From CNN:

Video games can be pretty addicting. Now, a judge will decide if one video game maker should pay. A man in Hawaii is suing because he says he's suffering from video game withdrawal. Craig Smallwood claims he became "psychologically dependent and addicted" to the video game "Lineage II" published by game-maker "NCsoft." So far, the court has dismissed several of Smallwood's claims, but they allowedhim to keep his "gross negligence" claim, which says the company was negligent in providing this software to the public when they knew of the potential dangers of addiction or dependence. Smallwood says that he played "Lineage II" for over 20,000 between 2004 and 2009. That averages out to nine hours a day.

Make no mistake about it folks, this is my generation's Brown vs. The Board of Education. Only bigger. Can you imagine the ramifications of Craig Smallwood winning this lawsuit and setting the precedent that degenerate gamers can make millions by suing video game companies? Like I'm not sure the judge involved in this case understands the can of worms that will be opened if I can sue Nintendo for the hours I've poured into Super Mario Bros. on my Super Nintendo. Or Street Fighter II. Or Zelda. Or MarioKart. Or Madden. Like I was contemplating suing them anyway for the abomination that was Mario Bros III, but that was just based on the quality/difficulty of the game. Honestly, show me someone who claims they've beaten that game legitimately and I show you a liar/purchaser of Game Genie. But now if I can tack on a lawsuit for all of the hours I've wasted playing it? Brilliant! I mean imagine all of the things I could have done had it not been for the time suck that is Nintendo/Sega/Sony. Probably would have showed up to the Pine Wood Derby with something better than the orginal piece of week with wheel taped to the bottom. Maybe learned how to talk to girls before the age of 12 16 26. Learned how to actually throw a football instead of just pressing 'X.' Cured cancer? Sure why not! So to say I'll be watching the proceedings of this case closely would be an understatement. Just have to make sure I hook up a second TV next my big screen so I can watch the news while I work on my Madden franchise.

PS: Craig Smallwood calls into action another one of my life's philosophies. Always surround yourself with people who you compare to favorably. For instance; I probably spend about 20 hours in a given week playing Madden. Sounds like a lot right? Well not when you see my buddy Craig here glued to his Xbox for 9 hours a DAY. Same thing applies at work. Find the person who leaves the earliest and puts the least amount of effort in, and then do slightly more than that person. So when the boss sees Todd over here bouncing at 4:15 you don't look so bad when you bolt at 4:16. It's a lesson for the kids really. You're welcome youth of America.

Double PS: Video games or not I still have no clue how to talk to women. But being a Playstation addict is a hell of an excuse! Right? Right? Sniff.....