How about, games that allow for time consuming obsession / focus.
Let’s face it, most MMO players like other types of game, and you may get into one, but it will only last a few days or months at most. Or perhaps you like it, but only for an hour or so at a time.
MMO players want a game they can get into (obsess with) for 8 hours at a time, and something they will keep liking 2, 3, 4 years down the road. It’s what they look for.
They want a time consuming obsession. Yes I do things other than gaming (like game programming). But I do like a game I can play 8 hours straight . And a game I get stay with for 2 – 5 years.
The first thing MMO players complain about with a new game is, “what about the end game”. Lets say it take 300 hours to reach the end game (playing only one character). Players right from the beginning want to know how they can spend their time after 300 hours of game play.
Take a game like CoX that cuts out a lot of time wasting stuff, like travel times and pointless crafting (like WoW crafting). People then say, “it lacks depth”. They are actually calling pointless time wasting depth.
OK, so it's not an addiction, but it is a time consuming obsession.
How about, games that allow for time consuming obsession / focus.
Let’s face it, most MMO players like other types of game, and you may get into one, but it will only last a few days or months at most. Or perhaps you like it, but only for an hour or so at a time.
MMO players want a game they can get into (obsess with) for 8 hours at a time, and something they will keep liking 2, 3, 4 years down the road. It’s what they look for.
They want a time consuming obsession. Yes I do things other than gaming (like game programming). But I do like a game I can play 8 hours straight . And a game I get stay with for 2 – 5 years.
The first thing MMO players complain about with a new game is, “what about the end game”. Lets say it take 300 hours to reach the end game (playing only one character). Players right from the beginning want to know how they can spend their time after 300 hours of game play.
Take a game like CoX that cuts out a lot of time wasting stuff, like travel times and pointless crafting (like WoW crafting). People then say, “it lacks depth”. They are actually calling pointless time wasting depth. OK, so it's not an addiction, but it is a time consuming obsession.
Yeah I would agree with points you made.
Don't confuse a players ability, with a class being Over Powered.
My first mmorpg was SWG, and at first i didnt think i was addicted to it. I didn't really even think a game could be addictive, but they can be. I've played many games including mmorpgs since SWG, and i openly admit i can get addicted to mmorpgs in particular, although i am not playing one currently. I think some gamers cant admit that they are addicted because: A. It could be embaressing to them. B. They think they can stop playing whenever they want but never actually try to.
The reality is this, at least for me: I want to have a better life, im in my sophmore year of high school and i need to start focusing on my homework and getting better grades. Just about all of us gamers have something that gaming takes away from. Be it a relationship, education, work, there is always something that could improve our life in the long run that is being held back by gaming. If you think about it everyone in their right mind would choose to work for that better lifestyle instead of spending their later years gaming in their mother's basement, but thinking about it is harder than doing it. I know i would have a much better life if i did all my school work and took AP classes, but when i am playing an mmorpg, or at least a good one, i dont have the will power to spend 2 or 3 hours of my afternoon away from the game. Gaming addiction can get even worse and build to the point that people stop working, stop going to school, and performing other responsibilities.
The fact is that "fun" is addictive. Nature is extremely logical, and what is productive for a being and its larger community is supposed to be fun to do. For instance having sex is obviously fun, playing sports (excersizing), and many other things that are actually productive are fun. That being said it is clear that humans were not "supposed" to be as intelligent and advanced as we are. Logic didnt take into account a virtual simulation of fun far beyond that of most everyday activities, nor did it take into account humans not having to hunt for food as well as many other things. So basically we are supposed to do what is fun in the real world as much as we can because what is fun for the most part is good for us, like playing a sport is good for our bodies. However virtual simulations ie games simulate fun but take away the productivity.
That is the way i see gaming, why it is addictive, and why it can be bad. I am currently trying to ween myself off of gaming, not entirely but for the most part. Age of conan comes out next month and even though it looks like the most awesome game ever made, i am not going to buy it. I know i would get addicted, and i have junior year coming up. I cant blow that off so i have to hold myself back. Gaming needs to be done in moderation just like alcahol. MMORPG's are way too addictive so i have made the conscious decision not to play them anymore. I think players should only be able to play for 3 or 4 hours each day before being forced off the game.
