WoW Addiction

[drison]

I just recently started playing World of Warcraft . I've spent the last four nights playing from the time I got home from work until midnight. I'm a little tired and my wife is not very happy. Any advice? :)

-Dave

[jasylonian]

Stop playing?

Sex > WoW

[yg17]

My former roommate was addicted to WoW. Never studied, never went to class, never did homework, never ate, never slept, never showered, he rarley took breaks to go to the crapper. According to people in some of his classes, he was failing all of his classes and if he doesnt shape up next semester, chances are, the college will kick him out. So if that happens, he won't have an education, won't have a job, nothing.


That enough motivation for you to not get addicted?

[Onnastick]

I have been playing the game since the night it was released in November 2004. In fact, I was playing in their open beta before that. I have a wife and children, and a full time job.

I know many people I play with who are in the same situation. The game is extremely addictive. I suggest you either buckle in for a very long ride involving a lot of fun in the game, sleep deprivation, family struggle, and general turmoil... or uninstall the game, cancel your account, and destroy the media it came on.

[Chaszmyr]

I admit it, I am addicted to WoW. The crazy thing is I don't even think it's very much fun. I'm in a transitional period for the next month or so though (between schools and between jobs), so WoW has taken over my life... Sometimes it really bothers me how many hours I spend in this game. I wish Blizzard hadn't added the /played command.

[drison]

Stop playing?

Sex > WoW


Good point. ;)

[scem0]

Sex > WoW


eh... you underestimate WoW :).

I definitely play WoW too much, but I don't regret it at all. It is sumer now, so I really don't have many responsibilities, but back when I was in school I kept up with my work and stuff. So, enjoy WoW, but get what needs to be done, done. ;)

scem0

[yellow]

I'm a little tired and my wife is not very happy. Any advice?

My wife (sort of) patiently put up with my WoW addiction from the last stress test & open beta, until early January. But she started making "we don't spend any time together" noises (and she was right, I played from 5AM to 8AM, and then 7PM to 12PM everyday (much more on weekends)). Luckily, I was getting quite board with the game and gave it up cold turkey. I suggest you do the same. What happens if things go south and you have to explain to a judge (and friends) that you're getting divorced because you were addicted to a stupid game? I don't think you'll get too much sympathy.

For the good of your marriage, set aside maybe 5 hours on weekends only to play, or give it up for good.

Or, if you're lucky, get her hooked on it. I am not so lucky. I can't even get my wife interested in The Sims.

[wdlove]

You need to set priorities. Finish the important things first and then play WoW as relaxation, a treat after a hards day work. Just think of the guy that became addicted to online chat, they found him dead in front of his computer. He was at it almost 24/7. :eek:

[howard]

try and get your wife addicted

its worked with the girlfriends of a few of my friends... now they spend "quality" time together in the game... hehe its a crazy world we live in

[Mr. Durden]

Ditch the wife. She'll only nag you to death anyway. Or send her on a trip... frees up more time to play. :D

Just kidding. I've tried playing WoW and cant stand it. Dear lord, thats the most agonizing and lame game I've ever seen. Just my opinion, though. I'm sure it just a matter of taste, since lots of people seem to enjoy it.

[OutThere]

I was extremely addicted to WoW for a while...until I realized that I wasn't playing it for fun any more, I was just playing it because I needed to level up my character and run instances, it was work. When I realized that:

--

1) Hearthstone to IF

2) "LFG _random instance_" x 300

3) Fly/Ride to the instance.

4) Press the same keys over and over again for 2 hours.

5) Repeat

--

Was not something fun and worthwhile, I let my account expire, and stopped playing the game outright.

It seems like so many hundreds of thousands of people are wasting their lives away playing this game that isn't even fun after the first month or so.

My friends maintain that running the same exact instance 5 times a day is something fun for them, maybe I'm weird but I really don't enjoy a "game" that is that repetitive, like a bad job.

I'm thinking I might go back to the game over the summer for a while...there are many more interesting things I like to do in the summer than I do in the winter....much easier to get addicted when there is no reason to be outside.

If it becomes a problem (it's a problem if other people start saying you play too much), either force yourself to lay off a bit, or quit, WoW is not worth missing out on life. :)

[scem0]

4) Press the same keys over and over again for 2 hours.
you only run into this problem if you choose a boring class like rogue. Every battle is completely different with a druid, or a challenging class like that.

I agree with the people who say you should get your wife addicted. I have played with a couple couples :D.

scem0

[QCassidy352]

WoW was one of the significant contributing factor to the break up of my 4+ year relationship. Ironically, my gf was the one whose addiction ultimately became the problem, but that's not really important.

I think your relationship needs to already have problems for a game to seriously hurt it, but let me tell you, WoW is definitely no help.

Guys, it's not worth it. It's just not. You had a life before WoW, and you'll have a life when you quit. I'm absolutely heartbroken right now, and to think that the way I'm feeling in any way came from a VIDEO GAME makes me sick.

/account canceled

[OutThere]

you only run into this problem if you choose a boring class like rogue. Every battle is completely different with a druid, or a challenging class like that.

I agree with the people who say you should get your wife addicted. I have played with a couple couples :D.

scem0

Druid...solo: Roots, moonfire, wrath, wrath, starfire, heal, moonfire group: healing touch, regrowth, healing touch, healing touch, regrowth....the feral parts are too gimped to really be usefull....only the bear form is useful as a tank in low level instances.
:rolleyes:

[drison]

WoW was one of the significant contributing factor to the break up of my 4+ year relationship. Ironically, my gf was the one whose addiction ultimately became the problem, but that's not really important.

I think your relationship needs to already have problems for a game to seriously hurt it, but let me tell you, WoW is definitely no help.

Guys, it's not worth it. It's just not. You had a life before WoW, and you'll have a life when you quit. I'm absolutely heartbroken right now, and to think that the way I'm feeling in any way came from a VIDEO GAME makes me sick.

/account canceled

Oouch. Sorry man, I didn't mean to dig up bad memories for anyone. Just curious about how they got away with playing while maintaining a relationship with said sig other. Sounds like I need to limit it to some spare time on the weekends and whenever my wife and kids are at her parents. :D

-Dave

[Demon Hunter]

Hmm interesting thread. Since summer started I've been playing pretty non-stop, I haven't gotten a summer job yet or seen many of my friends. Folks are concerned, since I have depression, and this kind of thing doesn't bode well. You just need self-control and ask yourself questions. Why am I playing? Why is it "fun"? I will still play because I think it's an amazing game, I enjoy it for the plot alone (Deadmines, omg!), but just like anything in life you need to have boundaries and know when too much is too much. If you need to stop cold that's understandable too.

[jasylonian]

eh... you underestimate WoW :).

