How many virtual world widows are there?

Virtual Worlds Forum blog

Comments [0] | 22 January 2008

Actually, using the term 'widows' in the context of interactive entertainment addiction is pretty sexist, implying that men get addicted to games, and women sit downstairs in the living room pining for their husband. I'm sure it can work just as well in reverse. Nevertheless, the phenomenon is well-known, perhaps most famously with football management simulation Championship Manager, which has been cited in several divorces as a contributing factor. However, now it seems virtual worlds and MMOs are under the spotlight as a cause of marital strife.

Check this article, which looks at how these worlds are potential enablers for infidelity, not just addiction. It refers to the EverQuest Widows support group on Yahoo, which has plenty of tales of people breaking off their engagements after meeting someone else in the game. There's some interesting legal information too: cyber affairs don't count as infidelity in court unless they lead to a real-life affair, but it's a grey area whether continual cyber-cheating would count as cruelty or abandoning one's marital responsibilities - which could be legal grounds for a divorce. I await with interest the first divorce case to cite a green furry Second Lifer as co-respondant... (via Kansas.com)

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