Although, as I said earlier, I believe MMORPG to one of worst genre's within gaming both in terms of actual RL benefits, and fun-factor(of course this is highly individual), I don't think people should overly criticize gaming as a whole.
IMO gaming can be really good for people. I also think games is the superior medium to convey messages and stories, much more than mediums such as books and movies. As gaming and technology related to it grows bigger and better, I believe this to be the ultimate way to express art, since it can consist of all the elements of art(sound, visuals, story etc.).
If I wanted to make a story, I would actually prefer it to be expressed in an RPG of epic proportions rather than some 2 hour movie, or a book, because I'd get to fill out my world to the largest extendt possible.
Also, like how people can grow as human beings by reading good books, watching good movies, or listening to great music, the same thing is possible with games since they can consist of all these three aspects.
It can also have practical aspects. When I was a kid, and bought FF7 and suikoden for the PSX, I was in elementary school and hardly understood any English(I'm not from an English speaking country obviously), and I can tell you I learned most of my English from playing these games.
They had great impact on me as a child, and I think I can safely say that they have contributed to making me the person I am today.
