Gamers Have Found Moderation
View Large ImagePerhaps it's age. Perhaps it's maturity. Perhaps it's due to the wider mainstream appeal and the influx of casual gamers. But whatever the reason, I believe gamers have really located equilibrium in regards to their favorite hobby; it's this moderation that wields the heaviest part of the sledgehammer as it smashes down the wall of stereotypes.
Those who recall the '80s and '90s should remember the #1 assumption: it wasn't so much that gamers were geeks, but more so that all were "addicted" to video games. The term "addiction" is one that veteran gamers have battled all their lives, and for the time being, let me say that it's easy to assign such a label to certain people. For instance, if the socially awkward kid didn't attend any of the various social gatherings at school, he was "in solitary" most of the time. And when games are the most fun you can have by yourself, you tend to spend a great deal of time participating in your favorite hobby (perhaps by default, but nevertheless). Therefore, "addiction" is often the first word the uninitiated would associate with gamers: if you said you loved games, the vast majority of the mass populace immediately believed you were "addicted." This, of course, was very rarely the case.
If you're not familiar, look up the definition of "addiction" in the a scientific journal or the diagnostic manual for Psychology. If you read that definition, you will soon understand just how ludicrous it sounds to be considered "addicted" to video games. Do you see the qualifications you would have to meet? 99% of the time, it's laughable. But, all this being said, I will freely admit that avid gamers did spend an awful lot of time in front of the TV, and as I've gotten older, I've noticed it less and less. It has finally gotten to the point where if someone says they play games, most don't think they partake of the hobby any more often then someone who likes to go to the theater and watch movies. Moderation is the key. Gamers go out and do other things these days; the majority simply list interactive entertainment as one of their favorite pastimes. Nothing more. As for me, I make a living writing about them, but even saying this isn't enough to elicit the "addictive" response.
Ten or fifteen years ago? Pfft. People would've tried to commit me. They would've actually been frightened. Furthermore, I was not only an addict, but I was mere seconds away from taking out a chainsaw. Seriously, the mainstream populace just didn't get gaming, and when the mainstream media exclusively ran negative stories, you couldn't really blame the masses. It was, however, maddeningly infuriating. These days, because it has become quite obvious that "addiction" is almost never accurate and the uneducated can't pin the world's woes upon video games, everything is so much easier. It's a testament to gamers the world over who have stepped outside, participated in other activities and in general, acted like adults. Moderation...is...good. And we still get to do what we love to do. ;)
6/26/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments
Karosso
Friday, June 26, 2009 @ 11:05:28 PM
I am playing it or more accurately was playing it but had to stop due to retinal detachment. Can't way for my right eye to recover to go back to it. I find much hard to play it with one eye only, not so much other games that are not FPS.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 26, 2009 @ 11:09:25 PM
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www
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 8:03:49 AM
Karosso, what are you saying?
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Karosso
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 10:58:23 AM
The surgery was a success and I should be 100% in a month. No so easy to play FPS with just one eye, but FF7 is not so hard LOL.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 26, 2009 @ 11:09:00 PM
Reply
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Karosso
Friday, June 26, 2009 @ 11:13:16 PM
About RPGs, what did you think of Valkyria Chronicles? Just played the demo and fell in love with it! is the game itself that good?
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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 26, 2009 @ 11:25:06 PM
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Karosso
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 9:32:50 AM
Have you play the demo? Its short but it gives you an idea of how it plays and I must say its very engaging.
Last edited by Karosso on 6/27/2009 9:34:46 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 4:01:40 PM
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Karosso
Friday, June 26, 2009 @ 11:09:52 PM
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I have to admit that some games did have me burning way past the midnight oil, mostly Warcraft 2, even during weekdays, I would play until 3 am having to work the next day. Can't afford to do it anymore, getting older and the body needs it rest LOL.
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tlpn99
Friday, June 26, 2009 @ 11:19:17 PM
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Last edited by tlpn99 on 6/26/2009 11:19:43 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 26, 2009 @ 11:26:12 PM
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SerichA
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 12:29:50 AM
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Moderation=boredom when you don't spend all of your free time with games. Not that they are boring, but boring enough to not occupy all of your free time.
As for addiction, most addictive stuff (alchohol, drugs, etc) are addictive for no other reason than their effects on the brain. As for games, they are not and never will be addictive because they are intellectually interesting, not mindless.
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BikerSaint
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 1:55:53 AM
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Yeah it's great, luv the game.
