Anthony Rosner

A Redbridge university student has found global success with a short documentary detailing his addiction to video gaming.

Anthony Rosner, 22, of Edwina Gardens, Redbridge is in his third year studying Film Production at the University of Creative Arts and made his seven minute film titled In Real Life as part of his course.

To date the video has had more than 370,000 views, turning the heads of numerous television and radio stations from Britain to Brazil.

In the film, Anthony details his isolating addiction to PC game World of Warcraft in which he went by the name Sevrin, becoming a member of the online gaming elite and racking up a bill of more than £2,000 in the process.

He said: “I obviously didn’t expect it to be so popular, I thought it might reach a small audience of gamers.

“I have had a small bit of negative feedback, but it’s mainly with people that disagree with what game addiction is.

“People have also reacted because they think I’m preaching, or blaming the game.”

A success across the world, Anthony will soon jet off to Arizona to sit on a panel at a comic book convention, as well as starring on Australian television as part of a documentary on addiction later this month.

Though recognition of his work has boosted his confidence, the aspiring director was initially concerned with the reaction of his parents who were unaware of the amount of money he spent on the game.

He added: “My family have been very positive, but they found out a few things about me that they didn’t know before.

“They probably didn’t know how much money I spent on the game or the full reasons why I took a gap year, so I was a bit worried about their reaction.”

Mother Sue Rosner said: “I had two initial reactions. I was proud, but I felt quite shocked about the amount of time he played the game.

“It’s hit a raw nerve with people all over the world. I’m just relieved he has been able to turn it around.”