80°

Do Video Games Make Depression Worse?

Phil Owen at Kotaku writes:

"Until recently, I had never considered the idea that my gaming habit, which could charitably be described as heavy, could be harmful to my mental health. It wasn't just that I dismissed that idea; the idea had never popped into my head.

But as psychological professionals debate whether or not "gaming addiction" should be listed as a condition in the next update to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the psychological Bible)—and as I finally take my mental health seriously—I am reevaluating that idea. I'm reevaluating it, even though my psychiatrist and my therapist have never discussed gaming as an issue.

Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot of scientific data, in the form of psychological studies, to help me out in my journey of self-discovery. There are, however, a few researchers who are intent on studying the possible link between gaming and mental disorders like depression. I spoke with two of them to get a more p...

ab5olut10n4204d ago

CoD's popularity depresses me. Does that count?

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ArcticWolfUK4204d ago

Gaming does not cause depression, people who suffer from depression are just more likely to play games.

Hicken4204d ago (Edited 4204d ago )

As a long time gamer and sufferer of depression, I agree. That escape is crucial to coping, or it was for me. I wasn't addicted to gaming, but wanting to get further in a game was one of the few things that kept bad thoughts at bay.

I don't know if being depressed makes a person more likely to get addicted. I suppose it's possible, but then that potential for addiction must be there in the first place. I think, overall, the two things are separate situations that just so happen to overlap from time to time. The same can be said for many situations.

Edit: No, I don't think so. Because those "frustrations" can just be pushed aside. The good thing about video games is that you can just walk away if you're getting frustrated with things not going your way. You can change games or just not play at all; can't do that with life, and that's why video games are popular for people struggling in such a way.

In any case, don't go thinking you've figured anything out. I assure you that you haven't.

Ben_Grimm4204d ago

You suffer from depression Hicken? Hmmmm, it's starting to come together now.

Let me ask you does the frustating nature of video games i.e dying, difficult levels, gameplay, would those factors add add to depression?

ape0074204d ago

if u are really depressed, you'll not even find the slightest of pleasure in games

StrawberryDiesel4204204d ago

This is spot on. I was gaming regularly for years but up until recently I have stopped due to the fact that I'm just not feeling it. People tell me I'm depressed, but real life isn't peachy all the time, and for me recently its been tough to say the least. I noticed whenever I pop in a game, I just can't let it absorb me like I once did. Life problems just seems so much more important and they consume my thoughts. I almost sold all my games except a few gems, then I figured maybe I am really depressed and one day again I will enjoy gaming. Your comment describes exactly how I've been feeling lately and reminds me that I'm definitely depressed.

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150°

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2's Scope Was Impacted by Xbox Series S Limitations

Wccf tech writes: "Kingdom Come Deliverance 2's scope was impacted by the Xbox Series S hardware limitations, as developers could only make a game that was 25% bigger than its predecessor."

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wccftech.com
-Foxtrot6h ago

This is the issue with things like this

Xbox Series X is apparently to MS the worlds most powerful console

However the Series S is obviously a limitation because it’s underpowered and developers have to go for parity.

So what’s the point of the world’s most powerful console if you are holding third party developers back? They aren’t going to push themselves if they have to think about the weakest console.

The issue wouldn’t be as bad if it was just Xbox but you are also affecting the PS version aswell

I think developers need to start just taking advantage of a console and if one of them can’t do X Y and Z then f*** them…why should the others suffer. What’s MS going to do? The bigger the franchise the least chance MS are going to tell them to f*** off. Baulders Gate 3 seemed to have stood their ground and suddenly their “strict” parity rule didn’t really matter. We suddenly got super optimisation efforts for the Series S that got things sorted.

anast3h ago

I agree, and the sad part is use normal folk saw it the second they announced their plans.

LucasRuinedChildhood7h ago

More info from the author of the article, I think: https://www.reddit.com/r/ki...

Quote:
"1) I was told this info from the producer of the game Martin Klíma.
2) He specifically said the game will have only one mode.
3) And this mode is 4K 30 on PS5/XSX and 1440p 30 on XSS.
4) He said that the game is already running north of the 30 FPS cap so the performance should be stable on launch, much better than KCD1.
5) The limitation was XSS because of the 10GB memory. He said that's why they wanted to make the game 25% larger.
6) Speculation on my part: the output resolution is probably upscaled and the reason why there won't be a 60 FPS mode is because it'll most likely be very CPU heavy, like Dragon's Dogma 2 for example."

Doesn't seem like they're adding a 40fps mode on PS5/Series X for launch even if they can handle it.

Sgt_Slaughter3h ago

I'd much rather have 1440p/60fps or even 45fps. Having just one, even with the Series S in mind, is disappointing.

franwex1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

Remember when xbots were adamant that the series s won’t hold back the gen?

Microsoft just needs to let go of the mandatory parity. Who cares if your grandma doesn’t understand that a game cannot be played on the S. It’s not like it she can buy you a physical game for it anyway. Before buying the game put up a notice that it only works on series X. If you’re buying for a friend-allow for a refund.

Bam. Everyone is happy. Most series s owners are for casuals that want Game Pass anyway and most likely don’t purchase most games.

If the developers want it to run on S, let them figure it out.

Jin_Sakai1h ago

“During the event, the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 producer also revealed that on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the game will run at 4K resolution and 30 frames per second“

Another “creative decision” right? 🤦‍♂️

IHateNate1h ago

Amateur hour. Very incapable developer.

Outside_ofthe_Box50m ago(Edited 49m ago)

Since you're not an amateur and clearly know more than them, can you over there and help get the game running on the S without having to sacrifice their true vision. Us gamers would really appreciate you using your wisdom for good 🙏

IHateNate46m ago

Thousands of games run just fine on S.

But Kingdom Come is the game that can’t. Must be one hell of a game!

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100°

Celebrate the Diablo Anniversary with March of the Goblins

Come celebrate the 1-year anniversary of Diablo IV and the 2-year anniversary of Diablo Immortal! There are heaps of rewards to mark these celebrations with a bounty of devilish goods across both games.

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terminalgamer.com
anast8h ago

This game is about to get buried by Path 2.

LordoftheCritics7h ago

Still no global chat or group finder.

The emptiest MP game ever made.

OtterX7h ago

1 more month then I can celebrate 1 year since i stopped playing and uninstalled the game.

Walalon5h ago

We are on the same team brother!

Rynxie2h ago

I uninstalled d4 after they kept screwing over the sorc build and I beat the game. I also uninstalled immortal after reading the end. I actually went back to d2r here and there.

70°

Tales of the Shire Stands at a Fork in the Road Regarding Magic

Tales of the Shire has many hurdles to jump to live up to the J.R.R. Tolkien masterpiece, and magical elements might be its most pertinent one.

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gamerant.com