The world is full of a variety of different addictive substances, including drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, caffeine, chocolate, gambling, pornography, the Internet, and even credit credits, that at first can seem harmless and then they take their grip on the user. It is not uncommon for someone to associate the word addictive with something like smoking or gambling, because those habits often become addictive in nature. Yet, do we as individuals ever associate the words addiction and gaming in the same thought process?
You might not associate gaming with addiction because the American Medical Association has determined that it is not ready to classify and rank gaming as a habit that has similar effects to the habit of gambling. And, although the American Medical Association may not be ready to classify it as an addiction, treatment centers around the world have been created to specifically help those who struggle with a gaming addiction. While at the treatment center, these gaming addicts go through a detox quite similar to the experience of anyone who would be suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction " they basically quit cold turkey.
According to makers of popular addicting games like StarCraft, EverQuest, Call of Duty, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and World of Warcraft. the games are designed to be addictive in nature. Many people who play the games can at times literally turn into the zombies they are playing on the computer, causing them to forget to pay important items like their gas bill. There was even a couple in Reno that neglected the children choosing to instead play Dungeons & Dragons Online for countless hours. In fact, there are many more stories just like this one.
Whenever Jason Kapalka, the co-founder of the casual game company PopCap hears of these stories, he just nods his head and responds, Yes, totally. Thats the main goals you have when you design a game. The team at PopCap designs many games including the popular quick hit games like Peggie and Bejeweled. The quick hit games require less of a commitment from gamers and involve the business model, try before you buy. Thus, a gamer can easily become hooked on the game before they have to make the purchase.
Many people from the outside probably look at these gaming companies and think they are deceptive in nature because they are making products that are addictive. However, from the designers prospective, an addictive game is a very positive thing " it means that gamers like it and want to keep playing it. Also, these companies are not sitting around the table like tobacco companies wondering how they can sell you something that is bad for your health. On the contrary, they want to make a game that is exciting to play and sometimes that means gray areas on the issue of addiction.
However, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the design of World of Warcraft some people jokingly refer to as World of Warcrack and the overall intentions and strategy among the company " were they simply trying to make a good game or were they trying to make one that was purely addictive in nature? When one of the lead producers, Shane Dabiri, of the game was questioned on the issue, he seemed to avoid the point of the question and said that the company used many of the same techniques that other role-playing games use. According to Shane, World of Warcraft is unique because of their companys care and the aspects they bring to the game including their customer support. As for it being addictive, that is up for those in the gaming industry to decide.
And, while the designers may be part of the problem, a further look into the gaming world points out that there is a social networking issue that further contributes to the addictive nature of gaming. It used to be that gaming was done with the use of a television or maybe a computer that had no Internet. Today, however, thousands of gamers who share similar interests can connect together as they play their favorite games online. Basically, it is one more element stirring the pot, preventing someone from quitting the game they are playing.
There are therapists today who specialize their work in Internet and computer addiction and they will tell you that social networking can be a major addiction for many people. Thus, when added to the mix on gaming it obviously enhances the problem. Additionally, the majority of gamers are teenagers or young males in there 20s that have spare time, lack friends, companionship, and even love. Unfortunately, there is little that pulls them away from their addiction.
If you participate in gaming, you might want to evaluate whether or not it has become an addiction for you. Just like with anything addictive substance, doing something just once, can easily turn into something excessive. If gaming has become addictive for you, take the necessary steps to achieve a balance in your life so you are healthier.
You might not associate gaming with addiction because the American Medical Association has determined that it is not ready to classify and rank gaming as a habit that has similar effects to the habit of gambling. And, although the American Medical Association may not be ready to classify it as an addiction, treatment centers around the world have been created to specifically help those who struggle with a gaming addiction. While at the treatment center, these gaming addicts go through a detox quite similar to the experience of anyone who would be suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction " they basically quit cold turkey.
According to makers of popular addicting games like StarCraft, EverQuest, Call of Duty, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and World of Warcraft. the games are designed to be addictive in nature. Many people who play the games can at times literally turn into the zombies they are playing on the computer, causing them to forget to pay important items like their gas bill. There was even a couple in Reno that neglected the children choosing to instead play Dungeons & Dragons Online for countless hours. In fact, there are many more stories just like this one.
Whenever Jason Kapalka, the co-founder of the casual game company PopCap hears of these stories, he just nods his head and responds, Yes, totally. Thats the main goals you have when you design a game. The team at PopCap designs many games including the popular quick hit games like Peggie and Bejeweled. The quick hit games require less of a commitment from gamers and involve the business model, try before you buy. Thus, a gamer can easily become hooked on the game before they have to make the purchase.
Many people from the outside probably look at these gaming companies and think they are deceptive in nature because they are making products that are addictive. However, from the designers prospective, an addictive game is a very positive thing " it means that gamers like it and want to keep playing it. Also, these companies are not sitting around the table like tobacco companies wondering how they can sell you something that is bad for your health. On the contrary, they want to make a game that is exciting to play and sometimes that means gray areas on the issue of addiction.
However, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the design of World of Warcraft some people jokingly refer to as World of Warcrack and the overall intentions and strategy among the company " were they simply trying to make a good game or were they trying to make one that was purely addictive in nature? When one of the lead producers, Shane Dabiri, of the game was questioned on the issue, he seemed to avoid the point of the question and said that the company used many of the same techniques that other role-playing games use. According to Shane, World of Warcraft is unique because of their companys care and the aspects they bring to the game including their customer support. As for it being addictive, that is up for those in the gaming industry to decide.
And, while the designers may be part of the problem, a further look into the gaming world points out that there is a social networking issue that further contributes to the addictive nature of gaming. It used to be that gaming was done with the use of a television or maybe a computer that had no Internet. Today, however, thousands of gamers who share similar interests can connect together as they play their favorite games online. Basically, it is one more element stirring the pot, preventing someone from quitting the game they are playing.
There are therapists today who specialize their work in Internet and computer addiction and they will tell you that social networking can be a major addiction for many people. Thus, when added to the mix on gaming it obviously enhances the problem. Additionally, the majority of gamers are teenagers or young males in there 20s that have spare time, lack friends, companionship, and even love. Unfortunately, there is little that pulls them away from their addiction.
If you participate in gaming, you might want to evaluate whether or not it has become an addiction for you. Just like with anything addictive substance, doing something just once, can easily turn into something excessive. If gaming has become addictive for you, take the necessary steps to achieve a balance in your life so you are healthier.
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