In the case of the Korean couple who let their infant starve to death while they went off to play games in an internet café, I believe it is symptomatic not of addiction but of something else. Sad as it may be to say, they most likely didn't really want to have the kid. The video game was a form of escape from their parental responsibilities (as well as probably others). They would have found some other way to neglect the child; video gaming should not be blamed for their failure.
It also seems to me that this form of escapism is particularly prevalent in cultures or societies that are stricter with their populace, or in which the people have less opportunities and life choices than in others. It goes back to what the third poster in this thread said about how much reality sucks and how gaming helps them escape from problems and disappointments. It's no coincidence that MMOs are one form of entertainment that has not lost customers despite the economic recession. With so many people not able to find jobs, gaming is a good time filler, between interviews, writing CVs, job hunting, and the like.
I can't personally think of a better way to spend one's time than interacting in a competitive pursuit like MMOs. A gamer still learns and uses skills such as social skills, teamwork, economic skills, etc. that all have value in our current job-oriented lifestyles. This is quite unlike the average TV watcher who enters an almost hypnotized, vegetative state. I've been reading recently how quite a few psychologists are waking up to the fact that gaming gives you a healthy brain and good reflexes. Knowing how that kind of research is going these days, I bet they'll find out evidence that gaming helps prevent Alzheimer's or some such.
We gamers need to be more vocal about how gaming is not an addiction nor is it a problem. It's good overall and nothing to be ashamed of. Who are non-gamers to judge us anyway, especially if they exhibit couch potato-itis, or alcoholism, or kleptomania, or whatever. A lot of the 'finger pointers' are hiding something anyway.
I think it quite humorous that a complete stranger would care how another would live his life.
There are rather intelligent folks out there who just plainly do not want to conform to today's social standards. For your average man trapped in the cage that is modern Western society, virtual reality (internet, television, gaming) provides the fix that real life cannot, in many cases. Living happily as a castrated dog does not appeal to me, personally. In my case, I balance bodybuilding with work and gaming. Such leaves me with little room for interaction with family, and no more than the occasional lay with women I don't care to bond with.
Should I be finding bliss in being a corporate pawn, or a money driven workaholic? Should I really be enthralled by the prospect of being bound to a family in an age where values are non existent? Some people just want to be left alone to do what they please. So long as they're no burden on anyone else, they should be allowed to do so without judgment.
What society dictates is more often than not total fallacy. Those who pull the strings have no will to truly see us happy or healthy beyond keeping us in the work force until we drop dead.
Some people have to find out that all people arent the same. So you cant really define the "addiction" word to all of them.
I consider myself as a hardcore/addicted player as I have reached the top gaming scene in 2 games(fs and cs) and I still play them.
However, I have many friends that I go out, I have a girlfriend, I play the guitar, I am cooking and many many hobbies that I can spend my time. Maybe 1 day I can sit like 7 hours on pc, then go out and tomorrow stay 1 hour on pc and spend the rest of the day with my friends.
I never comment here, I just see the news, but this subject is way too interesting to refuse and I just gave you an image of how my life is atm.
Also calling your parents and your friends aholes, then your life must be too depressing of you and is not going to end up well
I drink little, gave up drugs years ago and recently quit smoking. Most of the time I spend gaming other folks sit in a catatonic state infront of a TV instead of online interacting with folks around the world. Tell me, which is a worse addiction? As for the connection between violence and the internet, those folks tend to have violent tendancies for which the MMO world may be a catalyst or symptom rather than a cause, much like TV can be.
MMOs are a form of entertainment just like Television or any other hobby. I would be more concerned about someone who would rather be at work than doing what makes them happy. Sure, you might take a day or two off when a new release comess out. How often do we read about folks doing the same for an awesome movie release.
I'm 51 years old and my parents still don't grasp the attraction or why I enjoy it so much. To parents of the younger set reading this out there Give the kid a break when he can't jump up this second to empty the trash or what ever. Just because its not important to you personally to your child it might be a life or death moment. He/She might be playing with friends who are depending on he/she and may be more than a source of embarrasment. However, keep in mind when you push that any frustration is not so much a sign of addiction.
Ok, said enough to give an idea of my feelings on this, which is surely "The following opinion is that of the author and by no means necessarily that of MMORPG.com or it's affiliates."
I'm not going to step in and tell another adult to manage his life better, some people just plain suck at it and always will. When it wasn't computer games it was nintendo, when it wasn't nintendo it was tv, when it wasn't tv it was books. People who act like that will always find an escape mechanism to drown out real life, it isn't computers or games fault.
