What is Video Game Addiction
Game addiction is a form of psychological addiction related to a compulsive use of computer and video games, most notably MMORPGs - open ended, online video games known for their d...
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I've got several questions for the game-players out there. I think one of the reasons that addiction to electronic gaming is so insidious is that when you first take it up as just another "hobby" you are joining a "community."
Just as there might be the overall category "Sports Fans"...broken down by sport, and then by team...there might be people who like MMOs, people who like single-player RPGs, or people who like FPS or RTS...and who then in turn like a specific game title within that type. And see, I know I can use all these abbreviations and be easily understood, because the "Gaming Community" has its own jargon, its own language really. And most of the people in the community really identify with it and with their peers in it. I know that for me, if you asked me to list ten words that define myself, that describe who I am, one of the first ones that would have come to mind (until recently) would have been "Gamer" because it was very central to my identity, my view of who I am. Mind you, I saw myself as a Gamer long before I ever owned a computer...even if the games in question were things like D&D, Risk, or Axis & Allies. So I've got some questions for the gamers who've come to this site, whether they know they have a problem, think they might maybe, or are just curious. 1. Do you identify yourself as a "Gamer"? 2. Are you male or female (I'm curious because the stereotype is that most Gamers are guys, but I know many, many women who are. 3. What games have you played the most, or are you playing now? 4. If you've devoted alot of time to a multi- player game online, whether an FPS or RPG, are you in a Guild? 5. Have you felt as if you could control and self-regulate your computer or video game use part of the time, but lost control with certain games? If so, why do you think it was? And what did you do? For me, the times when I've really felt like I lost perspective, were because some specific new game would come out, and I would try it and it would really grab my interest. There would be this period of playing it to excess, until I beat it. Like binge drinking, I guess. But they make these games more and more immersive, and bigger...with much longer story lines and more and more to do and see within the game world. So it isn't like you can just play through the whole thing in a few days and toss it aside. The game thats really sunk its fangs into me lately is Fallout 3. Oh God do I love that game. It manages to combine elements I like from both FPS and standard RPGs. My only regret is that its single-player. Well, that and the fact thats its the proverbial "monkey on my back". And I realized that one of the main reasons I like it is because I can just walk around on this huge map and explore. I'll go up on top of something tall in the game, and be able to see literally for miles, and I'll say hmmmm... whats that over there on the horizon...and start hiking over there to check it out. I know, this doesn't sound like a recovering addict speaking. Thats because I still haven't really accepted the notion of totally giving games up...there are very few things in my life right now that truly make me happy, and I'm reluctant to give up one of the main ones. I know I probably have to, though. Its just hard. Oh, to answer my other questions, I've literally played at least the demo of every Fantasy MMORPG thats come out. Starting with Ultima. Played both Everquests for awhile. I've never been an important enough member of a Guild to feel obligated to be on-line at certain times for raids or whatever, fortunately. Honestly, I don't really understand what the draw is with WOW, because though I've played it, and enjoyed it, I feel there are better games out there. Good marketing I guess. I like a game to look real, so I'm not reminded that I'm sitting there watching a computer - as a result WOW is too "cartoony" for me, and I secretly hate it when people call their characters "toons". I want to lose myself in a game (which I guess is exactly whats happened, so be careful what you wish for). As a result, because I like history and mythology, I find Dark Age of Camelot to be the game I get into the most, even though its player population is much lower than it used to be. Posted on 02/17/09, 05:02 am |
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1. Do you identify yourself as a "Gamer"? Absolutely
2. I am FEMALE 3. GAMES: world of warcraft, Warhammer Online, any new MMORPG beta, CONSOLES: PS3 ** Streetfighter, Little Big Planet, Heavenly Sword PS2 ** Soul Reaver, Mortal Kombat Dreamcast **Soul Reaver, Nintendo 64 ** Zelda, Bad Fur Day, Donkey Kong, Mortal Kombat, Perfect Dark, 007 4. If you've devoted alot of time to a multi- player game online, whether an FPS or RPG, are you in a Guild? been playing WOW since 2004 everyday. The first few years I spent crazy amounts of time in game. 6pm-6am go to work and then 6pm - 6am. The last couple of years I play some days, some I don't depending. I am in a guild, more then one. 5. Have you felt as if you could control and self-regulate your computer or video game use part of the time, but lost control with certain games? If so, why do you think it was? And what did you do? excessive gaming is a dysfunctional behavior like any other. There are times when I cannot stop playing and other times when I just feel like doing something else and /logout. Warcraft is my worst gaming addiction, but I can clearly remember staying up playing console games until ungodly hours of the morning trying to complete levels and get items. My husband complained that I was never around to spend time with him anymore. I tried to limit my game play. After a year of fighting I managed to get to bed at 11pm instead of 6am. The behavior was very destructive. I believe part of the problem was it allowed me escape from other areas of my life that were problematic. Not only the game "high", but the escapism is addictive. 
