<p>On a side note about computer games, many times my son will amaze with his knowledge of history, geography or military strategies and when I ask where he learned such and such, it's not from school but from Civ or some other strategy game. </p>
<p>A word of warning in this debate, we are mixing apples and oranges at times. There are some games, like Everquest, which are intended to be highly addictive. My son told me years ago (wisdom beyond his age) that he'd never play it for that reason. In fact, he had a similar game, Black and White, that he uninstalled from his computer when he realized it had a similar pull. Now, he never had a problem with WOW, so I don't know if it's similar to Everquest in its insidiousness. The bottom line is people need to be aware of the type of game they're playing and its potential for abuse, and if they are likely to become addicted -- uninstall! You wouldn't think you could moderate your use of crack or meth, why try to moderate a game when moderation is not ingrained in the game's design?</p>
<p>"i know i've posted on this before, but i completely agree with UCLAri.</p>
<p>and man, xiggi, we could never be friends. :P"</p>
<p>Fender that is OK by me. We are only strangers who post their opinion based on experience and knowledge. It so happens that people who play the game as a hobby, and reach the level of a competent dilettante do not understand the high level end of the game. Back in the days of Everquest's Legacy of Steel or Fires of Heaven, people would have laughed at comments that a high end gamer could join a raid for a few hours once a week. In addition, high end guilds put ever increasing minimum qualifications to force one to develop skills, levels, and points OUTSIDE of the raiding hours. Simple challenges like obtaining the Epic weapons require uncounted hours of camping, some requiring as much as 40 hours of uninterrupted presence. You may take a small vacation for pressing personal matters, but the cycle never ends. Don't do it and you're disbanded. Does not get any simpler than that. Obviously, you'd have to be playing next to Tigole or Furor to even know that.</p>
<p>WOW might be a bit better in avoiding super timesinks, but accounts of players who play in competitive guilds for a few hours are hardly believable. </p>
<p>There is a difference between talking about something and having done it. And that is what accounts for the different opinions, and dismissive zingers such as the one hurled at Texdad. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Play more WoW and get an A-? Or play less WoW and get that A?
[/quote]
If only it were a choice between an A- and an A in my house, LOL!</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, my son plays a WoW character that is some sort of healer. People seek him out for alliances because he stands at the back and heals everyone else while they are busy fighting the battles (or something like that :) ) and they give him things in thanks. He gets satisfaction from being needed and useful, and honestly I see it spilling over into other parts of his life.</p>