I've tried to quit several times and it just doesn't work,'' said Williams. While in school his Bs slipped to Cs, he said. The cases she usually sees that involve EverQuest are students like Williams whose grades are slipping because of too much time spent playing. Some suggest the game is so addictive because of its social nature. Players can move on to the next level by gaining experience through quests, which involve finding a torch, a piece of armor, a wand or other object.
Quests also involve killing monsters.
Completing a quest is much easier with other players, since many have complementary abilities. Archuleta said that she has become good friends with her gaming cohorts. One couple, she said, actually met through the game. He met at least four people online who said their marriages broke up because of relationships with people they met in the game. ''If my girlfriend threatens to leave me,'' he said, ''then I'll quit.'' Copyright 2000 Associated Press . All rights reserved.