Well sort of.  I’m going to be using a Twitter-like application that is open source called Laconica to create a customized GamerWidow.com Twitter.  Members who use the GW Twitter-like app (name to be determined) can also post directly to their Twitter accounts but have the option of keeping their GW Tweets private only to this community.

I’m still working on it and will be asking select members to beta test for me so stay tuned!

Follow me on Twitter: @Lyoness

Remember my post about being interviewed for a documentary for the Fifth Estate? Well the documentary is on tonight at 9:00 p.m. EST on CBC. It airs again on Friday at 10:00 p.m. EST. It’s called Strangers in Paradise and focuses on two couples who’ve had their marriage seriously tested because of Second Life (an MMORPG).

Find out more about the episode here:

http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2008-2009/strangers_in_paradise/

I wonder how my segment(s) will turn out?  I’ll try and get a clip of the pieces and post them here.  I’m sure the documentary will open many eyes. Definitely a must watch tonight!! And if you can’t watch tonight be sure to TiVo/PVR it or watch on Friday.

I’ll post my thoughts on the documentary after I watch it and I’m interested in hearing feedback from you guys too so come back and post your comments.

EDIT: I watched the documentary — it was really great!! My interview ended up being an online feature and you can watch it here: http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2008-2009/strangers_in_paradise/gamer_widow.html

Hi Everyone,

The following request comes from a reliable contact. Please consider contacting them to participate in the documentary.

~Lyoness

———-

The CBC’s investigative documentary program the fifth estate is looking for Canadian couples whose relationships have been affected by Second Life. Does your partner spend hours in Second Life? Is your partner having a Second Life affair? Has your partner gotten married in Second Life? Are you a Second Life widow? We would like to hear from
you. Please contact me at [email protected]

The Irish Daily Star Sunday newspaper, based in Dublin, is interested in doing a feature on an Irish couple who’s relationship has been affected by addictions to virtual computer games.

If there is a couple willing to tell their story, they can contact journalist Keith Falkiner on (01) 4993482 or 0863468263 or by email [email protected]

“Is your partner’s addictive gaming having an effect on your relationship?”

“Have you witnessed a serious impact on their social life, physical health and career progression as a result of compulsive gaming?”

“We are currently researching for a documentary for the BBC, looking for individuals from the U.K. that are suffering as a result of their partner’s addictive game playing.  Although in the initial research stages, the documentary will be an insightful, observational film, looking at the impact of gaming addiction on the life of the user, and those close to them.

The documentary will be a sensitive portrayal of all the parties involved, naturally subject to the consent of each individual.  We would love to hear from anyone who is resident in the U.K. that is happy to share their story with us.

If you are interested in contributing to our documentary, please call Perjit on 020 7440 3434 or email [email protected] in complete confidence to chat about our programme further.”

I am about to be interviewed for the Drivetime with Roberto Perrone show based in the UK.  I’m honestly not sure if the show is pre-taped (I’m listening live now and I don’t think it is) or not but we’ll see.  The producer is going to make a copy of the interview available to me after the show and I will post here as soon as I get it.

I’m to be a voice of sympathy today to all women because today is the day that ‘World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King’ launches.

I’ll keep you posted!  =)

It’s 4:36am EST and I have just finished a live interview! I was just on the Tom Dunne morning show (it’s about 9:36am for them over there) talking about the site and telling a bit of my own Gamer Widow story. It was a lot of fun and also a bit nerve wracking. It’s funny, I have done countless interviews but the live ones still get the butterflies flying in my tummy.

Tom was very friendly and really put me at ease. I am waiting to see if they can get me a copy that I can post here. As soon as they do I will post it in our Media section.

I had really short notice or I would have announced my being on the show earlier so that someone might have been able to record it. Oh well…next time Gadget, next time!

Back to sleep for me!

Hi all,

Laura Stott from the SUN in the UK is looking for couples to interview for an article. I think it is a great opportunity to bring awareness about this growing problem. Feel free to email her at [email protected] and just let her know that you are a member here on the site.

Here is her original email to me:

Hi There,

I am a journalist writing a piece about gamer widows for a piece in The Sun newspaper in the UK (Newscorp).

I am looking for two UK based couples who would be happy to talk to me about the effect playing virtual world games has had on their relationships. They must be happy to be pictured.

If you are able to help or point me in the right direction that would be wonderful. I can be reached on this email address.

many thanks

Laura

Laura Stott
The Sun
1 Virginia St
London
E98 1SN

With help from the folks at Evolution Studios our site has a brand new spiffy look. Although only a select few are reading this post before the launch, I’m working hard to get the new look integrated with all our pre-existing features (like our forum).

So while the vast majority of you will already be seeing our new look, for those who still see the old look come back often and see the new changes I’m making every day!