Curse

Mr Jazzy · Feb 26, 2006, 09:34 AM // 09:34

Sad but true story: I was an addict of video games and still struggle with it. Yep, it's pretty pathetic now that I look back on it. At an overall total of 600 hours, I have spent 600 hours too many on this game, let alone all other games. Some of you may question addiction, but ask yourself these questions:

-If I were to ask you to delete a character, would you do it?
-Could you quit playing just for one week?
-What is your future in this game, and how does it benefit you?

I know that the first two are extremely difficult for "hardcore" people, and since I know only hardcore people actually read these sites, these would be hard for all of you. You must be in awe at the thought of deleting a character. Most would think, "Why would I delete my character? That would only be wasting my time." But consider this: what is really playing a video game?

In what way does a video game benefit you so that you are actually using time instead of losing it? Just try deleting all of your characters. I dare you. Try NOT playing for a week, let alone a day for most people. See how many times the game will pop up in your head, just begging for your "video game fix" to be satisfied.

Take my advice: throw away all of your video games. Delete your characters and just think. Think about the symptoms of a drug-addict. You will share similarities. The period after doing so will be intense and hard. Why? BECAUSE YOU'RE ADDICTED! Because you'll feel emptiness, something that you are not supposed to. Just please consider this simple simple challenge as a first step to realizing you're addiction in video games. Most of you who read this will be skeptic and misunderstanding of your condition. Alot of you will find reasons for video games, but all of them pale in comparison to actually living out your life with purpose. There is nothing more lonely and depressing than living without reason or the feeling of fulfillment.

HERE IS MY CHALLENGE:
Try at first not to play Guild Wars for a whole day. If you can do that, great job. I'd say you aren't addicted. Now try that for a week. How are ya doing? Still able to do so? Well, you most likely aren't addicted and possess full control. (There are other things to life than a hollow game.) Now, do that for a month. Hardcore gamers at this point will realize just how tough this is. Maybe doing so will push you into a state of reflect: delete your characters and realize your affliction.

And before even flaming me to hell, just consider my questions.

Ultimate_Gaara · Feb 26, 2006, 10:11 AM // 10:11

Well I understand your point, I do play a lot of video games. However what else could I do in my spare time, watch tv, sleep, eat? The truth is some people have nothing else to do other than play video games, I don't have a girlfriend, nor do I have many friends period (I hate people, the human race is ignorant) so I am never invited out anywhere and no one ever wants to hang out with me. My house is totaly boring, 3 of the 7 rooms in my house are completely empty, ya, nothing to do there. Tv is all reality shows that I hate, the weather sucks so I can't go out there, I don't have anyone who wants to play hockey so thats out, my trampoline broke (word of advice, duct tape is not a perminate solution to fixing the problem), I don't even own a radio. The fact is I actualy enjoy being at school more than I do at home. So as you can see video games are my only way of passing the time when I get bored.

Now don't get me wrong I am not addicted infact I go many days without playing GW or any game for that matter, like today for example. However when I'm not preforming improv out in the community the truth is there is NOTHING I can do here. Its like negitive a million degrees outside and its snowing so I'm not sure I am really in the mood to build a house or anything.

However I do have a friend who is addicted to Final Fantasy 11, I mean I am a pretty big geek, but this guy is a major dorklord. So I guess I can kind of see what you are getting at here.

Mercury Angel · Feb 26, 2006, 11:20 AM // 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jazzy

Sad but true story: I was an addict of video games and still struggle with it. Yep, it's pretty pathetic now that I look back on it. At an overall total of 600 hours, I have spent 600 hours too many on this game, let alone all other games. Some of you may question addiction, but ask yourself these questions:

-If I were to ask you to delete a character, would you do it?
-Could you quit playing just for one week?
-What is your future in this game, and how does it benefit you?

