Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Funcom refused to talk about MMOs and game addiction
Xris375
Member Posts: 1,005
I saw an norwegian broadcast that gave an pretty good pictures on the gaming industry. WoW was used as an example and show as both as a socializing and addictive game. When the question came about the addictive properties of MMO games, FUNCOM refused to meet the press. Are they cowards or just smart to not comment on the darker aspects of the product they make ?
---
And when we got more women on the team, it was like No, no, no. We need puppies and horses in there.
John Smedley, SOE
Comments
Its a smart move, i Think. Its like a crack dealer, saying hello did you know CRACK is addictive. So, why would a MMO company willingly say yea my game is addictive but so what. alot of people will say one of two things: 1) they are the devil trying to make money off of others needs, well duh, this world is all about making money of others needs. food is needed and in some cases addictive to a some people but they still sell it. 2) Oh well, i am going to play it anyways or i dont care i dont play it.
Now with that said, I am not saying if your a addicted of any thing from, drugs, booz, games, etc that your out of luck.
I think they are looking at studies, and lawyers be for making a out bold statement about it. plus they are trying to push this game out so they probly dont want to mess with it right now too.
This is a rhetorical question? Or you expect an official Funcom answer in these boards?
How can MMOs and Crack even be compared? One is physiological and the other is psychological. Your body is not transformed and made dependant on World of Warcraft, per say. Calling games addictive is fine, although I really find it hard to become truly addicted.
People who get addicted deserve it, they have weak willpower, and as I believe, only those stronger and more fit to survival are who truly succeed, that is how life works. There doesn't need to be counseling on addictive video gaming, because it's an obsession, a hobby. Crack on the other hand is a drug that manipulates your body.
Video Gaming is no different than playing High School football, yet it gets way more heat.
SWEET! Does this mean i will get crack strength from playing AoC?
You don't consider gambling to be a real addiction then either?
Would this make any difference to how you see addiciton?
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/addiction/genetics/
I won't even enter into a discussion of your 'survival of the fittest' philosophy... But lets not be making any statements of 'truth' about 'how life works' plz?
ΠΑΝ ΜΕΤΡΟΝ ΑΡΙΣΤΟΝ
OK let me say this, I was just using the crack thing as a comparison, I wasnt saying they where the same. ANd i am sorry if i offend someone for using that Analogy. and starting this.
Gesundheit.
I don't blame them for not commenting. They make a product that most people use responsibly. Not their problem if some small segment goes off the deep end and decides to abuse it.
Besides, we're talking Funcom here, not like there's anyone out there currently abusing any of their games right now.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
I agree. Also, the whole "gaming addiction" thing has been blown way out of proportion by sensationalist media, overzealous psychologists trying to get any kind of thesis published, and the anti-game crowd such as Fred Thompson. If I were making/running an mmo, I wouldn't comment on that subject either. One or two crackpots spoil it for the rest of us if we allow the sensationalism to keep hold.
"Baby, if I didnt care, which of my friends would you sleep with?"
No matter what you say, no matter how you answer it, your still in big trouble.
NEVER talk to the press.
Funcom have a right to comment when and where and about whatever in their own time. If you watch the Q&A videos your hear Gaute talking about addicting mmo's.
Addictive properties can be found in every mmo, theres nothing new here.
The main problem is that most people don't distinguishing between the different types of addiciton. They lump everything in the same group. Chemical and behavioral addictions are two completely different conditons.
From what I understand of the research, chemical addictions are caused by substances foreign to the human body which artificially alters the persons dopamine levels. Behavioral addiction is caused when a person has a natural imbalance in their dopamine production or reception. One is caused by external forces and the other is caused by a prexisting condition that makes people susceptible to compulsive or addictive behavior.
While chemical addiction is specific to substances that affect dopamine levels, behavioral addiction can be applied to just about any behavior.
"Those who dislike things based only on the fact that they are popular are just as shallow and superficial as those who only like them for the same reason."
Well there has never been any 100% agreement on that actually. But anyone can research the subject and find that out on their own.
If you want to seperate them its only gong to be in how they are classified... why? Because once you get past classification there is one thing the medical field does agree on (this is actually a quote):
"In spite of the variety of activities that can be considered addictive, people who engage in them tend to have certain attitudes and types of behavior in common. An addiction is generally associated with relieving anxiety or blocking out other types of uncomfortable feelings. To a greater or lesser extent, people engaged in addictive behavior tend to plan their lives around it; in extreme cases they will do almost anything to obtain the substance or engage in the behavior. The addiction makes them neglect other areas of their lives. They are commonly secretive about it, either out of shame or to protect their access to a substance. When confronted, they generally deny that they have a problem, although privately they regret their addictive behavior, which in many cases they have tried without success to discontinue. They tend to rationalize engaging in the behavior and tell themselves they can stop whenever they want. They may also blame others for their addiction and often experience frequent and uncontrollable mood swings."
This is why they started to come up with the new term "addictive personality".
Because people who fit the descriptors... (which you will find in the PDR and other medical reference guides for people doing intakes)... Can't be guaranteed to go to any one addiction...
Even someone who meets the descriptors will not always end up as an addict. They may be at a higher risk than someone else.
But no medical expert can say... (let's pretend they could tell you would become an addict).
They can't actually even begin to predict what your addiction would be...
