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A terrible epidemic is gripping the planet, one that the news agencies aren't covering and one that if left unchecked, may very well send our species into a tailspin.

I'm of course talking about CWS.

CWS, referred to by some as Coop Withdrawl Syndrome, is the #1 silent killer of online social interaction for gamers. Often left undiagnosed, CWS can cripple an entire community before even one victim shows enough symptoms to receive proper treatment. In its early stages, CWS begins to effect a person's ability to think cooperatively, making situations that require multiple human interaction seem foreign and unnecessary. These feelings quickly turn into behavioral issues that are seen in a preference to solo even when the option of pairing with friends is an option. Common symptons include:

- Heavy, obsessive grinding
- Infatuation with knowing an ending with the aim to spoil it for others
- A preference towards pick up games versus games with established friends
- Friends lists with that include names containing the words "LOL", "Queer", multiple z's or the use of numbers to spell words
- Leaving a planned social event with friends to grind achievements before an MMO's next update
- Wearing clothes that included graphics depicting your WoW Armory breakdown.

However, its not too late. CWS can be cured through simple, regular treatment but as with any illness, early detection is key to a quick recovery. Planning and participating in recurring events with friends is the first step towards the cure.

Act now, before it's too late.