Just like the posters above I'm tired of people blaming computer games just because certain people can't manage their lives. Those same people would lose all their money gambling and casinos would be to blame, or get out of shape by watching TV for 18 hours a day. No matter what you regulate those same people will find a way to destroy their lives, how about we blame the people for once.
If you can't manage real life and computer games then to be honest you are pathetic or you are not yet an adult. If you're not an adult yet, then one day you will realize the importance of the rest of your life as you grow up, the majority of people do. If you are in the other group you always will be, regardless of how you ignore life.
Perhaps it is just modern survival of the fittest. Those who can't manage real life with recreational activities are now less likely to breed, so the stronge genes go on. Let's not interfere with that process or we will constantly have to cater to the weak and regulate stuff that doesn't need to be.
I can't work out if you are being serious. "less likely to breed", "cater to the weak". Hmm, what sort of thinking does this remind me of?
""I'm sorry but life sucks for most people. You work your ass off to barely make ends meet, all your 'friends' are really just aholes that you kill time with, and deep down you know you will never really be anyone of importance. Your kids have taken away most fun aspects of your life, though you know that after 25 you are obsolete anyways.
What point is there in putting mental health above the ability to cope with how horrible reality is?
Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer. - uh duh why else would you do it.
Inability to stop the activity. - odd. if you can't stop then what's the point of lecturing people about it.
Craving more and more time at the computer. - or doing something else that's an escape, what's the difference
Neglect of family and friends. - you mean aholes and bigger aholes, yes and yes please.
Feeling empty, depressed, or irritable when not at the computer. - Life is empty, irritating, and depressing, go figure.
Lying to employers and family about activities. - you mean telling aholes something, ANYthing to avoid them, yes.
Problems with school or job. - oh let's see, you mean besides both being pointless timesinks?
Truth is you can apply most of those to every single person on the planet. People get absorbed in their work, their children, their spouse, their games, their booze, their hobbies etc. Everyone has an escape. Hygiene, proper eating, and other habits have nothing to do with addiction. You can be highly addicted and still highly functional, and you can be just a sloth who doesn't do anything at all.
The older I get, the sadder my life becomes. I won't go into details, but most people who read this will know eventually, under a pile of denial, that they are the same. They will watch their projects turn to failures, their passions fade, and the people they know and love become estranged or die.
Just let us be.""
Ive been reading these forums for at least 6 years, and i have to say this is the single most accurate post ive ever read here on any subject. If i could i would buy this guy a beer for the amount of truth in it. The vocal minority may refute it, but its all correct. For now anyways.
I'm sorry but life sucks for most people. You work your ass off to barely make ends meet, all your 'friends' are really just aholes that you kill time with, and deep down you know you will never really be anyone of importance. Your kids have taken away most fun aspects of your life, though you know that after 25 you are obsolete anyways.
What point is there in putting mental health above the ability to cope with how horrible reality is?
Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer. - uh duh why else would you do it.
Inability to stop the activity. - odd. if you can't stop then what's the point of lecturing people about it.
Craving more and more time at the computer. - or doing something else that's an escape, what's the difference
Neglect of family and friends. - you mean aholes and bigger aholes, yes and yes please.
Feeling empty, depressed, or irritable when not at the computer. - Life is empty, irritating, and depressing, go figure.
Lying to employers and family about activities. - you mean telling aholes something, ANYthing to avoid them, yes.
Problems with school or job. - oh let's see, you mean besides both being pointless timesinks?
Truth is you can apply most of those to every single person on the planet. People get absorbed in their work, their children, their spouse, their games, their booze, their hobbies etc. Everyone has an escape. Hygiene, proper eating, and other habits have nothing to do with addiction. You can be highly addicted and still highly functional, and you can be just a sloth who doesn't do anything at all.
The older I get, the sadder my life becomes. I won't go into details, but most people who read this will know eventually, under a pile of denial, that they are the same. They will watch their projects turn to failures, their passions fade, and the people they know and love become estranged or die.
Just let us be.
This.
A huge chunk of our species time, effort, and energy has gone into to escaping reality, from oral storytelling traditions, to religion, to books, movies, and games. Less people will seek to escape when there is less misery in the world to escape from. Don't hold your breath hoping for it.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
I'm sorry but life sucks for most people. You work your ass off to barely make ends meet, all your 'friends' are really just aholes that you kill time with, and deep down you know you will never really be anyone of importance. Your kids have taken away most fun aspects of your life, though you know that after 25 you are obsolete anyways. What point is there in putting mental health above the ability to cope with how horrible reality is?
Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer. - uh duh why else would you do it.
Inability to stop the activity. - odd. if you can't stop then what's the point of lecturing people about it.Craving more and more time at the computer. - or doing something else that's an escape, what's the differenceNeglect of family and friends. - you mean aholes and bigger aholes, yes and yes please.Feeling empty, depressed, or irritable when not at the computer. - Life is empty, irritating, and depressing, go figure.Lying to employers and family about activities. - you mean telling aholes something, ANYthing to avoid them, yes.Problems with school or job. - oh let's see, you mean besides both being pointless timesinks?
Truth is you can apply most of those to every single person on the planet. People get absorbed in their work, their children, their spouse, their games, their booze, their hobbies etc. Everyone has an escape. Hygiene, proper eating, and other habits have nothing to do with addiction. You can be highly addicted and still highly functional, and you can be just a sloth who doesn't do anything at all.
The older I get, the sadder my life becomes. I won't go into details, but most people who read this will know eventually, under a pile of denial, that they are the same. They will watch their projects turn to failures, their passions fade, and the people they know and love become estranged or die.
Just let us be.
This.
A huge chunk of our species time, effort, and energy has gone into to escaping reality, from oral storytelling traditions, to religion, to books, movies, and games. Less people will seek to escape when there is less misery in the world to escape from. Don't hold your breath hoping for it.
Nice. Finally two people have spoken wisely about what the real world is like to many people and why we do what we do. All said without condemnation... just an appeal for others to leave us be.
Thank you.
Terikan3 said it best:
"Just let us be."
I am the Player that wonders... "What the %#*& just happened?!" ............... "I Believe... There should be NO financial connection or portals between the Real World and the Virtual in MMOs. " __Ever Present Cockroach of the MMO Verses__ ...scurrying to and fro... .munching on bits of garbage... always under foot...
I think it quite humorous that a complete stranger would care how another would live his life.
There are rather intelligent folks out there who just plainly do not want to conform to today's social standards. For your average man trapped in the cage that is modern Western society, virtual reality (internet, television, gaming) provides the fix that real life cannot, in many cases. Living happily as a castrated dog does not appeal to me, personally. In my case, I balance bodybuilding with work and gaming. Such leaves me with little room for interaction with family, and no more than the occasional lay with women I don't care to bond with.
Should I be finding bliss in being a corporate pawn, or a money driven workaholic? Should I really be enthralled by the prospect of being bound to a family in an age where values are non existent? Some people just want to be left alone to do what they please. So long as they're no burden on anyone else, they should be allowed to do so without judgment.
What society dictates is more often than not total fallacy. Those who pull the strings have no will to truly see us happy or healthy beyond keeping us in the work force until we drop dead.
Game companies are going to keep putting out games that are as addictive as possible. If we continue to be a nation of people presenting with addiction symptoms, the logical next step could lead to government involvement, or companies taking their own action. And we do NOT want that.
<<
Yes, look how ineffective the populace's will, expressed through government and corporate initiatives, has been against tobacco companies. No, when callous people misuse the concept of Caveat Emptor to employ ways to target innate weaknesses in human psyche for their own profit, and those ways cause provable harm to individuals, we surely don't want anyone taking action against that.
/sarcasm off, but just until the next time.
The flip side of the whole "responsibility for your own actions" thing is to hold others responsible for theirs, y'know. Hiring psychologists to help build Skinner box game designs is ipso facto proof that some individuals in game companies are voluntarily engaged in predatory behavior, just as tobacco companies were before being busted for maximizing nicotine levels to increase addictions.
Enacting laws and creating popular momentum against them is no more than defensive behavior on the part of the victims. Had I my way, it'd be possible to sue them for the measurable harm they have caused to people's lives.
Game companies are going to keep putting out games that are as addictive as possible. If we continue to be a nation of people presenting with addiction symptoms, the logical next step could lead to government involvement, or companies taking their own action. And we do NOT want that.
<<
Yes, look how ineffective the populace's will, expressed through government and corporate initiatives, has been against tobacco companies. No, when callous people misuse the concept of Caveat Emptor to employ ways to target innate weaknesses in human psyche for their own profit, and those ways cause provable harm to individuals, we surely don't want anyone taking action against that.
/sarcasm off, but just until the next time.
