Exploring Game Addiction

What could turn a non-gamer into a gaming addict? This is the question Jewels set out to explore. Surrounded by a number of gamers, but not such a gamer herself, she opted to give games a try. After meeting the MMORPG Anarchy Online, she found something in a game world online worth living for. And she found real life didn't provide quite the same sorts of respect: "But in the end, they're still nothing more than video games" - includes some good interviews with fellow players, and good links to other pieces about gaming and gaming addiction. (From Slashdot)

Comments

[mnickel]

Wow.

this is an excellent article. Thanks justin for linking to it.

I think that she captures some very essential points about the power of online gaming.

Heh... I'm sure that one day our insurance plans will have various deductibles covering treatment for online gaming addiction.

Imagine instead of checking yourself into the Betty Ford clinic for drug and alcohol addiction, you'll be checking in for online addiction.

I agree with her though, I'd much rather take online gaming as an addiction over anything else. Personally I've pretty much avoided online gaming of the Everquest and AO style. I know that I'd enjoy the experience, but I don't think I'd develop *too* serious of an addiction. There are still to many real world attachements for me to abandon everything. I'd probably be pretty balanced, but I'm just not interested at this point to test my theory. :)

Besides, I'll just add MMORPGing to my list of things that I want to do when I retire...

I love the link at the bottom for a free 7 trial for AO. (We dare you to) =]

Hee hee. Too funny.

M

[bowler]

That was a really great article. I found it interesting because I've been avoiding MMORPGs like the plague; knowing full well I'd become addicted to them in no time flat.

Unfortunately, Star Wars Galaxies is coming down the pipe, and I'm sure I'm going to lose mass quantities of free time to it once it arrives.

[mnickel]

MMMmmmmm... I forgot about Star Wars galaxies...

thanks bowler... :P

Now I could be in trouble...

I saw some previews of the game on "Extended Play" (yeah, I'll admit to watching that show) and the Star Wars special that was run on TechTV a while back before the release of "Clone Wars".

In a word. Wow.

I was *totally* blown away by the stunning visuals of the space battles. Not to mention the sheer size of the galaxy.

Maybe. In the back of my mind. That's why I put down the cash for an Nvidia Ti4600... Anticipation of that game.

M

[Trunks]

Yeah, I played AO for a while. It was very addicting.

[Uber Lieutenant]

The only solution to destroy games like EQ is to HAX TEH FKN EQ. g0g0g0g0g0

Don't worry about Counter-Strike, hackers make up half of their community. ¬.¬

[Bob]

I'm doing a research paper for my Advanced Composition class. Any interviews or statistics about online gaming and addictions would really help me out!! I might donate something too! thanks, - Bob

[liz]

Should you decide you have had a little bit too much fun playing the games, On-Line Gamers Anonymous has been formed.

On-Line Gamers Anonymous is a fellowship of people sharing their experience, strengths and hope to help each other recover and heal from the problems caused by compulsive game playing.

Feel free to join us, on the discussion board, should you need support.

Liz

[Gabe]

Im doing a reoport for school about game addiction.Most people dont even think about how it effects them!All most every one has played a game once in there life time, but lots just cant stop.

Can any one give me some info about game addiction?