-If I were to ask you to throw away all of your collectibles and other non-essentials, would you do it? Or at least a portion of them?
-Could you stop eating non-essential foods, sweets, fats, and the like for one week?
-What form of benefit do material possessions really bring you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jazzy

I know that the first two are extremely difficult for "hardcore" people, and since I know only hardcore people actually read these sites, these would be hard for all of you. You must be in awe at the thought of deleting a character. Most would think, "Why would I delete my character? That would only be wasting my time." But consider this: what is really playing a video game?

In what way does a video game benefit you so that you are actually using time instead of losing it? Just try deleting all of your characters. I dare you. Try NOT playing for a week, let alone a day for most people. See how many times the game will pop up in your head, just begging for your "video game fix" to be satisfied.

Gee, in what way does sitting in front of a TV watching a football game aid you? Even if you went to admire trees in a park, would that actually do anything for you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jazzy

Take my advice: throw away all of your video games. Delete your characters and just think. Think about the symptoms of a drug-addict. You will share similarities. The period after doing so will be intense and hard. Why? BECAUSE YOU'RE ADDICTED! Because you'll feel emptiness, something that you are not supposed to. Just please consider this simple simple challenge as a first step to realizing you're addiction in video games. Most of you who read this will be skeptic and misunderstanding of your condition. Alot of you will find reasons for video games, but all of them pale in comparison to actually living out your life with purpose. There is nothing more lonely and depressing than living without reason or the feeling of fulfillment.

Take my advice: You've bought into the brainwashing scheme of people who like to make out everyone to be addicts. People play video games because they enjoy them. If it weren't enjoyable to them, they wouldn't play them. Sometimes we do self-destructive things, like intaking too many sweets resulting in a cavity, and sometimes we do immoral things to get what we want, such as theft. That alone does not qualify for an addiction. Knowing what you want and going for it, despite some personal costs is what people do.
That's not to say there aren't real addictions. But you can't honestly say that being bored without a video game is on par with the 'need' for nicotine in a smoker. And yes, there're some people that have killed over video games, though one might question whether that was an obsession with the game, or whether or not they simply had violent tempers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jazzy

HERE IS MY CHALLENGE:
Try at first not to play Guild Wars for a whole day. If you can do that, great job. I'd say you aren't addicted. Now try that for a week. How are ya doing? Still able to do so? Well, you most likely aren't addicted and possess full control. (There are other things to life than a hollow game.) Now, do that for a month. Hardcore gamers at this point will realize just how tough this is. Maybe doing so will push you into a state of reflect: delete your characters and realize your affliction.

Umm, how about not? I play when I want to play at my leisure, and I don't when I don't want to. I went an entire month without GW when my computer fried, and simply switched from idling around in the game with friends, to idling around in real life with friends... wow, what a difference. [You'd have a better argument saying I was addicted to MSN Instant Messenger, by the way...]

Honestly, you're turning video games into some kind of demonic source of drama and destruction. TV hasn't turned our society into mindless zombies and addicts yet, and somehow, I doubt video games will either. The world didn't end with comics, television, the internet, integration of seperate races, but the way you paint things, it might as well end tomorrow with video games.

Are women addicted to clothing? Are men addicted to watching sports? Are people addicted to their cars? Are they addicted to non-essential food? Where do these addictions stop, pray tell? And which addictions are 'OK', and which ones are not?

Mr Jazzy · Feb 26, 2006, 06:38 PM // 18:38

I think you misinterpreted my post. You even manipulated my question "-Could you quit playing for a week?" into something like a "need", instead of a "want".

Obviously you aren't addicted, and I didn't make that post to offend you, but there are really people out there who can't peel themselves away from this game and don't realize it. I wasn't straight-on dissing any addicts, since I've gone through that and I understand.

And yes, if you are addicted to this game like marijuana or drugs, your whole life is falling apart. (Social, probably school, most likely health...and it ain't right.)

EDIT: And no addictions are good. Tell me one that is, and I'll show you something wrong with it.

PieXags · Feb 26, 2006, 06:48 PM // 18:48

I wonder if, in the future, this will need to be closed...bah, well for now I'll have faith in a new thread and try to understand it best I can.

