Teenage Addiction to Games

[Munter]

Ok I think a very minor spleen vent is in order. This morning the BBC covered the release of a new level of World of Warcraft. Somehow on the sofa they got around to talking about being addicted to games with their resident (and hot) psychologist. Someone who obviously feels able to commentate on this subject.

So why the hell did she seem surprised that people have to form groups and interact with others to get through the game?

In fact are there any people on the news programs when this subject comes up that understand what the hell they are talking about?

If a child was spending most of it's free time building matchstick models, while talking to his mates building the same model, and discussing how to do the tricky parts and so on. Would that be an addiction. Would it bks. It would not be news at all. But substitute a matchstick model for a computer game and "Ohhh it's so terrible".

FFS people interactive online computer games are preparing the world for remote working, teamwork and a whole bunch of social skills they'll need to work in the modern office environment. So what the fk is the problem?

Anyway I really must do some work....

[Fidgits]

eh?

I'm sorry, but the addition of interaction with other players is completley seperate from the 'addicition' side of games IMHO.

You can be addicted to a game whether its a single player on your own, or a multiplayer with other people - the addiction is the fact you play is whenever you can, and when your not, your thinking about it, thinking about when you can play it...

[Munter]

Fidgits said:

eh?

I'm sorry, but the addition of interaction with other players is completley seperate from the 'addicition' side of games IMHO.

You can be addicted to a game whether its a single player on your own, or a multiplayer with other people - the addiction is the fact you play is whenever you can, and when your not, your thinking about it, thinking about when you can play it...

So whats that treated differently by the press than football? Kids who constantly think about football and spend all their spare time on it, would not make the news. But as soon as you apply the same to a computer it's something bad and should be stamped out etc. Even if what they are learning while they play is far more use to them than football.

[Steve Evil]

Have to agree with the OP, it's one of those things that the media at large doesn't really understand, and anything they don't understand is to be feared.

[deckster]

Yeah but football gives us all these great role models, like Jonathan Woodgate, George Best and Gazza.

Whereas the only people computer geeks have to look up to is Bill Gates, Larry Ellison and Steve Jobs.

Innit.

[deevlash]

deckster said:

Yeah but football gives us all these great role models, like Jonathan Woodgate, George Best and Gazza.

Whereas the only people computer geeks have to look up to is Bill Gates, Larry Ellison and Steve Jobs.

Innit.

bill gates cant do keepie ups

[Fidgits]

Munter said:

Fidgits said:

eh?

I'm sorry, but the addition of interaction with other players is completley seperate from the 'addicition' side of games IMHO.

You can be addicted to a game whether its a single player on your own, or a multiplayer with other people - the addiction is the fact you play is whenever you can, and when your not, your thinking about it, thinking about when you can play it...

So whats that treated differently by the press than football? Kids who constantly think about football and spend all their spare time on it, would not make the news. But as soon as you apply the same to a computer it's something bad and should be stamped out etc. Even if what they are learning while they play is far more use to them than football.

well, the addiction is one thing.

You have to admit though - kids running around a field getting fresh air and exercise is better than them sat on a sofa staring at a TV for hours at a time? surely?


I do get your point though... I just think the addiction issue is seperate from the activity one.

[shadowninja]

I dunno. Multiplayer features in games make things much more addictive. Even when you have finished the game and beaten the computer in "hard" mode, you then have the fecking bunny hoppers with aimbots to contend with.

[Munter]

Fidgits said:

You have to admit though - kids running around a field getting fresh air and exercise is better than them sat on a sofa staring at a TV for hours at a time? surely?


I do get your point though... I just think the addiction issue is seperate from the activity one.

Physically yes. But if the kid is fit and healthy, it shoudn't matter if their obsession is football or computer games.

Yeah I guess addiction (e.g. it affecting their work/studies/home life) is seperate for the activity itself.

It just annoys me that when the press talk about computer games it's always treated a bit like hard drugs. And it shouldn't be. It should be reported on like any other activity.

[tim-b]

Munter said:

FFS people interactive online computer games are preparing the world for remote working, teamwork and a whole bunch of social skills they'll need to work in the modern office environment. So what the fk is the problem?

Really? I'm a gamer and confess to mild 'addictions' (I'm dreading the release of GTA IV on PC) but I have to say virtual interactions can't be compared to real, physical ones. This is not just an old-fashioned luddite response; it's fairly obvious that much of our interaction is body language, tone of voice etc. which you don't get online. Internet friends are better than no friends...but not in the same league as face-to-face relationships....

[Munter]

tim-b said:

Munter said:

FFS people interactive online computer games are preparing the world for remote working, teamwork and a whole bunch of social skills they'll need to work in the modern office environment. So what the fk is the problem?

Really? I'm a gamer and confess to mild 'addictions' (I'm dreading the release of GTA IV on PC) but I have to say virtual interactions can't be compared to real, physical ones. This is not just an old-fashioned luddite response; it's fairly obvious that much of our interaction is body language, tone of voice etc. which you don't get online. Internet friends are better than no friends...but not in the same league as face-to-face relationships....

I agree. Face to face is much better. Almost never happens though in my world. What with working from home and people in offices on the other sides of the ciy/country etc. You need the skills to be able to work closely in real time with people using your voice and messenger software. And these are skills they are develping. Rather than relying on body language they are tuneing their ears and brains into getting similar information in other ways.

The easier they find it to sit on their own in the spare room and interact with 10 or so people spread around the world the better off they will be.

[malman]

deevlash said:

deckster said:

Yeah but football gives us all these great role models, like Jonathan Woodgate, George Best and Gazza.

Whereas the only people computer geeks have to look up to is Bill Gates, Larry Ellison and Steve Jobs.

Innit.

bill gates cant do keepie ups

nah he pays someone to do that for him

[TheCaseAce]

Yes, this has always annoyed me.

If you play on your Xbox for 10 hours you are "obsessed" or "addicted".

If you can't put a book down and read it for 10 hours then you're "engrossed".



I've always read a lot, but strangely I've never had anyone tell me "You are addicted to reading! I wish you'd stop wasting your life with those damn BOOKS!"

[Xaero]

I agree, the media really need to get over it and accept games are now mainstream and normal modern day hobby/pasttime, the big releases are making more money then movies, and that's only going to continue imo, multiplayer and interaction since consoles have been connected to the internet is the way forward too.

[Famous Graham]

shadowninja said:

I dunno. Multiplayer features in games make things much more addictive. Even when you have finished the game and beaten the computer in "hard" mode, you then have the fecking bunny hoppers with aimbots to contend with.

That's a Quake/CS player if ever I saw one

[collateral]

You never hear them moan about people being addicted to TV.

Some people are really into certain things, others aren't...BFD

-collateral (never played WoW in my life...just say no!)

[superlightr]

Ive played computer games for the last 28yrs (now 38), all sorts zx spectrum manic miner etc to modern PC's.

I must have spend many years of time solid playing. Last addiction was to COD4 and Battfield 2. First person shooters. and Stratagy. Logged over 3 weeks of time play for mulitplay for BF2. Played within a clan voice enabled and had a great laugh and the clan was one of the best out there.

Addiction? maybe, does develope your thought process to problem solving in the game, co-ordination, reaction, and sparks your mind, it is social. Can I stop yes of course, does it hurt anyone no. Do I want to kill real people of course not. Am I sucessful in real life, yes.