Game addiction

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This Photoshopped EverCrack Trilogy box cover, an allusion to the notoriously addictive nature of EverQuest, has been widely circulated online.

Video Game addiction is a proposed form of psychological addiction^{[citation needed]} composed of a compulsive use of computer and video games, most notably MMORPGs, and is related to Internet addiction disorder. Though there is still great debate as to whether one can become addicted to a video game/computer game, there are people who report that their friends and loved ones have been "sucked into" a game^{[citation needed]}, suddenly becoming self-isolating, preferring to play the game instead of actual personal contact, and focusing almost entirely on the game instead of real life events.

[edit] Possible Diagnosis

Though Gaming addiction is still disputed, it is argued that its symptoms would be quite similar to that of any other addiction^{[citation needed]}. Common addiction symptoms include^{[citation needed]} (Please note: the following criteria have been copied almost verbatim from the highly disputed criteria of Internet addiction):

1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
   • A need for markedly increased amounts of time on the game to achieve satisfaction.
   • Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of time on the game.

1. Withdrawal, as manifested by either A or B below:
   • (A) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome, 1, 2 and 3 below
     1. Cessation of (or reduction in) game play time that has been heavy and prolonged.
     2. Two (or more) of the following, developing within several days to a month after Criterion:
        • (a) psychomotor agitation
        • (b) anxiety
        • (c) obsessive thinking about what is happening ingame
        • (d) fantasies or dreams about the game
        • (e) voluntary or involuntary typing movements of the fingers
     3. The symptoms in Criterion 2 cause distress or impairment in social, occupational or another important area of functioning
   • (B) Use of the game or a similar service is engaged in to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

1. The game is often accessed more often or for longer periods of time than was intended.
2. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control game play time.
3. A great deal of time is spent in activities related to the game (for example, purchasing game books, looking at fan art sites, posting on game forums, researching game tips/hacks, gold farming).
4. Frequent talks about the game in daily life.
5. Important family, social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced in duration and/or frequency because of game use.
6. Game use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical, family, social, occupational, or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by Internet use (for example, sleep deprivation, marital difficulties, lateness for early morning appointments, neglect of occupational duties, or feelings of abandonment in significant others).

[edit] Possible causes

A psychology-based theory is behaviorally based. MMORPGs generally reward players in both fixed and random manners. The benefit to completing assigned tasks is accompanied by elements of chance, where the player may or may not receive a reward of some nature. Often, a player may spend hours of play time repeating one basic behavior, in order for the game to reward their actions with a particular prize, item, or other occurrences. This behavior is generally called "farming" by members of the gaming community, and is considered to be normal behavior by most within the gaming community, although acceptance of the length of time spent farming and the frequency of farming sessions can vary.

Because "farmers" will often have to repeat a behavior hundreds or thousands of times, the length of time spent playing the computer game can be extensive. The eventual acquisition of the sought-after accomplishment may cause reinforcement of the general behavior of "farming"^{[citation needed]}. This theory coincides with the sunk cost fallacy to a high degree. The threat of not accomplishing the goal, combined with the feeling of accomplishment when meeting such a goal may drive game players to exhibit symptoms of addictive behavior.

Another possible cause for game addiction may be that the addict may use the game as an escape from one's own life. Academic problems, harassment at school, as well as social issues may cause a desire to "escape" from reality.

[edit] Treatment

The Smith and Jones clinic in Amsterdam [1] was the first treatment facility in the western world^{[citation needed]} to offer a residential treatment program for obsessive/ compulsive gamers. The Smith & Jones center has treated many problem gamers from all over the world^{[citation needed]}. The Smith& Jones founder, Keith Bakker developed a treatment program that until now has proven highly effective in the treatment of problem gamers^{[citation needed]}.

McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts has set up Computer Addiction Services under the direction of clinical psychologist Dr. Maressa Orzack. She was interviewed August 8, 2006, speaking of the game World of Warcraft she said, "I'd say that 40 percent of the players are addicted." Note that the 40 percent figure was not derived from a scientific study overseen by Dr. Orzack, but rather came from "a forum that Nick Yee runs".

At one addiction support center in Richmond, Canada, excessive gaming accounts for 80% of one youth counsellor's caseload.^[1]

[edit] In popular culture

• South Park episode Make Love, Not Warcraft portrays several ways of game addiction.

[edit] People with this condition:

• James Paola^{[citation needed]}

[edit] See also

• Computer addiction
• Internet addiction
• Television addiction
• Shawn Woolley
• Catassing
• Connection Addiction
• Lee Seung Seop

[edit] External links

• Are Games Addictive? The State of the Science Game addiction article examining psychology, neuroscience, current research and problems with research.
• Daedalus Project Dozens of articles related to game addiction and gaming.
• "Treating China's Online Addicts" by Daniel Griffiths, BBC News, 10 October 2005, retrieved 14 March 2006.
• neilsclark.com A game addiction blog by a gamer/games researcher.