I was THAT guy. The guy who said "I'll never play an MMO because I know I'll get addicted to it". I managed to avoid EverQuest, even though a PC I bought back in 2000 or 2001 came with it pre-installed. I managed to avoid many other MMOs that appealed to me, the biggest one being World of Warcraft, which was hard to do as I was a pretty big fan of Warcraft 2 and 3. But I avoided it. Until about eight months ago.

Major kudos to Blizzard's marketing department for doing a good job, because a WoW commercial advertising a free 10 day trial was what finally cracked me. What's the harm?, I thought to myself, May as well see what all the hype is about...

I believe I was watching an NFL football game at the time the life changing commercial aired. WAS. I spent the rest of the day quickly becoming addicted to this new, colorful world. I also swore to myself that I woulndn't continue beyond the 10 day trial, but after I hit the level 20 cap that the trial limited me to, I went out and bought the game well before the 10 day trial expired.

The game came with a free 30 day trial. I once again swore to myself, fully realizing I was probably being naive, that I wouldn't play beyond that. All I wanted to do was see how far I could level my Human Warrior, and how many cool items I could collect, before the 30 day trial expired. Little did I know that this need to level up quickly, and this desire to have awesome gear, is what becomes an addiction to so many World of Warcraft players.

I simply don't believe in paying monthly fees for online gaming. That's why I own a PS3 and not a 360. Said the guy who has spent over $100 in World of Warcraft subscription fees.

Not all hope is lost. I'm still eating, sleeping, going to work on time, and hanging out with friends occasionally. As in flesh and blood friends, not guildies. It does seem like I've lost weight though.

What's the harm? May as well see what all the hype is about...

I wonder how many addictions, chemical or electronic, start with those same sentiments?