I have now unscreened the comment at the top of all this banter which, though anonymous, I'm fairly certain comes from one of the people I know to have been affected... If not, I daresay X will read it soon enough.

I agree immaturity & lousy social skills are the main culprits & it could be argued that any addiction can put strain on/mortally wound a relationship. But the problem I have with WoW... & any other totally immersive computer-generated reality ~ yes Second Life, I'm looking at you ~ is the way it takes the person away from the real world in a way that not even alcohol does. Drunks go out to the pub, addicts of other substances are usually required to interact with certain outside parties, but a 'Gamer' stays inside, doors & blinds closed, Coke bottle at hand & doesn't have to go out even when they're hungry... food can be ordered online & delivered. Paying the pizza guy at the door doesn't count as social interaction.

I have seen one marriage fail with WoW as, if not direct cause, an effective catalyst & glaringly obvious symptom. When you love a game more than your partner... & when you love your online character/avatar more than yourself.

Yes, the opinion piece was more whimsical than damning but, like its writer, I believe there's many a true word spoken in jest. Or, if you prefer, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down"

Nice to know I can still open a can of worms occasionally.