Re:
^/agreed
Psychologists have opened centers for help for addicts of ALL mmo's. The main point of why/how people get addicted is the "reward" syndrome gambling addicts face. It's never ending. As long as the company and game exist, there will always be more. The difference is, there's no risk, just keep playing. In life, there's SOME risk. Emotional, financial, psychological, etc. In life, few people can try and do and then fail and try and do again. In a fantasy world, you can do it over and over until you're tired.
In the sense of video games, it's fun. But it's a time-drag, like anything else NOT being focused upon as your main core outlook in life.
In the sense of addiction, it can be addicting, as many articles and real world events notes.
It personally disgusts and depresses me that people get like that...so obsessed. That guys would ignore or dump gf's over it. That they have nothing else better to do than lvl characters in a fake world. I'd even lump Second Life into this category because it has even a more non-sensical way about it, and a more glaring and depressing name. "Second Life." When my buddy showed me that game with people banging IN-game, and told me it was real people playing their character's, I knew it'd be FUBAR. How would you feel if your wife/gf's/sister's character was virtually banging some dude. "Oh honey/brother/bf, it's only a game! I have to so I can get more X!"
The same can be said of ANY video games, but because of their nature, MMO's have an addictive feature built in. Play more, get richer, get more gear, beat more people, beat bigger bosses, etc. It's pathetic.
The lesson learned is life balance. Guys in the PUA community can be victim to the same mentality of addiction to reward, but sacrifice of soul. Sacrifice of life. If you play the game, there's no rush. If you don't, good. Fly a kite. Run. Play games. Do whatever you enjoy. Ala, Virtue of Selfishness.
Work hard, Play Hard.
A-Unit