Curse

BeatWolf · Mar 09, 2007, 04:59 PM // 16:59

I completely know where Bruce is coming from in his OP and i know because everything he said is the same for me. Let me just say a few things.

I'm still playing GW at present and have had times where ive promised myself im going to quit and forget the game, but it's simply not that easy (and not the case). When you rely on this game for being happy and such it does pull you away from the outside world and social life.

I wish i could just both play GW and have another life but excessive of anything is never good news. I know this will sound stupid but at night i say to myself im going to do somthing productive the next day and try and not play GW. But when i wake up that frame of mind seems to float away and its just the same lol.

Some will say a game addiction is better than a drug addiction but any addiction is not really good.

JONO51 · Mar 09, 2007, 07:33 PM // 19:33

I think your last opinion about going on forums when you dont/cant play is wrong. Forums are a place for people with common interests to discuss things. Kinda like social clubs etc. There's nohing wrong with them so i dont think there is anyhing worng with your social club to be on the t'internet with hundreds of thousands of other discussing things with you.

Ekelon · Mar 09, 2007, 07:48 PM // 19:48

For some reason, to me. At any time I am at a high point in a video game and I'm feeling "addicted", then if I stop playing for a week or so and get more into real life, I'll want to play for the first couple of days, but afterwards, It feels as if Guild Wars isn't important again, and in order to achieve that "high point" of happiness, I have to play quite a bit to get back into it. Weird :O

Soul of the Scythe · Mar 09, 2007, 08:12 PM // 20:12

I used to be a Strategy game guy. Big into C+C(people say they got worse, which they did, but i still love em), Starcraft of course, and Warcraft(never played WoW and don't plan on it). I friend introduced me to Diablo then I bought Diablo II when it came out and loved it. The expansion was even better(wouldn't mind seeing Druid in GW2). D3 is hopefully coming out by the end of the year and as soon as that comes out, bye bye GW. Not to say that I hate GW, I love GW. But I CANNOT WAIT FOR DIABLO 3.

Soul of the Scythe · Mar 09, 2007, 08:12 PM // 20:12

I used to be a Strategy game guy. Big into C+C(people say they got worse, which they did, but i still love em), Starcraft of course, and Warcraft(never played WoW and don't plan on it). A friend introduced me to Diablo then I bought Diablo II when it came out and loved it. The expansion was even better(wouldn't mind seeing Druid in GW2). D3 is hopefully coming out by the end of the year and as soon as that comes out, bye bye GW. Not to say that I hate GW, I love GW. But I CANNOT WAIT FOR DIABLO 3.

Haijiibirdhead · Mar 09, 2007, 08:14 PM // 20:14

Now I used to be totally obcessed with guild wars - but now that ive played it all out and achieved much that i set out to do in this game , I have markedly slowed it down. In fact alot of my time in guild wars (and on the computer in general) is spent chatting to others. I for one simply find it much easier to say what is on my mind to internet friends than those in real life anyway. I dont particularly like the hassle of going out to bars and clubs to talk to people when I can simply switch on my computer and do the same.

But yes , I feel no pressure whatsoever to quit so I can somehow integrate myself with the outside world , because I think socialising in the outside world is overrated anyway.

Rahl · Mar 10, 2007, 01:07 AM // 01:07

I used to play GW waaay too much (when I was busy busy griding titles ><) but since I have gotten all the titles that don't cost as much, and just can't bring myself to play a Para or Derv (just too bloody slow)... I haven't had anything to do. It is nice not "having" to play GW now... just do other things.

Its almost funny, though... how I seem to have so much extra time to do other things!

Ah well.

makosi · Mar 10, 2007, 01:30 AM // 01:30

Hi folks, and thanks for all the positive replies. I learned a lot since I made the post and have read everything thoroughly.

To Lord Dobo: I like the point (or counter-point) you made about “Anxiety in the absence of it” and you really summed me up well without even knowing me. However when I said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by makosi

• Daydreaming about Guild Wars in school/college/uni/work,
• Spending 5 hours+ per day on it,
• Avoiding school/college/uni/work or social events for it,
• Talking about it frequently
• Denying you play/being secretive
• Anxiety in the absence of it.
• Attending fan sites/forums when you can’t/don’t play

… I did mean that the aforementioned are problematic in excess and to the point that they are disruptive to everyday life. Attending forums and daydreaming are, of course, normal but when they affect education/work I believe there’s cause for concern.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darksun

To the OP: What you've done is admirable. It's made me look at my own time spent playing. I think you may be more unhappy now, but try to push through this time, get support from friends and hopefully you will begin to appreciate other things as much as GW. Good Luck man!

