4,099 hours. That’s how long I have spent, in total, in World of Warcraft. I’m sure everyone’s thinking “Wow, that’s a large number, she must be embarrassed!” but you know what? I’m not. There was a point where I felt like I should be ashamed of that number, but not anymore. Here’s why.

Most people automatically assume that once you play a game like that, and you play it a lot, that you’re “addicted” to it. I’m not. I’m sure there are people out there who are. People are capable of being addicted to absolutely anything in this world. Personally? I can step away from the game at any time and enjoy other things. Other games, movies, TV shows, time with my husband, time with my cat, exercise, shopping… All kinds of things, and not necessarily in that order.

I have a friend that’s gotten an even harder time for playing World of Warcraft than I have. She’s had people tell her that she’s a bad parent because she plays, she’s had people blame her other problems in life on the fact that she plays, and yet people don’t take a minute to think that maybe, just maybe, it’s her only time to herself. She doesn’t know a lot of people around where she lives, so she doesn’t get out often, and when she logs in the game, she’s got hundreds of friends at the touch of a button.

Of course, some people are very quick to say that these friends aren’t “real” friends, but I beg to differ. A few of my very best friends have been met through this game. To be honest, I met my husband in a different game, so there’s validation right there. But since we’re talking about World of Warcraft, and World of Warcraft alone here, I’ll stay on topic. There have been nights that I have had complete panic attacks about my future and what’s to be expected and the things I’m going through. These friends sit and talk to me while I worry, rationalize with me, and make me feel better. I don’t have someone I can just call to get that kind of support.

You can feel like an outcast in World of Warcraft just as easily as you can in real life. There are high-school-style cliques and there are generally elitist people wandering around, just waiting to attack your gear, or your play style. However, these people are few and far between. A while ago, shortly after the Burning Crusade (the expansion, for those of you who don’t play) came out, I was very frustrated. I played a holy/discipline priest and was tired of healing my way through instances. I got burnt out on the game, even though I was on my way to 70, and took a couple months off at 67. I played other games in the meantime and spent time dealing with real life personal issues, but I felt lonely (that’s what happens when you’re still “new” in town, obviously) and went back. I decided to respec my priest to shadow and not worry about what was going on with other people.

Once I hit 70, I had a group that was more than happy to take me in and work with me, while I learned to really play the class/spec and kinda fumbled my way through gearing up and trying new things. Things happened in the guild we were a part of, and eventually our leadership broke off and formed a new guild, and I knew I was going to leave. I’ve had trouble leaving guilds before because of guilt and the feeling of personal obligation, but this time I was sure it was for the best. I was right! In a short time, we’ve accomplished amazing things with a very casual raiding schedule, and it’s a group that I am proud to be a part of. The people are friendly, and we’re honestly like a little family, as cheesy as it sounds. There are disagreements and there are tough times, but we pull past it and just get stronger and stronger.

So tell me, what makes this game so bad? Why is it the subject of so many people ready to attack the people who play it? Why are we considered the ones with “no lives” or the ones who are “addicted” to our computers? I could spend two nights a week with friends out in the “real world” playing poker, or I can spend two nights a week on the computer with friends all over the world, playing something that, to me, is infinitely more entertaining. What’s wrong with that?