Pachter: MMO Gamers Are Addicts

February 2, 2009

In an interview with Reuters, Wedbush-Morgan financial analyst Michael Pachter has characterized MMO players as "addicts."

In the article, Reuters examines the effect of the current economic climate on the online game business. Pachter suggested that MMOs would see little impact due to the nature of their players' relationship with the games:

I don't think (online multiplayer games) get impacted at all, because people who play them are addicts, Losing their jobs makes them more likely to play because they have more time to play.

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Comments

Re: Pachter: MMO Gamers Are Addicts

Submitted by the1jeffy on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 09:30.

Are you kidding me? The first thing I'd do if I lost my job is cancel my WoW accounts.

That's $30 bucks a month I'd need for, I dunno, food? I am helplessly addicted to food though. Food needs nerfed.

However, he's got a certain point. At least one notable wow-blogger is unemployed and still plays. Maybe not "addicted," but certainly not cutting what should be an easy way to save cash.

~~All Knowledge is Worth Having~~

Re: Pachter: MMO Gamers Are Addicts

Submitted by Waffles on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 09:26.

Another day, another blanket statement.

Did he remember to punch the clock?

Re: Pachter: MMO Gamers Are Addicts

Submitted by Zaruka on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 09:24.

wow guess im addicted to wow then even tho i only have two character one level 70 and one level 10 and play off and on plus dont own the new expasion. yep im addicted. now exucuse me i must go raid for my level 18 8 str and 8 stam leather belt. lol im sry but this guy is way off when it comes to me and mmo.

Thanks Zaruka

Re: Pachter: MMO Gamers Are Addicts

Submitted by Cerabret100 on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 09:22.

Well...yeah, but not necessarily because they're addicts, losing your job is probably pretty hard. I know my dad hasn't had any work and is bored out of his mind. It's not too far of a stretch to see playing an MMO more as a means of escape/coping, or just trying to do something during the time you were usually busy at work.

Re: Pachter: MMO Gamers Are Addicts

Submitted by d20sapphire on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 13:09.

I agree. If you keep your finances low and you do nothing but look for a job all day, it's nice to be able to escape into a video game community during your free time. I don't think you can label such a big group of people "addicts" just because they support their leisurely escape that everyone does from time to time.

www.20sidedwoman.blogspot.com

Re: Pachter: MMO Gamers Are Addicts

Submitted by JustChris on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 13:31.

Isn't a widespread obsession or affninity for a leisurely activity just called a "pastime"?

GameSnooper

Re: Pachter: MMO Gamers Are Addicts

Submitted by black manta on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 09:20.

Pachter's been off the mark before when it comes to his analyses, but this time he's missed wide. And frankly, I'm surprised hearing it coming from him. I never thought he'd make asuch an ignorant blanket statement like that.

Poll

Shout box

E. Zachary Knight: It is the same price as the existing slim, uses all new cables (power and composite) and does not have optical audio. So you have to use HDMI if you want HD video and surround sound.06/19/2013 - 2:12pm

E. Zachary Knight: Interesting. IGN is recommending that you just skip the new 360 redesign. http://www.ign.com/videos/2013/06/18/unboxing-the-xbox-360-super-slim06/19/2013 - 2:12pm

Papa Midnight: Rumor - Steam to Allow Game Borrowing06/19/2013 - 1:24pm

Papa Midnight: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59560606/19/2013 - 1:24pm

Andrew Eisen: Hey, that's exactly the point of our latest poll! Which I just noticed I somehow failed to post yesterday. I better fix that.06/19/2013 - 11:34am

PHX Corp: http://kotaku.com/microsofts-muddled-messaging-shown-off-on-national-te-514280891 Microsoft's Muddled Messaging, Displayed On National Television06/19/2013 - 9:57am

Imautobot: Maybe there really is something to be said about selling a game at a fair price.06/19/2013 - 8:35am

MechaTama31: Imautobot: I dunno. Ask my hundreds-strong Steam library, which I have played maybe 10-20% of. Those sales are just too good to pass up... >.>06/19/2013 - 7:38am

Imautobot: Bought 5 GOG games last night, now I wonder if I'll play them. Why is it so comforting to know we have it, and yet such a challenge to bring ourselves to play it?06/19/2013 - 7:28am

Andrew Eisen: Okay, fixed. For really reals this time!06/19/2013 - 12:42am

Sleaker: @AE The actual link to the pay what you want is www.indiegamestand.com not desura. You seem to infer where it's at but never posted a link.06/19/2013 - 12:01am

Andrew Eisen: LEGO: The Movie! www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPnY2NjSjrg06/18/2013 - 9:39pm

Zen: http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130614/OFFDUTY02/306140030/New-Xbox-sin-against-all-service-members-06/18/2013 - 7:33pm

Zen: Been out for a few days, but has anyone brought up the possible ban on Xbox One on military bases because of security concerns that it could be a listening device by Commanders?06/18/2013 - 7:33pm

Andrew Eisen: Sleaker - Fixed.06/18/2013 - 6:34pm

MechaTama31: CMiner: Another issue is that every camera/webcam combination is going to be pretty different, in terms of the software/hardware exploits available. A homogenous hardware/software combo like a console, in millions of homes, will be a much juicier target.06/18/2013 - 6:31pm

Sleaker: Vox pay what you want link is busted.06/18/2013 - 6:27pm

ZippyDSMlee: Mics have to breath put tape over it.06/18/2013 - 6:25pm

NyuRena: You nailed it James! Yikes..06/18/2013 - 1:56pm

james_fudge: With MS willing to share with the government, an always listening device should give everyone pause.06/18/2013 - 1:37pm

All shouts