Video Game Addiction

DualShockers writes:

I often refer to playing video games, or a certain video game, to being like crack. If it is like crack then I'm a junkie. I'm opening a window to you so you can take a peak into the life of a video game addict. To some of you who are reading this, it may seem more like a mirror than a window. I want you to keep in mind during this short bio about about myself.

[taz8080]

I can very much relate to this. I often miss calls or send people to vmail when I am playing games.

[Maddens Raiders]

...I'm addicted to video games and use drugs while I play them.

[taz8080]

I think the addictive power of WoW is unmatched! they literally have a hold over their players!

[iiprotocolii]

And that has a lot to do with Blizzard being able to supply fresh content when needed. They are smart folks and not to mention that there's always something to do in MMOs like WoW.

[Model]

how can someone be addicted to such a sh!tty game ? i played it and was disgusted

[BROOKLYN N-M-E]

Can relate. Too often I set aside the more important things just to get in "one more match".

[BROOKLYN N-M-E]

Addicted to games, I'm addicted to pwning noobs!

[iiprotocolii]

The majority of gamers are addicts. Dads, single dudes, kids, teens, whatever it is, gaming has become a very addicting habit. And it's been becoming so, and will continue to do so, as graphics improve making things feel and look realistic. Personally, I can say that, by definition as per that article, I'm a game addicts as are probably the majority of the gamers that visit N4G.

[Chadness]

The term "addicts" is often used in a negative connotation, but whether it's negative or not when referring to video games is subjective. I play a lot, and at one point in my hardcore WoW days I would have considered myself addicted in a bad way. But just playing a couple marathon sessions each week or every other week does not a game addict make. Skipping certain phone calls or ignoring the knock on the door isn't limited to my time playing games either. Still, I can definitely relate to the definition of video game addict used in the article.

[Altourus]

At what point do we consider addiction unhealthy?
We're all addicted to breathing and eating, but no one makes a fuss. However some crazy kid stabs a girl because of his internet being out, and all of a sudden video game addiction is the hot topic. WTF is up with that? If it was because his cable was out would we be hearing about tv addiction? Or is it mearly the older generation that doesn't game having issue with us doing it. Did they go through a similar process when they were our age?

[The_Devil_Hunter]

I know I am. But regardless I dont let it take control of my life. I still get time to practice JKD and play football (soccer).

[DiLeCtioN]

was probably the most vital decision ive made in my gaming life. The amount of addicts on that...dam

[monkey602]

I have phases. All summer I was out working, going away for weekends, whatever else. Barelt played anything. Now the cold weather is settling and sometimes I'd rather be inside. I always fear people will think I have an addiction to games but really I dont. Weekend before last I stayed in to play MAG (unlike me) I thought I wasted my weekend but in reality, I did what I had to do during the week and if my way of relaxing that weekend was by playing games then so be it. I tried out WoW for the first time and spent about 5 hours that day on it. That worried me slightly but I was bored of the game altogether after that. I'd never choose games over going out, If going out was what I really wanted, And I'd never choose them over doing something that has to be done. I'm sure many of you are the same. Let's face a lot of everyday people spend hours a day watching TV. They are no different from us. We just play games instead. In fact I never watch TV.

WALL OF TEXT

[duplissi]

spot on. couldnt have said it better. bubbles.

[Darkseider]

Anyone that plays video games would be an addict. It's just that it should not be used in such a negative connotation. When video games begin to effect family and social life then it should not be called an addiction as much as an obsession. I for one love to play video games. Although that doesn't stop me from hittin the bar to play darts and have a beer or take the kids to the park or the movies. When it gets in the way and takes priority over reality and responsibility then it becomes an issue far greater then addiction.

[BldyShdw]

If it's like this for anyone else, but my gaming "addiction" tends to come in cycles. I would consider myself a pretty "hardcore" gamer, for weeks on end i'll be "addicted" to gaming, but everytime something happens, no idea what. But I go into like overload and play nothing. IE: Before Demon's Souls came out I had not played a game for 3 weeks, now i'm back to the "addiction" and playing loads of games...

lol weird

[monkey602]

Yes I do know what that's like. If I get a new game I've been waiting for I could spend countless hours a week on it. When I'm finished with it I may not play anything for a week afterwards.

[Whitefox789]

It's kind of like mental exhaustion I got that same thing after I played MGS 4 (which ironically I played it for one day and went on vacation for a week nearly going insane, I didn't bother to bring the console). After you anxiously wait for a game to come out especially games that get delayed you get sooo excited once you actually have the game you play it, beat it, put it on your shelf then you feel kinda meh. Either way after that I tried to go back to my roots and play some old games like on the PS1, N64, or old PC games. Or frankly just games I haven't finished still have a lot.

Ohh and note: When I got back from vacation I could not put the controller down for MGS4!

[PoisonedTea]

I could play a game from late morning through to late evening/early night when I was in my late teens. Now I'm in my mid-20's, I can barely last 2 hours - for some reason I feel compelled to turn off the game and wait until the next day to play again.

EDIT: This applies to ALL games, whether they be awesome, AAA titles or mediocre sports sims - it doesn't depend on whether I'm enjoying the game or not. I just HAVE to turn off after 2 hours or so.

[AliTheBrit]

No such thing as an actual addiction to video games.

[Tomarcus]

I've been a gaming addict for years, but honestly, I would rather be addicted to gaming then some of the other things that I have had problems with in the past.

[Tomarcus]

I can't believe 24 hrs a week is considered addicted... some weeks I play double that...

[immmmtheking]

im just saying i feel like i have no control. i have to play. im sure thats the same way a drug addict feels. and every moment im not playing could be a minute im spending with my family even if its doing something small. there is always something you can being doing that is productive and if you playing video games and not doing that then your wasting your life. thats just how i feel.