WoW should be an M rated game

[Seeford]

I've all but quit WoW after playing it for upwards of 5-10 hours a day since release.

I was 18 at the time, and the world was a happy place. I went out, watched movies with friends, met people, got drunk, dated a girl. It was a good place. 2 1/2 years later I'm back to that happy place, but after a sojourn in the lands of the dead, WoW.

I have defended WoW from friends and family too many times to count.

"Social interactions don't necessitate a physical interaction"
"What makes your friends IRL better than my friends IWoW?"
"I get real enjoyment out of playing a game, what makes your enjoyment from a life more fulfilling?"
"I'm learning valuable skills, management, social interaction, market forces (oh yeah AH)"

Yes I was a loser, hell I probably still am, but at least I'm happy with where I am now. I made my own decision, I payed for it, and I don't regret it, I really did learn a lot.

My problem is that my 14 year old cousin has started playing the game. He has no friends, he lies to his parents, cuts school, and is probably pretty close to stealing to play WoW. He was a straight A student before he started playing, his grades have dropped to D's and C's. He had real social skills (albeit still a teenagers stunted and annoying social skills).

We don't let kids in America smoke cigarettes until they're 19, but we give them access to a far more addictive substance, WoW, when they're but a teenager. No wonder they throw their lives away.

The problem with kids in their awkward teenage years is that WoW gives them exactly what they're looking for, acceptance. Even the worst player will find a guild, and if he plays enough and developes a very specific skill set, he might become highly valued in that guild. In the real world what is he? Some kid sprouting hair where it wasn't and cracking his voice every other second. But in this fake world of your manufacture he is Klarbor, slayer of onyxia, class leader of the mages, Champion of the Naaru.

Young teens have no responsibilities and no culpability in America. But they can purchase what I believe to be one of the most addictive substances on the market, social acceptance.

This tree has probably been barked up a million times before. And I'm sure that most people who do agree with me don't check the boards, but I thought I would try to get the message out there.

[Ganymida]

When ur a parent you will see that no amount of time, nothing you can give or show your child can make them do something you want, When they get old enough they will do what they want. Your job it to influence them and hope they make the right decision. They can rebel and not listen as much as you can, and more often than not even after learning the hard way become a repeat offender. This is why so many parents don't like these games and such, because it shows the child everything they taught against in a nice sugar coated package. However, we can't just take these things away. People will just continue learning the hard way or have to learn to listen. I wish I listened to stuff I was told when I was younger, and when I have kids, they will go through the same rebellion and discovery and so will their kids.

[Slensco]

WoW is an opiate.

People who typically play a lot are often trying to escape something. Sometimes their problem can be fixed, and sometimes it can't be. Sometimes it's played for the wrong reasons, like escaping school or responsibility. Other times, it might be acceptable, such as when things happen outside control and it's a pleasurable distracting experience.

If it can be balanced with responsibility and healthy RL relationships then theres nothing really wrong with it.

[Jacko]

oh my god.. dude.. its a game

[Thorr]

grand theft auto vice city and games like that are rated M right? well it made kids want it more because they knew it was so bad and violent of a game. I have a neighbor that got vice city when he was 10... if anything it will make it worse. no matter what the rating is, kids will still get their hands on it. just like they do with drugs which are way worse because you can go to jail... I do understand this game is addicting and somewhat wrong but I like it and I doubt 8million people will ever stop playing just because someone thinks its wrong.