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1. I do of course call myself a gamer.
2. I am also female. 3. here is the list... PC. WoW, Sims, Spore ( i went from an ameoba to space in one sitting on hard setting 20 hrs), Roller coaster tycoon. Wii. Guitar hero, Rockband, SSBB Xbox 360: Fable 2, GTA 4, Perfect Dark Zero Xbox. GTA SA, Gun, Star Wars KOTOR 1 and 2 (thats why i got an x box) 64. Prefect dark (just looked at my memory card I played on "dark jen" for 17 days 2 hrs and 43 mins.) Mario 64, Zelda OoT and MM. SNES. Mario RPG, Zelda LttP DS. Animal crossing WW, Zelda PH. I quite litteally am obsessed with mario, I have to much anything of it lol. 4. I am in my own guild. I've played WoW for 2 years now... for the horde! 5. My problem is new games. Once i get it i have to beat it. I will not rest until i do. Then after i beat it im ok and i can actually enjoy the game after that.
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In answer to your questions:
1. No, I don't identify myself as a gamer. 2. I am male. 3. I played regular video games the most, such as Tetris, 3-D Pinball and MineSweeper. 4. I never before played any multi-player game on-line. 5. Yes, I have some control. However, I found that I tended to lose control whenever I felt guilty, depressed, upset, etc. That is, I believe, because the most important reason for me to play excessively is as a form of escape. Also, due to mathematical and scientific type mind, I tend to like the games that I have to focus on very intently all of the time since I could then not think about whatever as bothering me. That creates a vicious cycle. I am avoiding that problem now by finding healthier ways to deal with the issues.
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1. Do you identify yourself as a "Gamer"?Yes very much so
2. Are you male or female (I'm curious because the stereotype is that most Gamers are guys, but I know many, many women who are. I am female 3. What games have you played the most, or are you playing now? resident Evil, tomb raider, world of warcraft, warcraft, silent hill 4. If you've devoted alot of time to a multi- player game online, whether an FPS or RPG, are you in a Guild? yes i am 5. Have you felt as if you could control and self-regulate your computer or video game use part of the time, but lost control with certain games? If so, why do you think it was? And what did you do? I didnt really feel like i lost control i just wanted to play more. I think the further into the game you get the more you want to play.
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1. Do you identify yourself as a "Gamer"? Most definatly.
2. Male 3. Games - PC -CS, RTCW, ET, WoW, CoD BattleField and WAR 360 - Mass Effect, Bio Shock, Megaman PS1 - FF7, FF8 N64 - Zelda, GoldenEye SNES - Zelda, Super Metroid, Megaman NES - Zeldas 4. If you've devoted alot of time to a multi- player game online, whether an FPS or RPG, are you in a Guild? I started with CS where i wasnt in a clan, spent alot of time playing it but i still had a social life. I then had a 2year break from hardcore gaming and started going out lots. I came back to hardcore gaming when WoW was released. I lost sleep, friendships and a big chunk of my life. I started playing at release and have only just stopped about 1 month ago. I deleted most my characters and only saved my main. 5. Have you felt as if you could control and self-regulate your computer or video game use part of the time, but lost control with certain games? If so, why do you think it was? And what did you do? No, i have had absolutely no control over this addiction and feel i have wasted alot of my life. But i feel i am slowly changing and working on making up for lost time.
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1. Do you identify yourself as a "Gamer"?
