IT WAS 1989. Earthshaking events like the Tiananmen Incident in China did not bother me. Neither did the final exam of my first year at NUS Law School.

That exam was just one week away. But I was hooked on computer games instead.

That year, almost two decades ago, I had discovered the thrills of strategy-based games in the computer labs at Raffles Hall and the library.

Compared to today's undeniably more seductive games, my 'addiction' was, I suppose, easier to handle.

Game programs then had to be loaded in excruciatingly, using 5 1/2-inch floppy disks. I peered at monochrome green screens. And I played alone - against the machine.

My class and hostel mate decided, for my sake, enough was enough. She literally ripped out the twin floppy disks from the PC and crushed them with her hands. I did not ace the exam but, after one week of non-stop cramming, I passed by a whisker with Cs and Ds.

Today's games are so much easier to get hooked on, especially when played by youngsters whose parents are neither computer nor Internet-savvy. The graphics are dazzling, as in the movies, and the storylines gripping.

The top games are massively multiplayer online games (MMOG), where thousands of players are linked on the Internet and join up to complete quests or challenge rival teams.

A team can number 40 and 'raids' - the hardest quests - can take up to several days to complete, with breaks in between.

No longer can mum yell 'Stop and come to dinner, or else!' without risking family mayhem - as my 'angel' was able to 20 years ago, when she pulled the plug.

Today, quit on your group halfway on a raid one too many times and you will end up a pariah.

Modern MMOGs like World Of Warcraft are intensely alluring, if not addictive. You join thousands of other gamers to explore virtual lands and thrash monsters.

The game companies want you hooked. They make money from the monthly $20 subscription. They add exciting new places to explore and new weapons to acquire, to maintain gamers' interest.

Many factors seem to have come into play in the allure of MMOGs, which have drawn millions of gamers around the world.

Casual gamers may play to make new friends, chat and even share recipes while fighting monsters - since they can do all this online.

Others, especially youngsters, may be initiated because of peer pressure.

Many do get a thrill in strategising, in attaining high rank and giving out orders in a high-tempo quest, and in 'killing' - rivals or monsters.

Can one simply enjoy a game like World Of Warcraft just for fun, and go for dinner when mum, or the wife, hollers?

It can be tough. I know it: My wife shoots me her 'stop playing right now or I will mess up your brains look' all the time.

I have never stopped cybergaming, through my studies to my career to marriage and fatherhood.

Maybe I learnt a lesson that day in 1989 when my friend pulled the plug on me. It's called balance. And today, I know I will stop blasting aliens to attend to my crying baby at 3am.

My only advice for those who are just starting to play MMOGs is this: Be prepared for a long road ahead.

For those already hooked, get a life, buy a house, get married, have kids. When you have to bring home the bacon, chances are you will put your real life ahead of your virtual one.

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