#1

[The Big Eye]

Very insightful. I come from a dysfunctional home myself (lots of spousal conflict), and I've found I became an avid gamer in much the same way. Even as the stress in my home life has lessened, though, I've found that my interest in gaming has not. I wouldn't consider myself an addict, though.

I hope you continue with this column. Some of the greatest insights to be made in the gaming world are psychological.

 

[9NineBreaker9]

-Le Snip-

Hang on...

[http://img37.imageshack.us/i/medicw.jpg/]

Yep. I do see the resemblance.

I do look forward to seeing more of these articles though.

DOCTOR!! <3

I think your first post contains an amount of win that cannot be described.

Anyhow: an interesting read. It's refreshing to see that not every psychologist views video games as the spawn of all evil that often seems to be a general consensus... hell, I wish you were my psychologist! xD

... also, in attempting to write out some sort of heartfelt note or explanation as to why I'm a gamer, "videogames" could be replaced with "crack" and nothing would have been changed whatsoever. That's slightly alarming.

 

[KingArmery]

For me, when I play videogames they may conflict with my schoolwork (I am in an advanced program so we get lots of homework every night) but I would not consider myself an addict, rather a "lover of videogames" (I got this from a reading about a guy who changed his name to "Amor de Cosmos"). I certainly do not neglect up to the point of near-failing, and am prepared for tests and exams, but I could do better in terms of homework and marks.

However, as the quoted comment in your article touches on, this is not because of videogames that this happens but rather because of my personality in association with arts. If there were no videogames, I would instead be calling myself "lover of movies" or "lover of books."

 

[MasterSplinter]

Too bad they said the TF2 Doctor thing already.

Good and interesting article (especially "Physician Gank Thyself"), I like that you are not precisely a person that grew up worshiping games but you where willing, open-minded and professional enough to give them an honest opportunity.

I bet your patient's attention/respect spikes if you tell them your gaming experience.

 

[The Random One]

Hmmm... [http://www.cracked.com/article_18461_5-creepy-ways-video-games-are-trying-to-get-you-addicted.html]

It's a good point that just because some people don't get addicted it doesn't mean something isn't addicted. Most people aren't addicted to alcohol or gambling or sex even though they've experienced it. But some people are. It's all in the dopamins, dude.

The problem probably lies in trying to classify videogames as good or bad. They aren't, they are a million different experience which affect different people in different ways. And even one game can feel different to different people depending on what is their suit [http://www.mud.co.uk/richard/hcds.htm]. We, gamers, have made an habit out of acting as if games are the most awesome thing on earth out of defence for the people who say it's a devilish thing out to destroy our psyches. It's a lie we've come to believe in.

It's too bad that Dr. Kline has only played WoW. I haven't, and the only online game I keep coming back to is Kingdom of Loathing [http://www.kingdomofloathing.com/]. I personally think any MMO cannot stand on its two legs without at least an amount of grinding and I just have no time for grinding any more. (Because I'm trying to get to level 30 on KoL, possibly.) I wish the doc had more experience on other videogames for a more complete view.

 

[Asurnasurpal]

Gaming is a delicious mix of catharsis, art, fantasy, and escapism. As much as it is heralded as addictive and wrong, I still hold it as medicine. I for one find it a way to deal with my own transgenderism and the anxiety I receive from it.

 

[Mezzo.]

-Le Snip-

Hang on...

[http://img37.imageshack.us/i/medicw.jpg/]

Yep. I do see the resemblance.

I do look forward to seeing more of these articles though.

DOCTOR!! <3

I think your first post contains an amount of win that cannot be described.

Anyhow: an interesting read. It's refreshing to see that not every psychologist views video games as the spawn of all evil that often seems to be a general consensus... hell, I wish you were my psychologist! xD

... also, in attempting to write out some sort of heartfelt note or explanation as to why I'm a gamer, "videogames" could be replaced with "crack" and nothing would have been changed whatsoever. That's slightly alarming.

THE OFFICIAL MEDIC IS HERE!!!

 

[Glass Joe]

This column really offers something new to the escapist. I'll definitely read it next week when you get some real questions.

 

[Ralvuimego]

I didn't mean to hijack the thread with my picture... but I return this time with a question.

After reading the first two articles, I've got questions about what the scope of this series of articles is. The two articles I can get information from deal primarily in gaming addiction. I mean there is the ever present topic of violence in video games... but beyond that, I think it all depends on your experience with games as well as psychology.

Either way, I'm still intrigued with where this article can go. Sorry if I sounded a little too critical.

 

[Aurgelmir]

"I stopped playing WoW, not because I was addicted and needed an intervention, but because I became bored with the game. Do heroine addicts get bored of shooting up? Do crackheads get bored of smoking crack? No."

This is probably one of my favorite arguments for why gaming is not an addiction, for the most part that is.

