The Internet Addiction Test (IAT), despite its status as the most-used instrument for measuring addictions to Internet activities, has not adequately illuminated the experiences of and potential for addiction in players of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Using a factor analysis, this article makes suggestions for improving the IAT’s applicability to online gamers. Players of the game World of Warcraft (n = 5,313) participated in an online survey that included the 20-question IAT modified for gamers. The results suggest the IAT is useful for massively MMORPGs’ users when content-specific

modifications to its items are made. Findings indicate a distinct profile for MMORPGs’ symptomology, despite differences in experience, gender, or ethnicity. This research demonstrates the importance of robust sampling of specific media user groups and individualized screening for behavioral addictions.

Keywords: Internet addiction, Internet Addiction Test, online gaming addiction,

uses and gratifications theory