The flip side of the whole "responsibility for your own actions" thing is to hold others responsible for theirs, y'know. Hiring psychologists to help build Skinner box game designs is ipso facto proof that some individuals in game companies are voluntarily engaged in predatory behavior, just as tobacco companies were before being busted for maximizing nicotine levels to increase addictions.
Enacting laws and creating popular momentum against them is no more than defensive behavior on the part of the victims. Had I my way, it'd be possible to sue them for the measurable harm they have caused to people's lives.
Fair enough, but let us start our censure with our consumer driven, money glorifying society. Tens of millions of people go to work each day and suffer poor conditions that result in mental, emotional, and physical injury. Many are so obsessed with having the lastest and greatest car, house, or toaster that they drive themselves deep into debt, then work overtime or take a second job just to keep up.
Let us ban all the ads for luxury everything and sue the advertising agencies that promote expensive products that are no better than the off brand ones we could be using.
Let us outlaw pharmaceutical solutions to depression that results directly from the spiritless and unfulfilling way of life most of us now lead. We are not people, we are consumers and producers. We use our time and energy to produce crap no one needs and in return we get whatever drugs, entertainment, and essentials they feel like giving us. Almost none of us has a job that gives any personal satisfaction, no matter how much our jobs might pay. Let's outlaw those types of jobs entirely. No more McJobs, no more miserable cubicles, no more wage slaves.
Then, when the bigger issues are dealt with, we can get around to video game addiction.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
Game companies are going to keep putting out games that are as addictive as possible. If we continue to be a nation of people presenting with addiction symptoms, the logical next step could lead to government involvement, or companies taking their own action. And we do NOT want that.
<<
Yes, look how ineffective the populace's will, expressed through government and corporate initiatives, has been against tobacco companies. No, when callous people misuse the concept of Caveat Emptor to employ ways to target innate weaknesses in human psyche for their own profit, and those ways cause provable harm to individuals, we surely don't want anyone taking action against that.
/sarcasm off, but just until the next time.
The flip side of the whole "responsibility for your own actions" thing is to hold others responsible for theirs, y'know. Hiring psychologists to help build Skinner box game designs is ipso facto proof that some individuals in game companies are voluntarily engaged in predatory behavior, just as tobacco companies were before being busted for maximizing nicotine levels to increase addictions.
Enacting laws and creating popular momentum against them is no more than defensive behavior on the part of the victims. Had I my way, it'd be possible to sue them for the measurable harm they have caused to people's lives.
Fair enough, but let us start our censure with our consumer driven, money glorifying society. Tens of millions of people go to work each day and suffer poor conditions that result in mental, emotional, and physical injury. Many are so obsessed with having the lastest and greatest car, house, or toaster that they drive themselves deep into debt, then work overtime or take a second job just to keep up.
Let us ban all the ads for luxury everything and sue the advertising agencies that promote expensive products that are no better than the off brand ones we could be using.
Let us outlaw pharmaceutical solutions to depression that results directly from the spiritless and unfulfilling way of life most of us now lead. We are not people, we are consumers and producers. We use our time and energy to produce crap no one needs and in return we get whatever drugs, entertainment, and essentials they feel like giving us. Almost none of us has a job that gives any personal satisfaction, no matter how much our jobs might pay. Let's outlaw those types of jobs entirely. No more McJobs, no more miserable cubicles, no more wage slaves.
Then, when the bigger issues are dealt with, we can get around to video game addiction.
I agree with your intent, but I have some other methods in mind - change from within for the most part, maybe a little push here and there from the outside.
But there are priorities - first you take care of the acute problems, then the chronic ones. I have met many gamers, and by and large they are the most intelligent and cool people you will find. So the problems that affect them are high priority to me, and frankly, this isn't a hard connection to draw, so I hope for a slam dunk on it.
Personally, I don't think video games/gaming is an addiction. I think that term is used to frequently in the wrong way, i'm no doc though. I have participated in one of these video game studies and I don't know they seem lopsided when you are talking about the age ranges.
Those in the 15-24 range are in school so what do they have to do besides game watch tv and go to school. The more they game the worse there schooling gets. That could be the case but then again, someone playing sports can over do that too like I did in high school and my grades went down then to because I spent more time trying to hook up with chicks and play sports then I did concentrating on my homework which was pointless anyway.
In the study I was in my life actually improved with video games, sure I spent 40hrs a week playing games, but I also applied some of that to my work life, creating teams (PUGS) at work to work on projects, as a project leader (raid leader) I started working on major complex projects with multiple project teams to produce something. I even started getting into the gaming industry itself and starting to work on 3 games which i'm still currently on projects for 2 mmorpg projects, 1 facebook game project and i'm helping out on another mmo project providing input and technial support.