Everyone has addictions, it's as simple as that. Addictions can be looked at as good, or bad. Chances are every single person who enjoys ANYTHING will become addicted to it in some sense. An artist wouldn't for the life of him stop his work just because someone felt he was addicted to it. A writer wouldn't not finish a book just because people only read books when they want to, a musician won't stop making music because half the country thinks his music sucks beyond all reason---we all enjoy certain things, and we do them because we enjoy them.

People who are "addicted" to video games play them, and benefit from them, because they get enjoyment out of doing so. They play video games for the same reason people spend their lives playing basketball, bowling, making music, running a restaurant, or anything else that could be considered a hobby, or action. Some people meet wonderful people online through video games, some become married to them. If you told those people they should break up because "playing video games is a bad addiction" or something like that, and that's how they met---they'd tell you off.

Nothing is pointless, not even addictions. People become attatched to their spouses, addicted to their presence---to such a point that they can hardly live with themselves when they lose that person, but nobody else gives a damn that those two are married---does that mean they should break up? Should they forget eachother and go their seperate ways just because being together doesn't find a cure for cancer, or bring peace to the middle east? Hell no, absolutely not. The only reason we live our lives is to do what we can, our lives and how we spend them are very important to us. If playing video games fulfills someone's life and time, then there's not a damn thing wrong with that. Just because you can't understand the importance of someone elses activities doesn't mean there's not sense and meaning in them. I don't understand why someone would want to spend their life as a professional bowler, but I know that if that's what provides a happy life for that person, that that's what they should do, because that's what we all do.

4runner · Feb 26, 2006, 07:03 PM // 19:03

I will not deny that i am addicted to video games and will not delete any characters, LOL !! I am not in denial, i now i have a video game addiction! But i could be addicted to far worse things.

ex:

1. drugs( not good but good!)
2.gambling
3.alcohol
4.women( lol)
5. my nissan 260z( have about 1200 hours invested in that car)

Although you bring up a good point in this thread, one must find time to enjoy other thing in life! aside from gaming, but i find it hard to enjoy other things when im gaming!!! LOL so choice is continue to game!

Addicted FTW!!!!!!!!!!

Mr Jazzy · Feb 26, 2006, 07:51 PM // 19:51

"Habitual psychological and physiological dependence on a substance or practice beyond one's voluntary control."
-Dictionary.com

Addiction to anything is bad, since you lose control. And in no way can they be good. At what point do you consider a writer addicted to his work, or a musician to music? Ever heard of workaholic? I'm sure that's a negative term. At the point where you lose control is when you are addicted. When a person cannot even bring themselves to do something else other than their addicted activity for a day.

Again, I am not trying to bend the truth, but help others realize what they could do instead of these games.

Addiction to ANYTHING AT ALL...is never good. Maybe some use the term as a humorous exaggeration ("I'm addicted to you, lover"), but it should stop at that. How do these sound:

"I'm addicted to working"
"I'm addicted to drugs"

Sure, both of those are definitely negative but only because alot of society has experienced those addictions. When will you see the connection in addictions? There is always the same bond. For example, drugs bring you to an intense high and keep you craving more and more with each repitition. Ever heard of WarCrack? How much time does it take to level from 1-5? Not very long, I'd say. Maybe like a little snort of cocaine. (You don't need that much the first time) And how about from levels 20-30? Getting a little harder, maybe a little more time? Yep.

(I just wanna help)

fiery · Feb 26, 2006, 08:05 PM // 20:05

Um dude I was suspended for 1 week, big deal. Um.. so ya. Warcraft 3 my savior, going out with friends, and having to play a friends account.

I mean I won't lie this game is getting a bit boring, click here, click that, 1,2,3,5,6,res, fun and all, it's mainly the people who keep me on the game and ventrillo and GVG and HOH and a bit of farming.

Pre-ordering Chapter 2 today ^^.

