For most people, I think the obsession fades over time as you realize how little is truly at stake. With each passing major world event, and each passing personal crisis you realize how stupid it is to become so wrapped up in a silly game, played by people that likely would simply step over you if you were dying right in front of them in the street.
I was once as hardcore as fans come. I've had physical confrontations with unruly or obnoxious Oiler and Canuck fans. I plastered cars with flags and decals. Screamed at my TV like a madman. Scheduled my life and meals around game times. All for what? You think back, cringe and have a little second hand embarrassment.
Now, if a game is on and I'm home, I'll put it on as white noise and keep going about cooking, tidying up, whatever responsible life things are necessary at that time. If they are shooting the lights out... cool, I'll probably sit down and set whatever I was doing aside and get into it. If it's an obvious no show effort, I just turn it off and go about my life. If they aren't going to show up and try, why the hell would I set aside my time and responsibilities in return?
Anyway, that's my take. It naturally fades over time when you come to the realization how utterly meaningless it truly is. You rarely see some guy in his 60's painting his face, redecorating his house in team colors or wasting the day on Capfriendly figuring out trades. Most of them have moved on to casual fandom when they come to that realization. It's actually kinda embarrassing the resources and manpower humanity has invested in games, that have little or no impact on what is truly important to the world.
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