Video games/gaming has been part of my life since way back in the 70's with D and D, Chainmail and even the Atari once it came out. I love gaming and its got me the great 6 figure job I got today, in no way do I consider it an addiction.
my life is awesome. i am turning 30 in 9 nine days, i am engaged to a wonderful woman, my diet is phenomemal and fun, i have a fufilling exercise routine, i am half way through a 3 year registered massage therapy college course with several employment connections already lined up. i just bought a cabin in the woods 45 minutes from downtown over looking an ocean inlet and mountains beyond.
when i started playing MMO's (2001? i think) i was overweight, a smoker, a constant pot head, i had an abusive girlfriend, a terrible job in a cramped kitchen as a minimum wage prep cook, no concern about my diet of health, no direction or any hope of making into post secondary education.
life never stops changing. my love of MMO's was never escapism, nor is it now. it is a perfectly legitimate form of human relation and competition. life is to be enjoyed, and MMO's will be as healthy as the players are.
if i could make any request of the community, in terms of player health and wellness, it would be to begin making a concerted effort to start treating eachother with more candor and respect. Solidarity and partnership is what we owe eachother, not the usual pseudo intellectualized contempt we reserve for every and anyone who disagrees with or questions us.
I am as guilty as anyone treating people like slugs when they challenge me, but i am wrong to do so. i am thankful for all of you and for the community you support, in anyway you are able to.
I make MMOs for a living and I love them and all other games. Are games an addiction? Well I can tell you that having designed an items system I designed it with addiction in mind.
I often jokingly say my job is to "design Skinnerian reward scheduling to manipulate humens for
I make MMOs for a living and I love them and all other games. Are games an addiction? Well I can tell you that having designed an items system I designed it with addiction in mind.
I often jokingly say my job is to "design Skinnerian reward scheduling to manipulate humens for finacial gain.
Ask yourself, Have you ever gone on a quest not because it was fun, not to hang out with a freinds, but only to get an item? if so you where at least momentaraly addicted to artifical advancment and manipulated by Skinnerian reward scheduling.
On the other side of things I enjoy getting items in games but I think their is a line crossed. If you take the item rewards out of a game is it still worth playing? If not you have a game designed purly to addict the players.
I love MMOs, RPGs, and other games. I have no problem with great games including addictive systems but think some games today are designed purly to addict the player. Lets recognize these games and stay away!
I think we should take the advice of the article. Lets stay hardcore and play games while we are having fun, but stop when we are not. Lets keep in shape, keep our heart pumping, and feed the kids. Kids need food too.
I know, I want to make the retirement home, think of all those good years of uninterupted gaming! Lets stay healthy for our golden years of gaming
(Sorry About double post 2nd half got cut and I don't know how to delete )
This reminds me of the article I read about Europe's first treatment facility dedicated to treating and studying Gaming and internet addiction. This was after the place was open 2 or 3 years, had treated tonnes of people and had a backlog of patients over a year deep.
The interviewer talking to one of the lead psychologists asked about their success rate.
The Psychologist gave highly positve numbers in percent successfully rehabilitated, as far as he could tell.
The interviewer, who had set up this interview as the opposing side to some big game news a fellow reporter was reporting on then asked a loaded question: How many intakes were genuine addicts to gaming.
The Psychologist answered "not a single one, all suffered either OCD, Impulse control, pathological shyness, or some other issue." but they had not found a single addict.
Shortly afterwards the website of the treatment centre explained this but lost so many customers that couldn't tell the difference and were convinced that their loved one was an addict, that they had to go back to reffering to them as addicts both for their bottom line and the good of the patients that were not getting the help they needed.
Comments
In the case of the Korean couple who let their infant starve to death while they went off to play games in an internet café, I believe it is symptomatic not of addiction but of something else. Sad as it may be to say, they most likely didn't really want to have the kid. The video game was a form of escape from their parental responsibilities (as well as probably others). They would have found some other way to neglect the child; video gaming should not be blamed for their failure.
It also seems to me that this form of escapism is particularly prevalent in cultures or societies that are stricter with their populace, or in which the people have less opportunities and life choices than in others. It goes back to what the third poster in this thread said about how much reality sucks and how gaming helps them escape from problems and disappointments. It's no coincidence that MMOs are one form of entertainment that has not lost customers despite the economic recession. With so many people not able to find jobs, gaming is a good time filler, between interviews, writing CVs, job hunting, and the like.