I play WoW, I'd rather have sex.

[freeorangeshoes]

dont you have to pay money each month to play? that would be reason enough for me not to play.

[AoWolf]

Make a dwarf or horde female that should stop you :p

[desenso]

I've been playing since November. The good news is you will get tired of it, the bad news is that it may take many months, if not years, for that to happen.

The beaty of WoW compared to games such as Everquest is that you are rewarded for not playing through double experience. Be satisfied that the longer you stay logged out, the faster you will level when you log in. That should be enough incentive to balance work, private life, and a game, which should only be a passive distraction if it is to remain healthy. If you can't do that, then I'd follow the advice of one of the previous posters: uninstall, cancel, and destroy the media - like so many others have said, if you can't control it then it's not a good idea to play it.

I lost a spring break to Everquest. I mean, I literally played everquest 18 hours a day, every single day. I almost never went out of the house. I felt so ashamed after that, I had enough incentive to quit the game. WoW has been very different for me - my G.P.A. has remained quite constant and I have the self control to only play when I really have nothing to do. My girlfriend hates the game but appreciates the effort I put in. I'd say World of Warcraft is a lot less addictive, so if you can't control playing that, then I'd strongly recommend you never again pick up a MMOG - there are many out there that are far worse.

[pgc6000]

Heh, glad I didn't get WoW!

Halo 2 is also another addicting game. I played that game all winter. Some people are completely obsessed. Luckly I only play it three times a month or so.

[JasonL]

I have recently reduced the amount of time I spend playing WoW, but I have probably spent something like 1000 hours in the last six months playing. I have a level 60 and a level 44 character. I know people that have multiple level 60 characters. :eek: I'll probably get my lev 44 char up to 60 and then either cancel my account or play very little. Running the same instances over and over can get a bit old; and my wife isn't exactly loving my WoW habit much either. ;)

edit: And, QCassidy352, that is rough man...I really feel for you.

[RandomDeadHead]

WoW was one of the significant contributing factor to the break up of my 4+ year relationship.
/account canceled


I don't mean to spit in your eye bro, but if a video game was enough to drive you two apart, you already had much bigger problems. I withstood 3 years of my wife being a fall down drunk. She put up with a small herion addiction I had during the mid eighties, that wiped out all of our saveings, almost ruened our buesness, landed me in jail for six mounths and nearly killed me twice. In the end love kept us togather.

If their had been enough love in your relationship, it would have worked out. It's not like she was screwing druids and selling your house to buy more online play or however wow does it.

So to everyone "worried" about your Wow addiction, suck it up. Go shoot H for a couple months and then well talk addiction. If iv drugs arn't your cup of tea, find peace knowing that loosing a 18 hours a day to a video game is not **** compaired to what the famiys of addicts have to deal with.

So keep playin' it's better the crack.

[QCassidy352]

I don't mean to spit in your eye bro, but if a video game was enough to drive you two apart, you already had much bigger problems. I withstood 3 years of my wife being a fall down drunk. She put up with a small herion addiction I had during the mid eighties, that wiped out all of our saveings, almost ruened our buesness, landed me in jail for six mounths and nearly killed me twice. In the end love kept us togather.

If their had been enough love in your relationship, it would have worked out. It's not like she was screwing druids and selling your house to buy more online play or however wow does it.

So to everyone "worried" about your Wow addiction, suck it up. Go shoot H for a couple months and then well talk addiction. If iv drugs arn't your cup of tea, find peace knowing that loosing a 18 hours a day to a video game is not **** compaired to what the famiys of addicts have to deal with.

So keep playin' it's better the crack.

Rarely do I get angry at people on these boards, but I'm so furious right now that I'm really glad this is just the internet and I can't do anything that I'd regret.

First, please read my original post in full. I entirely agreed with your statement "if a video game was enough to drive you two apart, you already had much bigger problems." What I said was, "I think your relationship needs to already have problems for a game to seriously hurt it."

Second, how DARE you say "if there had been enough love in your relationship..." You don't know the first thing about me, my ex-girlfriend, or our relationship. Think about how you'd feel if someone told you "you wouldn't have used heroin if you loved your wife more." You'd probably want to hit them, right? Because they don't know **** about your situation or your life, so they probably shouldn't be talking about how much you did or didn't love your wife, right?

Third, your whole "my addiction is bigger than your addiction" attitude makes me sick. You honestly want to turn this in to a pissing contest about addiction? I have drunks, drug addicts, and gamblers in my family so do not presume to lecture me about addiction.

People can be addicted to many many different kinds of things - drugs, alcohol, sex, thrill seeking, money, gambling, power, and yes, video games. Addiction is defined as "Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance." If you don't think that playing for 20 hours at a time, neglecting friends, family, work, sleep, food, sex, and love to play a video game rises to that standard, then you know what? **** you. Seriously, go to hell "bro."

I'm sorry that you and your wife have gone through what you did. As angry as I am right now, I am sorry because I've seen what that's like and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But just because you had one kind of problem doesn't mean that you get to pass judgment on what else qualifies. Just because a video game isn't as bad as heroin, that means it can't be bad at all? How does that make any sense?

[OutThere]

Rarely do I get angry at people on these boards, but I'm so furious right now that I'm really glad this is just the internet and I can't do anything that I'd regret.

First, please read my original post in full. I entirely agreed with your statement "if a video game was enough to drive you two apart, you already had much bigger problems." What I said was, "I think your relationship needs to already have problems for a game to seriously hurt it."

Second, how DARE you say "if there had been enough love in your relationship..." You don't know the first thing about me, my ex-girlfriend, or our relationship. Think about how you'd feel if someone told you "you wouldn't have used heroin if you loved your wife more." You'd probably want to hit them, right? Because they don't know **** about your situation or your life, so they probably shouldn't be talking about how much you did or didn't love your wife, right?

Third, your whole "my addiction is bigger than your addiction" attitude makes me sick. You honestly want to turn this in to a pissing contest about addiction? I have drunks, drug addicts, and gamblers in my family so do not presume to lecture me about addiction.

People can be addicted to many many different kinds of things - drugs, alcohol, sex, thrill seeking, money, gambling, power, and yes, video games. Addiction is defined as "Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance." If you don't think that playing for 20 hours at a time, neglecting friends, family, work, sleep, food, sex, and love to play a video game rises to that standard, then you know what? **** you. Seriously, go to hell "bro."

I'm sorry that you and your wife have gone through what you did. As angry as I am right now, I am sorry because I've seen what that's like and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But just because you had one kind of problem doesn't mean that you get to pass judgment on what else qualifies. Just because a video game isn't as bad as heroin, that means it can't be bad at all? How does that make any sense?


