A recent article on NEWS.com.au surmised that
'Video game addicts are not just shy nerds'.
While this article does raise some interesting points, I think the author completely misses the point of online gaming, and possibly the internet as a whole.
There are over 10 million subscribers to World of Warcraft, and the average player will game for 2 - 6 hours at a time. During this time, they are interacting with literally hundreds of other players in some form or another - whether it be walking past them outside Aldor bank, passing them on the way to Karazhan, buying their wares in the Auction House, or grouping up with 24 others for a raid.
The rising cost of living is making it pretty hard for the average person to engage in a normal social life. From increased living costs like home loan interest rate increases, and a sharp rise in fuel prices, to
increased taxes on alcoholic beverages, it is now harder than ever before to enjoy time with friends in The Real World.
Why then wouldn't people find other avenues to extend their social networks?
The Internet is widely available - and affordable. Subscriptions to online gaming networks cost less than a meal at a restraunt. Plus, you get to network with people from all over the globe.
So it's time to deal with it. The Internet is here to stay.