I can't personally think of a better way to spend one's time than interacting in a competitive pursuit like MMOs. A gamer still learns and uses skills such as social skills, teamwork, economic skills, etc. that all have value in our current job-oriented lifestyles. This is quite unlike the average TV watcher who enters an almost hypnotized, vegetative state. I've been reading recently how quite a few psychologists are waking up to the fact that gaming gives you a healthy brain and good reflexes. Knowing how that kind of research is going these days, I bet they'll find out evidence that gaming helps prevent Alzheimer's or some such.
We gamers need to be more vocal about how gaming is not an addiction nor is it a problem. It's good overall and nothing to be ashamed of. Who are non-gamers to judge us anyway, especially if they exhibit couch potato-itis, or alcoholism, or kleptomania, or whatever. A lot of the 'finger pointers' are hiding something anyway.
Playing MUDs and MMOs since 1994.
I think it quite humorous that a complete stranger would care how another would live his life.
There are rather intelligent folks out there who just plainly do not want to conform to today's social standards. For your average man trapped in the cage that is modern Western society, virtual reality (internet, television, gaming) provides the fix that real life cannot, in many cases. Living happily as a castrated dog does not appeal to me, personally. In my case, I balance bodybuilding with work and gaming. Such leaves me with little room for interaction with family, and no more than the occasional lay with women I don't care to bond with.
Should I be finding bliss in being a corporate pawn, or a money driven workaholic? Should I really be enthralled by the prospect of being bound to a family in an age where values are non existent? Some people just want to be left alone to do what they please. So long as they're no burden on anyone else, they should be allowed to do so without judgment.
What society dictates is more often than not total fallacy. Those who pull the strings have no will to truly see us happy or healthy beyond keeping us in the work force until we drop dead.
Which Final Fantasy Character Are You?
Final Fantasy 7
Some people have to find out that all people arent the same. So you cant really define the "addiction" word to all of them.
I consider myself as a hardcore/addicted player as I have reached the top gaming scene in 2 games(fs and cs) and I still play them.
However, I have many friends that I go out, I have a girlfriend, I play the guitar, I am cooking and many many hobbies that I can spend my time. Maybe 1 day I can sit like 7 hours on pc, then go out and tomorrow stay 1 hour on pc and spend the rest of the day with my friends.
I never comment here, I just see the news, but this subject is way too interesting to refuse and I just gave you an image of how my life is atm.
Also calling your parents and your friends aholes, then your life must be too depressing of you and is not going to end up well
:>>
I drink little, gave up drugs years ago and recently quit smoking. Most of the time I spend gaming other folks sit in a catatonic state infront of a TV instead of online interacting with folks around the world. Tell me, which is a worse addiction? As for the connection between violence and the internet, those folks tend to have violent tendancies for which the MMO world may be a catalyst or symptom rather than a cause, much like TV can be.
MMOs are a form of entertainment just like Television or any other hobby. I would be more concerned about someone who would rather be at work than doing what makes them happy. Sure, you might take a day or two off when a new release comess out. How often do we read about folks doing the same for an awesome movie release.
I'm 51 years old and my parents still don't grasp the attraction or why I enjoy it so much. To parents of the younger set reading this out there Give the kid a break when he can't jump up this second to empty the trash or what ever. Just because its not important to you personally to your child it might be a life or death moment. He/She might be playing with friends who are depending on he/she and may be more than a source of embarrasment. However, keep in mind when you push that any frustration is not so much a sign of addiction.
Ok, said enough to give an idea of my feelings on this, which is surely "The following opinion is that of the author and by no means necessarily that of MMORPG.com or it's affiliates."
Play safe and enjoy!
I can't work out if you are being serious. "less likely to breed", "cater to the weak". Hmm, what sort of thinking does this remind me of?
""I'm sorry but life sucks for most people. You work your ass off to barely make ends meet, all your 'friends' are really just aholes that you kill time with, and deep down you know you will never really be anyone of importance. Your kids have taken away most fun aspects of your life, though you know that after 25 you are obsolete anyways.
What point is there in putting mental health above the ability to cope with how horrible reality is?
Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer. - uh duh why else would you do it.
Inability to stop the activity. - odd. if you can't stop then what's the point of lecturing people about it.
Craving more and more time at the computer. - or doing something else that's an escape, what's the difference
Neglect of family and friends. - you mean aholes and bigger aholes, yes and yes please.