/agree

My friend, or "WoW based entity" as I am inclined to call him, has an addiction to the video game that rivals that of the strongest drugs. He is failing classes, he does not leave his room to get food (he orders delivery all the time) he stays up until 3-4 am each day playing the game, and locks himself inside to keep his friends away so he can finish his UBRS raid without his pesky friends trying to "help" him do work. This guy is in a bad way, and I see right where you are coming from....

[patseguin]

They really should have some kind of advisory on the box about the addictive nature of MMORPG's and to play responsibly. People get really caught up in these types of games and it can cause real personal problems. I don't consider myself addicted and don't play every day. However, the days that I do play usually go all day and all night with breaks for meals. I've blown off family and friends to work on instances, grinding, etc.

[Palad1]

I know many people I play with who are in the same situation. The game is extremely addictive. I suggest you either buckle in for a very long ride involving a lot of fun in the game, sleep deprivation, family struggle, and general turmoil... or uninstall the game, cancel your account, and destroy the media it came on.

That's what I did two months ago!

But I forgot to destroy the media it came on... I'll be spending 2 months away from home, alone with my Mac and, and, and.


- "Hello, my name is Palad1, and... I'm a WoW addict, once more."
- "Hello Palad1" (chorus)

[kuyu]

I just started playing 3 weeks ago. I'd never played an MMOG before (except tinkering with COH at a friends house). I must admit that I'm hooked. A guy I worked with was talking about getting the game, and I stupidly said I'd buy it if he did. Whoops...

I have a lvl 18 Night Elf Druid (boring, darkshore sucks) and a level 12 Gnome Mage (real fun quests). The only reason I'm on the boards right now is scheduled server maintanance until 2 PM EST today. I was sooo pissed when I got up today. I even quit playing early last night so I could get up early today and grind without all the other players around (I live in the east, but play on a west coast server).

Lucky for me, my girlfriend LOATHES videogames, except SNES, and basically forces me to quit playing when she's around. So I have to play while she's at work or at her house asleep. Since starting WoW, I haven't touched my xbox, ps2, or DS. My plan, however, is to cancel my subscription the day I get an Xbox360. That will keep me from buying my usual game a month until xmas.

As for the addictive nature of the game, I think about WoW all day long at work. I wonder who's on, plan which quests I'm going to complete first, think about rearranging my spells in the action bar, plan my attack for different beasts, etc.

If you've never played, do yourself a favor and don't start. That is, unless you want to piss your entire summer away, then by all means, pst me on Shadowsong realm at Kuyu (druid) or Spellsworth (mage).

:) ;) :( :confused:

[huck500]

About the warning, FFXI warns you not to neglect the other parts of your life every time you log in...

My wife and I started FFXI together, but it quickly became really boring to me, nothing to do but grind, grind, grind. Everything in that game is so slow...crafting, leveling, questing, whatever.

I tried out WoW and stopped playing FFXI in 2 days. I was leveling beastmaster in FFXI, and started hunter in WoW.... permanent pets are something Square needs to look at. I spent 2 weeks running RFK to tame Blind Hunter, and now I have the only white bat I've seen on my server....I'm sure there are others, just haven't seen them. Currently leveling cooking so I can learn to make Savory Deviate Delight, bought for 5s from the AH from some uninformed soul.

Point is, WoW is so much more addicting, there's so much more to do. I'm lucky in that my wife is still addicted to FFXI (for social reasons)...I play on my PB so we sit next to each other and show what's going on in each game...I know some of the people she plays with, so she types stuff for me to them, it's cool.

Before I got WoW I wasn't playing much FFXI and it was causing some tension, so I can relate. Just make sure you make time for your SO, because there's just no way you're going to convince her that the raid your guild is planning is more important than spending time with her. And it's not. :)

[jkaz]

i play wow as much as i can.

every once in a while i get upset with the game or simply tired of playing.

here's where my 'real life' kicks in.

at this time, i stop to look around and see what needs to get done.

a stack of junk that needs organizing? done.

friends left phone messages and i haven't gotten back to them? called.

haven't spent enough time with important people in my life? make definitive plans to do something cool with them.


having wow gave me a reason to work on my time management skills.

i've eliminated activities that were only marginally enjoyable and have manage to replace 'higher quantity' time with my close friends with higher quality time.

bottom line:

if you know that you need to spend x*y time with z person, boost the x value so that you can reduce the y value where x=quality and y=time

this will leave you with more wow


edit:

z= the level of quality and the amount of time that a person requires from the wow player to remain in positive standing

x= actual time spent with person

y= quality of time spent with person


before wow:

x>y

since wow and time management:

y>x


for me in relationships:

wow + time management > way it was before wow

[Laslo Panaflex]

Haven't played for 2 weeks been real busy with work and went on vacation a few of those days. Haven't really misssed it much, my guild has just been pharming MC and Onyxia, pretty boring really after your 30th MC run and 4th Onyxia kill. It took my a relatively long time, in real life, like 4 months to get to 60, while it took my friend 3 weeks into the launch to get to 60 :rolleyes:

WoW is very fun, and just as addictive as anything out there, but luckly a great job and GF have keep it under control for me. Having said that, my sleeping habits sure have changed since WoW came out, going to sleep at 2 or 3 in the morning is pretty much a regular occurance for me now.

Killerdeath
Lvl 60 Undead Warlock
Kilrogg
Blacktemplars (http://www.blacktemplars.org)

[G5isAlive]

I just recently started playing World of Warcraft . I've spent the last four nights playing from the time I got home from work until midnight. I'm a little tired and my wife is not very happy. Any advice? :)

-Dave

Is divorce not an option?

[Bubbasteve]

I play WoW, I'd rather have sex.
You and me both brotha

[Josh396]

You and me both brotha
I couldn't agree anymore.

[Macaddicttt]

Just think of the guy that became addicted to online chat, they found him dead in front of his computer. He was at it almost 24/7. :eek:

Wasn't that a joke?

[scem0]

Druid...solo: Roots, moonfire, wrath, wrath, starfire, heal, moonfire group: healing touch, regrowth, healing touch, healing touch, regrowth....the feral parts are too gimped to really be usefull....only the bear form is useful as a tank in low level instances.
:rolleyes:

If only it were that simple. Actually I'm glad it isn't, that would get ultra boring. There are many spells that have elements of randomness to them which can change a whole battle, for example if your roots break after the first moonfire then you have to alter your path. You could reroot and take a few hits while casting, or you could cast natures grasp. If you cast natures grasp, you have another element of randomness that can totally change your strategy in the battle - there is a random chance that the mob will get rooted once it hits you. Sometimes it takes 6 or 7 hits for the roots to pop up. Well, I really am going where with this simulated battle. But experience has shown me that fighting with a druid isn't as simple as root, moonfire, wrath, wrath, etc. Battles rarely follow that pattern for me - especially since I've respecced as a feral druid.