If I would be considered "addicted" it would be on WoW, cause of the vast new area a WHOLE new game and many things to find out. I would play it nonstop seeing what I can do, but that's just me and I don't have the game.

4runner · Feb 26, 2006, 08:06 PM // 20:06

I n order for 1 help others, they must first be able to help themselves!

Thanks but no thanks!

So what your saying is that even being addicted to lets say execerise or cardio workouts is a negative when we all know that, these are very good for you!

Addiction is a term to commonly used, many things are addicting sex, my kids, the love my wife shows me is addicting, how can this be so bad?

Dont throw that word around so liberally, and if you must there are positives and negatives to it! You unfornatley tend to see the negative effects of addiction but you see there are many forms of addiction Good & bad!

I tend to think of addiction as a good in that the addiction ihave for my kid, my wife, her love, work, family, gaming are all positive addictions in my eyes, and not to be consider negative or a sign of some phychological problem! We all have some form of addiction, whether you think you dont, You actually Do!

im no Doctor. but im addicted to many things and there all good!

Ultimate Warrior · Feb 26, 2006, 08:26 PM // 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultimate_Gaara

my trampoline broke (word of advice, duct tape is not a perminate solution to fixing the problem)

Hah I know what you mean... my trampoline had a hole in it and I decided to cover it with duct tape. One day when I was on it I bounced really high and did a flip and landed where the hole was and my leg went right through it... and the hole got much bigger. Now my trampoline has to get fixed somewhere which probably wont happen for a while.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jazzy

EDIT: And no addictions are good. Tell me one that is, and I'll show you something wrong with it.

Alright... Im addicted to perogies and air... how can you not be addicted to air

Mr Jazzy · Feb 26, 2006, 08:39 PM // 20:39

I know you are not addicted to exercise. And yes I have "helped myself". (I deleted the game and my characters already)

If you were addicted to exercise (addiction is an extreme term, I hope you know that), then I could consider you anorexic or on the scale of a steroid-freak. Exercising without control? (Addiction) You would be exercising through food, through sleep, through even the bathroom. How is that even good for you? Your healthy activity is now counter-productive, becoming the very thing you sought to fix. Relate these manners to video games. Some gamers play late into the night, and refuse themself of sleep, or even of eating sometimes. I know as an ex-gamer, when my mom used to call me for dinner, she'd have to call me 2 or 3 times.

Just the facts.

Mercury Angel · Feb 26, 2006, 08:40 PM // 20:40

Quote:

I think you misinterpreted my post. You even manipulated my question "-Could you quit playing for a week?" into something like a "need", instead of a "want".

Obviously you aren't addicted, and I didn't make that post to offend you, but there are really people out there who can't peel themselves away from this game and don't realize it. I wasn't straight-on dissing any addicts, since I've gone through that and I understand.

And yes, if you are addicted to this game like marijuana or drugs, your whole life is falling apart. (Social, probably school, most likely health...and it ain't right.)

EDIT: And no addictions are good. Tell me one that is, and I'll show you something wrong with it.

It's not so much as offence, as a mild annoyance. Had I taken personal offence to it, I'd have either engaged in flaming or closed it for the potential that others might perceive it as flame bait. It's still open, and I didn't call you an idiot, though I could have found another way of saying that I disagree with what makes an addiction, than that you're brainwashed. Bear in mind that the post was written late into the night/early into the morning.

Addiction has very strong connotations, entailing-
-A physical or psychological 'need'
-Withdrawl symptoms [usually for drugs...]
-Continuing the behaviour despite being aware of it being 'self-destructive' [inflicting social, emotional, or physical problems] to the degree they do it in
-An inability to seperate different portions of your life from it, such as work
-An inability to successfully stop, after repeated attempts

Of course, much of that is moot at this point, as the DSM-IV has even dropped general addiction entirely. They have specific 'dependencies' now, afaik.