I am definitely a gamer, since i was 2 years old 2. Are you male or female (I'm curious because the stereotype is that most Gamers are guys, but I know many, many women who are. Male 3. What games have you played the most, or are you playing now? I play mount and blade, eve online, and many others. Anytime i stop playing one, i just pick up another. 4. If you've devoted alot of time to a multi- player game online, whether an FPS or RPG, are you in a Guild? Yes, i am in a guild on eve online. 5. Have you felt as if you could control and self-regulate your computer or video game use part of the time, but lost control with certain games? If so, why do you think it was? And what did you do? I do not feel that i can control my video game usage. Currently, i feel like it's hopeless for me to be here trying to quit. I think i'm addicted because video gaming has been my main form of entertainment since i was 2. To solve this problem, i ended up here and i'm going to try a reward system for every day that i don't play video games.
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1. Do you identify yourself as a "Gamer"? Damn right
2. Are you male or female: male 3. What games have you played the most, or are you playing now? eve, total war, age of empires, wipeout, call of duty, star wars kotor, abuse,ground control 2...too many to name (i have 200 games) 4. If you've devoted alot of time to a multi- player game online, whether an FPS or RPG, are you in a Guild? im in a corp in eve - used to be in #1 alien vs predator 2 clan. 5. Have you felt as if you could control and self-regulate your computer or video game use part of the time, but lost control with certain games? If so, why do you think it was? And what did you do?: I always could control games - only game that immersed myself where the total war games - solution: keep a watch in eyesight
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1. Do you identify yourself as a "Gamer"? Yes, I do.
2. Are you male or female (I'm curious because the stereotype is that most Gamers are guys, but I know many, many women who are. ) I am Female. 3. What games have you played the most, or are you playing now? I’m a big fan of Halo 3. I’m addicted to it because guys give me crap for being a girl and then I just go and kick their behinds, haha. Most of the time anyway. I’m also into Fable II- I’ve almost got all the achievements for both games. I’m also a fan of the Mini Game: Nazi Zombies in CoD5 and I enjoy a lot of CoD4 because my Dad plays it a lot. Guitar Hero I play because well… I get addicted to the fact that I want to get better. Gaming is all about getting better and kicking massive booty for me!! I LOVE IT. 4. If you've devoted alot of time to a multi- player game online, whether an FPS or RPG, are you in a Guild? Not a guild, no. Clan? Yes. I’m the only female member of the K71 Clan for Halo 3. I’m joining the PMS clan, and run my own Clan/Program called S.I.T [Spartans in Training] for Halo 3- we help the newbies, haha. 5. Have you felt as if you could control and self-regulate your computer or video game use part of the time, but lost control with certain games? If so, why do you think it was? And what did you do? Yes. I can self-regulate myself with any game BUT Halo 3. I think it’s because I became good at it and became proud of that fact. Boys either get pissed at me or love me and want to be my best friend. I almost get a rush out of it, when they gave the play list for Snipers only- I was hooked for a long time... I can’t say I really do anything. Oddly. I don’t have Xbox LIVE at home, but I still practice a lot…. So I don’t think not having high speed helps my situation much.
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I identify myself as a gamer,
I'm female, The games I play such as the sims 1, 2 and now 3; diner dash and games similar to them. I've been playing the sims game a long time, and the sims 2 since it first came out. I've been playing everyday, thinking about new ideas and going on the sim 2 website to download new characters-homes- and new objects for the game. I can control myself when I play the game. Like I had mentioned before in another support room, I can go shopping and be fine. (smile) Sometimes I would stay up until almost 6:00 a.m. playing the sims because I'd have plans for their lives such as going to school-getting married-them starting a family. It's just so fun!!!! I totally agree with you BlackHoleSun when you said that you get lost in the game and then it become addictive. Sometimes I manage to get to bed before 6:00 a.m. (if I'm tired from the day and not having a lot of sleep). (Lol)
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1. Yes, I identify myself as a gamer.
2. Female 3. World of Warcraft 4. Yes, I'm in a guild. 5. Absolutely. I thought I could control my play time on WoW and at the beginning of playing the game I could, but I found as I progressed my characters through it I needed to spend more time to get anything accomplished. The higher you level the more time it takes to level, the better the raid the more time, etc. I had to force myself to quit. I met my recent ex online and that is where our relationship began, and where a majority of it matured minus the few times we were able to visit each other. This past may I moved over 1000 miles to his state and leased an apartment with him only to find that his gaming addiction and personality were far worse than I had originally imagined. I moved home (a 20 hour drive) and shortly after we broke up. I continued to game but because we met on the same server it made dealing with the break up and my game time uncomfortable. One night after yet another fight I uninstalled the game and haven't played since. It was the escape I needed from two addictions: WoW and the ex.
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