Hi,

I am a 21 year old female gamer. I am currently in college, work, do not have any serious social problems (whether romantic or platonic), and have been paying for my very own World of Warcraft account for about two years now. I own both Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King - I missed out on Blizzcon tickets (very upset) and I am sincerely hoping Worgen will be a new playable race (for the Horde!) in an expansion I hope involves the Great Sundering. If the computers in the world exploded I would have my Heinlein and nightclubs - suffer not would I. I am a (proud) nerd. I am not an addict. My real name is not Roy, it's just a nickname, by the way. I apologize for being a one-time-first-time-poster, I know lots of communities don't like that.

I'm very run-of-the-mill, I view World of Warcraft strictly as a hobby, because it is a hobby. Just like Magic Cards, Dungeons and Dragons, Comic Books, and collecting porcelain salt-and-pepper shakers. I love this game, and I spend far more time playing it than I should, but I have a balance between it and my real life. My family, and friends, and lovers have always come first. I count maybe three of my friends on WoW as important as my real life friends, and I'd do about anything to help them out (as they would for me).

That being said, World of Warcraft is addicting. Everything is addicting. Lots of people have addicting or subversive personalities which cause them to misplace energies into a "safe-zone". World of Warcraft is not like drugs, or alcohol, or anorexia. Those addictions are guaranteed a terrible life choice. Those addictions will nine times out of ten get you into something that will kill you. World of Warcraft is a completely different kind of addiction, although for sometimes the same reasons as the terrible ones.

My father and sister think I'm an addict, but that's only because when they decide to randomly pop by it's my down time - time I reserve for playing WoW. I do get off the game and spend time with them, but because they basically "walk in on me with my pants down" (so to speak), I guess it doesn't look so good. They don't know me, or try to know me. They don't know how hard I work on getting my foot in the door of many a corporation, or being taken seriously as a collegue. They see me that way because they don't understand me, which is the root of most uncalled for prejudice in the world. My mom and friends (females too) support my hobby - they think it's unique and interesting. I probably get being a nerd from my mom (who is a business woman, but loves Stargate beyond any other show).

I understand needing a place to feel safe on your own, to express frustrations when you feel this is too much. The Internet was created for the free exchange of ideas, blogs and what some people in WoW call "QQing" are bound to happen. I think it's wrong to demonize a game for personal behaviour (I'm sorry, I'm really not judging anyone, it's just how I feel). It's commonly known that World of Warcraft freely advocates turning off the computer and spending time outside it. You can blame cigarette companies for marketing a product that gives people Cancer, you can't blame a company (Blizzard) for marketing a hobby where a good percentage of their patrons are regularly functioning adults (and kids with moderation and proper parental controls). Don't blame the game, blame the gamer. Blizzard has no reason to curb its new releases, it would cheat everyone else that has the ability to see beyond the screen, it might be for profit, it might be for the love of their own hobby. The creators of Blizzard are not megacorporation wallstreet masterminds, they're happy nerds like ... well I guess not you ... but me.

I fully support getting help with a WoW addiction, I support communities that provide constructive criticism and understanding. I also support understanding why a person sinks into WoW addiction, and knowing them well enough before moving in or getting married as far as possible vices or issues. I've known young men that have sunk hours into this game because they've dealt with awkward social problems, and I've actually put a foot forward and a hand out to listen to those frustrations, and to help them set the game down and go outside for social interaction. I've known a middle-aged woman, who was very delusional about the status of her married life and as such joined an RPPVP (role-play-player-versus-player) Server. She created an entire family there, a husband, children (she has children in real life), and even a "mister" to have an affair with behind her RP husband's back. I've known people that have spent thousands of dollars on in-game currency and Spectral Tiger mounts. WoW addiction is real, but the first step is identifying whether they're addicted or whether it's a hobby you don't understand and simply hate. If they're addicted (one or more of these symptoms: lack of job, sleep, exercise, affection) - and be realistic when you evaluate the person, you could just exaggerate the issues because you resent it so much - pull the plug. Don't even give them a choice, really. Tell them to say goodbye to their friends for now (keep in touch VIA email/phone), and that they've pulled wife/husband aggro. People in-game will understand.

I don't suggest doing this during a raid, or arena, those are kind of important. Think of it like playing in a chess tournament or a dog show - but on a regular basis and they get really cool gear and end-game content. Think of this like a hobby. Yes, I am defending the game, and not because I play it. I had this opinion before I started playing it - maybe it's just an inborn nerd thing. This is the fault of both parties, personal responsibility, but you have all heard that from various trolls (not the cool ones) hopping in here and being really angry because you taunted them and kited them away from being angry at wiping on Yogg. I'll be honest, when I read some of these (and I have for awhile), I feel a little targeted, even indirectly. I feel as though a lot of people are making sweeping generalizations based on a few people they know. It's not the intent, or the point of this community, but it would be nice to see more than just raging and blaming and not looking at the bigger picture (sometimes it's not all their fault, the environment is very influential). I don't know any of you personally, but I think that when you post about the person you're basically e-bullying, maybe thought needs to be given into their current psychological opinion (and should be brought to light). You're with them, related or involved, so there has to be something more to the situation if you know them at all.

Sometimes there isn't, sometimes they're just stupid and need to be kicked out. I understand that, I think it's an important option for anyone to consider. If this is the case, you're too good for their mess, but don't hate on every gamer since because of it. Rise above, please. Speaking of rising above, calling people virgins or losers or so on and so forth when someone nerdrages here doesn't really do much. It makes the average gamer laugh (myself included). Mostly because ... we're not, but also it's a really low blow (we relish in stereotypes). I mean, yeah they made the wrong move calling people stupid or ignorant - it's tactless and really very typical of most "e-peens" in game. It doesn't do anything, and to be honest when you post something nasty and "derogatory" in response (WoWers are so much more capable of being so much nastier), we kind of get a kick out of it. I'm sorry! It's part of being a forum troll, so sometimes the situation would be better off if you just ignored them (they don't know you, they can't judge you), or if you just shrugged and said, "I respect your opinions, please respect mine."

I'm telling you this because real trolls will find this community, and they will troll every living being in this place - which should be a safe haven for those misunderstood and misunderstanding. You can do with what I'm saying what you will.

Roy Out, Live Long and Prosper