fun, dedication, addiction

(nUllSkillZ) #1

In a german print magazine (GameStar 06/2006 p. 172 to 176) I read an interesting article about game addiction.
They often mentioned a popular MMORG.

To decide if someone is addicted the author introduced criterias that are used by the World Health Organization (WHO) for “stuff” drugs.

  1. [li]unstillable desire to play the game
    [/li][li]loss of control of the freqeuncy and the duration of playing
    [/li][li]“tolerance development” (german: Toleranzentwicklung)
    [/li]means that every time you play you have to play longer / more to be satisfied
    [li]withdrawal symptoms
    [/li]means that you get nervous or sick if you don’t play the game and these symptoms vanish if you start playing the game again
    [li]neglection of other interests and duties (e.g. school or work)
    [/li][li]ongoing addictive behaviour in spite of harmful results
    [/li]means still keep playing even if you are hungry, sleepy or even if you’re arm / hand hurts

If three of the criterias are true for a person that person is said to be addictive.

There’s much more in this article as to mention here.
It was a very good reading.

And it makes me think.
What about fans of real games like soccer.
I think about a soccer fan that views every soccer game in TV, visits every soccer game of his club.
And may be plays soccer himself.
I would call someone who acts this way also addictive.

Actually I think there’s addictive potential in all things we do.

(Gringo) #2

There is indeed!

(Higgins) #3

Well, number 5 would be true for me, I dont actually want to go to work, Id rather play games.

(!ntraxz) #4

doh! who doesn’t :drink:

i just can’t understand why someone would like to go to his work, when he could do one of his favorite hobby’s. except when your work is your hobby!

(Dazzamac) #5

Dropped out of uni because I spent more time playing wolfy than doing assignments (though I did plenty of other stuff as well so let not jump to conclusions just yet)

Many occasions I’m up all night doing wolfy related things.

Woot only two, I’m just a bum, not an addict. Tbh I spend more time organising matches, thinking up new strats and talking about it than actually playing the games, perhaps I’m addicted to that.

(Gringo) #6

Yip, ur addicted to crap talkin!!!

(Sauron|EFG) #7

Withdrawal symptoms.

(Rhoades) #8

[quote=“Sauron|EFG”]

Withdrawal symptoms.[/quote]
lol, wolfey withdrawal.

(nUllSkillZ) #9

[quote=“Sauron|EFG”]

Withdrawal symptoms.[/quote]
Thnx.

(SniperSteve) #10

I am so addicted to FPSs.

I once played PlanetSide for one year without missing a day except for a 6 day family vacation… Not 24/7, but at least a few min/hour a day.

(nUllSkillZ) #11

My “addictive” phase started shortly after I started playing W:ET in fall 2003.
I think I’ve played every free minute in the following two / two and a half years.

I see a great problem with the MMORG games.
You have to pay (!) monthly for the game.
So you want and have to play as much as you can.
And as I’ve read you have to play with your “clan” (in germany it’s called Gilde) to be up to date to / on the same level of the other members of the clan.
Strange situation.

(Schizma) #12

They often mentioned a popular MMORG

Probably World of Warcraft, some people never get off that game

buy silver surfer

(eRRoLfLyNN) #13

1, 2, 5 & 6 - I knew I was a victim. I need help! :moo:

(corvey) #14

It’s called “kiddie cocaine for adults”.

The epidemic of gaming is at a all new high and is becoming a major problem for adults everywhere. They are losing their jobs just to stay home to play games, not spending enough time with their wives, and stealing money from the Christmas fund that was suppose to go to the children just to supply theirselves with better hardware to satisfy their own addiction.

I’m very addicted and I really need to goto rehab. I will probably O.D. (overdose) when ET-QW comes out if I don’t get help NOW.

yours truly,
corvey

(ParanoiD) #15

Hmm lets sue SD for making us addicted to a good game :tapir:

[sarcasm]Now i know why EA makes their games so fucked up[/sarcasm]