[naradaellis]

To take that view to the extreme: say I invented a new synthetic drug that was addictive. People love it because it is servicing a need in the market, but do I not have any responsibility at all for its potential side effects?

[coryl]

Sure, you could take it there. But the reality of it is games do not have physiologically addictive properties the same way drugs and alcohol do. If you look at the cases where gaming addiction severely impacted a person's life, you would be looking at a few outliers who probably had contributing mental factors (like most addiction problems).

We aren't talking about drugs though. We're talking about social games. If there are stories about people's lives being ruined by Farmville, I haven't heard them.

But in your example, yes, you would have a responsibility for the drug's side effects. Thats what the FDA is largely responsible for.