Back in the old days of MUDs and Everquest. People who played these games would freely admit that they are addictive and very very time consuming. It was something we all acknowledged. It was not a bad thing it was just the way it was.
But now you bring up this topic and everyone denies it?
I remember a few years ago asking something about Everquest (he played all the time and would play during work). And he said, I love it but, it is addictive and time consuming.
I asked someone about MUDs before I started playing them and he said they are very fun, but addictive and time consuming.
It used to be a common fact. Now if you bring up the topic everyone says, no no no, it's the player not the game.
I started playing playing MUDs and MMOs knowing full well they were very time consuming because everyone playing would admit to it.
So the question is why is it so taboo to call MMOs addictive now, when it used to be common knowledge?
Back in the day, before WWW, mudders would admit it and usually the people they were telling it to were fellow mudders and internet geeks. Post WWW, the flood of normal people or "outsiders" or "civilians" coming to our internet. The idea is that now rather than talking with like-thinking people, we have a group of people who want to make it a "bad thing" and therefore are against us. Why give ammunition to your enemy? Common sense.
Back in the old days of MUDs and Everquest. People who played these games would freely admit that they are addictive and very very time consuming. It was something we all acknowledged. It was not a bad thing it was just the way it was.
But now you bring up this topic and everyone denies it?
I remember a few years ago asking something about Everquest (he played all the time and would play during work). And he said, I love it but, it is addictive and time consuming.
I asked someone about MUDs before I started playing them and he said they are very fun, but addictive and time consuming.
It used to be a common fact. Now if you bring up the topic everyone says, no no no, it's the player not the game.
I started playing playing MUDs and MMOs knowing full well they were very time consuming because everyone playing would admit to it.
So the question is why is it so taboo to call MMOs addictive now, when it used to be common knowledge?
Because calling it an addiction is, and always was, absurd. Your basis for calling it an addiction is similar to saying a kid who enjoys playing basketball and practices every day is addicetd to basketball. Perhaps he just enjoys it?
Sure, there are a few people that may be truly addicted to any given game, but most people simply find them fun and want to play them. They're a hobby. When i get home after a long day of work, i dont have the shakes and mentally think to myself "OMFG if i dont play <insert MMO here> I'm going to F'ING OFF SOMEONE!". I dont suffer psychological symptoms if i dont get to partake in my hobby over a prolonged period of time. I dont suffer physically from playing MMOs or let my social life be impacted. I simply sit down and enjoy them when i want to. I've been playing MMOs since UO beta (typically 12+ hours a week) and have taken plenty of breaks in that time simply because life dictated that i do so. It was never need that brought me back to playing, but simply want of something fun to do.
If all MMOs were to disappear right now, i wouldnt care less. But they're here... i enjoy them... and i'll play them. That by no means makes me, or anyone else, addicted.
I'm not certain that I'm addicted, but I'm also not sure that I can honestly say that I'm not addicted to MMORPG's.
I've played MMORPG's for years.
I don't think I've gone any length of time at all without having at least one active sub to at least 1 game.
I usually have active sub's to at least 2 games.
I usually have at least 2 active accounts in any game that I play (often around 5).
I have called in sick and taken days off from work to stay home and play.
I've had to call in sick and take days off from work because I stayed up all night playing.
I've called off dates to stay home and play.
I've let 2 girlfriends go because I wanted to play MMO's more than go out with them (then again, the MMO did have more content. One of them was a blonde college cheerleader who listed 'Cosmo' as her favorite book').
I put on about 50+ lbs because I didn't want to hit the gymn, I wanted to stay home and play.
I've played on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and other holidays... rather than spend time with family.
I played games @ work. I've played games for entire days @ work.
I have spent entire days of work reading about MMO's, guides, strat's, etc.,.., even if I wasn't playing.
I was probably playing about 6-7 hours a day on weekdays and 16-20 hours total on the weekends for a while.
...
I have very nearly stopped playing WoW now.
I haven't logged into WoW for over a week.
