It’s no secret that Blizzard’s World of Warcraft is one of the most addictive games of all time. Thousands of people have let their addiction detract from their work and social lives. While many psychiatrists and psychologists are using traditional methods, Dr. Richard Graham plans to help WoW account addicts through in-game treatment. According to the Telegraph:
World of Warcraft, while providing the best possible MMO entertainment has created havoc in many lives. People have actually become addicted to playing the game, numbers of people, to the point where it has ruined many facets of their lives. These addicted individuals have let their playing time interrupt and taken over many social lives, and has come before many of these individuals employment and livelihood. Many psychologists and psychiatrists remain faithful to tradition therapies to treat such addictive behaviors who are obsessed with their wow accounts. One doctor, Dr. Richard Graham has developed an in-game therapy treatment for such individuals. He has specific ideas on helping these types of addicts and believes that the maker of the game should financially contribute to their therapies. The Telegraph’s author states,
“He has called on Blizzard Entertainment, the company that makes World of Warcraft, to waive or discount the costs associated with joining the game so that therapists can more easily communicate with at-risk players in their preferred environment. In his latest interview by the “Telegraph” he is quoted as saying,
‘We will be launching this project by the end of the year. I think it’s already clear that psychiatrists will have to stay within the parameters of the game. They certainly wouldn’t be wandering around the game in white coats and would have to use the same characters available to other players,’ said Dr Graham.”
One can’t help but to acknowledge that communicating to these addicts in their effected atmosphere has common sense practicality, thinking that Blizzard Entertainment will financially support this program by contributing revenue is likely, “magical thinking.” However, not suffering from this addictive affliction it is not fairly judged by someone not suffering from this plight.
Dr. Graham may be on to a break-through type treatment. Still, I believe that Blizzard will likely not take any responsibility for the over addictive players. They are in the entertainment business, not the medical profession.