I would rather use the word "Obsession" on psychological addictions, since that is more or less what it is.

Although as I am writing this a friend of mine pointed out that you get some kind of kick out of leveling or gaining new gear, so it might be that there is a sense of addiction going on.

I don't know what to think, but I personally feel "addiction" is a too strong word, when it is tossed as a lable on anyone that plays MMOs, regardless of their mental state.

 

[jords]

Great article, keen to see more.

Only MMORPG I really got into was Runescape back in the day, mostly because school was so boring, needed something to suck up time. But I stopped that before long when i realized I didn't actually enjoy playing the game, was just farming resources for some potential enjoyment in the future...

 

[Spacelord]

This is the main reason I keep coming back to the Escapist, articles like this.

 

[veloper]

"I stopped playing WoW, not because I was addicted and needed an intervention, but because I became bored with the game. Do heroine addicts get bored of shooting up? Do crackheads get bored of smoking crack? No."

This is probably one of my favorite arguments for why gaming is not an addiction, for the most part that is.

I would rather use the word "Obsession" on psychological addictions, since that is more or less what it is.

Although as I am writing this a friend of mine pointed out that you get some kind of kick out of leveling or gaining new gear, so it might be that there is a sense of addiction going on.

I don't know what to think, but I personally feel "addiction" is a too strong word, when it is tossed as a lable on anyone that plays MMOs, regardless of their mental state.

Totally this.

Obsession is the correct word and meaning.

"Addiction" is only for REAL dependencies like coke and heroin.

For every hobby, pasttime, detail and job there are some people who will get obsessed with it. This isn't anywhere near as problematic is heroin addiction.

 

[Playbahnosh]

-Le Snip-

Hang on...

[http://img37.imageshack.us/i/medicw.jpg/]

Yep. I do see the resemblance.

I do look forward to seeing more of these articles though.

DOCTOR!! <3

I think your first post contains an amount of win that cannot be described.

Anyhow: an interesting read. It's refreshing to see that not every psychologist views video games as the spawn of all evil that often seems to be a general consensus... hell, I wish you were my psychologist! xD

... also, in attempting to write out some sort of heartfelt note or explanation as to why I'm a gamer, "videogames" could be replaced with "crack" and nothing would have been changed whatsoever. That's slightly alarming.

THE OFFICIAL MEDIC IS HERE!!!

Okay, I just cannot fathom how EPIC that is!!! The similarity cannot be a coincidence! People, we now have our very own Medic in the squad! YOU ARE A GREAT DOCTOR!!!

I never thought I needed a shrink...until now. I mean, video game addiction was always a controversial subject, some said that video games are like cocaine or heroin, others said video game addiction does not exist. I can witness to the fact, that video games could be addictive, as any other pleasurable substance or activity. I was once addicted to a MMOG called RF-Online some years ago, and to my horror, when I looked back afterwards, I did show symptoms of addiction, like making excuses to play, neglecting responsibilities, the all too common "just one more level" syndrome, getting agitated, restless or even agressive when I couldn't play, etc. I feel quite embarrassed about that in retrospect, but when I was under the spell of the game, everything seemed normal to me, and I was honestly surprised when people tried to talk me out of playing it six hours a day...anyway...

Welcome to the Escapist, Doc. I'm looking forward to reading your articles!

 

[Cartographer]

"I stopped playing WoW, not because I was addicted and needed an intervention, but because I became bored with the game. Do heroine addicts get bored of shooting up? Do crackheads get bored of smoking crack? No."

This is probably one of my favorite arguments for why gaming is not an addiction, for the most part that is.

I would rather use the word "Obsession" on psychological addictions, since that is more or less what it is.

Although as I am writing this a friend of mine pointed out that you get some kind of kick out of leveling or gaining new gear, so it might be that there is a sense of addiction going on.

I don't know what to think, but I personally feel "addiction" is a too strong word, when it is tossed as a lable on anyone that plays MMOs, regardless of their mental state.

Totally this.

Obsession is the correct word and meaning.

"Addiction" is only for REAL dependencies like coke and heroin.

For every hobby, pasttime, detail and job there are some people who will get obsessed with it. This isn't anywhere near as problematic is heroin addiction.

You know what, I'm going to have to agree with the qualified doctor as to the meaning of the word addiction. Chances are, he knows what he's talking about.

Consider maybe, that you have been using it incorrectly all this time and need to learn its true meaning.

 

[veloper]

"I stopped playing WoW, not because I was addicted and needed an intervention, but because I became bored with the game. Do heroine addicts get bored of shooting up? Do crackheads get bored of smoking crack? No."

This is probably one of my favorite arguments for why gaming is not an addiction, for the most part that is.

I would rather use the word "Obsession" on psychological addictions, since that is more or less what it is.