Oh and about feral, I totally disagree. A druid could theoretically have 12,000 armor in Dire Bear form with the right equipment. They have an aoe threat increase as well as a single unit threat increase spell. Keeping aggro isn't really a problem for me. Feral has increased a lot recently (and will continue to do so) because it use to be gimped and blizz had always been planning to fix the animal forms. Cat form is fun, you get the equivalents to sinister strike and eviscerate as well as a bunch of other fun spells. But unlike a rogue, you can heal yourself if you are about to die.

scem0

[drison]

Is divorce not an option?

Errr, no. Divorce is definately out. I actually like this chik I'm married to. I just want to play games and get lovin too. I'm a nerd, so my options were limited to begin with. :D

[TheGimp]

WoW and all its predecessors is a stupid game meant to sop up all the poor Dilberts' stagnant would-be sexual energy so that it doesn't go a'diddling.
Keep the pasty faces off the streets and in their home-based cubicles with Cola.

[coconn06]

If only it were that simple. Actually I'm glad it isn't, that would get ultra boring. There are many spells that have elements of randomness to them which can change a whole battle, for example if your roots break after the first moonfire then you have to alter your path. You could reroot and take a few hits while casting, or you could cast natures grasp. If you cast natures grasp, you have another element of randomness that can totally change your strategy in the battle - there is a random chance that the mob will get rooted once it hits you. Sometimes it takes 6 or 7 hits for the roots to pop up. Well, I really am going where with this simulated battle. But experience has shown me that fighting with a druid isn't as simple as root, moonfire, wrath, wrath, etc. Battles rarely follow that pattern for me - especially since I've respecced as a feral druid.

Oh and about feral, I totally disagree. A druid could theoretically have 12,000 armor in Dire Bear form with the right equipment. They have an aoe threat increase as well as a single unit threat increase spell. Keeping aggro isn't really a problem for me. Feral has increased a lot recently (and will continue to do so) because it use to be gimped and blizz had always been planning to fix the animal forms. Cat form is fun, you get the equivalents to sinister strike and eviscerate as well as a bunch of other fun spells. But unlike a rogue, you can heal yourself if you are about to die.

scem0

About your Dire Bear comments, high armor (and possibly hps) is all we have going for us. Keeping aggro is a problem, as growl is not a "threat increase" ability. It works like warrior's taunt; it taunts the mob to attack you, but does NOTHING when the mob is already attacking you. So your only way to "hold" aggro is to taunt, wait 10 seconds, at which point the mob will have been attacking the rogue, taunt again, repeat. Warriors have specific abilities which generate threat to compete with the high damage of rogues, mages, etc...sunder, shield bash, overpower, etc.

- Level 60 Druid Ness, Khadgar

[sourcemonkey]

reading people's tales of addiction here maybe AoWolf's sig should read: "my wife for Aiur!"

;)

[Cooknn]

Ditch the wife. She'll only nag you to death anyway. Or send her on a trip... frees up more time to play. :DLMAO, that's good :D

[MoeG]

Ok, let me see , i am a gamer i enjoy good games , currently i own a DS & SP, Game Cube , PS2 and that goes without saying me Mac's.

when i buy games i spread them over the systems i have, so i get to use them , and it is fun and sometimes i get my bro's to join in or my freinds.

now that said, i am a a trader in almost anything that comes my way, but mostly commodities (wheat, corn, soyabeans etc.) as this is more than a full time job, and i get to travel allot , games are a relief for me and i enjoy them,
i play WOW and my pali is lvl 30 now, and i have a good collection of games,
( BTW i am not as old as you might think ), here is my advice:

Enjoy the games, play for the sake of playing , dont let it take-over ur life , and honor ur comitments in ur daily life, what i'm getting to is you should have ' Moderation in everything you do' ( i'm not maried but i know this, one comitment is more real than the other)

i know i sound like a therapist (LOL) but this is what works for me and i hope it can be of some use to you or anyone who reads this. :D :D :D

[TheGimp]

can expose be used to toggle between WoW and sex, or does it take over the system?

[chibianh]

I consider myself a casual gamer. I really like WoW and try to play when I can. However, I finally reached level 60 and I've had the game since it was released. I think I play on average about 5-10 hours a week. Not sure you would call that addiction, but I can understand how one can be immersed in something like this. You just have to get your priorities down and all will be well. :)

[ScottDodson]

Wow, by all these posts I am glad that so far I have been able to keep myself away from WoW! I have a problem with gaming *addictions* lol, and there was nothing that could stop me from having a 8-10 hour binge at some online FPS's. Most of my old eFriends, or *clan mates* from the old days have ALL moved on to WoW, and I hear it everyday:

We can power level you, we'll give you anything you need, we'll take care of you, blah blah...level 60 in no time...

Well I just refuse to play it, I know it's a great game, I know I would love it, I know I would get addicted...right now it's not something I can do (I have to concentrate my full attention to other games ;)

Frankly, there is no room in my "gaming schedule" right now for WoW, I wish there was, but I'm glad I've been able to stay away for so long...

[lasuther]

My friend gave me the 10 day free pass, the bastard. I leveled up to about 16 on my iBook below. I loved the game and told my friend that I was going to get the game when I got a new iBook after the updated (I was sure it would have happened by now). Well, after a couple of months I got tired about hearing my friend updating his character. So I bought it this week and I've been playing a few hours every night.

The wife isn't so thrilled. So we decided to pick up a hobby to do together, which is golf. Now that is a expensive game. So my wife and I get to spend some time outside playing a game together and when we get home, I fire up the iBook to play some WoW. Its all about balance.

lasuther

[ScottDodson]

So we decided to pick up a hobby to do together, which is golf.

Good for you! Golf has always been a great way to spend time with a significant other...and it's always fun (as long as there isn't any major competition between the two involved ;) ) It's a great, peaceful way to spend time with each other...

now that I sound like a public service announcement :rolleyes:

[QCassidy352]

you all are right, of course, when you say that priorities and balance are the keys... but of course, that's the point of addiction - it takes hold of you and makes you forget what's really important. Kudos to those who can keep it in perspective. :)

[Palad1]

And Captain Astroturf comes to save the day!
Thanks, Captain!

[ZoomZoomZoom]

Had to quit WoW temporarily while doing study abroad. (Still am abroad, actually.) It's a good feeling. Don't play too much. Get to level 60, and once you're there, join a casual (but professional) raiding guild. Set aside some time two, maybe three times a week to go raid and chat, and that's pretty much it.

