Yes, if only we could tap into it for elearning. I like to think the principles are in my book, Engaging Learning, but other elements also play a role, like the business case to justify the investment it takes to tune past ‘just acceptable’.

So, thanks for the warning, it’s quite apt. Jeff Johannigman, a co-author on the Guild research report on Immersive Learning Simulations, quit the game industry when he read a review of his latest game that touted something like ‘will lead to more broken marriages’. Best wishes for your brother.

Famous last words. Beware, Clark, danger ahead! As a game lover with an admittedly game-addictive personality (I finally had to smash my Starcraft CD – it was sucking my life dry), I’ve never dared so much as touch WoW. It looks fantastic. It looks fun. And it’s completely taken over many lives. My brother was playing this thing non-stop. Came home from work, immediately got on WoW, played until 2 am, went to bed, got up, went to work, came home, played WoW. Repeat. He was getting no sleep. His condo was a mess. He was getting in trouble for tardiness at work. It was wrecking him. He has since married and “quit” WoW. Until last week, when he announced he was going to play again “only on the weekends.” I’m sure the wife will be thrilled about that.

The problem with WoW is you get hooked up with a group of players. Then you’re constantly on endless quests. You can’t just jump in and play for an hour. Oh no. It’s not just a game, it’s a way of life.

The South Park episode about WoW was funny because it was true.

And as far as the “limited time trial” – just like the crack dealer, the first one is always free. :)

Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Now, if only we could give eLearning the addictive properties of WoW…