Warning Labels on MMORPG's - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

10 Aug 2006 at 01:50 - 1

So I've been inspired to write a thread based on an article I just read at www.twitchguru.com that states 40% of World of Warcraft Players are Addicted to the game. This paragraph in particular:

Quote:

Dr. Orzack: I think there needs to be warning labels on MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, similar to warning labels on cigarettes. People should know that these games are potentially harmful. I'm sure the game industry will be up in arms over it, but that's what I'd like to see happen. I don't think we have a right to make Blizzard or other game companies change their products, but that may be what this comes to, down the road.
http://www.twitchguru.com/2006/08/08...yers_addicted/

So INTRODUCING the Gamer's General Warning for future Guild Wars chapters to be included on the box:

WARNING: This game may be potentially harmful to your health. Side effects include: headaches, hallucinations, insomnia, feelings of belonging, dry eyes, intense rage at any changes made to the game, uncontrolable urges to post these opinions on multiple forums, changes in vocabularly to include words such as Noob!, Whammo, LOL, and others. Quitting this game now greatly reduces serious risks to your mental and physical health.

Let's see what you can come up with

TheOneAndOnlyX

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2005

The Last Sacrens

N/Me

10 Aug 2006 at 01:51 - 2

Oh, WoW!

Xenrath

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

W/Me

10 Aug 2006 at 01:57 - 3

Warning: Some things will change and annoy people, feel free to post your thoughts and disappointments on fan forums as recommended by Anet support. wtf? shut up noob! you suck it's perfect Hey hold on I thought this was a good point go play something else! stfu Well there's no need to be rude quit whining/crying Look you've ruined the warning jerkwad die n00b l0lz0r Warning Closed By Admin

Manderlock

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2005

TX

Crimson ScS

W/N

10 Aug 2006 at 01:58 - 4

Wow, that is possibly the most insanely funny thing I've read all day. What adds to the humor is this guy actually belives the garbage that he spews.

Loviatar

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Feb 2005

10 Aug 2006 at 02:03 - 5

and here is the instant translation for the AOL crowd

Quote:

DR!!!!!1 OMG WTF ORZAK I THINK THEIR NEDS 2 B WARNNG LAEBLS ON MORPGS LIEK WORLD OF WARCRAFT SIMILAR 2 WARNNG LAEBLS ON CIGAERTES!11!1!1 LOL P3OPLE SHUD KNOW TAHT THES3 GMAS R POTENTIALY HARMFUL!11! LOL IMM SURA DA GMA INDUSTRY WIL B UP IN ARMS OVER IT BUT TAHTS WUT ID LIEK 2 SE HAPEN!1!!!1! OMG WTF LOL I DONT THINK WE HAEV A RIGHT 2 MAEK BLIZARD OR OTH3R GME COMPANEIS CHANGE THEYRE PRODUCTS BUT TAHT MAY B WUT THIS COMES 2 DOWN TEH ROAD
HTP/WWTWITCHGURUCOM/206/08/08.Y3RS_ADICT3D/!!1!1!!1 LOL

Lets Get to Healing

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

You want see?

True Gods of War [True]

Mo/W

10 Aug 2006 at 02:07 - 6

WARNING: During the playing of the game you may be required to hold bladders for extensively long hours, you may also lost control of your grasp on the english language, and begin to use acronyms, including "u", lol, lmao, lmfao,"Fractions", GG, nub, "I no". You may encounter many childeren playing this game. Other side effects include headaches, bleeding eyes, twitching, poor diet, extreme consumtion of soda, energy drinks, mountain dew, twinkies and a variety of other snack foods. Soon after you may find yourself entering depression, after losing an Alliance Battle 498 to 500, losing all your friends, dropping out of school, exessive farming and loss of spouse, girlfriend, and your "customers" *Wink wink*. *In small print* You may die*

Avarre

Bubblegum Patrol

Join Date: Dec 2005

Singapore Armed Forces

10 Aug 2006 at 02:14 - 7

'Having treated all types of addictions for more than 15 years, Orzack says there's little difference between drug use... and heavy game playing.'

I guess the experts are right about playing games being bad, even thinking about games made this Doctor stupid!

