Sorry if this is a duplicate post:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18139090/wid/11915829/

As with most of this type of stuff, the author paints it as neither good nor bad but cites examples of both.

Interestingly, the prime examples in the story all end up divorced or separated.

I read this earlier and find it very disgusting. People really need to get a life!

Interesting observation considering one of the websites they mention where this infidelity takes place is called "Second Life".

It really is a breeding ground of infidelity (virtual/emotional/etc).

I can't count the number of posts I've seen just on these boards related to spouses / signficant others that meet someone on-line in a game (most usually World of Warcraft).

The funny thing in the article is that one of the guys they interview has a female avatar in Second Life. And I know for a fact that many men/boys playing World of Warcraft have had a female character at one time because all the other players are nice to the female characters.

You gotta think that some of these people who actually meet in the real world are severely disappointed in who is actually moving the mouse in their virtual fantasy.

Sad.

according to Second life... just in the US alone, people have spent 1.5 million dollars in the last 24 hours on their site.... over a year, that is over a half billion dollars... these people are totally whacked losers.

I'd agree with you...but as a sometime gamer, I can tell you that I've known of at least 20 marriages now that have failed due to EA's starting in game...whatever the game is. Everquest, WoW, Secondlife, FF, whatever...

And sadly, the majority of those marriages were ruined because the affair continued on even when they met the other person in 'real life'. Remember that they normally AT LEAST share an obsession for the game that brought them together...and one of the EN's listed here on this site is "sharing recreational activities".

My wife's EA was all started through Everquest. They met in game, started making arrangements to meet in game (it was harmless at first)...but then crossed the line into sharing too much emotionally, and then it spilled out of the game to IM'ing each other while he was at work and she was home, to phone calls...and finally to him buying her plane tickets when I caught them. They'd never met in person. But I do believe that the affair would have continued for quite some time had they met...they'd already invested that much emotionally into each other.

You used to hear about people falling in love in chat rooms...but games are a MUCH more dangerous place for that. The fantasy factor is higher, its easy to keep things low key, and gradually begin to share more and more of yourself emotionally with that person you meet in game all the time...you consider them friends, and then it becomes more. I saw it happen with my wife.

As far as these people being totally whacked losers...its how they choose to spend their evenings, INSTEAD of vegging out in front of a TV like everyone else, they veg in front of the computer instead. How much do you pay for cable TV? Most games cost about $15/month...cheaper than going to the movies, renting movies at home, etc... Its when you add all of the millions of people that play up that you see those insane numbers.

Is this your professional opinion, or just a blind stereotypical comment?

I have a 15 y/o son who plays WOW. He is also an honors student, and recognized on a national level for this soccer ability.

So I guess you could say I take some offense when he is referred to as "whacked loser" due to his enjoyment of an on-line game.

Like anything else... Moderation is the key.