Feeling empty, depressed, or irritable when not at the computer. - Life is empty, irritating, and depressing, go figure.
Lying to employers and family about activities. - you mean telling aholes something, ANYthing to avoid them, yes.
Problems with school or job. - oh let's see, you mean besides both being pointless timesinks?
Truth is you can apply most of those to every single person on the planet. People get absorbed in their work, their children, their spouse, their games, their booze, their hobbies etc. Everyone has an escape. Hygiene, proper eating, and other habits have nothing to do with addiction. You can be highly addicted and still highly functional, and you can be just a sloth who doesn't do anything at all.
The older I get, the sadder my life becomes. I won't go into details, but most people who read this will know eventually, under a pile of denial, that they are the same. They will watch their projects turn to failures, their passions fade, and the people they know and love become estranged or die.
Just let us be.""
Ive been reading these forums for at least 6 years, and i have to say this is the single most accurate post ive ever read here on any subject. If i could i would buy this guy a beer for the amount of truth in it. The vocal minority may refute it, but its all correct. For now anyways.
This.
A huge chunk of our species time, effort, and energy has gone into to escaping reality, from oral storytelling traditions, to religion, to books, movies, and games. Less people will seek to escape when there is less misery in the world to escape from. Don't hold your breath hoping for it.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
~Albert Einstein
Seems they found yet another winner to write a weekly column. *cough*
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Nice. Finally two people have spoken wisely about what the real world is like to many people and why we do what we do. All said without condemnation... just an appeal for others to leave us be.
Thank you.
Terikan3 said it best:
"Just let us be."
I am the Player that wonders... "What the %#*& just happened?!"
...............
"I Believe... There should be NO financial connection or portals between the Real World and the Virtual in MMOs. "
__Ever Present Cockroach of the MMO Verses__
...scurrying to and fro... .munching on bits of garbage... always under foot...
Thread's over, ladies and gentlemen.
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Game companies are going to keep putting out games that are as addictive as possible. If we continue to be a nation of people presenting with addiction symptoms, the logical next step could lead to government involvement, or companies taking their own action. And we do NOT want that.
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Yes, look how ineffective the populace's will, expressed through government and corporate initiatives, has been against tobacco companies. No, when callous people misuse the concept of Caveat Emptor to employ ways to target innate weaknesses in human psyche for their own profit, and those ways cause provable harm to individuals, we surely don't want anyone taking action against that.
/sarcasm off, but just until the next time.
The flip side of the whole "responsibility for your own actions" thing is to hold others responsible for theirs, y'know. Hiring psychologists to help build Skinner box game designs is ipso facto proof that some individuals in game companies are voluntarily engaged in predatory behavior, just as tobacco companies were before being busted for maximizing nicotine levels to increase addictions.
Enacting laws and creating popular momentum against them is no more than defensive behavior on the part of the victims. Had I my way, it'd be possible to sue them for the measurable harm they have caused to people's lives.
Fair enough, but let us start our censure with our consumer driven, money glorifying society. Tens of millions of people go to work each day and suffer poor conditions that result in mental, emotional, and physical injury. Many are so obsessed with having the lastest and greatest car, house, or toaster that they drive themselves deep into debt, then work overtime or take a second job just to keep up.
Let us ban all the ads for luxury everything and sue the advertising agencies that promote expensive products that are no better than the off brand ones we could be using.
Let us outlaw pharmaceutical solutions to depression that results directly from the spiritless and unfulfilling way of life most of us now lead. We are not people, we are consumers and producers. We use our time and energy to produce crap no one needs and in return we get whatever drugs, entertainment, and essentials they feel like giving us. Almost none of us has a job that gives any personal satisfaction, no matter how much our jobs might pay. Let's outlaw those types of jobs entirely. No more McJobs, no more miserable cubicles, no more wage slaves.
Then, when the bigger issues are dealt with, we can get around to video game addiction.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
~Albert Einstein
I agree with your intent, but I have some other methods in mind - change from within for the most part, maybe a little push here and there from the outside.
But there are priorities - first you take care of the acute problems, then the chronic ones. I have met many gamers, and by and large they are the most intelligent and cool people you will find. So the problems that affect them are high priority to me, and frankly, this isn't a hard connection to draw, so I hope for a slam dunk on it.
Personally, I don't think video games/gaming is an addiction. I think that term is used to frequently in the wrong way, i'm no doc though. I have participated in one of these video game studies and I don't know they seem lopsided when you are talking about the age ranges.
