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Denver, 7:57 PM
Thu Dec 10
62 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/03/09
11/03/09
11/03/09
11/03/09
In my opinion, everyone's got an addiction, some have just not found theirs. Some addictions may not look like addictions though, because their socially accepted. Like books.
Books can just as well lead to substituted reality, distorted view on society (whatever distorted means) and lack of social skills.
Addiction is the brianchild of judging on right and wrong. I say addictions aren't inherently wrong, it depends on the substance/matter/feeling one is addicted to. An addiction can only be traded for another addiction, or enlightenment, perhaps.
Addiction also comes in different forms: hobby's, jobs, lifestyle, etc. etc.
Ahh who cares.. can't fit the entire philosophical monologue in here anyway.. #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
11/03/09
Gaming addictions in children should be treated as follows: plug out the power and send the child outside/away from the console.
Gaming addiction in adults is trickier. I suggest wearing some protective gear first. #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
But then you have idiots like this if you use the "take game away" method.
[www.talkxbox.com] #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
11/03/09
I know he has a decent job, but spending so much time gaming just can't be healthy. I joke around a lot about my extreme playing time in other articles but 2 hours would be the rare max time on a game before I give up for the day.
I agree on the protective gear, I confronted my brothers friend about maybe giving the MMO a break and he literally almost tore my head off.
Something about minding my own business and how he's in control. Trying to help someone isn't easy, especially when they don't even realize they got an addiction in the first place. #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
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11/03/09
Indeed. Dealing with an addict is never easy and at times you feel like banging their heads off a wall so they'll see sense, unfortunately I think we all have our vices in some way or another and it's important to keep that in mind and rather than putting the foot down, try to normalise it and just reduce their dependance on the vice of choice. #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
11/03/09
11/03/09
11/03/09
Well, it's also a physical and physiological thing too. The body goes through similar physiological processes when cravings hit, whether for chemical drugs or video games. In the case of the former, there are of course different biochemical rxns going on, but the underlying desire to satiate a need is there for all addictions.
As for the physical aspect, interacting with a console/pc can equatable to the using any paraphernalia associated to addiction. Eventually tactile response becomes encoded into our behavior/craving and the absence of it triggers more cravings. We're all just like rats after all.
So I wouldn't say that gaming addiction is obviously different from other forms of addiction, nor is it limited to a psychological dependence. #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
I do get what you're saying though, addiction isn't such a straight forward mental or physical thing but my point was more that something like a gaming addiction boils mainly down to mental rehabilitation to break the addiction rather than the complete mental and physical addiction that comes with drug use for example.
Great comment btw #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
Warning: Eve players are future accountants. #videogameaddiction
11/04/09
I do get what you're saying with the difference with drug addiction though, that physical therapy is probably needed as well, good point. Although I would argue that some game addicts could benefit from some physical therapy in the form of exercise. ;]
11/03/09
I doubt telling one to never use the internet is the solution, but staying away from one would be the best first step. #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
11/03/09
Ah, why are you doing this to me? Now I got a D-K needs an explanation so must bang my head on table adddiction. -unhearts- See? SEE??? #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
..
You're a strange person.
I don't mind it, though. #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
Now I'm so uncomfortable. Thanks, man.
What I meant is telling someone to stop using the internet in order to avoid gaming addiction isn't exactly the cure. It's pretty obvious that something more is going on in the persons life that resulted in them getting addicted to something in the first place, similar to Fahey when he was dealing with his personal issues and found "comfort" in the hands of online gaming.
I can tell someone addicted to beer to put down the bottle, but the only way that works is if I got to the root of the problem first.
I hope that somewhat cleared somethings up. #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
I am appalled you think i'd trick you like that. Appalled!
Good day, sir! #videogameaddiction
11/03/09
Well done, My Lord.
That is the highest "laughing" rank I can give any commenter, take it and place it on some fireplace mantle. #videogameaddiction
10/21/09
I'm still pondering showing the article to my parents, who saw me go through my addiction phase and are concerned I'm in it again just because I'm playing EQ again.
It's hard to explain to them that while I was addicted to it in the old days, these days it's just for fun.
I mean, I'm 28, so it's not like they're going to ground me or anything, but their opinion of me does matter still.
Incidentally, is anyone playing on the new Mayong server? I'm enjoying it quite a bit. I always have alt-itis in MMOs, but since I never two-boxed, I couldn't PL my alts in EQ, so I'd give up on them in the 30s or 40s.
Characters start at level 51 with 50AAs and a full set of flawed defiant gear. Pretty neat stuff. I'm playing an Iksar Monk (again,) named Razormaw, as well as a handful of alts. #videogameaddiction
10/21/09
And yes, I did. I grinded the hell out of the game. I played, sleep,work, played, sleep, work... and so on.
I forgot totally about my wife and my life. I stayed at home as much as real life allowed me and in the end of the day I was looking at myself as someone with no future at all. Yeah, i had a job, a wife, health... but something was not there, and i just could not see it. Everything was OK as soon as the EQ2 intro music was on the air.
I could talk about the many times i screwed things up in life, like almost burning my house, forgetting birthdays (hey, where are you? aren´t you coming?), muting the cellphone to everyone... But well, you know all of that.
Then one day I was playing as usual and my wife started to cry on the sofa behind me. I looked at her and something broke up inside me. Suddenly I found what I was missing...her love. Damnit, I was there moving glowing polygons and doing stupid quests and she was there crying because of me being such a blind fool!
Since that day I changed a lot. I still play (like 5-6 hours a month and only is she is sleeping or not at home), but in my TOP priority list is her happiness and our relationship.
My job is to make videogames. I love those damn worlds so much that I could never live without them, BUT now i have another perspective of them. Games are games, Life is life.
So my advice for anyone looking to escape from its own vortex is to find something/someone that can remember you that you are not a bunch of polygons with fancy textures and glowing shit.
It is there somewhere, you just have to look for it, and you know what? there is a big QUEST COMPLETED waiting for you.
Great article Mr. Fahey. Thanks for sharing it.
10/21/09
It's easy enough to justify avoiding a game with the rationale of "why pay to buy it and then pay to continue playing it," but logic goes out the window when depression or other life-changing events come up. After that, it becomes a downward spiral and as you descend further, either your focus narrows to the point that you don't see what's happening, or you do realize what's happening and feel too buried to be able to dig your way out. That adds to the depression, furthering the cycle.
Best of luck to both of you, whatever happens down the road. #videogameaddiction
10/21/09
10/21/09
Never played EQ1, but EQ2 and WoW were both tough to shake. It's just frustrating knowing how much better both games could be while feeling obligated to suffer through them for the sake of socializing or getting to the next sweet spot in the game. #videogameaddiction
10/21/09
Never played EQ1, but EQ2 and WoW were both tough to shake. It's just frustrating knowing how much better both games could be while feeling obligated to suffer through them for the sake of socializing or getting to the next sweet spot in the game. #videogameaddiction
10/21/09
So I think a really big Thank You From everyone here is in order.
Thanks! #videogameaddiction
10/21/09
I finally have some friends again, I'd better not take any risks.
Damn you addiction potential.
And I'm really happy for you that you have some friends ("pre-MMO") left. It shows that they were real friends. I actually don't talk with any of them anymore. After 3 years of 24/7 MMOing with school (sometimes) and sleep inbetween we just didn't work it out anymore.
Even better that you have a person like Emily. Awesome :) #videogameaddiction
10/21/09
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10/20/09
10/20/09
Really bad taste.
Stay classy. #videogameaddiction
10/20/09
stick em up on Kotaku #videogameaddiction