So far now I'm part way thru the Cheddar Gourge(don't want to give any spoilers way for any late blooming Resistance fighters(like myself).
But that Stalker mech was a bitch, & those hundreds of scorpion looking Leapers really don't have any table manners as they kept munching out on me(So far, they've given me the most frigging trouble, but I did get them figured out now & I've been coaxing a few of them out at a time & then springing my traps on them.
BTW, hope all goes well with your recovery & wishing you full & speedy, back-to-normalness in short order.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 6/27/2009 1:57:32 AM
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Karosso
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 9:27:47 AM
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chicko1983
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 3:27:35 AM
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ffrevenge
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 6:50:46 AM
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Swavey
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 3:55:16 AM
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Last edited by Swavey on 6/27/2009 3:55:26 AM
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slayerkillemall
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 4:04:07 AM
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BikerSaint,i loved the demo(first one)still got to buy it though,like you,i wait until it goes down in price....
Ben,yesterday looking in the box of my past i found the original Final Fantasy For NES...(maybe you should do an article on it)...
Last edited by slayerkillemall on 6/27/2009 4:07:27 AM
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Fatcat3788
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 4:40:05 AM
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In regards to your article, sorry Ben I still get called an addict. Hell! I get called an addict by WOWers. Thanks though, this makes me feel better.
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www
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 10:19:28 AM
Picture Chris Redfield of Resident Evil 5,that's Ben.
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Gone
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 11:13:49 AM
www(dot)facebook(dot)com/people/Ben-Dutka/11905228
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 4:25:11 PM
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Gone
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 5:54:03 PM
I didn't mean to offend you Ben, I thought that it was you on facebook. So then someone made a fake account using your name?
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 8:23:11 PM
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Phoelix
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 8:59:33 AM
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But this phenomenon happens with a LOT of things--just about anything where there's something to work toward.
Drugs take control of the whole reward system in our brains, and that's why they are so addicting. We are so "rewarded" that we want to go back and do it again. Except it takes more to get back to that state the next time, and the next time, and our brains turn into swiss cheese.
I think there's a subtle difference.
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Gone
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 10:18:19 AM
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DarthNemesis
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 5:33:06 PM
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Scarecrow
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 5:37:56 PM
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I really don't care what people think of my gaming. I'll play whatever games I want whatever amount of time I want.
As long as everything else is fine.
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ffrevenge
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 7:30:05 PM
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BikerSaint
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 9:11:14 PM
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I'm 56(but only till Nov 5th)
@slayerkillemall
Just an FYI, If you buy it used, Gamestop's selling R:FOM for $19.99 now, & if you have their "EDGE" card, it drops even lower in price to around $17.
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BikerSaint
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 9:40:17 PM
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YES, I AM AN ADDICT!!!!
When I'm playing a game, I get the feeling of being on drugs.
While in the game, "BANG"...I get an immediate head rush & go into in long states of euphoria as my mind gets immersed further & further into my game.
But at that exact moment when I actually finish the game, my brain becomes numb, my body's spent from being in hyper-overdrive so long, & I get that big sudden crash from knowing I can't get another fix again, until I'm "popping" another game. And if there isn't another game for me to score immediately, then melancholy set's in.
And thanks to all those damned crack-addicting game developing pushers, now I'm way too far gone to even think about going into any 12-step programs!!!!!
(Nor do I want to)!!!!!!
Last edited by BikerSaint on 6/27/2009 9:41:22 PM
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kevyd09
Sunday, June 28, 2009 @ 3:16:37 AM
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slayerkillemall
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 2:49:25 AM
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BikerSaint
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 11:33:02 AM
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What...that I'm 56, or is it that I have an Edge card? LOL
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Skatejimmy5
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 12:48:46 PM
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I don't really know what this had to do with moderation, but whatever. I guess I just wanted to prove that I can play games, have a social life and a career all at the same time.
;)
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BikerSaint
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 5:49:12 PM
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er...OK guy, but I'm not shaving my legs for you!
And you're still not getting my Bud Liight! LOL
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Robochic
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 6:02:00 PM
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I have found moderation in my gaming I PLAY MORE than i did before but once i go back to work in Nov then DAMN that will end.
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BikerSaint
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Friday, June 26, 2009 @ 10:36:02 PM
And although I still play for hours on end some days, the only thing I've ever found myself addicted to is...breathing, LOL
Ok, it's now back to the fight in the Cheshire chapter of Resistance:FOM for me
Last edited by BikerSaint on 6/26/2009 10:39:20 PM