Playing video games has grown into a pastime for many children. The variety is endless. And understanding these games can be difficult. But knowing what your kids play is important. Not all games are made for children.

Parents especially struggle to understand Massively Multiplayer games. These are role-playing games, often in a fantasy world. Players take the role of an important character.

Regular role-playing games are usually single-player affairs. Massively Multiplayer games are strictly played online. And there are millions of people playing at once. Users can play with or against any of them.

Massively Multiplayer games games are distinguishable by their persistence. They are always running. Players can simply dial in and play anytime. They are open for business 24/7.

World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft is the most popular of these games. Other popular Massively Multiplayer games are EverQuest II, City of Heroes and Lord of the Rings Online. World of Warcraft has around 10 million subscribers.

You probably noticed that word “subscriber.” Most Massively Multiplayer games require a monthly fee. Generally, subscriptions cost around $15 a month. There are other fees for additional services. If your kids play, you’re probably going to foot the bill.

Being social is a part of your average Massively Multiplayer games. In fact, most are impossible to complete alone. Players join in groups to progress through the game. These can be informal groups. Or players can join more permanent groups, called guilds or clans. These groups usually have scheduled times for everyone to meet and play.

This gives you a very rough explanation of what a Massively Multiplayer game is. These games are incredibly complicated. It would be impossible to explain all the details. But if your children play Massively Multiplayer games, there are things you need to know.

Lots of time involved

Massively Multiplayer games take a significant investment of time. Some players jokingly call it a part-time job. That’s not far from the truth. Extended play isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But there are things to watch for.

The social nature of the game can create pressure to play. Each player in a group usually has a distinct role. A player missing a scheduled session can weaken the group. Children may feel pressure to not let the group down.

Scheduled game time is fine, as long as it’s reasonable. But your children may be asked to change their real-life schedule. Their in-game peers may not have their best interests in mind. Explain this to your kids. Tell them that it’s time to find new people to play with. That’s not difficult; there are millions of players.

Children can mix up their friendship priorities. They can start valuing in-game friendships over their friends at school. Having a friend in the game makes playing more fun. But kids shouldn’t shirk real-world relationships for the game.

This leads to a discussion of addiction. Gaming addiction is controversial. Some doctors aren’t sure games are actually addictive. It's possible addictive play is simply a symptom of an underlying condition. It could be depression or some other disorder.

Watch the hours

Regardless of what doctors decide, excessive gaming is a problem. Most players in Massively Multiplayer games can manage their game time. But some easily put in 50 or 60 hours a week. Forget a part-time job; that’s more than full-time!

Kids could start having trouble in school. They may damage their friendships. And, if they’re sacrificing sleep, they could face health problems.

If your kids have a problem quitting, seek treatment. Find an addiction treatment facility. You may be able to find Internet addiction specialists. They may have specific insight into online gaming addiction. Some Web sites offer help but deliver little. Get a recommendation from a doctor if you can.

Most players don’t get addicted. But remind your kids not to take the game too seriously. If it starts to feel like a job, it’s time to put it away. It’s just a game, after all. And it should be fun, not work.