DeKALB | While playing video games can be fun and an effective source of escapism for a while, “a while” for some gamers can soon turn into months.

On Jan. 23, Blizzard Entertainment’s first expansion pack for the immensely popular massive multiplayer online role-playing game “World of Warcraft” – “The Burning Crusade” – broke the first-day sales record for PC games by selling 2.4 million copies worldwide in the first 24 hours of release.

Heaven and Earth Interactive Gaming, 901 Lucinda Ave., ­- a video game-playing establishment that has been open for two weeks – has seen a good amount of people coming to play video games such as “World of Warcraft” said owners Abe Rednour and Rachel Kaufmann.

“We’ve gained somewhat of a following,” Rednour said. “It’s 10 percent of the customer base right now.”

“World of Warcraft,” like many other massive multiplayer online role-playing game, is criticized because some players play the game obsessively.

Rednour said it took him a little over a month – playing at roughly three hours a day – to get from level one to level 34 in the game.

“It hooks people more and more,” Rednour said. “By level 60, it draws you in. There’s no escaping. And that’s when you’re capable of entering into quests. If you’re playing it 20 hours a week, you’re looking at a full-time job,” Rednour said.

Dr. Troy Melendez, licensed clinical psychologist at NIU’s Counseling and Student Development Center, sees the game as an escape into a fantasy world that can become addictive.

“The key point is that when involvement in that fantasy starts to negatively affect your life actions, then it becomes an addiction,” Melendez said.

Kaufmann said gaming can be an escape into fantasy.

“Fantasy is so much better than reality,” Kaufmann said. “That’s why most games are fantasy. You don’t die, your character does.”

Melendez said video game addiction does not currently classify as a diagnosable addiction, but this could change due to its increasing popularity.

Heaven and Earth Interactive Gaming said it does not take responsibility for how much a gamer plays.

“I believe it’s everybody’s own prerogative,” Rednour said. “It’s their way to vent. It’s none of my business.”

Kaufmann agrees with Rednour.

“We’re a source of entertainment,” Kauffman said. “We’re here for people to come and take a break.”