this drivel?
Barnabas Jul 25th 2007 6:34PM
This guy is power lols. He knowingly chooses to play on a US server despite the big difference? I have aussie friends that play on US servers and they aren't unemployed. He rather play WoW than get laid? This game is fun and all but seriously. So if that wasn't enough, he only got up from his chair to eat or go to the toilet? This definately isn't an addict. This is a fool that rather whine about how his choices lead to his misery. He needs to L2balance his life and when you aren't having fun you need to step back for awhile or walk away. Have some priorities you stupid crybaby!!!
Zuty Jul 25th 2007 7:05PM
Amen Rushster!
There is no need to group all of the WoW players into the mess of people who are playing insane hours and ruining their own lives, They have the chose to stop playing its not our fault they are addicted.
~Zuty
Zev Jul 25th 2007 7:09PM
Its all in balance, but man its hard to keep perspective when time flies so quickly while playing
Krishan Jul 25th 2007 7:08PM
@ No.7 LOL!
I hate these stories, mainly because it makes non-wow players have a worse impression of the game.
All my friends will bring up in my face "Why do you play WoW you'll just get fat and socially retarded"...if they knew the game was actually very social and not just what the media show I'm sure they'd probably play it.
Malefic Jul 25th 2007 7:35PM
#1 Said it best, but sadly this is what our society does, try and put blame on anyone/anything but yourself.
Steven Jul 29th 2007 7:46PM
the solution is simple...have his gf bounce on his lap while he plays!
B Lee Jul 25th 2007 8:06PM
Mark Nichols' lack of self-control crits Mark Nichols for 15000. Mark dies.
Wolfstalker Jul 25th 2007 8:10PM
I'd rather play wow than get laid, but that's because my GF is a fatty. WTB new GF :(
Paul Jul 25th 2007 8:18PM
haha, not sure if 15 was a joke or not
Pook Jul 25th 2007 9:28PM
See Wow Really is just that good :P
Pook Jul 25th 2007 9:31PM
"If you're playing WoW for 12 hours a day-- stop now"
As someone who is frequently house bound due to ill health, I quite frequently play for 12+ hours in a day... What exactly do you want me to do instead ?
chaz Jul 25th 2007 9:35PM
@18 - i'm sorry to hear you are ill, i have to ask though... if you can play a game for 12 hours, can't you get a job doing some computer work at home?
Liel Jul 25th 2007 9:51PM
I used to raid and I read these comments of "I raid, work full time, raise my kids, go out with the wife, etc etc" which if you are honest to yourself is a lot of BS. There is no way you can plot out on a spreadsheet how you are managing all these things and NOT sacrificing something.
So lets say you work 8-5, throw in 30 minute commute, come home make dinner spend time with kids etc, you are sacrificing family time if you raid 3 nights a week at a minimum.
So lets say you get home at 5:30 eat dinner and "socialize" until 7 which to be honest is the normal starting time for most raiding guilds. You raid at least 4 hours which is the norm, so basically the spouse and kids are already in bed.
If you need to be on for 30 minutes prior to raid start for invites its not possible to say you spend quality time with the family and in reality you are eating quickly, and then "cya" and head to your computer.
The thing is that the norm now a days is that most families do not eat together anyways so these people who say they do not sacrifice time with others are pretty much lying to themselves.