Don't Hate The Game, Hate The Player

If you haven't noticed, I'm an avid WoW enthusiast, that goes without saying. Not to the extent of being a super addict, of course. Trust me, the last thing I want to end up as is becoming Eric Cartman after a lengthly session with the most popular MMO in the world.

But if you compare this game with most MMO's these days, it's safe to say that it's hard to argue about why it shouldn't be considered one of the best experiences around.

Which is also why it's easy for this game to be targeted by most critics.

And out of all the critics, one particular body stood out.

World Of Warcraft: As Addictive As Cocaine?

Wow, talk about something age-old and giving it a facelift. This is but another chapter to the long-lasting issue of gaming linked to perennial vices, such as addiction, health concerns, and even murder. But in this case, addiction seems to be the rule of the day for this one.

But if you ask me, to put the blame solely to a game is totally ludacris.

Let's bring Ragnarok Online in the limelight for starters. When it first came out, it was a craze like never before seen. Some gamers pretty much played like there's no tomorrow, but didn't really have any problems with their grades. In fact, I know some people who play the game yet know their responsibilities beforehand and succeed in their respective professions. There are others who took online gaming into an unhealthy obsession, and ended up being in situations people wouldn't wanna be in, whether it'd be academic, professional, or just simply personal. In fact, there was a case wherein a player, upset about being screwed over from not being able to obtain his desired item, when nuts and killed someone. And that's just an issue in the realm of games. Let's not forget that there are other obsessions this world has to offer, and to merely focus on gaming addiction would mean to ignore all the other obsessions in the world. And that would be an act of ignorance in our part. ILet's see... one thing that easily comes to mind... oh yes, pornography in general.

It's like saying an increase in violence should be attributed to certain violent games like anything with "Grand Theft Auto" on the cover. But in case no one noticed, Tom and Jerry have been trying to kill each other for YEARS with the use of an axe, fireworks, and all that jazz. And SEX in games? HOT COFFEE? Have people not even gave a thought of why the Smurfs only have one Smurfette, and how she has (presumingly) retained her virginity for all these years? (Okay, that was an assumption, but don't say no one has noticed that for a long time. It's amazing how Smurfette has not been alienated in that environment)

Temptations exist in the world, that being an undisputed fact in life, and let's not get started with the phenomenon known as Street Fighter IV. But in the end of the day, it's the person who should KNOW the thin line between obsession and moderation. Yes, there are players who are enthusiastic about certain things. But as people, we are required to make use of our common sense and take initiative in order to not get trapped by the addiction sensation. Weakness is oftentimes demonstrated when we tend to blame our shortcomings to things around us, knowing of the pros and cons to dealing with certain things. I do play WoW enthusiastically, yes (In fact, I really can't wait for Patch 3.10. But before that, I want my DK AXE at Naxx!), but I don't let it CONSUME me entire being like it is my only source of connectivity in the outside world.

So that is generally what I'm saying here: Moderation is key. It's cliche-ish by now, but still holds true to this day. More than ever.

What do you guys think?