Will Anyone Say It? Online Gaming Is Obviously Addictive
We need to stop dancing around this. Seriously.
In the news recently was the story of an Ohio teen who had to be hospitalized after collapsing "multiple times" during a four-day Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 marathon. Dehydration was apparently the surface culprit, but the clear underlying culprit seems clear: Addiction.
It's a nasty word and one I hate to use in association with video games, because ever since the 80s, we gamers had to suffer the constant ignorant accusations from clueless parents and members of the mainstream. The #1 most annoying belief was that video games were essentially crack and anyone who played them was instantly addicted. Having a psychology degree and knowing a little something about the term, I know "addiction" is a very strong and serious word and it almost never applies to someone who likes to play video games.
But there is a caveat. Whenever I get on my soapbox and try to explain to the out-of-touch majority that gaming is really no different than movies or any other form of entertainment, and is no more addictive than those other mediums, I have to step back and make an admission. And it's this- Online multiplayer gaming has proven to be very addictive. The only true forms of addiction I've ever heard of have involved games with names like Everquest and in general, I am firmly convinced that MMOs are far more addictive than any other type of video game.
And now Call of Duty is the most popular name in the industry today and literally millions of hours are lost to it worldwide. Of course, 99.9% of those hours (if not more) focus on the online multiplayer portion. I have never seen regular ol' casual or single-player-oriented gamers lose a fraction as much time to those who focus on MMOs or online multiplayer in general. I mean, it's not even close. If you ever find an actual case of video game addiction, I will bet every penny I own that the source of the addiction will involve multiplayer in some capacity.
You may start seeing this evidence in future studies as well. The most hardcore gamers out there won't be found collapsed somewhere because they just kept playing Final Fantasy VII over and over. Perhaps it's just as simple as that: Online multiplayer never ends. And because it never ends, people don't stop. Could it really be that simple? Perhaps it is. But I do know this- If you find someone who loves to play games, and they basically only do single-player, the chances of that person being truly addicted to the hobby are slim to none. If, on the other hand, that person spends all his time playing online, regardless of the game... Sadly, I'd say the chances have risen steeply.
That kid's mother took away his Xbox 360, by the way. She didn't need to do that. Just kill the Internet connection and I guarantee that'll cure him.
Tags: gaming, video games, online gaming, multiplayer gaming
8/8/2012 8:43:08 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (42 posts)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:04:59 PM
Temjin001
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 11:52:54 PM
xenris
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 9:44:40 AM
I would think there are degrees of addiction. I know the severe qualities of someone who is addicted to say cigarettes. But I think the subtlety of video game addiction is what is scary.
I went through a phase when I was a teen where I would not hang out with friends because I wanted to play a game, but I would tell them I was busy with something else. I had other friends who did it too. While it didn't effect my health because I became aware of it and realized real life wasn't all that bad, it did affect my social life, and marks in school.
I definitely think people get addicted to video games more than just the extreme cases we see or hear about that result in death or near death. Although the degree of the addiction is less severe, and I suppose not a TRUE definition of the word, but can be a problem none the less.
On a different topic I became addicted to exercise and it DID effect my health. I just constantly pushed myself, and the sad part was everyone around me just thought I was a hard worker. Until I crashed from severe over reaching. I think what I'm trying to say is you can get addicted to all sorts of things but they might never get out of control like a substance addiction, but that if you don't become aware of what your doing whether thats on your own or someone close brings it up, then you might spiral down that path.
Last edited by xenris on 8/9/2012 9:45:23 AM
Temjin001
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 10:59:44 AM
I've been hitting the gym hard for the last several weeks, mostly weight training. Best shape I've been since my early twenties.
And btw, Wheat protien isolate may be cheap, but it tastes like liquid death. never get it. and I'm not one of those Muscle Milk creme puffs who turn their nose up at anything that doesn't have like 10 grams of fat per serving =p
Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/9/2012 11:00:24 AM
xenris
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 12:27:52 PM
I would say stick to just good old fashioned milk if your not lactose intolerant, just make sure its really good quality. Or if your feeling really squirelly you can try goat or sheep milk, as they are easier to digest and rich in protein as well. I personally think most protein powders are a waste of money. I only have one as a back up in case I can't get a good meal in, and its a vegan blend(not that I'm vegan) because I can't do dairy, or whey as I don't gots the mutation for it :P It makes my head ache really bad.
Good on you for exercising though. I love hearing people getting more active its always awesome.