Which pretty much what you wrote... is saying that they would be able to know this. Why? Because this pre-existing condition you mention would tell them. That's just not the case...
sorry for the ramble.
I am not going to get into a quote war with you. This subject is one in which there is still a lot of contention. You could probably find a quote from serveral professionals on just about anyway you leaned.
I never said (nor meant to imply) that a doctor could tell what a person is going to be addicted to just because of a dopamine imbalance. Dopamine levels are relative and specific to an individual. What would be imbalanced in one person may not be in another. Because of this a person's dopamine levels can only be imbalanced when they are compared to their baseline levels, not society at large. If their had some sort of prexisting conditon that altered their dopamine levels, it would be very difficult (maybe impossible) to find baseline data.
I think there is a larger difference between chemical and behavioral addiction then a lot of people believe. When looking at them you have to consider causality. People can (and frequently do) become addicted to just about any behavior. Wasting time blaming certain activities is not going to accomplish anything. The problem doesn't lie with the activity, but with the individual. The responsibility needs to be placed on the individual so they can safeguard against this type of behavior.
"Those who dislike things based only on the fact that they are popular are just as shallow and superficial as those who only like them for the same reason."
Funcom have a right to comment when and where and about whatever in their own time. If you watch the Q&A videos your hear Gaute talking about addicting mmo's.
Addictive properties can be found in every mmo, theres nothing new here.
There is nothing new here, I agree. But this is one of very few programs that disgussed the pro and cons of MMOs in main media stream in a fair and balanced way. The next chance will be in 2010 when some kid blow the head of some other kid because he ninja'ed some loot. Then the press will go to this program and show "they refused to comment, they must have known this game was addictive". We will of course know its wrong but the public is where common sense goes to die.
---
And when we got more women on the team, it was like No, no, no. We need puppies and horses in there.
John Smedley, SOE
MMOs are designed from the ground up to eat your life. They are filled with blatant time-sinks that are made to hook you into playing till the next *DING* and the genre is a perfect self-activated wreaking ball for your mundane existence. It’s no surprise that a majority of the people that play our type of game are the ones who desire a break from the nagging reality of everyday life. There is a reason the first EQ was dubbed ‘Evercrack’ by longtime players and it wasn’t because the economy was screwy.
Mixing MMORPG addiction and relationships can be like mixing matches with powder kegs. All the violent explosions with none of that pleasing smoky smell. Though online RPGs can forge strong bonds between people, they can also rip them apart.
"MMOs are designed from the ground up to eat your life. They are filled with blatant time-sinks that are made to hook you into playing till the next *DING* and the genre is a perfect self-activated wreaking ball for your mundane existence. It’s no surprise that a majority of the people that play our type of game are the ones who desire a break from the nagging reality of everyday life. There is a reason the first EQ was dubbed ‘Evercrack’ by longtime players and it wasn’t because the economy was screwy."
Absolutely to the first part. I wouldn't necessarily say eat your life away, but still same concept as the company wanting to keep your business for an extended amount of time. I play MMO's because yes, is a good way to get away from everyday life, chilling and relaxing. Granted, right now I don't play any, because I dislike 95% of them, but the point is I am happy Funcom didn't comment on that aspect. Who cares if it's addictive? It falls on the person to stop if they realize they have an addiction, it really isn't that hard.
In any case, I wouldn't mind being hooked by a company called Funcom anyway... addicted to Fun? Yes please!
Hey, could this be someone from the DF development team announcing the start of beta?
or does it mean something like "excellence through total moderation?" as quoted by Celobulus.
Naw, I'm not that smart, I stole it from this web link.
adamosloizou.blogspot.com/2008/01/welcome.html
Its good advice, we all need to moderate our own behavior, no one need do it for us, regardless of the consequences. (at least when it comes to gaming)
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
"Let me add that the exact translation is "Moderation is the best thing".
Its relevant to this thread I guess that if you are having fun, it is good. When you skip school, work or dump your girlfriend, it is not
---
And when we got more women on the team, it was like No, no, no. We need puppies and horses in there.
John Smedley, SOE
Sure, they are "addicted". It's their fault, though, they are the reason they are, they have weak willpower, and anyone who gambles, in my opinion, needs to learn from that mistake. Gambling is one of the worst things in the world, but hey, it's up to the person to do what they want.
That depends how bad the school, the work, or the job is I would imagine.
I hate that the OP asks "is it cowardly or dark"
Never "is it stupid to bother answering"
Which is yes. Everything has the ability to be addictive. Saying something
is addictive or can be addictive is like saying 1+1=2. Duh.
Goes to show what I learned in Statistics is still true for the media: You can take
ANY results and put a spin on it to your advantage.
say for example: 5% of people get addicted to video games (not real facts btw).
This is a small percentage but if you put it on say 1billion you get a large base amount,
so you just report it like this: "A Large number of people get addicted to mmorpgs"
Pff...bs
As I recall there was a too-close-to-life and very funny South Park episode dealing with this exact fact using World of Warcraft as an example
FUNCOM - putting the FUN in disFUNctional !
In Funcom's defense - I've played Anarchy Online and there is no threat of addiction. Perhaps they just didn't feel qualified to respond? Maybe after AoC is released they may have to own up, but it's still a big 'maybe' at this point.