Addiction

Tarathiel · #1 01-13-2013, 01:37 AM

Quote:

About 50% of MMORPG players would consider themselves addicted to the game. Some have tried to quit but failed. Others become angry or irritated when they are unable to play. While there is no clear line between healthy and obsessive game-play, it is clear that problematic usage is not uncommon.

I call myself an addict, because I share the same symptoms as someone who's addicted to smoking, or alcohol, or some other substance. I think about EQ while I'm not playing, I get stressed when I have to go 24 hrs without logging on for a fix, and I wasn't able to quit when I tried. If that's not an addiction, I don't know what is. [m, 22]

There are a variety of mechanisms in MMORPGs that may encourage obsessive usage. MMORPGs employ well-known behavioral conditioning principles from psychology that reinforce repetitive actions through an elaborate system of scheduled rewards. In effect, the game rewards players to perform increasingly tedious tasks and seduces the player to “play” industriously. These environments also encourage making friends or joining guilds that then become sources of social obligations.

While it’s easy to point at game mechanics in explaining problematic usage, this approach is flawed because it completely dismisses the fact that MMORPGs appeal only to certain video gamers. To many FPS gamers, MMORPGs are too repetitive and slow to be fun. Fundamentally, any explanation of problematic usage has to take into account the players themselves. And once we do, we begin to see how MMORPGs may be seductive because they relieve many common psychological stresses. For example, players with low self-esteem gain a tangible sense of power in these environments. Players who feel they are undervalued or have no control in the real world can become take on valuable or instrumental roles. It is in fact the ability of MMORPGs to empower users through its mechanisms that drive problematic usage.

At the same time, we should also be more critical about the implications of labeling media forms as "addictive". Why is it that say that gamers can become addicted to online games when we don't question the average American who watches 28 hours of TV a week? Why is it that video gamer deaths get on the 7 o'clock news when people die all the time when they play golf or while watching TV?

See Also:

- The Seduction of Achievement in MMORPGs
- Problematic Usage: some reasons why I think the word "addiction" frames the issue incorrectly and some survey findings that show that problematic usage is just as much about the player as it is about the game.

source

admitting your have a problem is the first step towards recovery bro's, im here for you if you need someone to talk to

Ephirith · #2 01-13-2013, 01:50 AM

It's disingenuous to lump behavioral addiction in with substance addition as if they have significant similarity beyond nomenclature.

Basically:

Quote:

At the same time, we should also be more critical about the implications of labeling media forms as "addictive". Why is it that say that gamers can become addicted to online games when we don't question the average American who watches 28 hours of TV a week? Why is it that video gamer deaths get on the 7 o'clock news when people die all the time when they play golf or while watching TV?

As far as causality is concerned, many people think my life sucks because I spend all my time playing video games. I think my life sucks so I spend all my time playing video games.

Daliant17447 · #3 01-13-2013, 02:07 AM

Quote:

people die all the time when they play golf

lol wut

Hasbinlulz · #4 01-13-2013, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daliant17447 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

lol wut

heart attacks and strokes

Tasslehofp99 · #5 01-13-2013, 07:54 AM

Substance abuse and being addicted to eq are both shitty, very different though. When I was quitting cigarettes I literally had hot and cold flashes and random spells of rage. I would wake up at night during the first two weeks of quitting drenched in sweat, I mean sopping wet...but I was freezing cold at the same time.

Perhaps on a mental level mmorpgs can be addictive, and the human brain is very powerful and tricky. I highly doubt quitting EQ is even comparable to nicotine, coke, dope, meth, etc. For me, eq is thw only.game worth playing, nothing else really makes me want to keep playing the way EQ does, but having discipline and self control enough to not play when you really want to is harder for some than others. Then again the same can be said of most addicts who admit they have a problem.

Glitch · #6 01-13-2013, 08:06 AM

im trying
to forget that
i'm addicted to youuuu

Godefroi · #7 01-13-2013, 08:10 AM

Akim · #8 01-13-2013, 08:51 AM

"we don't question the average American who watches 28 hours of TV a week"

sans very few programs, none of it adds up to shit, just like mmos.
the writer is a hypocritical know it all.
got to get ready for church, the dear reverend is waiting.
Wright that is.
god bless america?
god dammmn america.

quido · #9 01-13-2013, 08:52 AM

gotrocks · #10 01-13-2013, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tasslehofp99 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Substance abuse and being addicted to eq are both shitty, very different though. When I was quitting cigarettes I literally had hot and cold flashes and random spells of rage. I would wake up at night during the first two weeks of quitting drenched in sweat, I mean sopping wet...but I was freezing cold at the same time.

Perhaps on a mental level mmorpgs can be addictive, and the human brain is very powerful and tricky. I highly doubt quitting EQ is even comparable to nicotine, coke, dope, meth, etc. For me, eq is thw only.game worth playing, nothing else really makes me want to keep playing the way EQ does, but having discipline and self control enough to not play when you really want to is harder for some than others. Then again the same can be said of most addicts who admit they have a problem.

try kicking crack. or heroin.

also, tarathiel, i have an mmo problem, please help me bro [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

can i come smoke some of your weed and watch movies instead?