Online Role-Playing Games Cause Students To Miss Classes, Lose Sleep

A new study by a University of the Rockies graduate student has found that it's fairly common for students miss school, meals, sleep and social activities because of online game playing.

Sabrina Neu used the Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing game as her basis for research. She said that the "student lifestyle" often contributes to the overplaying of online games.

But Neu also cited the positives of these games. "Players cite social opportunities as a primary reason for play. Players can overcome shyness, actualize previously untapped talents, mentor other players, free themselves from physical disabilities, develop a sense of purpose and achievement and engage in altruistic, heroic and generous acts," she said, according to Jackson Online News.

When balanced with school, however, some video games can bring students international fame. Earlier this year, University of Texas student Matt Smith broke the "Rock Band 2" world record, garnering a score of 10,687,033 points. Smith told the Daily Texan that he practiced "Rock Band" for 45 minutes per day -- only after he finished his homework.