A study on video game addiction in adolescents used an adapted criteria from a pathologic gambler;

Quote:

(1) is preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble)

(2) needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement

(3) has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling

(4) is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling

(5) gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)

(6) after losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even ("chasing" one's losses)

(7) lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling

(8) has committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling

(9) has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling]

(10) relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling

The problem with medical and psychological diagnoses is that with many of them, it's easy to manipulate it slightly to make anyone fit the criteria.
The real lesson to take home from what makes up an addiction would be the following 3 points;
1) Is this impacting my financial, academic, occupational, or social setting significantly in a negative manner?
2) Has this produced either a physical or psychological need in me, such that without it, I suffer withdrawl?
3) In the context of my behaviour in general, is it really any different? [ie Shoplifting to fuel a behaviour by a compulsive theif that shoplifts everything anyway, or video games played by a hermit, who hates interacting with people anyway, etc]

The people that spread around the whole video game addiction, internet addiction, TV addiction, have watered down the definition of what an addiction really is, in my opinion. They create general guidelines that anyone could fill, and start labeling people as addicts so that they can either get them to change their behaviour just because they don't like it, or to make money off of it, and they fail when it comes to the comparison of statistics, by mixxing up causality with correlation.

One study indicated that 'addicted' males are more likely to engage in aggressive behaviour and suffer academically. They neglect to mention their criteria for addiction, and discuss the possibility that rather than the 'addiction' fueling their behaviour, that the behaviour might be leading them to seek the action [playing video games] as an appropriate outlet for their behaviour. That is to say, look at an ADD person, with an inability to concentrate. Are they addicted to the TV that is distracting them from completing their task, or do they merely seek the TV as a distraction? Which is to say that if it weren't there, would they simply find something else to be distracted by?

Addictions are real, but to me, it feels like the people that most frequently use the words are like ones that have just discovered a different lifestyle and want to share with the world their new found joy, and attempt to convert friends/family/complete strangers. I don't disapprove of that, in and of itself, or any specific way of life in general. It's that the most vocal people tend to be the ones who know the least on the subject, which is not to say that that is applicable in this instance. I've just come to loathe seeing the word addiction in general now because of it. [Ironically, it could also apply for me!

]
We all do what we do because it feels good, when it comes right down to it, hence the saying that there's no such thing as altruism.

bulletsmile · Feb 26, 2006, 10:21 PM // 22:21

well i only play guild wars when i'm bored or don't have anything better to do, so some days i don't play at all, some days i play 1 hour and some days i play 3 hours....
i play guild wars becouse it's fun and i don't know anything better to do at that time, well i see your point anyway.
One advice: if you are involved in different stuff like playing an instrument, any sports or other hobbies it helps a lot to keep you away from your computer screen all the day.

Anyway, beeing addicted to games is a huge problem for many and a huge problem in countries like Korea!

d4nowar · Feb 27, 2006, 05:32 AM // 05:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jazzy

Ever heard of workaholic? I'm sure that's a negative term.

Workaholics can be viewed in a negative sense, but if I may, I am going to refer you to a recent Dilbert cartoon that says otherwise.

http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilber...-20060225.html

Too much of something can indeed be a good thing.

xxSilhouette · Feb 27, 2006, 01:43 PM // 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jazzy

-If I were to ask you to delete a character, would you do it?
-Could you quit playing just for one week?
-What is your future in this game, and how does it benefit you?

- No, I wouldn't

- Yeah I could if I really wanted to, I have went as long as 3 weeks not playing last summer, I was on vacation for two weeks and then for a week i just did other things.

- My future is getting the rest of my chars through THK and through the end of the game, Farming for gold for Chapter two, helping out guildies and of corse, Chapter 2.

Intresting challenge - But I doubt I'll do it, Its not that im hopelessy addicted to it, But i have nothing else to do really - and its fun to play games!

benmanhaha · Feb 28, 2006, 12:00 AM // 00:00

I don't really know how to describe my reaction to your post Mr.Jazzy. I would probably call it mild hatred. I really can't stand people that complain about video games. I send MAVAV monthly letters telling them why I can't stand them. People claim that video games make children crazy. They say that video games make kids stupid, makes them angry, or makes them lazy. They say that DOOM was the cause of the Columbine shooting. All that just makes me so mad. I'm tired of all these people trying to blame everything for the world's problems, like television, or the internet, or video games.