Although as I am writing this a friend of mine pointed out that you get some kind of kick out of leveling or gaining new gear, so it might be that there is a sense of addiction going on.

I don't know what to think, but I personally feel "addiction" is a too strong word, when it is tossed as a lable on anyone that plays MMOs, regardless of their mental state.

Totally this.

Obsession is the correct word and meaning.

"Addiction" is only for REAL dependencies like coke and heroin.

For every hobby, pasttime, detail and job there are some people who will get obsessed with it. This isn't anywhere near as problematic is heroin addiction.

You know what, I'm going to have to agree with the qualified doctor as to the meaning of the word addiction. Chances are, he knows what he's talking about.

Consider maybe, that you have been using it incorrectly all this time and need to learn its true meaning.

You would, but some people can actually think for themselves.
Whenever common sense trumps book knowledge, always go with the common sense.

There's a common reason why parents let their kids play videogames but not snort coke.

 

[Cartographer]

"I stopped playing WoW, not because I was addicted and needed an intervention, but because I became bored with the game. Do heroine addicts get bored of shooting up? Do crackheads get bored of smoking crack? No."

This is probably one of my favorite arguments for why gaming is not an addiction, for the most part that is.

I would rather use the word "Obsession" on psychological addictions, since that is more or less what it is.

Although as I am writing this a friend of mine pointed out that you get some kind of kick out of leveling or gaining new gear, so it might be that there is a sense of addiction going on.

I don't know what to think, but I personally feel "addiction" is a too strong word, when it is tossed as a lable on anyone that plays MMOs, regardless of their mental state.

Totally this.

Obsession is the correct word and meaning.

"Addiction" is only for REAL dependencies like coke and heroin.

For every hobby, pasttime, detail and job there are some people who will get obsessed with it. This isn't anywhere near as problematic is heroin addiction.

You know what, I'm going to have to agree with the qualified doctor as to the meaning of the word addiction. Chances are, he knows what he's talking about.

Consider maybe, that you have been using it incorrectly all this time and need to learn its true meaning.

You would, but some people can actually think for themselves.
Whenever common sense trumps book knowledge, always go with the common sense.

There's a common reason why parents let their kids play videogames but not snort coke.

What has that got to do with the meaning of the word "addiction"?

Seriously, sort out your own point before attacking others.

 

[veloper]

"I stopped playing WoW, not because I was addicted and needed an intervention, but because I became bored with the game. Do heroine addicts get bored of shooting up? Do crackheads get bored of smoking crack? No."

This is probably one of my favorite arguments for why gaming is not an addiction, for the most part that is.

I would rather use the word "Obsession" on psychological addictions, since that is more or less what it is.

Although as I am writing this a friend of mine pointed out that you get some kind of kick out of leveling or gaining new gear, so it might be that there is a sense of addiction going on.

I don't know what to think, but I personally feel "addiction" is a too strong word, when it is tossed as a lable on anyone that plays MMOs, regardless of their mental state.

Totally this.

Obsession is the correct word and meaning.

"Addiction" is only for REAL dependencies like coke and heroin.

For every hobby, pasttime, detail and job there are some people who will get obsessed with it. This isn't anywhere near as problematic is heroin addiction.

You know what, I'm going to have to agree with the qualified doctor as to the meaning of the word addiction. Chances are, he knows what he's talking about.

Consider maybe, that you have been using it incorrectly all this time and need to learn its true meaning.

You would, but some people can actually think for themselves.
Whenever common sense trumps book knowledge, always go with the common sense.

There's a common reason why parents let their kids play videogames but not snort coke.

What has that got to do with the meaning of the word "addiction"?

Seriously, sort out your own point before attacking others.

2 and 2 should've been easy enough to follow but I'll explain it in really easy words:

Consider the following two sentences:

1 cocaine is addictive, and
2 videogames are addictive.

If both are true, then the word "addictive" has no meaning. Meaningless definitions are wrong by default.

Regular coke users cannot stop if they want to. Regular gamers can; hell almost every kid plays games nowadays and almost everyone will grow bored after playing the same game too much.

There is just no fucking comparison to coke, heroin or even alcohol.

 

[FogBird]

Wonderful article, thank you very much.
This article gave me lots of stuff to think about.

 

[DayDark]

2 and 2 should've been easy enough to follow but I'll explain it in really easy words:

Consider the following two sentences:

1 cocaine is addictive, and
2 videogames are addictive.

If both are true, then the word "addictive" has no meaning. Meaningless definitions are wrong by default.

Regular coke users cannot stop if they want to. Regular gamers can; hell almost every kid plays games nowadays and almost everyone will grow bored after playing the same game too much.

There is just no fucking comparison to coke, heroin or even alcohol.

That depends on what you consider regular use, coke can be addictive, so can video games. I drink alcohol regularly, and can stop anytime, by your definition alcohol is no longer addictive.