Thanks very much. I’ve always wanted to share this problem with my friends and family but my circle of friends are the type who have a laugh and don’t talk about ‘deep and meaningful’ things including thoughts and feelings. I think I’d feel a lot better letting them know but I fear a negative response – perhaps in good time.

As for family… well they’re a judgemental lot and seem incapable of listening (based on previous problems). They butt in and churn out what they think is good advice or say “go to the doctor” so I can pop more nasty pills. Opening up on this forum has done me some good though and I thank people for that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Dobo

There isn't anything worng with enjoying yourself as an adult. He's already taken the first step and noticed that he was spending perhaps a little bit TOO long online, perhaps to fill in a gap in his life that he needs filled. But I think that to be happy for the rest of his life, he needs to come to terms with the fact that games are a part of his life and it's up to him as an adult now to decide how it fits in with the way he wants to live it.

You have me all worked out! There is part of my life that needs filling which will probably never be fulfilled properly and I think playing Guild Wars compensated for that somehow. Also, I was brought up with games from the NES, SNES, SEGA MegaDrive, N64 to the PC. I played the GTA series, Civilization, The Sims etc and ‘ended’ on Guild Wars. When I look at it like that it seems normal that I am struggling without gaming at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Priest Of Sin

BUT... I decided to attempt to get a scholarship on my Viola (musical instrument) this year, so the only thing that's gotten my to pry my fingers away from the keyboard was the 4 hours of practice a day I do. But even then, I find myself thinking about Guild Wars.

I was/am a keen violinist (more so now that I quit Guild Wars) and, like yourself, practised around 4 hours a day just for the sheer joy of it. I was working on the Tchaikovsky Concerto before I slipped in to GW and it enrages me to think that had I spent the 4,500 hours practising I might have mastered it (even the damned first movement). I can’t change the past so I won’t let it wind me up too much

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Priest Of Sin

I would quit, but I honestly don't think I can. I've met too many people, and I don't think I could just drop them.

Leaving the people was extremely hard. Some were supportive and some were discouraging of my decision but, ultimately, my wellbeing comes first. That’s not to say I didn’t care for others but it wasn’t like I was committing suicide… e-mail exists too

.

@Kalki.
We’re very alike. I also consider myself a perfectionist when it comes to something I’m passionate about, hence my characters each having Fissure armour which is ‘maximal’ in my eyes. Also, your view on evading/escaping current affairs (Iraq/environment etc.) all goes on inside my head too. I could rant on about them for hours or bury my head in a game and not get funny looks from people!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalki

I was starting to get out of shape, and I needed to lose some weight. (6' and 250 lbs... not too fat ) I'm currently down to 235 and I think I can get down to 220 lbs. for the summer.

5’ 11” and 109 lbs in October 2006. I’m now maintaining a healthier 124lbs. I don’t have an eating disorder; I just ate the wrong stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magic Warrior

Society has given online gamers a bad reputation. Sure, there are extreme cases of addiction to online games

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edge Martinez

Sometimes things are called an addiction only because other people think they are bad.

Thanks for that. It alerted me to the fact that the extent of my problem might be magnified by society, namely the media, who criticize gaming for the sake of making ‘scandal’ to improve circulation/viewing figures. I think the difference between obsession/addiction to things like sports, music and reading is that they lead to careers which makes them more ‘acceptable’ than gaming.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haijiibirdhead[/quote

But yes , I feel no pressure whatsoever to quit so I can somehow integrate myself with the outside world , because I think socialising in the outside world is overrated anyway.

You’ve got that right. Where I live, socializing for people my age is synonymous with binge drinking on the town which I have never liked. I hate pubs and clubs with their noisy music, flashy lights and wasted people squashed like sardines in a can. My family and neighbours look down on me with confusion as to why I don’t get drunk every weekend (or ever).

I’ve gone on a bit now and I know it’s like an agony post but I feel I’ve learned a lot and other people might learn too. Thanks!

