ExGamer.net and OLGA: The Tenth Tradition

This has been posted on the blog. I've also elected to remove the blog's URL from my signature:

Regular visitors to this site may know that I am member of Online Gamers Anonymous (OLGA), a 12-Step self help group for compulsive video game players. I am proud to say that I have been associated with this fine organization since March of 2003 when I first aEUoeclued inaEU to my problem with online role playing games.

I am grateful to God for the love and support I have received through Liz W. and the hundreds of people around the world who regularly read and post words of encouragement on OLGAaEU(tm)s message boards. My wife and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Liz and everyone at OLGA, as they have helped me maintain my aEU(tm)sobrietyaEU(tm) from gaming for nearly nine months.

However, those of you who are familiar with the traditions of 12-Step programs know that it is essential to maintain the integrity of the organization, according to the 12 Traditions. Given the events of the past few days, I am particularly concerned about the tenth tradition:

10. Online Gamers Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the OLGA / OLG-Anon name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

To that end, I have removed most references to OLGA and the 12-Steps from this web site. I have done this following an unexpected surge in site traffic due to articles about ExGamer.net on some prominent gaming web sites. The articles in question have been balanced, well-written and sympathetic, and I plan to post links and commentaries in the days to come, but they have prompted passionate debates on hot-button issues like freedom of speech and aEU~warning labelsaEU(tm) on retail packaging, an issue I feel strongly about. Let me be absolutely clear on this point:

Neither Online Gamers Anonymous World Services nor its leadership take any official position with respect to the issues raised or debated on this website or the articles that have been published about this web site in recent days.

To do so would violate the tenth tradition, as you can see above. The opinions expressed here are my own, and should not be attributed to OLGA/OLG-Anon.