Video Games ruining lives?

[Troll]

I just saw a preview for the 10:00 news and it has a special investigation about video games ruining peoples lives and their personal stories. I'm sorry but how in the hell do u let videogames ruin your life? People make more and more excuses each day. If videogame playing gets to the point where you can't work, or have a life your just being plain lazy and stupid.

[Ksyrup]

You're trying to get people to buy that argument on THIS board?!

[tucker342]

lol

[Franklinnoble]

With a name like "Troll," I'd expect something a little more inflammatory.

[korme]

I've got a friend who called off work today to play in an Absolute Poker tournament.

It's disgusting.

[The_herd]

Everquest and other MMORPG's have been notorious for player's spouse's leaving, people getting fired, and people quiting their job's. Its a pretty sick world, people leaving their spouse for someone they met on an online game brings about a new level of absurd.

[corbes]

If you were 18-21 when Goldeneye came out, you'd understand.

Well, it didn't literally ruin our lives. But it raised the possibility that if we didn't stop playing sometime soon, Oddjob really was going to pop around a corner and blast us.

[stkelly52]

Sure video games can ruin peoples lives, but there are many things in life that if taken to excess can, and do, ruin people's lives. Just a few are alcohol, TV, food and the Internet. In moderation these things are fine. used in excess, then you have a problem. But the problem is one that you created, not one that has been forced upon you.

[sabotai]

This stupid idea of me trying to start my own computer game company has pretty much ruined my life...

[Troll]

In the actual feature they mention videogame makers purposely making their games addictive, which would be a no-brainer, well here is an article on the web site

Bob Donaldson

February 10, 2004

The popularity of video games is booming, with millions buying the latest system or game. But as video games become more common, so too does the number of gamers addicted to them.

An industry group claims half of all Americans over the age of six play video games. Therapists say as many as five to six percent of adult players become addicted. That would put the number of addicts at well over 5 million people. Indiana therapists say they see the trend locally, with patients who spend so much time playing games that their families and careers suffer.

Counselors recommend asking yourself some simple questions if you or someone you know may be a virtual addict. If you can't predict the amount of time you spend playing games, if you've tried and failed to stop playing games or if you've ever lied to your family or employer about your game playing, you should seek help.

Experts say video game addiction is very treatable. But its up to the gamer to take the first step and seek help to cure an addiction that's becoming more and more common.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Troll

Counselors recommend asking yourself some simple questions if you or someone you know may be a virtual addict. If you can't predict the amount of time you spend playing games, if you've tried and failed to stop playing games or if you've ever lied to your family or employer about your game playing, you should seek help.

Experts say video game addiction is very treatable. But its up to the gamer to take the first step and seek help to cure an addiction that's becoming more and more common.

With stories like these, it's no wonder shrinks get a bad name. With lines like "its up to the gamer to take the first step and seek help to cure an addiction", it's any wonder people think their degree isn't much more than a piece of paper.

"If you can't predict the amount of time you spend playing games"- for those of you with future predicting powers or have said "hm... I kindof want to beat this level and don't have anywhere in particular to be in the next hour but my shrink says I shouldn't". Or you know, when you go into your boss's office after taking a day off and saying "Oh, I wasn't really sick, I was just playing Madden all day"- that would probably be ill advised.

SI

[Peregrine]

Everquest and other MMORPG's have been notorious for player's spouse's leaving, people getting fired, and people quiting their job's. Its a pretty sick world, people leaving their spouse for someone they met on an online game brings about a new level of absurd.

Yeah MMORPGs bring out a whole new level of addiction in my experience. They take computer gaming from "Oh I'll load up FOF or FBCB and play for an hour or two" to "Well, I get home at 5, load up the game, and now it's 2 am? And this happens every day?" I have to keep a tight rein on my playing to be able to work, have friends, have a life, etc. I know several people who have left wives over the game, pretty sad IMO.

[Nyarlahotep]

Fox 59 is so lame. I can't wait until they cancel their 10 pm news so they can show an extra episode of Everbyody Loves Raymond.

[cthomer5000]

This thread could be called "(Fill in the blank) ruining lives?" and would be just as true.

People get obsessed over anything. People who are letting video games ruin their lives are probablly just obsessing over one of a million things their personality type makes them more likely to obsess over. It just happens to be video games in these cases.