Terra Xin · Mar 10, 2007, 11:15 AM // 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by makosi

I hate pubs and clubs with their noisy music, flashy lights and wasted people squashed like sardines in a can. My family and neighbours look down on me with confusion as to why I don’t get drunk every weekend (or ever).

You're aboslutely right. I hate nightclubs, and if I ever do drink, it will be at another person's house where I can hear myself speak. I want to have a good time, but when you spend half the night saying "WHAT DID YOU SAY???" (in both positive and negative connotations :P) it gets boring...

I think that if you have spent those 4500 hours playing guildwars, there is no way it could have been a waste. You have good memories to carry with you. At least with your age at 20 (did you say?) you have time to train yourself to be better organised with your life. It is possible to play guildwars still, and im not giving you an open window here, because you're not playing guildwars and thats that... but if you ever did play guildwars, then you MUST change your play-style to 'casual'. Like, don't grind for anything, and dont be tempted into any form of elitism - which would be common symptoms of game addiction.

Guild Wars 2 is going to smash you in the face like a brick. I have to be honest, if publicity even lays a hand on GW2, you're going to be attracted to it like a black hole :S. If its not for the pure attraction, it'll be curiosty, and that's enough for you to buy it. But remember one thing, be honest with yourself. Don't give yourself excuses... you can't answer to yourself if you screw up, because you already end up facing yourself with any consequences. Finally, keep in mind that there is nothing in what you do that makes you look like you have made a mistake. It's when you don't utilise or keep the things that you have experienced, that the time that you had used, was wasted.

---

I play PvP, mostly. But the reason why I manage to get off from playing more than 5 hours a day is because of:

1: University or Work (I have always prioritized these two over my life)
2: A stupid dumb idiot of a player who afk's in RA to leech faction.

A stupid dumb afker is basically enough to get me off from playing the game for the rest of the day. And I have been doing my part in trying to get Anet to look at this problem, but then I ask whether I'm really doing myself a favour or not :S.

Whenever my social life gets exciting, I find it really easy to lean away from GuildWars altogether, but that doesn't happen as often as it should. Anyway, I suppose I better not leave this post without filling in this "Am I addicted or not? Srvey" :P

• Daydreaming about Guild Wars in school/college/uni/work,
- Not daydreamed, but I've dreamt about GuildWars. The PvE scenery, especially.

• Spending 5 hours+ per day on it,
- Maybe on Fridays or Saturdays, but otherwise its generally 1-3 hours per day, which is still a concern (this includes time spent on forums)

• Avoiding school/college/uni/work or social events for it,
- Social events, yes I would choose GW over it. Only if I can give myself a credible excuse. If there's a really big GW weekend coming up, then I make plans for it. I would only avoid going to university when it stresses me out too much. And that just causes me to play GuildWars.

• Talking about it frequently
- Not IRL...

• Denying you play/being secretive
- I don't deny I play on the computer alot... everyone just thinks im some smart-assed nerd... I don't care either way :P.

• Anxiety in the absence of it.
- I used to have anxiety, but the Nightfall fad is starting to wear off :S. Forums is like taking cigarette patches, you still get your dose of satisfaction, youre just not taking it in directly.

• Attending fan sites/forums when you can’t/don’t play
- Yes. I especially enjoy the arguments I may have with other people over the definitions of skills. Especially with a particular person who knows absolutely nothing about double negatives, and when skill descriptions are informing players that they may suffer a health degeneration of minus one is actually saying that they get healed... but that just seems to fall on deaf ears... Don't worry, I have many out-of-game-skills at my disposal to get points across :P

creelie · Mar 10, 2007, 08:39 PM // 20:39

I have a somewhat addictive personality - doing things in moderation is a challenge for me, but I stop when I'm not having fun.

One of the things I like about Guild Wars is that it doesn't encourage addictive behaviour. The vast majority of quests and missions can be completed in half an hour or less, and the game even nags you when you've been playing for a long time.

Alias_X · Mar 10, 2007, 09:14 PM // 21:14

In 22 or 23 months I have played for under 900 hours. I barely play. Hell, if I was playing I wouldn't be posting this.

Ubernoob · Mar 11, 2007, 12:42 AM // 00:42

Wow... I quit after 500 hours...
The game just got real boring :/
I must say though when I did play I could go all day...
That was a little scary.