I've played a total of 4 hours of WoW in 3 weeks.
I'm playing other MMORPG's now.
I play about 3-4 hours a night now.
I only play AFTER I've gone to the gymn.
I lost the 50 pounds I had gained, and then lost another 25+ pounds.
I go out every Fri and Sat Night and have a healthy social life.
I rarely miss work, and if I do... it's because I'm ill (legit).
...
I 'was' addicted. Some would say I still am if I play 3-4 hours a day. I may be, but it's in moderation by way of comparison to my old habits.
Though I never lost my job or had anything negative happen to me like that, I can only think of all of the time I literally waisted playing MMO's. Yes, it was fun. And there's nothing wrong with having fun, but it really showed me how big of a timesink that MMO's are designed to be. It's my fault for getting pulled in. And it's my fault I didn't get myself out sooner.
...
For the record... the game that initially got me hooked... Star Wars Galaxies (PRE-CU). I was heavily involved with the guild and social aspect of the game. I had several friends that played.
'WoW happened' after the SWG-effect wore off.
WoW seems to be easier to shake, honestly. For me at least. I think it's the way the community is in that game that is making it easier to walk away from.
...
So, draw your own conclusions about addictions. But I think you could make a strong case that one can/could be addicted to MMO's.
Comments
OK, so perhaps addiction isn’t the best word.
How about, games that allow for time consuming obsession / focus.
Let’s face it, most MMO players like other types of game, and you may get into one, but it will only last a few days or months at most. Or perhaps you like it, but only for an hour or so at a time.
MMO players want a game they can get into (obsess with) for 8 hours at a time, and something they will keep liking 2, 3, 4 years down the road. It’s what they look for.
They want a time consuming obsession. Yes I do things other than gaming (like game programming). But I do like a game I can play 8 hours straight . And a game I get stay with for 2 – 5 years.
The first thing MMO players complain about with a new game is, “what about the end game”. Lets say it take 300 hours to reach the end game (playing only one character). Players right from the beginning want to know how they can spend their time after 300 hours of game play.
Take a game like CoX that cuts out a lot of time wasting stuff, like travel times and pointless crafting (like WoW crafting). People then say, “it lacks depth”. They are actually calling pointless time wasting depth.
OK, so it's not an addiction, but it is a time consuming obsession.
Yeah I would agree with points you made.
Don't confuse a players ability, with a class being Over Powered.
-T
A. It could be embaressing to them.
B. They think they can stop playing whenever they want but never actually try to.
The reality is this, at least for me: I want to have a better life, im in my sophmore year of high school and i need to start focusing on my homework and getting better grades. Just about all of us gamers have something that gaming takes away from. Be it a relationship, education, work, there is always something that could improve our life in the long run that is being held back by gaming. If you think about it everyone in their right mind would choose to work for that better lifestyle instead of spending their later years gaming in their mother's basement, but thinking about it is harder than doing it. I know i would have a much better life if i did all my school work and took AP classes, but when i am playing an mmorpg, or at least a good one, i dont have the will power to spend 2 or 3 hours of my afternoon away from the game. Gaming addiction can get even worse and build to the point that people stop working, stop going to school, and performing other responsibilities.
The fact is that "fun" is addictive. Nature is extremely logical, and what is productive for a being and its larger community is supposed to be fun to do. For instance having sex is obviously fun, playing sports (excersizing), and many other things that are actually productive are fun. That being said it is clear that humans were not "supposed" to be as intelligent and advanced as we are. Logic didnt take into account a virtual simulation of fun far beyond that of most everyday activities, nor did it take into account humans not having to hunt for food as well as many other things. So basically we are supposed to do what is fun in the real world as much as we can because what is fun for the most part is good for us, like playing a sport is good for our bodies. However virtual simulations ie games simulate fun but take away the productivity.
That is the way i see gaming, why it is addictive, and why it can be bad. I am currently trying to ween myself off of gaming, not entirely but for the most part. Age of conan comes out next month and even though it looks like the most awesome game ever made, i am not going to buy it. I know i would get addicted, and i have junior year coming up. I cant blow that off so i have to hold myself back. Gaming needs to be done in moderation just like alcahol. MMORPG's are way too addictive so i have made the conscious decision not to play them anymore. I think players should only be able to play for 3 or 4 hours each day before being forced off the game.
