Author Questions Colleague Taking Four Days' Leave to Play World of Warcraft

In a column for Region Canberra, the publication reported that a worker took four days of annual leave to play a computer game, prompting questions about how employees choose to spend their allocated time off.

The author noticed the absence on Monday morning when needing a password for the back-end of the Region website. Colleagues confirmed that Morgan had taken four days off to game, leaving the author dumbfounded that hard-earned leave was used for this purpose.

“Basically, you get together with all your friends and go fight evil,” Morgan described to Region Canberra regarding World of Warcraft.

The Bottom Line:

Morgan used four days of annual leave to play the new World of Warcraft expansion.
The player logged 50 hours of game time across the four-day period, averaging over 12 hours per day.
Worldwide, around nine million people joined online to play the estimated $100 million upgrade.

Waiting 20 Years for the Upgrade

“Most people won’t get it,” Morgan told Region Canberra after returning to work. “It was the release of the new World of Warcraft … eight-year-old me has been waiting 20 years for this.”

Other Canberrans, including tradies, public servants, and IT consultants, also took multiple days of leave to explore the estimated $100 million upgrade. The new title, World of Warcraft: Forever, builds on the original game by adding new places, updated characters, and abilities that make the software easier to play.

Players remain capped at level 60 while gaining new ways to develop characters and experience adventures. Around nine million players worldwide joined online for the release.

“It was just like being back in the old days,” Morgan said. “A lot of it is just the nostalgia, like stepping back into the shoes of being that happy kid wandering through this fantasy world where no problems are real.”

Morgan Consumed Eight White Monsters During Fifty Hours of Gaming

When questioned about his schedule, Morgan confirmed he racked up 50 hours of game time across the four days. Another colleague yelled out across the office asking about energy drinks.

Morgan consumed eight White Monsters during the break. Food breaks consisted of daily lunches ordered via Uber Eats.

Preparation for the gaming block required months of discussion with his girlfriend. Morgan explained that he had to set clear expectations and handle responsibilities beforehand to clear his schedule.

“I had to give her a fair amount of preparation leading into it,” Morgan told Region Canberra. “Like months. I had to explain, ‘I’m taking this time off with the boys; unless it’s an emergency, please leave me alone. I will make it up to you. I’ll do whatever needs to be done leading up to and afterwards to get me in the clear for this.’”

Worth It Again in a Heartbeat

When asked if the break was worth four days off, Morgan replied affirmatively. He stated he would do it again in a heartbeat and repeat it the following week if permitted by management.

The author observed that her initial disbelief shifted toward jealousy regarding such strong passion and camaraderie. The office currently houses at least three gaming nerds.

“Absolutely, I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” Morgan told Region Canberra. “I’d do it next week if the boss would let me.”