Are Games Better Than Real Life?

It amazes me everytime I watch a gamer talk about his life how entrenched they are in the virtual world.  It also terrifies me when I realize how blurred the lines are between their virtual world and their real world.  There are positives and negatives to gaming.  Just like the internet it can be used for good and bad.  But at what point does gaming become a distraction to real life?  In the long run, are they creating better citizens for tomorrow or citizens who care less about the world they inhabit then the one they choose to inhabit?  We can harness so much of the gaming experience to inspire and draw viewers into a learning experience, creating experiences for growth and education.  But what controls are placed on any of this?  Is there a need for controls?  Is gaming an area where there are no laws?