The world is full of a variety of different addictive substances, including drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, caffeine, chocolate, gambling, pornography, the Internet, and even credit credits, that at first can seem harmless and then they take their grip on the user. It is not uncommon for someone to associate the word addictive with something like smoking or gambling, because those habits often become addictive in nature. Yet, do we as individuals ever associate the words addiction and gaming in the same thought process?
Chances are most people do not classify the activity of gaming as one that is addictive, especially given that the American Medical Association recently determined that gaming was simply an hobby, not something you would compare to the addictive activity of gambling. The ironic thing about this is that although the American Medical Association may not be ready to make excessive gaming a sickness similar to that of alcohol abuse, there are places around the world today holding camps where people can go and get detox treatment for their gaming addiction. Yes, that is right " these centers are treating the gaming addiction of everyday individuals just as they treat a drug or alcohol addiction in other facilities. A proper detox, like any drug program requires people to quit cold turkey, and most people experience withdrawals.
It would not be surprising to witness people experiencing gaming withdrawals if they were like the couple from Reno, Nevada that neglected their children because they preferred to play Dungeons & Dragons Online for hours instead. Everyday you hear stories about addicting games and people who become obsessed with their games and they become literal zombies like the ones they play on their games. If you talk to any of the makers of these popular games, including, StarCraft, EverQuest, Call of Duty, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Worlds of Warcraft, they will tell you that these games are designed to be addictive in nature.
Whenever Jason Kapalka, the co-founder of the casual game company PopCap hears of these stories, he just nods his head and responds, Yes, totally. Thats the main goals you have when you design a game. The team at PopCap designs many games including the popular quick hit games like Peggie and Bejeweled. The quick hit games require less of a commitment from gamers and involve the business model, try before you buy. Thus, a gamer can easily become hooked on the game before they have to make the purchase.
While people from the outside may view an addiction game in a negative light, those on the inside designer the game view it very positively. These gaming companies are in no way sitting around the table like a tobacco company trying to figure out ways to sell consumers an addictive substance that is bad for their health. However, they also deal with a double-edged sword " if the game is not exciting to play (what most people would classify as addictive), who is going to buy their product?
This gray area can cause people to question certain games, specifically those that are controversial. One in particular, World of Warcraft (you might hear it called World of WarCrack), has been questioned time and time again regarding their intentions with their game and additionally whether or not they have crossed the line when it comes to addiction. The producers of the game disagree with any claims of false intentions, saying that they do the exact same thing every other company out there does only better and they attribute their success to customer service. Despite what they say, many people today still think the game is a cause of addiction for many people.
The designers and producers of these games are an easy target for placing blame on the addictive nature of gaming " after all, they do profit from it. However, when you dig deeper and look at the social networking aspects involved in gaming, there may be more than just the design that contributes to the gaming addiction. Before the Internet, people played games by themselves, however, now they can play with thousands of people across the world with which they share similar interests. It is definitely one more element contributing to their gaming addiction.
If you are unsure about this theory, just talk with any therapist, particularly one that specializes in working with those who suffer from Internet and computer addictions. According to research, most gamers happen to be teenagers or young men in there 20s with a lot of time on their hands, a lack of friends, no real companionship, or no love. Because of this they compensate using the Internet and gaming " their comfort zones " and it leads to serious addictions.
For those who do enjoy gaming, the challenge is to level with yourself and determine whether or not your time spent gaming is too much. If it is, you may need to take steps to find more balance in your life. In doing so, you will be healthier and free from controlling addictions that can only harm you.
Chances are most people do not classify the activity of gaming as one that is addictive, especially given that the American Medical Association recently determined that gaming was simply an hobby, not something you would compare to the addictive activity of gambling. The ironic thing about this is that although the American Medical Association may not be ready to make excessive gaming a sickness similar to that of alcohol abuse, there are places around the world today holding camps where people can go and get detox treatment for their gaming addiction. Yes, that is right " these centers are treating the gaming addiction of everyday individuals just as they treat a drug or alcohol addiction in other facilities. A proper detox, like any drug program requires people to quit cold turkey, and most people experience withdrawals.
It would not be surprising to witness people experiencing gaming withdrawals if they were like the couple from Reno, Nevada that neglected their children because they preferred to play Dungeons & Dragons Online for hours instead. Everyday you hear stories about addicting games and people who become obsessed with their games and they become literal zombies like the ones they play on their games. If you talk to any of the makers of these popular games, including, StarCraft, EverQuest, Call of Duty, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Worlds of Warcraft, they will tell you that these games are designed to be addictive in nature.
Whenever Jason Kapalka, the co-founder of the casual game company PopCap hears of these stories, he just nods his head and responds, Yes, totally. Thats the main goals you have when you design a game. The team at PopCap designs many games including the popular quick hit games like Peggie and Bejeweled. The quick hit games require less of a commitment from gamers and involve the business model, try before you buy. Thus, a gamer can easily become hooked on the game before they have to make the purchase.
While people from the outside may view an addiction game in a negative light, those on the inside designer the game view it very positively. These gaming companies are in no way sitting around the table like a tobacco company trying to figure out ways to sell consumers an addictive substance that is bad for their health. However, they also deal with a double-edged sword " if the game is not exciting to play (what most people would classify as addictive), who is going to buy their product?
This gray area can cause people to question certain games, specifically those that are controversial. One in particular, World of Warcraft (you might hear it called World of WarCrack), has been questioned time and time again regarding their intentions with their game and additionally whether or not they have crossed the line when it comes to addiction. The producers of the game disagree with any claims of false intentions, saying that they do the exact same thing every other company out there does only better and they attribute their success to customer service. Despite what they say, many people today still think the game is a cause of addiction for many people.
The designers and producers of these games are an easy target for placing blame on the addictive nature of gaming " after all, they do profit from it. However, when you dig deeper and look at the social networking aspects involved in gaming, there may be more than just the design that contributes to the gaming addiction. Before the Internet, people played games by themselves, however, now they can play with thousands of people across the world with which they share similar interests. It is definitely one more element contributing to their gaming addiction.
If you are unsure about this theory, just talk with any therapist, particularly one that specializes in working with those who suffer from Internet and computer addictions. According to research, most gamers happen to be teenagers or young men in there 20s with a lot of time on their hands, a lack of friends, no real companionship, or no love. Because of this they compensate using the Internet and gaming " their comfort zones " and it leads to serious addictions.
For those who do enjoy gaming, the challenge is to level with yourself and determine whether or not your time spent gaming is too much. If it is, you may need to take steps to find more balance in your life. In doing so, you will be healthier and free from controlling addictions that can only harm you.
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