World of Warcraft Social Impact Article

The Sydney Morning Herald has published a four-page article entitled “Beware, There Be Dragons”, in which they offer a look at some individuals whose social lives have been negatively impacted by World of Warcraft. This reminds me of my own Ultima Online and EverQuest days (though not nearly as extreme):

Then this straightforward, sobering post from another man who leaves only his first name, John: “World of Warcraft has turned my brother into an addict. What has happened to him is not fun and not funny.

“Becoming so totally consumed with this game has cost him his job, his apartment and his social life. He has no life outside of this game.

“He is a shell of his former self. He lives for an online game character. Nothing else matters except the next scheduled raid.”