You sound like you have just seen the "light," and you want everybody else to come over to the good side. Well, leave it, there are very few, if none, here that will want to listen to this. You accuse us of of being addicted, but you really can't back that up.

Good day! I said good day to you sir!!

xxSilhouette · Feb 28, 2006, 01:13 PM // 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by benmanhaha

I don't really know how to describe my reaction to your post Mr.Jazzy. I would probably call it mild hatred. I really can't stand people that complain about video games. I send MAVAV monthly letters telling them why I can't stand them. People claim that video games make children crazy. They say that video games make kids stupid, makes them angry, or makes them lazy. They say that DOOM was the cause of the Columbine shooting. All that just makes me so mad. I'm tired of all these people trying to blame everything for the world's problems, like television, or the internet, or video games.

You sound like you have just seen the "light," and you want everybody else to come over to the good side. Well, leave it, there are very few, if none, here that will want to listen to this. You accuse us of of being addicted, but you really can't back that up.

Good day! I said good day to you sir!!

This is true...someone does something bad and they blame anything else - in my opinion its not the video games or the internet or tv...people will do what people will do - doesn't matter what they watch or play.

Duke Slytalker · Feb 28, 2006, 01:43 PM // 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultimate_Gaara

Well I understand your point, I do play a lot of video games. However what else could I do in my spare time, watch tv, sleep, eat? The truth is some people have nothing else to do other than play video games, I don't have a girlfriend, nor do I have many friends period (I hate people, the human race is ignorant) so I am never invited out anywhere and no one ever wants to hang out with me. My house is totaly boring, 3 of the 7 rooms in my house are completely empty, ya, nothing to do there. Tv is all reality shows that I hate, the weather sucks so I can't go out there, I don't have anyone who wants to play hockey so thats out, my trampoline broke (word of advice, duct tape is not a perminate solution to fixing the problem), I don't even own a radio. The fact is I actualy enjoy being at school more than I do at home. So as you can see video games are my only way of passing the time when I get bored.

Now don't get me wrong I am not addicted infact I go many days without playing GW or any game for that matter, like today for example. However when I'm not preforming improv out in the community the truth is there is NOTHING I can do here. Its like negitive a million degrees outside and its snowing so I'm not sure I am really in the mood to build a house or anything.

However I do have a friend who is addicted to Final Fantasy 11, I mean I am a pretty big geek, but this guy is a major dorklord. So I guess I can kind of see what you are getting at here.

on those 2 points i couldnt agree with u more, ppl as a race r stupid. and since i have few "real" friends i do like scholl more than home, dont get me wrong i do stuff thats not videos games.i never miss a chance to go see an underground rock show if i can get in, but they dont even happen once a week

and as far as not playing for a week, i did that when my comp went down for a week. sure it sucked, i wanted to play but it wasnt like i was "addicted" most of all i wanted to talk to my friends online(as i have more in common with them than 7/8 of the ppl at my school

Fatty Fatty Boomballati · Feb 28, 2006, 10:16 PM // 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jazzy

"Habitual psychological and physiological dependence on a substance or practice beyond one's voluntary control."
-Dictionary.com

Hmmmmm....
Sounds like we are all addicted to alot of things.

bulletsmile · Feb 28, 2006, 10:24 PM // 22:24

I only look at this as a game and not anything serious, but a lot of people are sad to say addicted, like people are addicted to smoke and drugs...
Maybe they should make a max limit for how long you can play games.....like: if you have played guild wars in 2-3 hours a day the program will close and you will not be able to play guild wars before the next day, and ofcourse this thing waits if you are in uw, fow...............Don't know if it would help though.. addicted players would probably play other games too then.