Seven Ways to Win Back Your Gaming Spouse
KeyWord: World of Warcraft, wow, player Date: 03-20-2008
Summary: It might be hard to believe that a video game could destroy a relationship, but after we talked to Jocelyn, a Californian whose six-year marriage dissolved when her husband developed a crippling addiction to the massively-multiplayer online game World of Warcraft, we were inundated with similar stories of woe and heartbreak.

The website of Yahoo Games reported a special feature about gaming and marriage. It lists seven tips for gamers to "win back your gaming spouse".

Seven Ways to Win Back Your Gaming Spouse
Are games ruining your relationship? Fight back with these seven tips.
By Mike Smith

It might be hard to believe that a video game could destroy a relationship, but after we talked to Jocelyn, a Californian whose six-year marriage dissolved when her husband developed a crippling addiction to the massively-multiplayer online game World of Warcraft, we were inundated with similar stories of woe and heartbreak.

It's too late for Jocelyn who divorced her husband in 2005 and has sworn to keep away from gamers altogether but it might not be too late for you. If your significant other's gaming habits are harming your relationship, here are seven ways to beat the game and reclaim your love life.

1. Learn from the game
Games like World of Warcraft use classic behavioral control techniques: they tie small rewards very closely to repetitive chores. If your spouse is neglecting household tasks a common complaint among sufferers, try employing a little positive reinforcement. The next time he empties the trash, play a loud 'Ding!' sound and tell him his Refuse-Disposal skill just increased.

2. Suggest a date at a video game movie
Just make sure it's a good one, because most of them are terrible. Resident Evil is a good choice, and assuming your spouse is male, the prospect of staring at Milla Jovovich for an hour and a half should certainly pique his interest. Don't let him sneak off to play his game once the movie is done, either: segue into a more intimate scenario before it ends, or you'll lose his attention.


3. Fake a power outage; cuddle up with candles and a board game
No matter how bad your addiction is, you can't play Warcraft with no electricity. Slip out to the junction box and flip the switch (after, of course, making sure any sensitive equipment is safely powered down). Your spouse will be devastated, but they'll be looking for something to keep their mind off the game. What better chance to propose lighting a few candles and playing a round of Scrabble?


Relevant News
  • WoW New Patch: Fury of the Sunwell Announced(03-20)
  • Your MMO, Your World (03-19)
  • Diablo III or World of Diablo?(03-19)
  • Adorable Tiny WoW Paper Sculptures(03-19)
  • 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational Details Released(03-18)
  • Call of Duty MMO? Half a billion to beat WoW? Ludicrous!(03-17)
  • World of Warcraft Legendary Frostmourne Now on Sale!(03-17)
  • Wrath of the Lich King Environments Revealed(03-14)
  • Is Blizzard Dumbing Down WoW?(03-14)
  • PCs Are Good for Anything, Just Not Games(03-12)
  • Player Comments ( comments)
    Comments
    NickName:
    Remember my nickname.
    Content:
    Total comments [ More Comments ]
    Use powerful commenter with smileies and quote function here.
    Hot News Daily
    German Questioned Over Gamer's Murder
    WAR: We Are Harder, Darker and Heavier
    Korean Gamer's StarCraft Faction in Spore
    Why Always Fantasy?
    Make Crafting Better
    Crazy People, Crazy WAR!
    Ensemble And An Abortive Halo MMO
    Screens Of The Day
    News Of The Day
    WoW: Blue Post for Icecrown Citadel Loot
    More Gorgeous! C9 Totally Updates Attack
    Tera: Female Castanics Sets Show Feasts
    Dragon Age - A New Game That Drove the I
    Adult Special Feature Available Now
    Videos Of The Day