Irvine-based Blizzard Entertainment has been making addictive games since 1991, but none has been as wildly successful multiplayer role-playing game World of Warcraft. The game has spawned a franchise of three expansion packs, elicited parodies from South Park, and a steady following of 11 million around the world willing to pay about $12 a month. Heck, even actress Mila Kunis admits to playing it.
So what more can the Warcraft phenomenon do? Cause students to drop out of college, so says FCC commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate. In a December 5th keynote at the 26th Annual Telecom Policy and Regulation Institute, she states:
But surveys show just the opposite: a late 2006 survey that showed 59% of parents think the internet has been a totally positive influence in their children’s lives–down from 67% in 2004. You might find it alarming that one of the top reasons for college drop-outs in the U.S. is online gaming addiction— such as World of Warcraft—which is played by 11 million individuals worldwide.
Remember kids — be cool, finish off the Captain Skyshatter race quest by beating the Dragonmaw to gain Netherwing reputation points before you start school. [AlleyInsider]
(Banner photo by swanky)
