Are You a Gaming Addict?
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While carrying out some research for another article, I found myself sidetracked looking into gaming addiction. As with most other forms of addiction, most people don’t know that they have a problem. Further reading surprised me in that I display one or two of the symptoms of gaming addiction. Should I be worried? And how common is gaming addiction anyway?
According to the Byron Report, gaming addicts are far less common than people think. Apparently you need to display a number of the following criteria in order to be considered a potential addict. Click through for the skinny on the signs and find out if you class as an addict.
“Technological Addiction†refers to excessive human-machine interaction. (Ahem.) The characteristics of such addiction include:
How important it is. Personally, I get antsy when I haven’t checked my friend messages in at least a few days and I get quite peeved if there is a delay to updating the PSN store. As for the LBP delay, well…
Mood Swings. I get angry if I just can’t get passed that one guy. Sometimes to the point of getting angry with people around me… (Sorry about that!)
Tolerance. Do you need to play for progressively longer stretches in order to achieve the same gaming high? Not an issue for me – I’m happy with a short sharp gaming high as opposed to a prolonged gaming session.
Withdrawal. Do you get the shakes? Do you sweat if you know you can’t get gaming for a few days? Maybe this is the most common aspect we gamers experience. Even the threat of no gaming for a period of time can cause outrage. After all, was that not what really irked the RRoD masses?
Conflict. Does your gaming cause arguments with your spouse? Are you constantly missing work deadlines because of your obsessive compulsion to play one more game of CoD 4? Have you missed a few classes at University because of an alcohol-assisted all night frag fest? These are all key indicators, people… take heed!
Relapse. As with all addictions, there is always the risk of lapsing back into your old ways of crazed, argument-filled, long-duration gaming sessions. I’m not about to stop to see if I do lapse back. After all; giving something up is for quitters, right?
What about you? Any stories highlighting any of the above addiction indicators? Let us know in the comments below. A problem shared is a problem solved. Either that or we will all just laugh and point.
![Final Fantasy XIII's Shiva Sisters [Updated]](http://www.ps3attitude.com/wp-content/themes/arthemia-premium/scripts/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/shiva2.jpg&w=80&h=80&zc=1&q=100)
Well, I would’nt classify myself as a game addict as I talk about games much more than I actually play them. And as for the getting angry when I can’t get past a certain area in a game, I chalk that up me being a crap loser
I just don’t like losing or getting stuck in areas.
The closest I have been to a gaming addiction is
Europa Universalis 2, now that is one sweet grand strategy game.
And I can play it for ages, MP games usually last 3 months…mmm diplomacy, war and trade…me like
I don’t fit the description above. However, I would consider my a gaming addict. I guess I’m more of a non-violent, functioning addict.
And I don’t plan on getting treatment anytime soon 
Final Fantasy XI.
Missed days at work turned to I never showed up again. Since then I went on a one month plus non-stop FFXI gaming binge that only stopped when I ran out of money. I cancelled my FFXI subscription, got a new job and stopped playing videogames for months.
Gaming slowly creeped back in moderation and I eventually relapsed on FFXI; but by then I had far more to loose if I let myself get addicted to it once more. Since then I have had full control of my gaming habit.
Much like Dr. Gregory House I am an addict, but I don’t see it as a problem. Not anymore. It helps me relax, it helps me unwind, it makes me happy when life has me down.
My namme is Danny_D, and I am a gaming addict.
It’s OK Danny_D, You’re not alone.
First time I noticed that I was becoming a game addict must have been the CoD4 phase. I used to spend up to 7 hours playing that game. Then I slowly crept out of it.
Now I’m what people call a ‘casual gamer’. I play every now and then to satisfy my gaming needs (or just to ease myself from the pain of boredom).
Being a hardcore gaming addict can bring about the creation of an unsociable, very sad life; having to rely on others to create good games, and spending all your money on them.
I just hope I will never have to come across another CoD4.
[...] According to the Byron Report, true “gaming addicts” are not nearly as common as people think. The media throws it out indiscriminately, using it to describe any excessive behavior, but you need to meet certain criteria in order to be considered a real game-junkie. [...]
[...] According to the Byron Report, true “gaming addicts” are not nearly as common as people think. The media throws it out indiscriminately, using it to describe any excessive behavior, but you need to meet certain criteria in order to be considered a real game-junkie. [...]
I wish I had the time to be a gaming addict. Of course now Square Enix are putting out games for the PS3 Xbox gamers will need more time to switch discs as they play. With “The last rag” – or should that be remnant?) coming on two discs and FFXIII rumoured to be on 4-5 discs It seems PS3 owners have the last laugh on the Xbox 360.
Yes I confess I am a PS3 fanboy but not by choice. Some may be born to fanboysism and others haveit thrust upon them. I think most of us had no choice, what with the RROD, ridiculous hard drive nonsense, pricey upgrades, deletion of 100k+ game achievements, Does Microsoft really believe gamers will put-up with disc swapping in this day and age?
Well I suppose if people have clung on to their Xboxes for this long, they just might.
my name is Heshster and i am a member! its been 8 hours since my last online match, now i have cold sweats, hand tremmors, sunlight sensativity.
scary