<p>I’m joking, of course, but I recently learned that my 16-year-old is a “level 60” and considered to be a guru by his peers. I hate this game and the amount of time he spends on it. Although he gets all of his work done. I still hate it. But, at a recent local party, a woman was introduced to me by a friend. This woman (honestly) came up to me and said “OMG my son says your son is a LEVEL 60” as if this made him some kind of Yoda character. It drives me completely insane, and I’ve threatened to shut him down, but he does continue to produce in all the other departments, so I’m stuck living with him now sitting there with his headphones and his microphone giving advice to strangers from all over the country (world?). Any Ann Landers bromides will be appreciated.</p>
<p>Driver, he might retort that we on CC give advice to strangers from all over the country (world?). It’s a matter of priorities. You and I and other CC parents think that college (and occasionally politics) is more important than war-gaming. But since Schelling just got a Nobel prize for game theory, now may not be the best time to point that out 
Sorry, I don’t have appropriate bromides to dispense. :)</p>
<p>You simply need to find the adcoms out there who are on the other end of WarCraft and struggling somewhere around level 23.</p>
<p>…
Miraculously, my S who was just like yours (altho I’m sure not a level 60) in getting all his work done, having friends, having ECs but talking way too much to “strangers” on those mics… appears to have given it up or ratcheted it WAYYY down now that he’s at college. So there’s hope.</p>
<p>btw, have you ever wondered why the guys they’re talking to in their RPGs are “strangers” while we here on cc are tightly knit cyber-friends? I have.</p>
<p>Ooooh, marite and I cross-posted. But. She found the “hook:” Game theory. I’ll leave it to you and marite to work out the details.</p>
<p>I’ve posted in the past about online role playing games. For a few years I enjoyed the game tremendously, and while I was maintaining the illusion of keeping it all in good measure, the reality was quite different. I was living for my online life and thinking and breathing THE game. I could write a book about how I successfully kept the facade and avoided alarming my parents. The sad reality is that the games are extremely addictive with games such as Everquest and World of Warcraft easily being the hardest to step away from. Behind the simple image of the games resides its biggest danger for wasting time: the social contacts and peer pressure. Your online friends expect -or demand- you to be online and you feel hard pressed to turn them down. The worst comes when one gains fame and status for game achievements. Such and such is the first level 50, the first level 60, the first to kill Monster xYZ … on the entire server. Strangers send you congratulatory messages and it makes you feel damn good! The next step is to write posts on bulletin boards, followed by guidebooks, then come the sales of items and knowledge. I know because I’ve been there and done that. I had a single file containing a spoiler (guide) downloaded over 400,000 times. </p>
<p>I am sure that most people would be floored to know how much money is exchanged to fuel one’s addiction. There used to be a time where it was not unusual for someone to sell a game character for more than … $10,000.00 or a single item for $1,000.00 or 2,000.00. </p>
<p>The game is especially rewarding for younger players who can hide their age by being more accomplished than the very numerous adults who play. When the games started gaining their current popularity, some of the very best players were young teenagers. </p>
<p>I could write about some of the benefits of the game. For instance being a leader of a guild (group of friends) is a challenge and provides many lessons of how to handle a large group of different persons. Hovewer, I rather write about my three failed attempts to quit the game. Finally, I only did it by erasing the games from all my computers. Yes, all my computers because I was playing FOUR computers simultaneously -not very unusual for power players. I finally walked away, but the tentation to play again is still there … after more than 3 years. A Gamer’s Anonymous would make a fortune! </p>
<p>Also, had I known how deeply addictive the games were, I would NEVER have started playing. My message to parents is very simple: it is almost impossible to control one’s playing time without OUTSIDE help. The games are major timesinks and it is hard to play … just a little while. Again, I had no problems convincing my parents that I had it under control. Keeping up at school was no biggie, continue with sports was not an issue … however, sleeping enough was a huge problem. I cannot count the times I went to bed at 11PM only to sneak at the computers when my parents were asleep and play until 5AM. </p>
<p>Oh well, you get the picture. Playing the games in moderation is not bad at all. Just realize that there is something INSIDE the games that makes them so enjoyable and, alas, so addictive.</p>
<p>Oops, I forgot a couple of tidbits.</p>
<p>The games are hugely popular in colleges. Most of the people I knew when was I was playing in middle and high school were college students, with many of them at what we consider elite schools.</p>
<p>Several of my online friends have transformed their online addiction into very, very lucrative careers in the online gaming industry. So there IS a silver lining.</p>
<p>My husband was once offered a job by a game company when he found a bug when the score rolled over to one billion. </p>
<p>Don’t underestimate the skills learned in these things.</p>
<p>Although I agree that it can be too much, your son seems to have it under control.</p>
<p>Mr. Driver Warcraft is an amazing game. That’s a real acheivement for your son. It takes an enormous amount of analytical skill AND creativity and boldness to succeed at Warcraft. I love it because it engages my strategic head, my love of history and fantasy/history and my theater brain. Why dont you ask him to show you how to play and learn what its about and maybe get another little window into your kid. I was knocked out when my dad asked me if he could play.</p>