I admit it to myself, and my friends but never my family.
Back in the day, before WWW, mudders would admit it and usually the people they were telling it to were fellow mudders and internet geeks. Post WWW, the flood of normal people or "outsiders" or "civilians" coming to our internet. The idea is that now rather than talking with like-thinking people, we have a group of people who want to make it a "bad thing" and therefore are against us. Why give ammunition to your enemy? Common sense.
Because calling it an addiction is, and always was, absurd. Your basis for calling it an addiction is similar to saying a kid who enjoys playing basketball and practices every day is addicetd to basketball. Perhaps he just enjoys it?
Sure, there are a few people that may be truly addicted to any given game, but most people simply find them fun and want to play them. They're a hobby. When i get home after a long day of work, i dont have the shakes and mentally think to myself "OMFG if i dont play <insert MMO here> I'm going to F'ING OFF SOMEONE!". I dont suffer psychological symptoms if i dont get to partake in my hobby over a prolonged period of time. I dont suffer physically from playing MMOs or let my social life be impacted. I simply sit down and enjoy them when i want to. I've been playing MMOs since UO beta (typically 12+ hours a week) and have taken plenty of breaks in that time simply because life dictated that i do so. It was never need that brought me back to playing, but simply want of something fun to do.
If all MMOs were to disappear right now, i wouldnt care less. But they're here... i enjoy them... and i'll play them. That by no means makes me, or anyone else, addicted.
I'm not certain that I'm addicted, but I'm also not sure that I can honestly say that I'm not addicted to MMORPG's.
I've played MMORPG's for years.
I don't think I've gone any length of time at all without having at least one active sub to at least 1 game.
I usually have active sub's to at least 2 games.
I usually have at least 2 active accounts in any game that I play (often around 5).
I have called in sick and taken days off from work to stay home and play.
I've had to call in sick and take days off from work because I stayed up all night playing.
I've called off dates to stay home and play.
I've let 2 girlfriends go because I wanted to play MMO's more than go out with them (then again, the MMO did have more content. One of them was a blonde college cheerleader who listed 'Cosmo' as her favorite book').
I put on about 50+ lbs because I didn't want to hit the gymn, I wanted to stay home and play.
I've played on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and other holidays... rather than spend time with family.
I played games @ work. I've played games for entire days @ work.
I have spent entire days of work reading about MMO's, guides, strat's, etc.,.., even if I wasn't playing.
I was probably playing about 6-7 hours a day on weekdays and 16-20 hours total on the weekends for a while.
...
I have very nearly stopped playing WoW now.
I haven't logged into WoW for over a week.
I've played a total of 4 hours of WoW in 3 weeks.
I'm playing other MMORPG's now.
I play about 3-4 hours a night now.
I only play AFTER I've gone to the gymn.
I lost the 50 pounds I had gained, and then lost another 25+ pounds.
I go out every Fri and Sat Night and have a healthy social life.
I rarely miss work, and if I do... it's because I'm ill (legit).
...
I 'was' addicted. Some would say I still am if I play 3-4 hours a day. I may be, but it's in moderation by way of comparison to my old habits.
Though I never lost my job or had anything negative happen to me like that, I can only think of all of the time I literally waisted playing MMO's. Yes, it was fun. And there's nothing wrong with having fun, but it really showed me how big of a timesink that MMO's are designed to be. It's my fault for getting pulled in. And it's my fault I didn't get myself out sooner.
...
For the record... the game that initially got me hooked... Star Wars Galaxies (PRE-CU). I was heavily involved with the guild and social aspect of the game. I had several friends that played.
'WoW happened' after the SWG-effect wore off.
WoW seems to be easier to shake, honestly. For me at least. I think it's the way the community is in that game that is making it easier to walk away from.
...
So, draw your own conclusions about addictions. But I think you could make a strong case that one can/could be addicted to MMO's.