When asked to answer whether or not World of Warcraft is just harmless fun or if it is an addictive replacement for reality one must not only look at the game, but one must also look at the people who are playing the game. Situations are never one-sided, it is always important to evaluate both sides of the equation.
The easiest way for me to share my feelings about whether or not World of Warcraft is harmless fun or an addictive replacement for reality is to share with you my personal impressions and experiences with the game. You see, not so long ago I had judged the game without truly getting to know what the game was about. I had judged the game based on the people that I had attended school with that were playing the game. They truly appeared to be living in an alternate reality. They would always be talking about the game, and they would even assume the names of their World of Warcraft characters. It was something that almost disgusted me. As time passed however my fiance expressed interest in purchasing the game and I was forced to re-evaluate my standing and actually give the game a real chance, to see what it was really worth.
Having the game in my house and having it being played often, I was given the opportunity to see the game in an entirely new light and to gain an understanding for why many people find enjoyment within the game. I myself do not wish to play the game but I see the reasons that it interests many people. It is a game that has been thoroughly crafted, well planned, and flawlessly developed. The game is constantly growing and expanding, giving its' players things to always look forward to. It, in itself, truly is a whole new world and it is an escape from reality. It gives many people a way to just take time out and enjoy themselves. It is a new reality which allows players opportunities to live in a world of magic, to set goals and reach accomplishments, and to have a sense of belonging when a member of a guild. It is a game that requires a lot of thought, a lot of time, and with time, a lot of patience.
Now, to say that World of Warcraft is an addictive game and a replacement for reality is understandable. It is a game that requires a lot of time if you wish to take advantage of everything that is available through the game and it's also a game that takes a long time for people to level up, to learn things and accomplish things, and to complete quests. Generally speaking, it takes a lot for these players to get their money's worth as they are paying monthly investments to keep having the ability to play. But at the same time, the game itself is harmless, it is simply just another means of fun and entertainment- no different than any other computer game, which can also become addictive. I have become addicted to many strategy games online over the years, it's something that can happen to anyone in relation to any game.
So why then, having said that the game is harmless have I choesn to label World of Warcraft as an addictive replacement for real life? It's really quite simple. I do not believe that it is the fault of the game or the games creators, by any means. Sure, the creators of the game want to make their money and be rewarded for the work that they put into this game but that comes with any business, why is this business different? The only logical answer can be that the reason World of Warcraft is an addictive replacement for reality is because many people that are playing the game were already seeking a replacement for reality.
If it weren't World of Warcraft it would be another game, or drugs, or gangs, or other means of escaping reality. World of Warcraft just seems to be a common release for the people that are wanting an escape from reality because it offers them the freedom to escape from reality as they please and it's a game that many find enjoyable. These people are creating bad reputations for the many others that play this game but on a large front, the majority of players become obsessed with the release from the real world.
World of Warcraft is just a scapegoat for the problem that already existed, people are simply obsessed with escaping reality. Everyone is looking for a way out, at least sometimes. We hear and see what happens to some of the people that play this game, like my peers from school the game becomes their life and it becomes hard for them to decipher the difference between the game world and the real world. It's a sad reality but it's something that happens.
To summarize, unlike my original thoughts, the game is well crafted and thoroughly designed for its players. Because of the depth and the time consumption and the rewards and the complete new world however, World of Warcraft is like the icing on the cake. There was already a cake there, there was already the obsession with escaping reality but when World of Warcraft was introduced into the equation for these addictive people, it was the icing on the cake- it was everything that they needed and so their harmless fun was no longer. Their harmless fun lead to an addiction which is not only destroying them but also destroying the reputation that the game holds to the many people who have yet to give it a chance.