I 
just started my journalism class for this term taught by Rob Priewe. In the past few days, we have been studying the effects of online RPG (Roll Playing Games). The main point of focus is on the game “World of Warcraft”. Many people think that WOW-abbreviated form of World of Warcraft-is actually helping to benefit our society. To see a video, click on the following: Jane McGonigal-Gaming Can Make A Better World. Jane talks about how the online games help people relax. I take the opposing side to this matter.
First and foremost, I’m not a gamer-at least not the gamer type. I play video games on occasion either by myself, or with friends, or various other ways. I don’t however use a video game as a substitute for any type of real life situation. I’ve played the game “Call of Duty.” This game will make me no better if I was to go into the army. As in WOW, people become addicted to it easily. They take these fictional games and turn them into their second life. Professionals say its just a way of escaping, but its obviously not. You don’t hear about people becoming hooked to the Sims or Runescape.
Seeing the lines of people lined up outside of a game store just to be the new owner of a game that could continue to shatter their relationships with either family members, lovers, or even the social world around them. Granted, these people don’t waste time on Myspace or Facebook, but they always seem to spend every waking moment on WOW. If they aren’t, they are at work trying to accumulate enough money to put some food on the table for their loved ones while they spouses are forced to eat alone.
I’m not against video games or online games. I am however against people who decide to spend all time on the computer finding spells and swords to play in their alternative life.
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