Online Gaming bad for you?

[Nick]

Now, here, for once, we have a more balanced and reasonable argument over online gaming...

For some, the enjoyment turns to suffering when they become "addicted" to the games.

They no longer have the "choice" to play, but are driven to play.

I'm sure most of us have experienced that feeling at some point, but just how badly can it affect people?

They stop eating properly and do not get enough sleep. They barely leave this new fantasy life, to do anything else.

There's plenty more, and it's happily bereft of the usual media hype and sensationalism, over at the BBC.

My thoughts?

Well, yes, people can easily spend too much time playing ANY game, not just online, but a little self-control goes a long way. Online gaming has big up-sides too, which have been omitted. Benefits such as making new friends and being involved with a community that shares a common interest. How many of us on HEXUS alone have made and met new friends through here?

[Lee H]

you should cross-reference this thread with the WoW thread.

I can see where that article is coming from being an avid gamer both online and offline myself. In the past I thought nothing of going to bed about 3am and then getting up about 7 for work. That has now changed thankfully and I do sleep (be it with my eyes open) at reasonable times now.


Online gaming is or should I say was a niche area where only the geeky people played quakeworld ( oops... forgot Xevito loved playing that... I better run now ) but now you have xbox live for the console masses and this has opened up a WHOLE new area for gamers. Why play stupidily controlled AI characters in games such as FIFA when you can play a friend over the web who doesn't fall from the get to the edge of the area and pass it to the back of the net trick that FIFA has

Online gaming is also about the community. For example - I have been on various nights out with past and present clans and had some excellent nights out in weird and wonderful places like Stoke and Southampton that I would not have had the chance too. Another good gaming scene is the LAN scene where basically the great unwashed gather and play games on a network until they pass out at their keyboards

As for everything - there will be always people that are addicted but this is more a psychological dependancy not a physical one and a 2 week break such as a holiday abroad would do them the world of good as would a network outage

Online gamers anonymous - Now wheres the signup form.....

[Allen]

would do them the world of good as would a network outage

NO! That would make us cry.....

Seriously though, it can be a big problem for some. Take me for example, in the last 2 weeks I've rarely had more than 3-4 hours sleep per night, except for the weekends when I have a lie in. Thanks Blizzard!

I lost a job once, many years ago, to online gaming. I may not sleep a lot now, but I'll never make that mistake again!

I heard somewhere that there was a gaming ban in Japan between something like 1am and 6am, but I'm not sure how true that is... Can't find anything on Google and can't remember where I heard it. Dunno if it would be possible to police either.

[nichomach]

I can see where that article is coming from being an avid gamer both online and offline myself. In the past I thought nothing of going to bed about 3am and then getting up about 7 for work. That has now changed thankfully and I do sleep (be it with my eyes open) at reasonable times now.

...between 9am and 5:30 like any normal person?

[TiG]

Whats the difference between online gaming and staying up late than going out drinking on a work night and getting drunk and going into work drunk.

I know which one i'd prefer anyone i was employing to be doing...

TiG

[Nemeliza]

Its not good for my rage, it makes it peak and trough at very sudden intervals! :|

[daniel_owen_uk]

I definately agree with the sleep thing, my halo2 addiction is causing me to get 5-6 hours a night instead of my usually 7-9 hours.

But so what? If you enjoy it why not? Ok you can start talking about blood pressure and obesity, but if you play in moderation then you should be fine.

Admittedly though there are people that get carried away.

[wedge22]

I have been playing WoW until 2am and need to cut down really, but then some nights I will not play at all, really all depends on my wifes mood.

[Rhyth]

I was thinking for some it could get to the situation were the sense of achievement they feel in these games becomes greater than which they are experiencing in real life. However their perception of real life may then grow to be entwined with the gaming world to such an extent as to warp the individuals understanding of the situation they are actually in, at this stage I think it becomes serious. I am able to appreciate and interpret the cerebrally pleasing pursuits of WoW on a recreational level and nothing more this means not placing certain values on what you achieve in-game. I do feel grateful for the presence of my partner as I know I could easily let huge chunks of my life be absorbed by this game, so don’t get me wrong I feel the pull, the ever present teasing call from the succubus of WoW; coaxing me to the throne that sits before the gate to a world that only exists beyond my monitor

[Nox]

These games are also bad for those around you, when I first started playing everquest (well over 5 years ago now) I stopped going out as much, then less, then even less and then my social life stopped completly. I have no doubt what so ever this was good for my liver and lungs, but not for my 'overall health' There is a balance, find it and stick with it, and agree that balance with your better half... or you will loose them.

Nox