Perhaps that's a bit harsh, but reading through the article you can find a parallel with all the 'addicts', they've generally all got something to escape; school, home life, and so on. In another age these people would possibly become drinkers or whatever other form of escapism they chose. It's not a problem in the game so much as that one of the types of player who enjoys an MMO plays it to be immersed, which attracts more people with addictive personalities and other problems.

lyra_song

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Oct 2005

R/Mo

10 Aug 2006 at 02:25 - 8

Warning: Playing this game will result in lack of social interaction outside of a digital environment.

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

10 Aug 2006 at 02:25 - 9

WARNING: This game may require your wife to be used as payment.

Xenrath

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

W/Me

10 Aug 2006 at 02:35 - 10

Here's one I made earlier

Ellipson

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2005

Hic Sunt Leones [HiC]

Me/

10 Aug 2006 at 03:18 - 11

WARNING: This product may make you spend the majority of your time on making yourself look prettier than everyone else, even if it has no real bearing on how effective you are.

Ironically, this warning label also applies to your local GAP, A&B, or other high-priced clothing store. Go figure.

Shyft the Pyro

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2005

NYC, USA

E/Mo

10 Aug 2006 at 03:25 - 12

Warning: May cause death.

Surprisingly, that one is real. There was a story a while back about a man somewhere in Asia dying from playing WoW. He logged on in an internet cafe and played for 27 hours straight refusing to eat or drink. When he finally passed out, the paramedics drove him right to the hospital but it was already too late.

But if I had to incorporate all the potential dangers of MMORPGs into a single brief warning, it would look something like this:

Quote:

Warning: This immersive game may cause the user to lose touch with reality.

Maria The Princess

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

Aequitas Deis

10 Aug 2006 at 05:22 - 13

Dr. Orzack came up with this idea after he realised he havent came outside his house for a week because he was palying WOW.....ya he knows what hes talking about

cellardweller

Likes naked dance offs

Join Date: Aug 2005

The Older Gamers [TOG]

10 Aug 2006 at 05:44 - 14

Warning: Playing this game will seriously reduce your chances of getting laid.

Opeth11

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

Richmond, British Columbia, Kanada

Demon of the Fall [Opet]

Mo/Me

10 Aug 2006 at 05:48 - 15

Warning - You will be interacting with people on the internet.

Terra Xin

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Mar 2006

New Zealand

Me/R

10 Aug 2006 at 05:53 - 16

Reminds me of when a group of people tried to sue McDonalds for making them fat...

You're more likely to choke on a coin than to get serious harm from overplaying a game, maybe the government should inscribe a message onto every single coin produced X.x

lightblade

Forge Runner

Join Date: May 2005

The Etereal Guard

Me/Mo

10 Aug 2006 at 06:16 - 17

omfg! if you have guts, post this in www.gamedev.net and see what kind of response you get!

"Game is addicting" and "Addicting game" is different!

Red Locust

Site Contributor

Join Date: May 2005

10 Aug 2006 at 06:47 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenrath

Here's one I made earlier

I'd still play it.

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

10 Aug 2006 at 06:54 - 19

I still do.

jetblacknewyear

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2006

R/E

10 Aug 2006 at 07:20 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shyft the Pyro

Warning: May cause death.

Surprisingly, that one is real. There was a story a while back about a man somewhere in Asia dying from playing WoW. He logged on in an internet cafe and played for 27 hours straight refusing to eat or drink. When he finally passed out, the paramedics drove him right to the hospital but it was already too late.

But if I had to incorporate all the potential dangers of MMORPGs into a single brief warning, it would look something like this:

you can go longer than 27 hours without food or drink. i don't see how he died that fast.

Plushie Penguin

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2006

That plushie penguin on a shelf in your bed room

Rt/E

10 Aug 2006 at 07:27 - 21

I would sopose he had used more energy then someone who knew they they had to conserve it. Maybe he did activities that increased the heart rate, that could burn a lot after a while. Constantly thinking, pressing keys, it can kill you<.<

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

10 Aug 2006 at 08:28 - 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetblacknewyear

you can go longer than 27 hours without food or drink. i don't see how he died that fast.