If your addiction is really serious (i.e. if you're finding that you're missing out on life in order to hop into instances, or if you're missing sleep for WoW) then put on a parental control. Have a good friend set it, and make him not give you the password under any condition. I'm part of a very good raiding guild right now, but some of our top players (good friends, too, after raiding with them for so long) have left due to real life problems caused by playing WoW too much. Just take it in moderation.

[aussie_geek]

I have purposely avoided MMORPG's. I have had friends that once played FPS games like call of duty and medal of honour etc that bought it. you only hear from them once when they get the game - the day that they get it and recommend it to you.

after that, they are completely off the radar - not even on msn. sometimes they surface for a few minutes per month, stay and chat for about 45 seconds and then hurry off to do another quest.

the problem with WoW and games of that sort is that you need to spend so much time in the game to actually achieve something. we are talking blocks of 6 hours and in many cases days.

so, if you want to rot your brain, turn into an introverted antisocial person that doesn't even leave their keyboard to crap, play WoW...

aussie_geek

[Xeem]

Stop playing WoW if you think you are becoming hooked. I am a member of a local gaming group of about 30 people. We used to primarily play FPS and RTS games, holding LANs on the third Saturday of every month. Everyone had a blast playing games like UT2k4, Enemy Territory, and Warcraft 3 (don't even get me started on our awesome Starcraft matches!) together. When WoW came out, half of the group was instantly addicted. Our LANs fell apart (why play any other game when WoW was so good? :( ), fewer people showed, and we stopped holding LANs on a regular basis. At the end of the first year after the game came out, one of my friend's play time was averaging 13 hours a day, another was averaging 10, and my best friend (who I hardly saw anymore) was averaging in 8 hours a day in addition to working full time and being a full time student. This was their actual /played time, and believe me, they were actually playing just about every minute of it. I play about 4 hours a week of World of Warcraft, which is less than probably 75% of my gamer group plays in a day. WoW can ruin lives.

[aussie_geek]

i play wow as much as i can.

every once in a while i get upset with the game or simply tired of playing.

here's where my 'real life' kicks in.

at this time, i stop to look around and see what needs to get done.

a stack of junk that needs organizing? done.

friends left phone messages and i haven't gotten back to them? called.

haven't spent enough time with important people in my life? make definitive plans to do something cool with them.


having wow gave me a reason to work on my time management skills.

i've eliminated activities that were only marginally enjoyable and have manage to replace 'higher quantity' time with my close friends with higher quality time.

bottom line:

if you know that you need to spend x*y time with z person, boost the x value so that you can reduce the y value where x=quality and y=time

this will leave you with more wow


edit:

z= the level of quality and the amount of time that a person requires from the wow player to remain in positive standing

x= actual time spent with person

y= quality of time spent with person


before wow:

x>y

since wow and time management:

y>x


for me in relationships:

wow + time management > way it was before wow

sorry - had to jump in here...

WoW - WoW = better than your present situation.

it sounds like you are altering your lifestyle and personal interactions to immerse yourself into a world of fantasy more than in the here and now...

is this healthy? playing games more than interspersing with society? i think not. what would happen if you did not play WoW for a week? would you find things to do?

have you ever tried just going outside and just sitting there thinking about nothing in particular? try it.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:


aussie_geek

[bobber205]

I've started playing WoW on my MacBook (very good results btw).

it's addicting but I can control myself.

[Gasu E.]

My wife (sort of) patiently put up with my WoW addiction from the last stress test & open beta, until early January. But she started making "we don't spend any time together" noises.

My guildies refer to this as "wife aggro."

[Gasu E.]

Make a dwarf or horde female that should stop you :p

Those undead chicks... eeesh

[Moshiiii]

Well lets see, I was addicted to Wow. Nearly droped out of high school, stoped talking to friends, stoped working out, stoped doing art until through a odd series of events I met a girl who I thought I'd spend the rest of my life with. I easily kicked the addiction and started enjoying real life adventures.. Two years later that bitch left me and I'm addicted to WoW again! Life is just a damn circle.

[Palad1]

Well lets see, I was addicted to Wow. Nearly droped out of high school, stoped talking to friends, stoped working out, stoped doing art until through a odd series of events I met a girl who I thought I'd spend the rest of my life with. I easily kicked the addiction and started enjoying real life adventures.. Two years later that bitch left me and I'm addicted to WoW again! Life is just a damn circle.

No it ain't.
Someday you'll eventually run out of bitches...

[quigleybc]

Damn,

This thread is kind of sad....

A lot of you really are addicted, and that is not good....

I used to play Vids big time, I geeked out on such life wasters as: FF, Kotor, and others...and it def played a role in my last breakup with GF..

Since then, I've sworn off all games that take the obscene amount of time that most games require these days...and limited myself to a few FPS (half life 2) and Sports games..games that at least will END at some point in the not TOO distant future.....Sports games are the best because you can just sit down, play for 45min to one hour, and it will END, and you will feel somewhat satisfied...

I gained a reputation in University for being a scumbag, video game junkie that didn't do ****** except play vids, and I really wanted to end that...so I did.

I'm already addicted to ciggarettes, and I know that WOW would be a dagger in any plans I have for my future...So, I never bought it, never tried it...I just avoid it...

That's just me though, I'm sure many of you can balance the game and life just fine......(right?) but for me, I needed to draw the line....


To the OP, I say "quit now, before it becomes too late...."

[Mord]

maybe get some self control?

i could never play more than 4 hours maximum.

[JPark]

maybe get some self control?

i could never play more than 4 hours maximum.


Some people are more susceptible to addictions than others and for them it's a bit more difficult than just "get some self control." I chose to never try WoW. I learned from the only MMORPG I've tried (SW Galaxies--by all accounts not nearly as good as WoW) that I have a low addiction threshold. I was only able to quit it because I was using a trial copy on a school computer. If my own computer (a mac) had been capable of playing it, I'd probably be playing it right now.

I know I'm a recovering addict because 2 years later I still get the urge to play. Whenever I see links about the game my interest is piqued and I get the itch again.

Does anyone else think society is heading toward The Matrix, except without the machines and with people actually choosing to live entirely virtual lives?

[aussie_geek]

.

Does anyone else think society is heading toward The Matrix, except without the machines and with people actually choosing to live entirely virtual lives?


most definitely especially when it comes to entertainment. it is healthy to use your computer for entertainment but the experience should not dictate how you function in normal day to day life.

about the matrix - there is already an online game so you can immerse yourself into the realm already.

Matrix Online (http://thematrixonline.station.sony.com/)


aussie_geek

[bobber205]

I'm not addicted.... yet . ;)

Just kidding. BTW Nice avatar aussie_geek!

[jkaz]

sorry - had to jump in here...

