Way to be biased about the way you focus your comments, Adrian.

I realize not all MMO gamers are addicted. It's true. But a much larger portion than should be are. A MUCH larger portion. How do I know this? Well, experience.

I was addicted for at least 4 years. In that time, at least 30% of the players I was in guilds with or on friends lists with put well over 20 hrs a week.. being generous.

30%... at least. Easily. Over 20 hours a week, at least, easily. That's addicted.

Honestly, you can write it off as a hobby. But it doesn't justify it. No one should spend THAT much time on one hobby. If you're a teenager, you should be studying and getting into College. If you're a college student... a GOOD one.. you and I BOTH know that college is more than a full time job. At least good schools are. If you're a working person who is single, you should be out there meeting people and trying to move on with the more substantial parts of life. If you're married, you should be spending time with your wife.

Maybe, just maybe, if you're married or dating, it's justifiable if both people play the game. But even then, it's not healthy.

Go ahead, compare it to television. People watch that much television per week, right?

Well that's wrong too. WAY wrong.

In the end, MMO's are games. That's it... nothing more. There are relationships to be had, sure. I don't doubt that. Trust me... I've played. But that doesn't justify that much time into one hobby. It never has, it never will. It's wrong.

I still play. I had to undergo a serious amount of self discipline to regulate it. I only allow myself one hour per day. That's it. Only one MMO at a time. That's it. I don't play other games at all.. it's kindof the price you pay to play an MMO. I still love it. I'm enjoying WAR a ton. It's so fun.

And before flamers come on here to attack me and make comments like "just because you're addicted doesn't mean we all are", yeah I know. I made that disclaimer. But for those players who play more than 20 hours a week in a game... the numbers speak. You can tell yourself you're not addicted, but that's way too much. There is absolutely nothing a person could do to sway me to believe that their over 20 hrs of gaming per week is justifiable. It's just not true.

Unless it's your job and you get paid.

Gamers have to just be aware and honest with themselves. Denial is just as addictive.