Slashdot Mirror
Help for an MMORPG Addict?
A worried comrade asks: "A friend of mine has had what many of us (his peers) are starting to consider a serious problem that we are becoming very worried about. He is addicted to World of Warcraft, and not in the same way the rest of us are. While most of us are able to disconnect from the game to take care of our own affairs, he plays to the exclusion of his friends, his job (he calls in sick a lot, it is starting to get noticed) and his life. How do you help someone who is actively throwing their whole life away to play a game?"
You buy 'em a better video card, another stick of RAM, you order a pizza, and you say "yes" whenever he asks if you wanna go on a raid.
Or did you mean to help him do something else? :)
You forgot an important step in the death ritual: emailing all your gold to my character.
Finding God in a Dog
YMMV
It is a simple question of economics. The person can spend 8 hours grinding levels for alts at World of Warcraft to get 2% better stats. Or they can spend 8 hours with their primary character grinding date quests, with a 20% chance of success and a 5% chance of critical hit.
At the end of a week, player 1 has just 15% higher stats. But player 2 has a pretty good chance of getting (or becoming) an ultra rare pet, with only a base level 18 requirement. Depending on which server and region you are in, group quests are also a possibility.
There can be complications with item drops, but anything you don't want can be sold at the auction house.
The ______ Agenda
I really can't relate to your friend's problem. Why would anybody prioritize some stupid online hobby over real life??
On a more serious note, for the love of God, mod me up! I've been posting and posting trying to gain karma, and it's starting to effect my work ethic!!
One week with the NGE is enough to drive even the most hardcore MMO player to quit for good....
if this friend lives in the States i suggest tequila, a couple friends, and a pickup truck.
And then drive to Canada?
1. Get a beer
2. Drink
3. Get another beer
4. Drink
5. Drink a few more beers
6. Try playing Everquest drunk
7. Piss your guildmates off until you have no friends left in the game
8. Accidentally trade your entire high-level gear for two healing items
9. Get angry at computer and break it
10. File class action lawsuit against Sony Online Entertainment to get your items and computer replaced
11. ???
12. Profit
Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
Not to mention that RL is decidedly dragon-free.
-Eric
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.