WoW - WoW = better than your present situation.

it sounds like you are altering your lifestyle and personal interactions to immerse yourself into a world of fantasy more than in the here and now...

is this healthy? playing games more than interspersing with society? i think not. what would happen if you did not play WoW for a week? would you find things to do?

have you ever tried just going outside and just sitting there thinking about nothing in particular? try it.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:


aussie_geek

thanks for your concern. Where I live, 3 months out of the year if the day reached 32 degrees F(0 C), that would be a heat wave.

I play from work.

1 night out with friends would pay for 3 months of wow subscription.

My college training is in a creative field.

I ride bike an average of 5 times per week.

I travel on the weekends.

I've attended 4 colleges in 3 states, I think i've 'interspersed' with society at least as much as the average bloke.

and i do my best to get at least 40 hours of wow in a week.

[SilentPanda]

Let your wife set the parental controls up for you. She decides which time you can play and for how long. Or ditch the game altogether. That's what I've done... at least... until Burning Crusade comes out... *cries*

You could also try this method...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3306647744013310395

Wow this thread is really old.

[Gasu E.]

thanks for your concern. Where I live, 3 months out of the year if the day reached 32 degrees F(0 C), that would be a heat wave.

I play from work.

1 night out with friends would pay for 3 months of wow subscription.

My college training is in a creative field.

I ride bike an average of 5 times per week.

I travel on the weekends.

I've attended 4 colleges in 3 states, I think i've 'interspersed' with society at least as much as the average bloke.

and i do my best to get at least 40 hours of wow in a week.


But, um, to everyone else on the thread, you sound like an addict. Let me give you an example. A few messages ago, you wrote some elaborate equations showing that, while the time you spend in RL activities has been going down, the "quality" has been going up; so therefore the product at least stays the same. The trouble with this line of reasoning is that you have absolutely no objective metric for "quality". Therefore you can make up whatever number you want and "prove" your assertion.

And that is one symptom of addiction-- the ability to go to great lengths to rationalize to oneself that one is not addicted.

Now, I don't know much about you, so I don't know whether you really are addicted or not. But everything you have put forward on this thread points in that direction.

[sketchy]

lvl 1 through lvl 43 can be done easially with a family.. when you get to lvl 44 the instance run time increases.. taking 3+ hours to do anything.. then you hit 60.. and it takes 4+ hours to run MC, BWL, AQ, etc. the guilds become very militant and demanding. it is easy to let a "10 more min hun, we are almost done" turn into 2 hours of playing. A bad raid can piss of people for days, the drama inthe guild falls over into real life.

When you spend more time on WoW then with your wife/family, you know you have problems.

I don't raid anymore. and if I start doing it inthe future, i will have 1 day a week approved from my wife. , I don't run many instances. I have a lvl 60 mage I never play anymore.. mainly because it takes 4 hours to do anything, and I don't have 4 hours to dedicate to raiding. especially when 4 hours is usually 5 or 6. 4 hours in the instance, 1 hour waiting for everyone to show up, etc.

I know someone whose wife left him while he was playing wow. she posted the note on his fridge after he missed dinner, 8 hours alter he saw the note. didn't even realise she was no longer there.

Wow affects relationships if the players cannot prioritize whot is most important.

[jkaz]

80% of the time i play wow is during the hours of 9 to 5 when i am at work when i have nothing work related that needs to be done.

i play on weekends when i don't find a social activity that i care to participate in.

except for winter i almost never play past 6pm on a friday or a saturday night.

this moment, i have no 'wow goal' that i can suitable pursue in the time frame that my work day is currently allowing me, which is why i am writing this response.


you said:

"But, um, to everyone else on the thread, you sound like an addict. Let me give you an example. A few messages ago, you wrote some elaborate equations showing that, while the time you spend in RL activities has been going down, the "quality" has been going up; so therefore the product at least stays the same. The trouble with this line of reasoning is that you have absolutely no objective metric for "quality". Therefore you can make up whatever number you want and "prove" your assertion."


let me illustrate this to you in a way that might make sense.

when a person turns his social interaction of 6 hours per week 'partying' with his friends into 2 hours a week of something more productive such as bike riding or home improvement etc....

i would call that a reasonably objective metering of 'quality'

[Miguey]

i bought WoW, to play last month, dont know how people are addicted to it so much...i guess im not used to RPG's or something becuase i only play it for 2 hours max....a day....ive already created 3 characters, 2 alliance and 1 horde...still trying to find that 1 person who is actually addiciting though

[yellow]

Quite a few of the dudes I work with play, and more than a few are addicted. One.. well he's totally hooked. His entire world consistes of:

wake up
play wow
get ready for work
got to work
drive home
play wow
sleep

Monday through Friday.
The weekends/holidays/vacations are slightly different. They work out like:

wake up
play wow
sleep

I assume that he sticks eating and drinking in there someplace, but I've never seen it happen, so I cannot confirm that it true.


For me, I'm unhooked from the game. I can't even bring myself to login and care.

[savar]

Hmm interesting thread. Since summer started I've been playing pretty non-stop, I haven't gotten a summer job yet or seen many of my friends. Folks are concerned, since I have depression, and this kind of thing doesn't bode well. You just need self-control and ask yourself questions. Why am I playing? Why is it "fun"? I will still play because I think it's an amazing game, I enjoy it for the plot alone (Deadmines, omg!), but just like anything in life you need to have boundaries and know when too much is too much. If you need to stop cold that's understandable too.

I've never played this game you all are talking about, but I have gotten hooked on similar things, such as Civilization.

The truth is that video games can be like drugs -- a chance to turn off your mind for a bit and forget about everything else in your life. I truly think this is healthy sometimes, but keep in the back of your mind that it is [truly] addicting, and that its not healthy in the long-run to play that much. I ended up breaking the CD in half and throwing it away.

I try to play games that are multiplayer, i.e. real players in the room with you. It gives you real socialization and also its easier to quit playing when other people are involved. Of course, it would be even better if you went outside and ran around for a bit. I mean it is summer and everything, and where I live its still beautiful and sunny even at 6:30pm when I leave work.

[celebrian23]

my best friend has started to get really addicted. She used to be addicted to everquest. I personally can't get into these kinds of games, but I find it alarming how many people on here are addicted- many who don't even know it. Scary stuff

[JackSYi]

I only play during breaks (Winter, Spring, Summer). My grades plummet if I play any other time.

[KingYaba]

Stop playing?

Sex > WoW

2nd that

[bobber205]

2nd that

What not both at the same time?:eek:

[aquanutz]

I have to say that the game was fun for a little while... but I'm not one to be addicted to just anything that is amazing (except my hard addiction to programing, soccer, working out, sex) I have always been able to weigh the pros and cons of doing something that could lead to an addiction and I have always been able to stop. Thank god I've been born like this. I know plenty of people who have hardcore addictions to things, it's just something I'll never be able to understand. I guess my mind works differently than some peoples.