Any kind of stress or excitement can lead to heart attack or stroke if you're "due" for it. Thousands of people die each year while excercising or having sex or watching TV or, yes, playing MMORPGs.

Legendary Shiz

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

10 Aug 2006 at 08:33 - 23

I couldn't think of a better way to go out.

BTW, I wasn't talking about MMORPGs

Carth`

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

10 Aug 2006 at 08:40 - 24

Such a warning would be great, because it would make kids' parents less likely to buy the game for their little darling, and that would mean less immature kids playing.

Opeth11

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

Richmond, British Columbia, Kanada

Demon of the Fall [Opet]

Mo/Me

10 Aug 2006 at 08:50 - 25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legendary Shiz

I couldn't think of a better way to go out.

BTW, I wasn't talking about MMORPGs

What if you don't finish your job?

Carl Butanananowski

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

Arizona

We Have Big [Meat]

10 Aug 2006 at 08:50 - 26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carth`

...and that would mean less immature kids playing.

WOOT!

NO MO HOH FOR JOO FOOL.

majoho

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2006

Denmark

10 Aug 2006 at 10:42 - 27

I can't believe that ome people bash the article since basically it's TRUE, be in denial about it if you want to but it's the plain truth.

CorstedPirate

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2006

Knights of the Void

Mo/

10 Aug 2006 at 10:42 - 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legendary Shiz

I couldn't think of a better way to go out.

BTW, I wasn't talking about MMORPGs

I can understand a guy wanting to go out that way, but do you really want to give a woman the satisfation of killing you with sex?

Big_Iron

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2005

The Edge

Tormented Weapons [emo]

10 Aug 2006 at 11:48 - 29

Come on people. Inde put this up for levity's sake, not to debate addiction in society. People, being what they are, can be addicted to almost anything. We have food addicts and no one proposes putting a warning label on a box of Duncan Doughnuts.

On topic, I loved this article and sent to many of my friends. I'm a Guild Wars island in a World of Warcraft (translation: all my friends play WoW while I'm the only one that plays GW).

Demesis

Banned

Join Date: May 2006

10 Aug 2006 at 11:54 - 30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius

Any kind of stress or excitement can lead to heart attack or stroke if you're "due" for it. Thousands of people die each year while excercising or having sex or watching TV or, yes, playing MMORPGs.

I'd rather die from having sex. But I know that isn't going to happen. I'm such a loser...

But on the bright side, that means I won't die anytime soon!

Angelica

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

Aussie land

Me/E

10 Aug 2006 at 11:59 - 31

My husband already says I'm addicted!

Big_Iron

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2005

The Edge

Tormented Weapons [emo]

10 Aug 2006 at 12:12 - 32

Quote:

Originally Posted by majoho

And yet you do the same.

If this was not to be debated the thread should just have been closed after the OP.

This is actually a major issue not really with GW but with games like WoW and should be discussed.

The know it alls (typically 15-21 in the rebellious phase) always have the stupid mindset that if something is obvious to them it should be obvious to all, but the fact is not all people know everything that's going on the internet (again I'm talking about the parents).

This is NOT some minor issue like putting age labels, explicit lyrics or such on a box - this can be a major threath to peoples welfare.

As you put it so eloquently, it’s not my call to make which direction a thread takes. Please, feel free to debate society’s shortcomings to your heart’s content. While we’re at it, why not debate global warming and our addiction to fossil fuels?

I was merely pointing out that the thread started out as humorous and has now turned into a debate and is bordering on a flame fest. I’d like to see it return to what the originator intended. Otherwise, yes, please close it and let’s open a debate thread in the Off Topic forum.

Hengis

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

London

Better Than Life (BTL)

R/

10 Aug 2006 at 12:19 - 33

Quote:

Originally Posted by majoho

The know it alls (typically 15-21 in the rebellious phase)

I'm not addicted (much) LOL, but when I read the above line in a previous post, my first thought was..

"That's not even max damage"..

Xenrath

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

W/Me

10 Aug 2006 at 12:23 - 34

As Inde's originally post was humourous this thread wasn't supposed to be serious discussion but as it's happened that way anyway I can think of a few points.

