SecretMaster

Uh, it isn't simply the player's problem when it starts to affect things around him. It isn't just the addicts problem when shit that needs to get done doesn't. The fact is an addiction isn't just one person's problems, but also those who interact have a problem on their hands as well. And for the record, it doesn't help when people act like they are better and simply say "Oh, you're life is being consumed. That is your problem, not mine. So I'm going to go about my life not caring". It's that same attitude of backing away and saying "this is your mess, not mine" that in my view, is counter-productive. If there is something that I believe in most, it is that empathy is needed in this world and it is a dying notion.

Maybe you'll think twice when situations that you've heard over and over again start to affect you personally.

And in regards to whether or not a company should start taking responsibility, I think in most cases yes they should. Blizzard is just the same as every company. They are a business first and foremost and they are in to make a profit. So they naturally are trying to come up with "new" and "exciting" ways to keep their fanbase and lure in new customers to make a profit. The nature of the game is to be addicting to keep this whole wonderful world running.

But when you hear more and more on the news about video game addictions, especially one that says 40% of WoW players are addicted to the game, you'd think that Blizzard might begin to do something. If they really want to show that they "care" about their customers, maybe they'd start addressing these sort of issues. Personally, I think it'd be an excellent PR and marketing strategy. But until they decide that maybe their customers are more than just 49.99$ for the initial game and then 12.99-14.99$ a month, I'm afraid they will have a not so wonderful image. Blizzard is making millions a month, I doubt it would hurt them much to start addressing this issue which is becoming more and more prevalent.