[andrew24p]

I have been addicted to wow for sometin now but i am a kid but i am setting priorities or heres an idea spend about a month just pvping and get to worlord and then just get 500000 DKS i promise you will be so mad you will strart crying(then drop the game for ever)

[AP_piano295]

My suggestion to anyone who is addicted, try this.

Just quit cold turkey for 2 weeks or a month.

If you make it through that week you should be able to go back to the game with some real control.

I've never attempted this with WoW but it has worked for me with a bit of a tv addiction and a bf2 addiction.

[GonzoRob]

owch...

this is getting ugly

anyway, i stoped playing wow quite a while back. It's a fun game but i just dont have the time - long hours at work and too much time in the pub ;)

(oh yes, i also found some of my guild a little creepy)

I prefer quick-fix kinda games ... first person shooters and and nintendo DSL keep my happy..

[Gasu E.]

My suggestion to anyone who is addicted, try this.

Just quit cold turkey for 2 weeks or a month.

If you make it through that week you should be able to go back to the game with some real control.

I've never attempted this with WoW but it has worked for me with a bit of a tv addiction and a bf2 addiction.

That worked for me. I felt as if I were addicted, then went cold turkey for two weeks. Now I play perhaps 10-12 hours a week. I find that is not enough to achieve all of my in-game goals-- level another character, farm for my epic steed, run the key raids/instances-- but it doesn't bother me in the least.

[ashlen]

My husband became very addicted to WoW right before our wedding. This caused all kinds of problems in our marriage because I felt that he was ignoring me. He kept asking me to try playing it and I kept refusing - knowing that I'd become addicted as well. I finally gave in when another friend of mine told me that she plays as well. However - something interesting happened - since we're both playing it's much easier to get him to get off of the game and go do something with me. We go to movies more often - out to eat - weekend trips - we're even playing softball regularly in a league. None of this was possible until I started playing with him. We're both level 48 now and it's been worth every minute. We're not struggling financially but because playing WoW keeps us at home most evenings we're able to save a bit more money than we were previously.

Just a few things to think about.

I'm not saying that all wives will want to start playing WoW with their husbands. I happen to love computer games and we have found a way to fit it into our lives without it taking over.

Moderation is the key. If you cannot tear yourself away from the computer long enough to enjoy a night out with your friends then you've got a problem and should probably seek help somewhere.

"Bring your friends to Azeroth - but don't forget to go outside of Azeroth with them as well." - Quote (as best as I can remember it) from World of Warcraft start-up page. Even they recognize that people are taking their playing to extremes.

[Zwhaler]

I'm going to on purpose never play it because I know I will play it nonstop 24/7

[CANEHDN]

WoW was one of the significant contributing factor to the break up of my 4+ year relationship. Ironically, my gf was the one whose addiction ultimately became the problem, but that's not really important.

I think your relationship needs to already have problems for a game to seriously hurt it, but let me tell you, WoW is definitely no help.

Guys, it's not worth it. It's just not. You had a life before WoW, and you'll have a life when you quit. I'm absolutely heartbroken right now, and to think that the way I'm feeling in any way came from a VIDEO GAME makes me sick.

/account canceled

I know what will cheer you up. A good few hours in front of WoW.

[Abulia]

I can see how WoW can be addicting. I spent a week of my vacation in front of WoW, barely spending any time with my wife and two children roughly a year ago. I view it as pure escapism but a large part of it was my inherent need to "do everything." It wasn't enough to have two 60s, I needed to get my Epic mount, clear that quest log, etc, etc.

While doing my MBA there was a month or so where I was literally so busy that I couldn't login and play WoW. After my schedule cleared up I realized I didn't need WoW.

I still play it, but I play WoW on my terms. I think there's a high addiction point in WoW that eventually levels off...probably once you've "see everything."

When given the choice between a four hour raid with my guild or kicking back and spending time with the wife, I choose the latter. The former is still fun every now-and-then, but the game has become more of a grind and less of an addiction then it did back in the launch days.

[sb58]

i've been playing the free trial and i just went out and got it XD

[CANEHDN]

So I've just installed the Invite a Friend Test Trial. I'm not a fan of this game. I'm a huge fan of Blizzard and would have to say this is the worst game I've played of theirs so far. I'm not xactly sure why I don't like it. It runs perfect on my Mac so I know it's not the performance that's causing me to dislike it.

[homerjward]

i *totally* did not spend 30hr playing WoW last weekend....not at all. *shifty eyes*
oh, and about what ashlen said, i wonder if that's more common than one would think. it seems like about half my guild consists of husbands and wives who play together.

[Mord]

So I've just installed the Invite a Friend Test Trial. I'm not a fan of this game. I'm a huge fan of Blizzard and would have to say this is the worst game I've played of theirs so far. I'm not xactly sure why I don't like it. It runs perfect on my Mac so I know it's not the performance that's causing me to dislike it.


maybe because the first hour or so of any rpg is slow as you level up to get more moves, that first hour is just for learning the game, the real game comes when grouping with people to do quests and instance runs.

[wwooden]

I've had a couple of roommates, one now, who is obsessed with this game. He works a full time job and then comes back and plays until he goes to bed. It is interesting reading all your comments because I see a lot of the same patterns in my roommate; he will miss meals because he is playing, he schedules his day around WoW not the other way around, blows off friends because we nag him to join us in doing outside ativities. We get very frustrated with him and are starting to get a little hurt because we definitely feel like we are less important then a video game.

He tried to get me into the game, I even installed it and played during the free trial. It was interesting, but I have a hard time with games that I know never end or where there aren't set "levels" or goals. I love games like Halo of Tomb Raider, where there are specific levels and an end to the game, even if there is more multiplayer options after.

I still play video games after work, but my games are much more social. My girlfriend and I play the new Tomb Raider together on my 360, it is great because we work together to figure out the puzzles and pass the controller back and forth. It is really nice bonding time for us and we end happier then when we started because we worked together.

[sb58]

when i was finally getting somewhere in this game, it won't work anymore =/

[xob]

Yea I played the first month or two it came out and I had to sell it. Its just not a very healthy game to play.. especially if you are in a relationship.

[Josh]

My husband became very addicted to WoW right before our wedding. This caused all kinds of problems in our marriage because I felt that he was ignoring me. He kept asking me to try playing it and I kept refusing - knowing that I'd become addicted as well. I finally gave in when another friend of mine told me that she plays as well. However - something interesting happened - since we're both playing it's much easier to get him to get off of the game and go do something with me. We go to movies more often - out to eat - weekend trips - we're even playing softball regularly in a league. None of this was possible until I started playing with him. We're both level 48 now and it's been worth every minute. We're not struggling financially but because playing WoW keeps us at home most evenings we're able to save a bit more money than we were previously.

