Gamers Can Spoil Their Inner Social Retard

This is just what every World of Warcraft gamer needs: A self-contained Orc hut that contains a fast computer with high-end graphics card, toilet, surround sound, hot-plate and several water-skins. The pod was created by people with phobias to sunlight at MIT. You can enter the WoW hut and not have to come out for days if necessary.

From SMH.Com.Au here:

It’s every game addict’s dream and mum and dad’s worst nightmare – a self-contained World of Warcraft pod that includes a computer, toilet and kitchen for the 24/7 gamer.

Created by boffins at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the contraption is described as “an immersive architectural solution for the advanced WoW (World of Warcraft) player that provides and anticipates all life needs”.

The role playing game’s long quests encourage players to slog it out for hours at a time, and when playing in groups, one player leaving for a toilet break can throw off the rhythm for everyone.

Enter the WoW pod, which is entirely self-contained and is designed to resemble a hut featured in the game. Inside, the throne doubles as a toilet, while next to the computer sits a cooking pot and automated stove top. Within reach is water and pre-packaged food with names such as “Crunchy Spider Surprise” and “Beer Basted Ribs”. All the player has to do is select a food item and a seasoning pack.  The pod, which has a wooden frame and skin and fur inside, is so well integrated with the game that when the player resumes playing after eating, their character is affected by the food.

In 2005, a South Korean man died after playing Starcraft, similar to WoW, for 50 hours straight at an internet cafe with no sleep and few breaks.

Dont’ think of it as locking out the real world.  Think of it as bottling up concentrated geeky sadness.