At one time I played online games a TON. I had the time, so I thought. I thought it was a way to connect with people, since I stay home most of the time. For me it went deeper than just playing some silly game..it was about having something I didn't in my real life. Control. I could manage my character, manage "armies" or "gangs" as they are called in some games. I could manipulate, reject, explore ideas, make online friends, start fights, end fights, it goes on and on.