Mornin' folkses... [sip]
Speaking of WOW, there was I think a case a couple years ago of a murder case in Japan related to a deal gone sour within EverQuest. Something to do with a sword being traded in the game in exchange for some real Yen. Then the buyer was unhappy with it or something. Ended up hunting down and doing in the seller.
Yah know... when full-immersion interfaces become a reality... it'll be the last time we see a segment of the population. I can see some people just deciding to live in the virtual world.
Maybe... Having done a lot if it I don't see it that way. Some people spend all their time watching sports, or TV shows, or hanging out in bars, or at the gym. And some play a lot of games. Yeah some lose touch with 'reality' but at the risk of offending some people, how is that so different than spending all your free time looking at sports statistics? But, in a lot of ways it is a deeper kind of escapism so some people will all but check out. I think sooner or later we will see 'gamer retirement' communities. Give them a zillion bucks and it is like being in a full service old-folks home with a broadband connection.
"Mom! More Hot Pockets!"
How would that be different from the way those folks are today? ;o)
Sounds like a possible back-story for 'The Matrix'.