Just a few things to think about.

I'm not saying that all wives will want to start playing WoW with their husbands. I happen to love computer games and we have found a way to fit it into our lives without it taking over.

Moderation is the key. If you cannot tear yourself away from the computer long enough to enjoy a night out with your friends then you've got a problem and should probably seek help somewhere.

"Bring your friends to Azeroth - but don't forget to go outside of Azeroth with them as well." - Quote (as best as I can remember it) from World of Warcraft start-up page. Even they recognize that people are taking their playing to extremes.

Your husband is a lucky guy.

I'd give anything to find someone who loved WoW and looked at it in the way you do.

[Josh]: WTB [Awesome Girlfriend], PST!

[brbubba]

lvl 1 through lvl 43 can be done easially with a family.. when you get to lvl 44 the instance run time increases.. taking 3+ hours to do anything.. then you hit 60.. and it takes 4+ hours to run MC, BWL, AQ, etc. the guilds become very militant and demanding. it is easy to let a "10 more min hun, we are almost done" turn into 2 hours of playing. A bad raid can piss of people for days, the drama inthe guild falls over into real life.

When you spend more time on WoW then with your wife/family, you know you have problems.

I don't raid anymore. and if I start doing it inthe future, i will have 1 day a week approved from my wife. , I don't run many instances. I have a lvl 60 mage I never play anymore.. mainly because it takes 4 hours to do anything, and I don't have 4 hours to dedicate to raiding. especially when 4 hours is usually 5 or 6. 4 hours in the instance, 1 hour waiting for everyone to show up, etc.

I know someone whose wife left him while he was playing wow. she posted the note on his fridge after he missed dinner, 8 hours alter he saw the note. didn't even realise she was no longer there.

Wow affects relationships if the players cannot prioritize whot is most important.

I agree, up until 60 any good guild kind of looks at you like an outcast because you can't go into any of the elite instances. Then when you do hit 60 everything is a mess, you get drama left and right, and people act like you took a piss on their grave when the **** hits the fan.

I think 1 through 40 is really where the game shines with all the various quests. Also 60 PVP can be a lot of fun too, but that is just too much of a time investment. Thankfully the change in focus of the game at lvl 60 is what drove me away and the fact that video games just don't do it for me anymore.

I met a stripper once who left her husband because he played everquest. So if you have a girlfriend or wife, just think about them leaving you, or if you are single, just think about how you will never get laid, and hopefully that will prevent you from playing.

[brbubba]

Yea I played the first month or two it came out and I had to sell it. Its just not a very healthy game to play.. especially if you are in a relationship.

ha ha, tell that to Diablo 2. I bought and sold that game three times. I kid you not!!! The final straw was someone stealing my windforce and I thought, dang this just ain't worth it when pimply teenage kids are stealing **** from me.

[t0ast]

My advice is: If you are suspectible to getting addicted, stay away from wow.

[bwoodwar]

I've been playing WoW for about 4 months now and I know the game is addictive. When I started I played almost non-stop, but then I got a summer job and, just recently, started university. Now I play at most 10 hours a week and most of that time is on the weekends.

I think if your addicted to WoW you don't have to quit cold turkey. Just use the game as an way get your mind off your job or school, don't let it take over important aspecs of your life. Blizzard designed the majority of the game for causal gamers and are making it even more so with the expansion.

Oh, and on another note, my guild has an entire family of five who play together. It's pretty cool, although having your mom /tell you that it's dinner time might get a little weird.:D

[invaLPsion]

Once you hit endgame its a lot easier to play at your leisure. I tried going cold turkey and realized that if you just play the game when you have nothing else to do its ok. Just make sure you have the right priorities. It's also nice when you have a lotta RL friends who play WoW.

[breakfastcrew]

OK PPL it is very easy to stop playing this game. The BEST method to stop playing this game is to get yourself ban. Go download some hacks or do some crazy forbidden thing. Make sure you do something serious so that they ban your key and possibly IP so you will never be able to play the game. At least that was how i stopped playing diablo 2. :cool:

[faustfire]

If your going to be addicted to something, make it something cool.
Video game - not cool
Heroin - Ultra cool

[breakfastcrew]

If your going to be addicted to something, make it something cool.
Video game - not cool
Heroin - Ultra cool
yea.....ok hippie you can go die now.

[Digidesign]

Just wanted to offer my $0.02 here, as someone who was once addicted to FFXI and then to WoW. I apologize in advance for all the psycho-babble, but for those that are looking to stop playing WoW or any other addictive MMORPG out there, perhaps these steps can help.

1) Start looking at your life objectively. Imagine there's a camera stuck on you, and someone's making a documentary of your life. Now imagine what you'd see if you were behind the camera. What would your day look like? How do you think people would respond if your life movie was played in a theater?

An objective view of one's own life (values, affections, decisions) is the first thing to go out the window in almost any addiction.

2) Know what your goals in life are. Doesn't have to be simply career-based goals, but you have to have some long-term goals in terms of how you want your finances to go, or your relationships, or school, or your personal growth. MMORPGs flood you with short-term goals, which often end up overwriting your long-term goals. The more you fill your mind with a WoW QuestLog, over time you end up dropping your Real Life log.

3) Know what is truly valuable. This was the kicker for me. But I couldn't do this without steps 1 and 2. FFXI and WoW were a lot of fun. But they're a lot like the dreams you have when you're eating food but still feel hungry. Or the dreams where you're going to the bathroom, but wake up and still have to go to the bathroom.

A wise man once told me to make a list of all the things I would like to do in life. I remember writing down "taking my character to level 60 and doing raids". I also wrote down things like "go on more dates", "spend more time with friends and family", "get better at piano" and "get a promotion at work". The wise man then told us to write a number next to each item, from 1-10 of how much impact that would have on our real life. Another way to look at it, he said, was to imaging that you only have 1 year left to live. You can imagine that suddenly, playing WoW ranked much lower than other things.

Please don't get me wrong. I am not saying that WoW is the devil, because it's not. What I am saying is that if you LOSE PERSPECTIVE of your real life, WoW can easily come in and take over, because it operates so much on similar principles of how we are motivated (challenges and rewards).

Many people enjoy MMORPGs without getting addicted. For me, I didn't really have a long-term view at the time, or tangible goals in life, so it was easy for me to get caught up playing, and letting that become my life.

(insert nice conclusion here)
well that's all I can think of, so I'll just end by saying that I just saved 15% by switching to GEICO. :cool:

[bobber205]

Nicely written post. :D

[faustfire]

yea.....ok hippie you can go die now.

Hippies don't do heroin, they smoke pot, drop a little acid. Get your stereotypes down. ;)