<p>Ahhh, my senior HS son is also a level 60 W O W player. After a dismal junior year we put a lock on the internet so all of our computers were 'net free from 9 pm on. However, his senior year classes seem to be a little less challenging and he got all A’s and B’s on his progress report so was able to convince us to change the hours that internet is on until 11:30. He does homework from 3:00 or so until dinnertime and then plays WOW from 7:30 to 11:30. One of his valid points was that playing right after school was pointless because his “guild” wasn’t really active before dinner and needed him (yes, your post was right on xiggi) in the evening. </p>
<p>Weekends he socializes a little and has marching band but he seems to live for “the game”. Just found an excel document on his computer that has 160 players listed. On the plus side, he has taken programming classes in C++ and Basic and is now taking java and doing very well. He was putting together a resume for his Eagle BS application and asked me, “Mom, do I have any awards?” I looked at him and said, “Did your guild give you anything when you reached level 60??”</p>
<p>His intended major at his first choice college? Interactive game design.</p>
<p>I think that WoW is a fun diversion, but it should be moderated as much as possible.</p>
<p>I should know, I’ve got two characters in the 50s and a 60.</p>
<p>There are a couple of books out there–“Math for Game Developers” and “Physics for Game Developers” that I got him last Xmas. Don’t think he’s gotten into them yet, but maybe now that he’s reached the pinnacle he’ll take a look at them for a new challenge.</p>
<p>I recognize some of the traits Xiggi describes–sneaking downstairs to play at 3AM–and the very apparent addictive quality. When he’s at his worst, I call him “Gollum” because that’s what he acts like when forced off—“We must have the PRECIOUS…” Ugh. But yes, my daughter had some college friends down to stay with us for a weekend over the summer…at one point they were crowded around the little Jedi watching him play, and getting pointers and explanations. Must have been a heck of an ego boost. The Guild concept, and being “needed” online at certain times are interesting concepts. Six weeks away at a music program this summer helped to break the cycle, but he was initially very reluctant to go, and WarCraft was a large part of it. Thanks for all the comments.</p>
<p>xiggi - thank you for your very informative post. “His” guild, being needed/counted on (ie, cannot break away for dinner) are concepts I am vaguely familiar with through my S, but you fleshed it out for me. I’m at a loss to explain how/why my own S seems to have ratcheted down his involvement. What you have alerted me to is the key words in my own statement: “seems to have.” </p>
<p>He is out from under mom’s gaze now, and so I will just have to assume that success in college academics, balance in having other activities in his life mean the issue is “not an issue” for now. But forewarned is forearmed, and you have provided me that. Altho, it’s out of my hands at this point, I guess.</p>
<p>My S2 and all of his friends are at 60. Once he got there , he decide to make his own game and is now immersed in animation software. This happened because I didn’t let him watch television when he was younger. I thnk.</p>
<p>It is a hook–with a sinker.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>What a wonderful description, LOL!</p>
<p>Boy do I feel for you!!! After reading this thread, I picked up the phone and asked my son what level he was and he said what I dreaded - “60”. I’ve had more arguments over this stupid game than anything else in his life. It is sooooo addicting - however he tells me I should be happy he’s not out drinking and doing drugs like alot of kids his age…he does have a point but his grades definitely take a hit because of this.</p>
<p>They don’t call it Ever"crack" for nothing! My son’s poison was Ultima Online. I eventually had to unsubscribe him and ban him from that game. He now plays Halo2 on the XBox Live platform. (The game is played on our TV with an internet connection). I was very concerned that he was addicted, but during the summer he had a 9-5 job so I let him play nights and weekends, and this school year has been amazing! After running cross country and doing his homework he doesn’t have time (and doesn’t make time) for the game during the week. </p>
<p>Xiggi, I am glad you posted. Much more credible getting it from the source rather than having a parent ranting about how dangerous the game is.</p>
<p>Xiggi,
I wouldn’t be surprised if my S is addicted. Also seems like the poker sites are becoming popular. Your post was mst informative</p>
<p>is this xiggi dude a college student or a 50 year old? I’m guessing a 50 year old even though I <em>think</em> he claims to be a college student. Either way, he sounds wayyyyyy, wayyyyyyy too mature to be a college kid, and if he is, ugh, what a buzzkill. Lighten up, man!</p>
<p>Xiggi, thanks for your insights, though it isn’t all that comforting. Our kids really love gaming as well; it seems that there are MANY teens & young adults especially who share this love/addiction. My son has been known to take over 2, 3, or all 4 computers in our house (if he can, like when the rest of us are not home and/or using our computers). Our daughter is mostly into role-playing-games. Both kids play some game or another with other kids from their high school, all at the same time. I too wish that they’d devote more energy to school & less to their “virtual lives,” but it’s easier said than done.
Don’t know what levels either child has reached on any of their on-line games.</p>
<ol>
<li>Pull your son away from his game.</li>
<li>Hand him a guitar/piano/banjo/bass</li>
<li>Watch as he never plays his game again.</li>
<li>Watch as he becomes rock God.</li>
<li>Ask him for money when his record turns Platinum.</li>
</ol>