I’ve Known this for Years! Game Addiction Hits the Big Time
Check out this sweet little story from the dudes over at New Scientist. Excessive computer gaming has the hallmarks of addiction, suggests new experiments on “drug memory”. The researchers argue it should be classified as such, enabling “addicts” to start seeking help. I mean I think we have all heard the stories of Chinese Everquest players playing in an Internet Cafe until they pass out and die but this is the first legtimate research I have seen on it as an addiction. From the article:
“They compared 15 men in their 20s who admitted that gaming had chased other activities – such as work and socialising – out of their lives, and 15 game-playing but otherwise healthy controls.
They showed them a variety of visual cues and asked the volunteers to rate how they felt about the images. All had normal reactions to neutral images, such as chairs, and even to alcohol-related images, despite the fact that all the participants drank alcohol.
But excessive computer game players showed classic signs of craving when they were presented with freeze-frames from some of their favourite games – they desperately wanted to play, expected to feel better once they did, and fully intended to indulge again as soon as possible.”
Great stuff. I mean did you know there is even an orginization out there for supporting people who’s loved ones are addicted to Everquest. It’s called EverQuest Widows. Amazing. So do we have any portable gaming addicts out there? What’s the most hours per day you were ever playing your portable console on daily basis? Let us know your addiction…
Tags: portable gaming:addiction:Video Game Addiction
Comments
I wouldn’t go as far as saying I was adicted to games, but when I get a new game, I play it a ot then get bored with it after a few days or so (Except Golden Sun, that game is highly adictive!!)
Kuja: That is pretty much what I do. I play it until I beat it, because it usually isn’t possible to re-do quests or missions, except for Morrowind because there’s like 1,000 quests.
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I’ve played Mario Kart DS so much. ON the day I got it, I could see the imprint of the ‘A’ button on my thumb.
I must’ve played it at least 5 hours that day (I got it at 3 pm)