Author Topic: We're not addicted, we can quit anytime we want! (Read 554 times)

gofaster · « **on:** November 04, 2003, 02:49:34 PM »

Or so we like to think. Don't kid yourself. How many hours have you played this month? How many other games have you played this month? How many hours of gaming would you say you do in a given month? How would you react if your computer went belly up for a week and your tv was broken?

Quote

Video Games Are Addictive - Scientists Say
By Lucas van Grinsven, European Technology Correspondent

UTRECHT, Netherlands (Reuters) - Computer game fanatics should not be labeled addicts, although many players say they are hooked on a hobby that is affecting their social lives, scientists said on Tuesday.

Some evidence exists that games stimulate the same areas in the brain as alcohol and other drugs, psychologists, sociologists and others were told at the world's first interdisciplinary games conference here.

But unlike the addictive substances, there is no medicine to deal with compulsive gaming behavior, they heard.

"Is (the popular online game) Everquest addictive? Well, it's no more addictive than school or work. The time invested in those also make them addictive," said Florence Chee, a research student at Simon Fraser University in Canada.

Scientific interest in the multibillion dollar computer games industry has mushroomed in recent years, after teenagers in several countries killed themselves and others after playing violent games. Various governments have put pressure on the industry to add a health warning to games packages.

But many players actually described themselves as addicts, said Stephen Kline, a social psychology professor and media analyst at Simon Fraser University.

"Fifteen percent of Everquest players say: 'I'm addicted'. Thirty percent can be categorized as addicts," he said.

Although he used the word "addiction" in the classic Greek sense of "devotion," his survey of hundreds of heavy online games players showed half of them reported family conflict and romantic failure as a result of their hobby.

VIOLENCE SPILLS OVER

Heavy games players can play an average 17 to 26 hours a week. The online games, in which players battle with opponents online, are considered the most gripping and time-consuming.

Children from the age of 10 are now starting to play online games, he said, and families should know it is radically different from comics.

"Game entertainment is not a classic media experience. It has a potency that offers a new psychological experience," Kline said, adding he could imagine violent experiences in games to spill over in real life.

Other scientists, who like Chee have carried out scientific surveys, said heavy games players were in fact sociable and not the pathological loners they are often made out to be.

Sociology Professor Holin Lin at National Taiwan University discovered many players were members of an online 'clan' to try to become more successful against opponents in the game. She also found many had relationships with clan members in real life.

vorticon · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2003, 04:32:37 PM »

ive played 2 other games this month...both of them online

i AM addicted to AH and its message boards...

can i quit whenever i want??? not likely...obbsessive compulsive disorder runs in the family...coupled with a classic addiction that makes me screwed right over

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2003, 04:38:21 PM »

LOL when I was playing EQ I was playing up to 56 hours a week, and that was with a 40 hour a week job!

26 hours is adicted?

I gave it up without any withdrawel though.

Sony cured my by sucking so bad.

I did play Warbirds tons, back in the day though before 3.0

but never more then 20 or 30 hours a week.

My highest monthly bill was 375 bucks, lol and that was on 6 bucks an hour! I looked at the hours I worked as hours of warbirds play time!:aok

Mini D · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2003, 06:21:20 PM »

Scientists are starting to notice that things people consider to be "really fun" are often addictive.

MiniD

vorticon · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2003, 08:16:12 PM »

i think partying is really fun...and im definatly not addicted...i only go out maybe once a month at most

DiabloTX · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2003, 01:16:27 AM »

*takes off headset and puts down joystick...

I'm sorry, did someone say something?

mrblack · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2003, 02:42:52 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by DiabloTX
*takes off headset and puts down joystick...

I'm sorry, did someone say something?

LOL good one:rofl

Fishu · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2003, 03:00:22 AM »

If I wouldnt do something with the computer during the spare time when I'm too lazy to do something physically requiring, then what I'd be doing? getting addicted with TV or boredness?

capt. apathy · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2003, 04:02:03 AM »

anything that isn't unbarable is addictive. it's basic logic, if you enjoy doing things you will want to do them more while less enjoyable things you try to find ways to avoid.

I wonder how much money they spend reaching conclusions my kids could have explained at 5 yrs old.

just about anything can be addictive. I'm sure if I hadn't started feeding these kids when they where young, they wouldn't be interupting my game to make them dinner today.

Wanker · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2003, 08:20:48 AM »

Want a sure fire way to cure your addiction to PC gaming?

Have a child.

Worked for me like a charm, darnit.

banana, wishing he had time to be addicted to the computer, banana.

Scootter · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2003, 08:25:53 AM »

I bet 1000 years ago folks were addicted to watching a camp fire, come to think of it I still am.

Addictions come in many forms, not all are bad IMO.