Your Outlook, Online Gaming Addiction.

[Samar-Hylda]

Is it real? Myth?

Should it be consider a addiction along with addictions which are already recognized. Such as alcoholism.

[Deleted]

well to be fair i don't think anyone can be addicted to a game. If your "addicted" to something, then you depend on it, it thrives you and all you have on your mind is your "addiction" and if someone feels like this with a game, the yeah i suppose it can be an addiction, it depends on what angle you look at it.

[snodeath]

I think it's definatly possible. Gambling is an addiction, why can't MMOs (or any online games) be the same.

[Deleted]

I used to be addicted, would literally play wow 17 hours a day and sleep for the other 7. its real, hard to admit, but when your /played is 200 days, and youve only been playing less than a year, its time to reflect on work/school.
At least wow addiction is more fun than other ones, but constantly playing can really diminish your health.

And i believe gaming addiction is already recognized and companies have actually been told to be more aware of it.

[Velyndina]

Who cares.

[Cusco]

I don't think it's addictive in the same way as alcohol can be (just like you're not addicted to cigarettes and oil in the same way (oil is addictive in the sense that we depend on it)). But yes I would say it can be addicting. It can become such a large part of your every day life that you wouldn't know what to do without it.

[Irony]

Great presentation by TB on internet addiction.

[Lilcheeks]

I don't think it's addictive in the same way as alcohol can be (just like you're not addicted to cigarettes and oil in the same way (oil is addictive in the sense that we depend on it)). But yes I would say it can be addicting. It can become such a large part of your every day life that you wouldn't know what to do without it (much like oil).

oil is a terrible example

[Cusco]

oil is a terrible example

I know. I didn't want to compare wow addiction to oil addiction. I shouldn't have included that last parenthesis and I will edit it out.

[Nexxia]

WoW keeps me from being a drunk so pick your poison.

[volescue]

I would say it is a real thing but not widely recognized because people still think the only thing wrong with you if you play for 10 hours straight a day is that you are a nerd.

[erebusman]

Its not a 'substance addiction' it would be classified as a behavioral addiction.

So in this instance a gambling addiction would be the closest example as stated above.

Is it real? Well that depends on the individual; if its causing harm to your health, life or social relationships (most importantly significant others) then I would say yes its very real.

In another sense I don't spend 30 hours a week polishing my chromed engine in my 70's muscle car .. or 40 hours a week watching any variety of sports I can get my hands on.

Like any member of a society where wealth and productivity has risen to a level to allow 'idle' time; we each have ways we enjoy spending that time. Playing an MMO during my idle time is not an addiction even if it is XX hours a week. Its when it interferes with my job, my wife, my child, my health etc.

So far, for myself, it is not an addiction.

[Lemons]

WoW keeps me from being a drunk so pick your poison.

Meh. A lot of people just do both.

[klaps_05]

overdoing it(ALL THE TIME, occasional 40h+ shouldnt be considered addiction) or doing something which does not fit typical human behavior because of it. a friend of mine was pretty bad in college drinkswise - he used to poor alcohol down the drain all day and night, then I showed him WoW and he hasn't taken a sip for quite some time.

[Rackfu]

I don't know enough about the psychological/physiological reasons for addictions but I think gaming should be considered an addiction like alcoholism/drugs if it starts to affect someone in a serious negative way. And if it is bad enough, someone should seek some sort of help/counsel.

1) Skipping work
2) Avoiding family/friends
3) Serious changes in habits (ie. dropping all other hobbies/activities in favor of playing the game)

For the most part, gaming addiction is not even remotely as dangerous as drinking/drugs/etc.. but I think ignoring it and it's consequences is a mistake. Many people have lost friends, relationships, jobs, etc... because of gaming addiction.

[Serpenth]

It absolutely exists. I used to play Everquest 2 for 18 hours a day and nearly dropped out of high school to pursue a career in raiding. I was afraid to start playing WoW because I was afraid the same thing would happen, but after making Honors 2 semesters in a row after starting college I thought it would be safe to play. It is very hard to admit or even realize, especially when playing..but when you look back you realize how real it is. I have had several people who I played EQ2 with tell me they also were addicted and it's the main reason why I cannot get them to join me in WoW.

You can make fun of people who admit it or say who cares but in reality you will made fun of way more when you reveal your achievements in WoW and really nobody gives a fuck if your guild was the 1st to kill the Lich King or the 435th. What I love about WoW is that you don't need to dedicate your whole life in order to obtain such achievements like killing the Lich King, I killed it in a PUG at my own leisure. No, it's not because they nerfed the game and it's not like it used to be. No, it's not because Blizzard is fail. No, it's not because purples are "free". It's because it's a video game, and nobody gives a fuck. It is entertainment. Blizzard provides a great game and that is why it is the largest MMO in the world, and will be for a long time. There will be no WoW killer other than another game put out by Blizzard, because they know what the fuck they are doing. What people fail to realize is that this game offers something for everyone, and they also fail to realize that it does not take 18 hours a day and a guild that raids 5 nights a week to obtain these feats.

It's real. And it's sad.

[Maeleena]

It's not an addiction. If you weren't playing games, you'd be doing something else to fill in the time. Does that mean you'd be addicted to that as well? No it doesn't. It just means you enjoy doing something, and spend your free time doing it. It doesn't hurt you, or anyone else, which is the definition of addiction. Of course there are exceptions to every rules, but for the most part (and I don't care what you trolls say) the people who play WoW are nice, well-rounded individuals with good real lives that just enjoy playing the game.

[Deleted]

Panorama Is covering addiction in games this Monday 8:30PM BBC1..dec 6th

[Aisriyth]

Great presentation by TB on internet addiction.

Hope he was trolling because even psych 101 courses you know there is two types of addiction and Video games/internet are DEFINITELY an addiction.

[Irony]

Hope he was trolling because even psych 101 courses you know there is two types of addiction and Video games/internet are DEFINITELY an addiction.

Hobbies aren't an addiction.