Help for the spouse

[mavric240]

Seven Ways to Win Back Your Gaming Spouse

Are games ruining your relationship? Fight back with these seven tips.

By Mike Smith
A




It might be hard to believe that a video game could destroy a relationship, but after we talked to Jocelyn, a Californian whose six-year marriage dissolved when her husband developed a crippling addiction to the massively-multiplayer online game World of Warcraft, we were inundated with similar stories of woe and heartbreak.
It's too late for Jocelyn -- who divorced her husband in 2005 and has sworn to keep away from gamers altogether -- but it might not be too late for you. If your significant other's gaming habits are harming your relationship, here are seven ways to beat the game and reclaim your love life.
Watch World of Warcraft Trailer


1. Learn from the game

Games like World of Warcraft use classic behavioral control techniques: they tie small rewards very closely to repetitive chores. If your spouse is neglecting household tasks -- a common complaint among sufferers -- try employing a little positive reinforcement. The next time he empties the trash, play a loud 'Ding!' sound and tell him his Refuse-Disposal skill just increased.
2. Suggest a date at a video game movie

Just make sure it's a good one, because most of them are terrible. Resident Evil is a good choice, and assuming your spouse is male, the prospect of staring at Milla Jovovich for an hour and a half should certainly pique his interest. Don't let him sneak off to play his game once the movie is done, either: segue into a more intimate scenario before it ends, or you'll lose his attention.
See Resident Evil Movie Page


3. Fake a power outage; cuddle up with candles and a board game

No matter how bad your addiction is, you can't play Warcraft with no electricity. Slip out to the junction box and flip the switch (after, of course, making sure any sensitive equipment is safely powered down). Your spouse will be devastated, but they'll be looking for something to keep their mind off the game. What better chance to propose lighting a few candles and playing a round of Scrabble?
4. Put some game into your nighttime activities

If your spouse's gaming addiction is cutting into your bedroom time, think about how you might switch up your usual routine. If they're into military games like Call of Duty or Splinter Cell, uniforms aren't hard to find (nor are night-vision cameras, if you're game). But if they call you a "n00b," it might be time to think about kicking them to the curb.
5. Try a different kind of role-playing game

See Sexy Costume Examples


If you're having trouble distracting your husband from the game, surprise him with a treat. World of Warcraft is packed with sexy female characters (and, let's face it, most other video games). With a little effort in the wardrobe department, you can recapture his attentions by dressing up as a character from the game. We'd suggest a Night Elf as a good starting outfit. For bonus points, learn the character's corresponding dance moves.
6. Get away from it all

Surprise your spouse with a weekend getaway to distract them from their addiction. Something that incorporates outdoor activities is best, because then he or she won't have the time or energy to miss their game. Try skiing, mountain biking, watersports, or fishing, or head for an action-packed hotspot like Vegas or New Orleans. Stay away from relaxing beach vacations, and for goodness sake, leave the laptop at home.
7. If you can't beat 'em...

If all else fails, it's time to consider extreme measures. Have you ever played the offending game yourself? Lots of couples play Warcraft (or similar online games) as a team, leveling up complementary characters and turning isolated and nonconstructive activities into good, old-fashioned quality time together. Most massively multiplayer games are deceptively easy to learn, and you'll have the benefit of an in-house expert to answer your questions in exhaustive detail. Just be careful not to start shirking familial duties yourself.

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Posted: 14 Mar 2008

[sonte]

Funny read. As for me and my wife we went with the last option. She now has a level 20 female human warlock, and I have a level 21 male dreanai shammy. I sat her down one day and was like you are going to give this a try. I went over the basics of the classes, and she of course chose warlock. We currently play a couple of nights together, and she seems to enjoy it.

[acetace]

thumbs up for this post =D

[vfrgurrl]

ROFL...Great satire. When my husband (Orc, warrior, level 56) starts to talk about his gameplay I notice that I automatically get looks of sympathy, pity, little nods of "o you poor thing". I guess most people don't see women as gamers. Generally I let this go on for a bit. Then I drop the bomb, saying "Gee, I remember running that instance with my lock and soloing it!" It's around this time we both start laughing as the non-gamer stutters and stammers trying to come up with some excuse for their sexist attitude.

The looks on their faces are priceless. Bwahahahaha.....<evil laugh>

[Carlinda]

I like it . My boyfriend and I also took the last option. We enjoy playing together so much that we have to remember to take time off to leave the house together sometimes, too!

I have had a relationship go up in smoke, not because of WoW, but because my ex didn't want to do anything but play WoW, and I'm pretty sure those first few options (except maybe #6) never would have worked.

[Absalom]

It is actually due to my girlfriend that I am where I am in the game. We often do instances and Battleground's together. I tend to get a bit chivalrous at times when a rogue sneaks up on her. You just have to be their for your girl right? ... course it helps that she can res me when my chivalry goes overboard

[Cynic]

I can't say I've ever thought of LARP as a way to cure rpg addiction.. hahaha