Those in the 15-24 range are in school so what do they have to do besides game watch tv and go to school. The more they game the worse there schooling gets. That could be the case but then again, someone playing sports can over do that too like I did in high school and my grades went down then to because I spent more time trying to hook up with chicks and play sports then I did concentrating on my homework which was pointless anyway.
In the study I was in my life actually improved with video games, sure I spent 40hrs a week playing games, but I also applied some of that to my work life, creating teams (PUGS) at work to work on projects, as a project leader (raid leader) I started working on major complex projects with multiple project teams to produce something. I even started getting into the gaming industry itself and starting to work on 3 games which i'm still currently on projects for 2 mmorpg projects, 1 facebook game project and i'm helping out on another mmo project providing input and technial support.
Video games/gaming has been part of my life since way back in the 70's with D and D, Chainmail and even the Atari once it came out. I love gaming and its got me the great 6 figure job I got today, in no way do I consider it an addiction.
thats my 2 cents
http://www.forceofarms.com/index.php
my life is awesome. i am turning 30 in 9 nine days, i am engaged to a wonderful woman, my diet is phenomemal and fun, i have a fufilling exercise routine, i am half way through a 3 year registered massage therapy college course with several employment connections already lined up. i just bought a cabin in the woods 45 minutes from downtown over looking an ocean inlet and mountains beyond.
when i started playing MMO's (2001? i think) i was overweight, a smoker, a constant pot head, i had an abusive girlfriend, a terrible job in a cramped kitchen as a minimum wage prep cook, no concern about my diet of health, no direction or any hope of making into post secondary education.
life never stops changing. my love of MMO's was never escapism, nor is it now. it is a perfectly legitimate form of human relation and competition. life is to be enjoyed, and MMO's will be as healthy as the players are.
if i could make any request of the community, in terms of player health and wellness, it would be to begin making a concerted effort to start treating eachother with more candor and respect. Solidarity and partnership is what we owe eachother, not the usual pseudo intellectualized contempt we reserve for every and anyone who disagrees with or questions us.
I am as guilty as anyone treating people like slugs when they challenge me, but i am wrong to do so. i am thankful for all of you and for the community you support, in anyway you are able to.
Great article.
I make MMOs for a living and I love them and all other games. Are games an addiction? Well I can tell you that having designed an items system I designed it with addiction in mind.
I often jokingly say my job is to "design Skinnerian reward scheduling to manipulate humens for
Great article.
I make MMOs for a living and I love them and all other games. Are games an addiction? Well I can tell you that having designed an items system I designed it with addiction in mind.
I often jokingly say my job is to "design Skinnerian reward scheduling to manipulate humens for finacial gain.
Ask yourself, Have you ever gone on a quest not because it was fun, not to hang out with a freinds, but only to get an item? if so you where at least momentaraly addicted to artifical advancment and manipulated by Skinnerian reward scheduling.
On the other side of things I enjoy getting items in games but I think their is a line crossed. If you take the item rewards out of a game is it still worth playing? If not you have a game designed purly to addict the players.
I love MMOs, RPGs, and other games. I have no problem with great games including addictive systems but think some games today are designed purly to addict the player. Lets recognize these games and stay away!
I think we should take the advice of the article. Lets stay hardcore and play games while we are having fun, but stop when we are not. Lets keep in shape, keep our heart pumping, and feed the kids. Kids need food too.
I know, I want to make the retirement home, think of all those good years of uninterupted gaming! Lets stay healthy for our golden years of gaming
(Sorry About double post 2nd half got cut and I don't know how to delete
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This reminds me of the article I read about Europe's first treatment facility dedicated to treating and studying Gaming and internet addiction. This was after the place was open 2 or 3 years, had treated tonnes of people and had a backlog of patients over a year deep.
The interviewer talking to one of the lead psychologists asked about their success rate.
The Psychologist gave highly positve numbers in percent successfully rehabilitated, as far as he could tell.
The interviewer, who had set up this interview as the opposing side to some big game news a fellow reporter was reporting on then asked a loaded question: How many intakes were genuine addicts to gaming.
The Psychologist answered "not a single one, all suffered either OCD, Impulse control, pathological shyness, or some other issue." but they had not found a single addict.
Shortly afterwards the website of the treatment centre explained this but lost so many customers that couldn't tell the difference and were convinced that their loved one was an addict, that they had to go back to reffering to them as addicts both for their bottom line and the good of the patients that were not getting the help they needed.