Bloodling, from Aggramar, explains how a more mature couple might handle the game time. “My wife and I started playing a couple months after we got married in 2005. I was only modestly interested in WoW, but since we were both getting tired of Diablo 2, and there are few good cooperative console games, I picked up a couple copies. 2.5 years later, I have 3 lvl 70s, she has 2 lvl 70s. But, she's the hardcore raider while I've been [relegated] to "casual" status. :) We have a 9 month old boy, so that has cut down on the super late night and all weekend long marathons. But, he goes to bed every night around 7-8pm, so the nights still belong to WoW :)”

Not only are people forming relationships with others met in Azeroth, but an interest in World of Warcraft has become one of the key factors in choosing a date in other areas as well. The popular dating site OkCupid.com offers a section specifically for those interested in dating as well as World of Warcraft, and there is a more specific service now offered called World of Datecraft that is geared especially for people looking for a new love… with a World of Warcraft account. The site appears to be a version of Myspace for those who want to show themselves as well as their character off. It enjoyed a lot of success from the get-go, even going offline for a short time during its infancy when it was flooded with interested new members. Datecraft and OKCupid aren’t your only choices though. Finding a new person to connect with while sharing your love of World of Warcraft is as easy as Googling terms such as “singles,” “World of Warcraft,” and “dating.” One click and a whole world of sites pop up that are just itching to connect you with a fellow gamer. Clearly there is a large market out there for people who like MMORPGs and wish to share their interests with someone special.

Where there is a growing trend, however, there are also critics. There are a number of very vocal people who insist that playing World of Warcraft (or any video game) hinders one from forming loving and lasting relationships with people in the real world, but stories such as those above suggest that this is simply not true. While it is a common stereotype for a boy to be spending too much time on his character while his resentful girlfriend sits back and fumes at being ignored, this isn’t always the case. Like everything else, video game time can be something shared between two people who are interested in each other’s hobbies and preferences. If you feel like you’re being ignored by your significant other because of WoW, or any videogame for that matter, why not create a character of your own and try playing along for a change? Perhaps you might find yourself enjoying a new and amusing way to bond with your loved one. If not, at least you can say you tried rather than keeping a closed mind about something that your partner obviously enjoys so much. Playing games online has helped bring many people together and helped even more couples become closer in a totally new way. And for those who are still solo-ing in-game as well as in real life, don’t worry too much. After all, with 10 million people sharing similar taste in games, there’s definitely someone special out there for you!