Depending on exactly how you define the term, virtual world games have an audience that's somewhere in the region of 20-30 million players around the world. The vast majority of them, whether they're into World of Warcraft, Runescape, or Club Penguin, enjoy healthy, safe, and relaxing entertainment -- but these pastimes aren't without their dangers. From addiction to theft to divorce, careless behavior in virtual worlds can lead to real consequences. Here's a few recent headlines, and a few tips on how to keep yourself (or your family) safe. Is World of Warcraft "the most dangerous game"? Virtual worlds are designed to be addictive. That's how the creators make money: if its players get bored, they give up and quit paying. Nothing wrong with addictive games in moderation, but when obsessed players put virtual rewards over real jobs, relationships, and chores, lives get ruined. World of Warcraft, merely by virtue of being the biggest and most successful virtual world to date, is the chief culprit -- so much so that one Swedish researcher called it "the crack cocaine of the computer gaming world" in a government-backed report. "Some people are literally unable to drag themselves away and will play it till they drop," he said. "Age of Conan" too violent -- even for Arnie Most online worlds tend to favor cartoony violence and stylized combat over the explicit violence that's a common sight in other game genres. 2008's Age of Conan, however, did the Conan brand proud, releasing with copious lashings of swords-and-sorcery sex and violence. Although the game is licensed from the pulpy books that originated the Conan character, not the subsequent Arnie movie, the game's content put Governor Schwarzenegger in a curious position. Schwarzenegger, together with California senator Leland Yee, has pushed for harsher legislation controlling access to violent games like Conan, and although as his spokesman Aaron McLear was keen to stress to the San Jose Mercury News, Schwarzenegger has no association with the game, it's still hard not to smile at the irony. Gamer steals from virtual friends to pay real debts Eve Online, a ground-breaking space sim that focuses on interstellar commerce and conflict, made headlines recently when a player embezzled over $5,000 in in-game currency from a player-run bank. Eve's laissez-faire, almost-anything-goes rules system means "Richard" wasn't banned until he tried to exchange the in-game money for real currency via a third-party web site. Second Life affair ends in divorce Anyone who's spent any length of time involved in the social dimensions of online worlds will tell you that attachments formed in-game can be just as convincing and satisfying as real-life friends. Nothing wrong with that...as long as you can keep it in perspective. Unlike this British couple, who split after husband David Pollard was caught being unfaithful -- but not in the regular, messing-about-with-the-mailman way. No, Pollard was caught in flagrante with a virtual call girl in online world Second Life. Undaunted, Pollard's ex moved on -- to a relationship with a man she met playing World of Warcraft, according to CNN. Dutch teens do time over Runescape theft Even free online worlds aren't immune from these shenanigans. Two Dutch players of "Runescape" -- one of the most popular free online games around -- were sentenced to hundreds of hours of community service after a judge found they'd coerced another youngster into transferring in-game items to them. How to stay safe Never give your password to anyone You know this one, but it's worth revisiting. No reputable company will ever, ever, ever ask you for your password. If someone asks you for your password, no matter who they say they are, tell them no. That applies to requests you receive in-game, by email, on the phone, by telegraph, semaphore, or smoke signals: you name it. Not a tough rule to understand, but you'd be surprised how many people will happily hand over their password to any old smooth talker. Keep your virus scanner up to date By far the easiest way for hackers to snag your virtual goods is for them to steal your password, and by far the easiest way for them to do this is to infect your PC with a virus that sends them a log of every key you press. Standard computer security precautions will keep you safe from most of these tools -- but be careful what you download from game-related message boards or web sites. Often, hackers will disguise their keyloggers as helpful game add-ons. Keep an eye on the kids Youth-targeted online worlds like Free Realms, Club Penguin, and Habbo Hotel can offer great ways for your kids to develop social skills and enjoy a little downtime, but no matter how carefully the makers police their game, they're not without their risks. Make sure your kids abide by the same familiar rules in the games as they do with any online communities, and in particular make sure they know never to send personal information or pictures to their e-friends, and never to make plans to meet people from the game in real life. Many games -- including World of Warcraft -- offer parental controls to let you keep close tabs on your young 'un's gaming habits too. Be careful who has access to your belongings Remember how "Richard" was able to embezzle millions from other players? The first step in that procedure is gaining their trust. Sharing gold, items, and other goodies with fellow players is common practice in regular groups, but it's also a great way for the unscrupulous (or those with a grudge) to make off with your hard-won goodies.
I was afraid of getting to addicted to some games, so I stopped. It is like some kind of drug, once you're into the game, it's hard to get out. Until it gets boring anyways.
I remeber I was addicted to some games... I could go for 20h straight and repeat the next day ^^ Especially those games you play monthly...You have the feeling of missing out if you stop playing ---
i was addicted to wow for 3 years >.< although there are some downsides to playing mmorpg's but it never interfered with my real-life. lots of good memories and met many nice people around Europe. I sold my account for £600 (750 Euros) last summer so it turn out good in the end. I even went to Paris for a week to stay round a friends place whom I met through WoW even though i never heard his voice or seen him in real-life. Risky?? ummm not really as I quite often talk to him in the game and we both quit wow and still keep in contact. So glad I met him, his family is well nice and cook amazing Vietnamese food which i never tried and showed me around Paris and took me to Japan Expo. In all I didnt need to speak French or research on where I wanna go or wouldnt have the fear of getting lost ~ So Im grateful for wow lol ~
i used to be addicted to games. none of the above. but i was addicted and yeah i never left my computer... it is unhealthy but only you would know that once you done it and you FINALLY realised the badness of it. addicts arent going to stop it cause you tell them to. its up to them to quit. like smoking lol. x
