Warning Labels on MMORPG's

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I
Inde
Site Contributor
#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
T
TheOneAndOnlyX
Krytan Explorer
#2
Oh, WoW!
Xenrath
Xenrath
Desert Nomad
#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
Manderlock
Wilds Pathfinder
#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.
L
Loviatar
Underworld Spelunker
#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
L
Lets Get to Healing
Banned
#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
Avarre
Bubblegum Patrol
#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
lyra_song
Hell's Protector
#8
Warning: Playing this game will result in lack of social interaction outside of a digital environment.
Zinger314
Zinger314
Debbie Downer
#9
WARNING: This game may require your wife to be used as payment.
Xenrath
Xenrath
Desert Nomad
#10
Here's one I made earlier

Ellipson
Ellipson
Academy Page
#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
Shyft the Pyro
Wilds Pathfinder
#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
Maria The Princess
Forge Runner
#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
cellardweller
Likes naked dance offs
#14
Warning: Playing this game will seriously reduce your chances of getting laid.
Opeth11
Opeth11
Desert Nomad
#15
Warning - You will be interacting with people on the internet.
Terra Xin
Terra Xin
Furnace Stoker
#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
lightblade
Forge Runner
#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
Red Locust
Site Contributor
#18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xenrath
Here's one I made earlier

I'd still play it.
Numa Pompilius
Numa Pompilius
Grotto Attendant
#19
I still do.
j
jetblacknewyear
Academy Page
#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.