How One Dying Man Found Solace In World Of Warcraft

I'm so used to mainstream coverage of video games being this terrible, moral panic inducing mess of hyperbole - so it's really refreshing to see a mainstream story about video games that showcases the massively positive influence games can have on our lives.

MSN tells the story of Patrice Anseline, a 51 year old man diagnosed with inoperable prostate cancer, and the solace he has taken from World of Warcraft and the sense of community and solidarity he has found there in the wake of his diagnosis.

He recently revealed to his friends in the World of Warcraft community that doctors have told him he does not have much longer to live.
"I told them … I've got some bad news," he said. "A few people stopped playing and they just said to me, ‘What, are you serious'.
"They used the word Eminance, that's my other nickname on World of Warcraft, and they said, ‘Eminance, we are going to pray for you at church'."
Mr Anseline, who lives with his family in Moe, said he and other players with cancer were using the game as a support group.
"At the end of the day World of Warcraft is a game. But the difference between it and other games is it is a game that includes social interaction," he said.

It's an interesting piece. Most mainstream coverage of games tends to be negative, but this story reminds us that games can be at the centre of some really incredible communities - like ours.

Good luck to Patrice, and thanks for sharing your story.