If people play computer games to "escape from reality" then I dare suggest the computer game is not the problem, but the reality they live in. It's not the fault of the game if someone has a really awful/boring life and they escape from it via a game. The real problems are whatever happened to then in real life.

If there weren't computer games, these people would just look for another means to escape their unfortunate problems in life. You can't just point the blame and the means to escape, without looking at the burning house they're trying to escape from.

Secondly, this happens every so often trying to scapegoat computer games usually by so-called "experts" who aren't regular gamers themselves. Why don't they ever say a word about television? The number of t.v. sets far outnumber computers, and people sit in front of those completely passively for hours and hours on end not even interacting with other people at all No risk there then...

Karya Foxstep

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Mar 2006

The Silver Legends

R/E

10 Aug 2006 at 14:00 - 35

Quote:

RW: Then aren't the issues at home more of a problem than the actual games themselves?

Dr. Orzack: No, I disagree. You can't say that about Blizzard, which structures the games like World of Warcraft to be addictive. They design these MMORPGs to keep people in the game. I do think the problem is tied in with other things like family issues, but the games themselves are inherently addictive. That's ultimately the cause of the problem.

Quote:

RW: What about self control and willpower? Should players take some responsibility for their heavy play?

Dr. Orzack: This isn't about willpower or restraint. These games are very elaborately designed to ease you in gently, entice you, and keep you there. And it's a cycle: people begin to spend too much time playing and their careers and personal relationships begin to deteriorate. Then they begin to withdraw more into the game because it's an escape from their real world problems.

It's a conspiracy! They're out to assimilate us, innocent citizens

Warning: resistance is futile.

<edit> By the way, the internet is addictive. Without MMORPHs, people would "live" in chatboxes and forums.

Jetdoc

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Jul 2005

The Eyes of Texas [BEVO]

D/A

10 Aug 2006 at 16:55 - 36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hengis Stone

"That's not even max damage"..

Same here. Maybe that means that we're addicted...

MSecorsky

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

So Cal

The Sinister Vanguard

Me/

10 Aug 2006 at 17:03 - 37

The "danger" comes when the escape from reality is better than reality for some, so they don't often come all the way back.

As for dying while having sex... nothing like coming and going at the same time, eh?

Curse You

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

South Pole

The Magus Order

N/Mo

10 Aug 2006 at 17:35 - 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenrath

Secondly, this happens every so often trying to scapegoat computer games usually by so-called "experts" who aren't regular gamers themselves. Why don't they ever say a word about television? The number of t.v. sets far outnumber computers, and people sit in front of those completely passively for hours and hours on end not even interacting with other people at all No risk there then...

This is true. Most of the adictive games on computers involve other people. However, last time I checked, one guy alone in an appartment can watch TV for months without ever talking to anyone, or moving.

Also, I remeber how U.S. congress (a REALLY reliable group [sarcasm]) was talking about video games (of course GTA). And yet they ignored such things as, the large percent of obese people, and the large number of TVs the obese people have.

Anyhow, my dad always tries to tell me I'm adicted, but he's just a dense 50 year old (not saying 50 year olds are dense) who doesn't realise that I am INTERACTING with other people.

Also, best way to die = having sex, while chugging a GIANT bottle of beer (of course Canadian beer), after eating 50 Dougnuts (the good Canadian ones), all after meeting your life hero.

Oh yea warning label: Warning may cause "the light" to hurt.

Sciros Darkblade

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Ohio

Archons Ascendant [Arch] - Leader

W/

10 Aug 2006 at 19:23 - 39

Warning: The doctor who founded and coordinates "Computer Addiction Services" at a hospital in Massachussetts is going to claim that headaches mean you're addicted to games so she can "treat" you and make $$$$$.

This lady really knows how to scam people. All you ecto thieves, take notice! You are noobs compared to her, she's a real pro!

Yanman.be

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

[ROSE]

A/

10 Aug 2006 at 19:35 - 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetblacknewyear

you can go longer than 27 hours without food or drink. i don't see how he died that fast.

My record is 3 days straight. I Have slept 1 or 2 hours though. No food or drink. Except eyedrops.