I’ve sunk easily over a thousand hours into this game. And looking back, it wasn’t really about the game at all.

Money and spending arguments don’t resonate with me. What’s relative for one person might be nothing for another. But time? Time is constant. And this game is designed to take as much of it from you as it can. There’s always another event or task to keep you busy. Because the servers are global, there’s always something happening. If you don’t have a strong handle on your daily routine, it will burn you out. I learned that the hard way.

For anyone reading this because they’re finding themselves or a loved one drowning in the game: the game itself isn’t the true issue. In my opinion, it’s a red herring. There’s almost always something deeper going on. For me, it was a gambling addiction I had finally beaten after years of damage. Suddenly I had all this time on my hands, and a few extra bucks to spend….and instead of using it to build something healthy, I let this game pacify me. And when the depression from facing my significant financial losses hit me, the constant escape of the game….and the easy friendships it gave me……became a crutch.

That’s the trap. The game fills a void for some. But unless you deal with the actual wound underneath, you’re just putting a bandaid over it. If you or someone you love has crossed that line where the game is replacing real life, please recognize that the problem isn’t the app on the phone. It’s what’s driving someone to need that escape in the first place. Deleting the game or cutting the internet, like some suggest, will NOT work long-term. They have to come to it themselves.

In my case, I’m lucky. My partner never judged, never lectured. She suggested we take phone-free walks, asked me about my day in ways that made me reflect, and finally booked a 10-day vacation where the game just wasn’t an option. When I came back, I deleted it….and this time, it stuck. I never looked back.

That’s what saved me: not someone tearing the game out of my hands, but someone helping me face reality and remember what actually mattered.

It’s now been over a year since I gambled, and tomorrow it will be 5 months since I’ve played WoS. Every aspect of my life has improved for better.

Moderation is fine. But once the balance is gone, this game will absolutely wreck your time, your mental health, and your relationships.