Warcraft Game 'More Addictive Than Crack'

**1cooldude** · April 2nd, 2009, 08:36 PM

The massively popular fantasy role-playing game World of Warcraft is "more addictive than crack cocaine", experts have warned.

Some 11 million play World Of Warcraft

The computer game, played by millions, has been dubbed "the most dangerous game on the market" by addiction therapists at Sweden's Youth Care Foundation.

A 15-year-old Swedish boy collapsed and went into convulsions after playing it for 24 hours earlier this month.

The report's author Sven Rollenhagen said: "There is not a single case of game addiction that we have worked with in which World of Warcraft has not played a part.

"It is the crack cocaine of the computer gaming world. Some people are literally unable to drag themselves away and will play it till they drop."

The Swedish National Institute of Public Health backed the report, adding: "Computer game addiction is becoming more widespread in Sweden and across the world.

"There is no known medical diagnosis of conditions brought on by excessive game-playing, but it is clear they have a very powerful addictive hold over many people who use them."

The boy was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with an epileptic-type seizure brought on by sleep deprivation, lack of food, and too much time in front of a screen.

The game's US makers Blizzard Entertainment say 11 million people worldwide play World of Warcraft.

Psychiatrist Dr Richard Graham, of London's Tavistock Centre, said: "Some of my clients will discuss playing games for 14, 16 hours a day at times, without breaks and without attending to their physical needs.

"For those, the consequences are potentially severe."

Source...

**Drew Wilson** · April 2nd, 2009, 09:30 PM

Someone mentioned something to me once. It was that World of Warcraft is actually played by a particular age group. That age group is not in the 20 somethings. More like the 40+ somethings which is one of the reasons why the media covers it a lot. I haven't researched that myself though.

**mountain_rage** · April 2nd, 2009, 09:34 PM

The only good thing about WOW is the virtual sex... Oh how I love the low level polygon dirty talk.:spank:

**Drew Wilson** · April 2nd, 2009, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by mountain_rage

The only good thing about WOW is the virtual sex... Oh how I love the low level polygon dirty talk.:spank:

I thought that was Second Life.

**mountain_rage** · April 2nd, 2009, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by DrewWilson

I thought that was Second Life.

No Second life is for the kinky Furry on Shemale on unidentifiable being crazy love orgies. Second life isn't virtual either, its a real alternate dimension. :banghead::scared1::240::smashfreakB:

**Drew Wilson** · April 2nd, 2009, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by mountain_rage

No Second life is for the kinky Furry on Shemale on unidentifiable being crazy love orgies. Second life isn't virtual either, its a real alternate dimension. :banghead::scared1::240::smashfreakB:

Ah. My bad.

**Excrement_Cranium** · April 3rd, 2009, 08:07 AM

How strange. They all of a sudden forgot the Korean guy who played Starcraft to death.... literally.

It's not WoW's fault, it's Blizzard/Activision's fault.

:fing02:

**Mels_Smileys45** · April 3rd, 2009, 08:13 AM

I got the $1.99 demo for a week and I could not get into it. I didn't give it much of a chance though. I don't know what it is but games do not hold my attention like they once did.

**Signa** · April 3rd, 2009, 08:33 AM

I think you need to fall back on some of the older classics like I've been. Somehow, playing the original Doom felt more refreshing than most new games I've played recently.

**Mels_Smileys45** · April 3rd, 2009, 08:41 AM

When I get an urge I usually play an EMU game. I really enjoy "Beetle Adventure Racing" for the N64 or "San Francisco Rush 2049". Some Rush sounds pretty good right now...That game really boogies

**Signa** · April 3rd, 2009, 09:11 AM

Man, it's been years since I've played Rush. I'm not a racing fan at all, but Rush was just plain, good old fun. I think it had to do with all the secrets you could find on what was otherwise a linear track. Also, it was one of the (if not, THE) first race games that had a reset button for when you mess up. Before that, it was either game over, or "turn around yourself you lazy fucker!" like in Mario Kart.

**mountain_rage** · April 3rd, 2009, 10:07 AM

I've gotten bored of most games myself, I need a good story, or some quirky game play mechanics to keep my interested these days. Last couple games I enjoyed were Beyond Good and Evil, Overlord, and World of Goo. If you have not played them yet I suggest you do.

**Drew Wilson** · April 3rd, 2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Mels_Smileys45

When I get an urge I usually play an EMU game. I really enjoy "Beetle Adventure Racing" for the N64 or "San Francisco Rush 2049". Some Rush sounds pretty good right now...That game really boogies

I've played those for countless hours for de-stressing purposes. Great fun indeed. That and Vigilante 8 Second Offence, Road Rash 64 and Worms Armaggeddon.

Nothing like travelling down a road on a motorcycle at 165MPH, pulling up to a rival gang member and beating him senseless with a giant banada.:lmao:

...either that or launching a French Sheep Strike on an enemy position.

**Mels_Smileys45** · April 3rd, 2009, 10:24 AM

I still like Wave Race too! I havent played those other tow but I 'member Road Rash. I will have to pull it up

**1cooldude** · April 3rd, 2009, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Signa

I think you need to fall back on some of the older classics like I've been. Somehow, playing the original Doom felt more refreshing than most new games I've played recently.

it takes a lot of time to learn the intricacies of newer games and I just don't have the patience anymore.