Temjin001
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 2:23:38 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:13:13 PM
bigrailer19
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:56:04 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:21:44 PM
And as far as I'm concerned, the only reason CoD is so popular is because in truth, its online multiplayer is, for some people, a drug. Thousands upon thousands of hours for lone individuals. Skyrim wouldn't boast 1/100th of those hours.
cLoudou
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:25:56 PM
Temjin001
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 11:53:48 PM
Beamboom
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 1:48:42 AM
I guess Ben use COD as an example instead simply since this is a console centric site, and COD arguably is the largest online game for consoles.
Last edited by Beamboom on 8/9/2012 1:50:25 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:47:24 PM
And you're absolutely right that junk food is addictive. The excessive salt and fat is basically what does it.
And you don't want to ask me if those things should be available....as far as I'm concerned, junk food is essentially killing us (and also turning us into prescription junkies) and should disappear. I don't think we need anything that has no redeeming value.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 11:42:56 PM
We know what's bad and what isn't. We all do. There's nowhere near as much gray area as some people want us to believe.
xenris
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 9:58:54 AM
As a fitness trainer and coach, I am really passionate about the food I eat and try to eat everything from scratch. Basically I haven't eaten anything from a package in about 8 years except for stuff that is clean like, organic baked corn chips that have 3 ingredients or something like that you know. But everything else is pretty much veggies, brown rice, barley, clean organic meats, fruit etc all locally purchased from farmers I know around here.
Problem is how ben says it. You can't just remove things passed a certain attachment point. It goes for everything from food to cigarettes.
kraygen
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:39:12 PM
Reply
I don't find it surprising, as gaming becomes more popular I'm sure we'll hear of more and more cases like this. Not everyone is an addict, but some of us are and some of us just haven't found our "drug" yet.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 10:48:15 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 11:44:51 PM
telly
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 10:59:32 AM
duomaxwell007
Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 11:11:42 PM
Reply
cLoudou
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 12:17:28 AM
Beamboom
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 1:46:16 AM
ProfPlayStation
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 3:39:48 AM
Not looking for work because you'd rather play video games is simply laziness and unbalanced priorities.
duomaxwell007
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 7:24:12 AM
But answer this question then.. what about those people who play everquest hours and days on end that started off "perfect" before they started played but when they started they couldnbt stop and ended up quitting their jobs and neglecting thier wives and children, or what about the guy that killed himself over it.... what would yuo call that? addiction or laziness?
ProfPlayStation
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 10:10:50 AM
Yes, that would be addiction. When the activity in which you feel a compelling need to indulge (not a want--a need) causes negative effects in your life and you can't break away from it.
That's different from saying: I don't want to go to work, I'd rather game because it's so much fun. I'm not addicted to the beach if I decide to quit my job so that I can go there every day to enjoy the sun. I'd be irresponsible, not addicted.
duomaxwell007
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 5:12:01 PM
Snaaaake
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 3:12:01 AM
Reply
Second, if you keep getting killed you'll keep on trying till you're satisfied and then go back to the first option.
The thing is, you gotta KNOW how to control yourself.
To be honest here, I can game for days if I choose to but I don't and never will.
My longest record stands at 26 hours straight, was still in school that time and my family all went abroad for holiday while I chose to stay at home.
Called in delivery from Pizza Hut and played Maple Story all day, started at 6am, looked at the clock at times to make sure I take my lunch and bath.
Didn't care about sleeping at all until 5am next day, keep telling myself I''ll go to sleep after this quest but I didn't.
I eventually stopped and go to sleep, don't how I did it but I did.
After turning off my PC and it was 8am, I was like," My goodness, felt like I just vibrate my body at lightspeed."
And that was the first and last time I ever did a marathon.
My advice, DON'T EVER DO A VIDEO GAME MARATHON EVEN WHEN YOU THINK YOU CAN.
ProfPlayStation
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 3:24:18 AM
Reply
I think it has much more to do with online games creating a feeling that you MUST be there, for your guild, your team, your ranking, whatever. Online games--MMOs in particular--are specifically structured so as to create this feeling, that your presence is required at all times. Single-player games do not function this way.
Beamboom
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 4:12:47 AM
Excelsior1
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 3:51:17 AM
Reply
For me, there are few gaming experiences that rival the thrill of going up against high level competition in an online game. There are some extremely high level and talented online gamers out there that can humble you pretty damn quickly if you can't adapt and think on your feet quickly. Temjin mentions above that he loves walking away from great matches hopefully learning a bit more. That is exactly how I feel and like he says it is very rewarding.
