CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 characters. At the end of the challenge, the 40 players faced a boss, which is extremely hard to beat, Smith says.
During the summer, it was not unusual for Smith to play eight hours every day, reducing his playing to three hours when school started. "It seemed like a job. It stopped being fun, because I'd always have to prepare to play the game," he says.
According to Smith, half of all WoW users are addicted. Addictions to video games can be destructive, Owen says. "People know when it's getting out of balance because their time with friends and family
suffers" she says. "It's a lot like drug addiction, in that their focus becomes when they're going to play the game. They give up on aspects of their life that could be fulfilling because they don't put their energy into real-life experiences."
Fearing that he could become addicted, Smith decided to quit just nine months after he started. Attempting to go cold turkey did little to keep him away from the game. Shortly after he quit, he began playing again.
Video game addiction is like compulsive gambling. Owen says, "It's just one more hand, one more roll," she says. "The rest of the world fades away into
this accomplishment, this level."
In order to stop video game addiction, Owen says, someone close to the person should monitor his or her time spent on the computer. The person will need a lot of support because of the emptiness they will feel if their game is taken away. They need to realize what they've given up for the game.
After March 2006, Smith decided to wean himself off the game slowly for a six-month period. He hasn't played since.
Even though some people take it to the extreme, WoW can be a fun, interactive way to go on an adventure with thousands of other gamers.
GETTING STARTED WITH WORLD OF WARCRAFT
Released in November 2004, World of Warcraft offers 60 interactive levels to explore. With over 1,000 quests, this game will keep you busy all day. World of Warcraft runs for about $20, in addition to a fee of$ 15 a month to play online.
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade expands the original game to include 10 additional levels. You can purchase the extension for around $40.
Learn new strategies for advancing further into the game. Follow the maps to discover new secrets along your journey. Progress through the game more quickly and efficiently. The World of Warcraft Atlas runs for about $30.
03/02 TRUCKSTOP HONEYMOON FAST FOOD JUNKIES
02/28 OUTFORMATION HOLD STILL
03/03 REV. HORTON HEAT MURDER BY DEATH/THE TOSSERS
The actual girl scouts may still be a little chubby, though
THE GIRL SCOUTS ANNOUNCE THAT ALL OF THEIR COOKIES WILL NOW BE TRANS-FAT FREE.
Federline was disappointed, however, upon learning that the janitor job opening had already been filled.
03/05 ANBERLIN BAYSIDE/MEG & DIA/JONEZETTA DOORS AT 6
03/31 EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY THE PAPER CHASE UPCOMING
03/04 COLD WAR KIDS THE COLOUR/DELTA SPIRIT
03/10 DR. DOG WHAT MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS/THE TEETH
03/16 BOTTLE ROCKETS JULIA PETERSON & THE BREAKS
KEVIN FEDERLINE VISITS HIS ESTRANGED WIFE, BRITNEY SPEARS, IN REHAB.
Meanwhile, the top-rated video on YouTube continues to be "He Farted," a 30-second montage of memorable movie flatulence.
2
03/28 TIM REYNOLDS
MARTIN SCORSESE'S CRIME DRAMA THE DEPARTED WINS BEST PICTURE AT THE 79TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS.
03/13 THE BRIDGE EXIT CLOVE
3 RESEARCHERS DISCOVER THAT CHIMPS IN SENEGAL HAVE LEARNED TO USE SPEARS WHILE HUNTING; THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT SUCH AN ADVANCED TOO HAS BEEN USED BY CHIMPS
The researchers are ignoring the team of chimps that writes the episodes of Grey's Anatomy, saying that there's no evidence of intelligence in the crude, ape-produced scripts.
HAWK TOPICS
BOB SCHNEIDER JJ GREY & MOFRO
RAINE REVIEWS NEWS YOU CAN USE
1
For a complete listing of shows, check out www.bottlenecklive.com
5
REPORTS SUGGEST BRITNEY SPEARS SHAVED HER HEAD AFTER ESTRANGED HUSBAND KEVIN FEDERLINE THREATENED TO TURN IN HER HAIR FOR A DRUG TEST.
This discounts my theory that Brit was just trying to make the drapes match the carpet.
6 A NEW STUDY REVEALS THAT CIRCUMCISED MEN ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO CONTRACT HIV FROM AN INFECTED SEXUAL PARTNER. However, doctors stress that even circumcised men should avoid sexual contact with Paris Hilton, even if she says she'll let you film it.
TITANIC DIRECTOR JAMES CAMERON CLAIMS TO HAVE FOUND THE TOMB AND REMAINS OF JESUS CHRIST.
Cameron plans to produce a film based on the findings, in which an elderly Mary Magdalene recounts her steamy love affair with the Christian Lord and Savior shortly before his crucifixion.
FISHERMEN IN NEW ZEALAND CATCH A VERY RARE COLOSSAL SQUID BELIEVED TO BE THE LARGEST SPECIMEN EVER LANDED.
The finding eclipses the previous largest specimen which was extracted from Paris Hilton's genitals during her last visit to the gym.
THE ABC HIT GREY'S ANATOMY IS EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF CREATING A SPIN-OFF SERIES FEATURING ACTRESS KATE WALSH, WHO PLAYS NEO-NATAL SURGEON ADDISON SHEPHERD.
Meanwhile, the very idea of a Grey's Anatomy spin-off has Hawk Topics writer Chris Raine exploring the possibility of joining Meredith Grey in the afterlife by repeatedly hitting himself in the head with his television remote.
10
XM RADIO AND SIRIUS ANNOUNCE THAT THEY WILL COMBINE TO FORM ONE COMPANY.
Now subscribers can get even more stations they'll never listen to.
THINK YOU HAVE A BETTER JOKE? E-MAIL ME AT HAWKTOPICS@KANSAN.COM
16→ JAYPLAY 03.01.2007
o s h e o j a e c t n a l o s l e
Chris Raine