Last edited by Excelsior1 on 8/9/2012 3:52:43 AM
Ultimadesires
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 4:11:43 AM
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Take Trophies for another example, I know I used to be addicted to getting them now I'm over the 1'500 point they're losing interest. But look at the new MGS4 trophy patch, it requires you to get all of the emblems, that is at least 10 playthroughs which require specific tasks like Chicken playing for over 35 hours. I just platinumed all the MGS HD collection, so I feel I really have to get this one done too. But then I also feel that way as MGS is one of my favourite gaming series (second only to Final Fantasy).
Then you look at a lot of formulas of games. Even back to platformers like Crash Bandicoot, which you can complete by just beating all the levels, but when you have all the Gems and Relics too, it just never feels enough. Or GTA with is hidden packages/pigeons - I am sure I am not the only one who couldn't be bothered and used a walkthrough. But I still felt a need to do it.
What makes a game more addictive is the interactivity. You get from it what you put in. Now when I get a new RPG like Final Fantasy I want to explore absolutely everything. which at times can lead up to over 100 hours. But for a game (especially RPG's) we love sidequests, it adds more value to the game. Look at XIII, everyone even complained when the sidequests were reduced to monster hunts.
As for online, I have to admit it's not something I ever took seriously, I just got bored of killing people in deathmatches. Though I did clock 200 hours on Metal Gear Online as that allowed more much more interactivity and fun. But I never cared for leveling up my rank and whatever else.
Rogueagent01
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 4:33:28 AM
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Then the only online game that I got addicted too was Battlefield 2: Modern Combat. The difference with that one is I was able to keep my job, however I got sick all the time because I would rarely sleep. I also bought the game like 6 months after it came out and let it sit on my shelf for another 6 months before I played it, once I started playing it I didn't touch another game for well at least 3500 hours of playtime. I ended up being in the top 100 worldwide and in the top 30 for the Engineer class, which I still consider my best gaming feat since I started playing a year after most people.
Now I don't get addicted to any games, luckily through all the mistakes with addiction that I have made over the years, I have become pretty self aware and notice these things before they get out of control.
Solid Fantasy
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 5:36:21 AM
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Ludicrous_Liam
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 7:34:24 AM
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...I just don't want to right now :p
I'll be honest, there is one game where I have devoted well in excess of 600 hours to, and that's the online portion of Uncharted. But I think it's just because it's so damn good, rather than being addicted to it. I believe so, anyway.
tridon
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 8:16:37 AM
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Last edited by tridon on 8/9/2012 8:18:26 AM
xenris
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 10:04:30 AM
Reply
All these things create the perfect environment for people to get addicted. Its that classic carrot on the stick set up and it works brilliantly.
But like everything its up to us to become aware of our problems and be honest with ourselves. To teach our children boundaries and good ethics so they will be less likely to be sucked into these addictive games.
Its not the games fault even though they do use sneaky tricks to lure you to play, it is ultimately up to the person in this case, whether or not they continue to stagnate their life because of video games.
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 09, 2012 @ 10:50:09 AM
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Temjin001
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Wednesday, August 08, 2012 @ 9:54:01 PM
Another friend of mine stopped playing video games because he didn't want it to be a distraction in life. But in it's place he just watched more movies ( he was also a movie buff). No time was really saved, the void was filled with something equally as "lost" or "wasted." Personally, I don't understand how people can watch two movies back to back (unless we're talking Star Wars or LotR =p THat's hard for me to do.
But anyway, more to the online stuff. While these sort of stories cause me to want to attack multiplayer gaming, I think there's a lot to consider. I do think MMO's and the thrill of competitive online games can bring out the worst in some people. But I also think there's a good many, probably the vast majority who know where their priorities are. I hope anyway.
WoW has had over 10 million active players for a long time, and other MMO's have a big draw as well. And COD's and FPS games in general draw in gamer's by the millions. If gamers prefer playing online over single player games, fine. I suppose that makes them the more marketable, more attractive game type.
Personally, I like online games. I like fighting games online, specifically. For me action games exhaust me after 30-60mins, especially fighters. I do feel the most videogame fullfillment from my bouts online. It's pure game play. And it's mono y mono skills that draws out a lot of excitement in me. I love walking away from great matches, hopefully learning just a bit more, becoming just a bit sharper, and wiser in play. The game play does feel infinitely rewarding.