Ben-DutkaPerhaps it's age. Perhaps it's maturity. Perhaps it's due to the wider mainstream appeal and the influx of casual gamers. But whatever the reason, I believe gamers have really located equilibrium in regards to their favorite hobby; it's this moderation that wields the heaviest part of the sledgehammer as it smashes down the wall of stereotypes.
Those who recall the '80s and '90s should remember the #1 assumption: it wasn't so much that gamers were geeks, but more so that all were "addicted" to video games. The term "addiction" is one that veteran gamers have battled all their lives, and for the time being, let me say that it's easy to assign such a label to certain people. For instance, if the socially awkward kid didn't attend any of the various social gatherings at school, he was "in solitary" most of the time. And when games are the most fun you can have by yourself, you tend to spend a great deal of time participating in your favorite hobby (perhaps by default, but nevertheless). Therefore, "addiction" is often the first word the uninitiated would associate with gamers: if you said you loved games, the vast majority of the mass populace immediately believed you were "addicted." This, of course, was very rarely the case.
If you're not familiar, look up the definition of "addiction" in the a scientific journal or the diagnostic manual for Psychology. If you read that definition, you will soon understand just how ludicrous it sounds to be considered "addicted" to video games. Do you see the qualifications you would have to meet? 99% of the time, it's laughable. But, all this being said, I will freely admit that avid gamers did spend an awful lot of time in front of the TV, and as I've gotten older, I've noticed it less and less. It has finally gotten to the point where if someone says they play games, most don't think they partake of the hobby any more often then someone who likes to go to the theater and watch movies. Moderation is the key. Gamers go out and do other things these days; the majority simply list interactive entertainment as one of their favorite pastimes. Nothing more. As for me, I make a living writing about them, but even saying this isn't enough to elicit the "addictive" response.
Ten or fifteen years ago? Pfft. People would've tried to commit me. They would've actually been frightened. Furthermore, I was not only an addict, but I was mere seconds away from taking out a chainsaw. Seriously, the mainstream populace just didn't get gaming, and when the mainstream media exclusively ran negative stories, you couldn't really blame the masses. It was, however, maddeningly infuriating. These days, because it has become quite obvious that "addiction" is almost never accurate and the uneducated can't pin the world's woes upon video games, everything is so much easier. It's a testament to gamers the world over who have stepped outside, participated in other activities and in general, acted like adults. Moderation…is… good . And we still get to do what we love to do. 😉
Edging ever closer & closer towards 57, I've been gaming for a long, long, long time.
And although I still play for hours on end some days, the only thing I've ever found myself addicted to is…breathing, LOL
Ok, it's now back to the fight in the Cheshire chapter of Resistance:FOM for me
Last edited by BikerSaint on 6/26/2009 10:39:20 PM
Hey Biker isn't R2:FOM a great game?
I am playing it or more accurately was playing it but had to stop due to retinal detachment. Can't way for my right eye to recover to go back to it. I find much hard to play it with one eye only, not so much other games that are not FPS.
Karosso, do you wear a patch matey?
Biker Saint are you 57 years old?
Karosso, what are you saying?
Hey WWW, I had to be rushed to a hospital to have my retina reattached, its the part of the eye that processes all the visual input and sends it to your brain. My was coming off from the back of the eye 🙁
The surgery was a success and I should be 100% in a month. No so easy to play FPS with just one eye, but FF7 is not so hard LOL.
Glad to see another older gamer. I'm 56
Oh Karosso, sorry…
I've definitely found moderation. As a kid I had more time for it of course, but now I average an hour or two a day. I'm still waiting on the epic RPGs so that I can have those 5-6 hour marathons on weekends but they will come and even if someone tried to call that an addiction I'm at the age where I just can't be bothered what people think about me anymore.
Believe me when I say I tried to find an eye patch but no luck so far… Will try again Monday when I go back to work, just want to see the look on my clients face when they see me Ha!
About RPGs, what did you think of Valkyria Chronicles? Just played the demo and fell in love with it! is the game itself that good?
I don't have it yet, I've had to wait for better prices on certain games this gen, I'm a big RPG guy but strategy is lower on my list so what are ya gonna do? I just know everyone around here adores it though.
Yep, I know how it is. I am going to ask a co-worker to buy it for me at Walmart in NJ, they have it for 39 bucks.
Have you play the demo? Its short but it gives you an idea of how it plays and I must say its very engaging.
Last edited by Karosso on 6/27/2009 9:34:46 AM
Yeah I played the demo but not at length, I was kind of on the fence about it but as an RPG nut I'm very interested in the story. Maybe I'll go back to it.
I have been label a game addict since very young, even thou I played outside a lot and had many outdoor activities, mainly soccer.
I have to admit that some games did have me burning way past the midnight oil, mostly Warcraft 2, even during weekdays, I would play until 3 am having to work the next day. Can't afford to do it anymore, getting older and the body needs it rest LOL.
I play my games all the time when I have a spare moment I am playing my games and I dont goive a toss what people think of me its my hobby I enjoy it and I am not doing drugs, robbing people, raping people or murdering people I am safe in my room on my console(s)/PC 🙂
Last edited by tlpn99 on 6/26/2009 11:19:43 PM
amen brother, things may be beginning to change but you used to get treated like you had a heroin habit or WERE a murderer.
Perhaps, perhaps.
Moderation=boredom when you don't spend all of your free time with games. Not that they are boring, but boring enough to not occupy all of your free time.
As for addiction, most addictive stuff (alchohol, drugs, etc) are addictive for no other reason than their effects on the brain. As for games, they are not and never will be addictive because they are intellectually interesting, not mindless.
@Karosso,
Yeah it's great, luv the game.
So far now I'm part way thru the Cheddar Gourge(don't want to give any spoilers way for any late blooming Resistance fighters(like myself).
But that Stalker mech was a bitch, & those hundreds of scorpion looking Leapers really don't have any table manners as they kept munching out on me(So far, they've given me the most frigging trouble, but I did get them figured out now & I've been coaxing a few of them out at a time & then springing my traps on them.
BTW, hope all goes well with your recovery & wishing you full & speedy, back-to-normalness in short order.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 6/27/2009 1:57:32 AM
Thanks Biker, will heed your advice about the scorpion looking Leapers, will be at it again in a month I believe.
I actually tend to spend more time reading about games than playing them.
didn't dr. phil do an episode on video game addiction? that guy is a total douche.
Last edited by Swavey on 6/27/2009 3:55:26 AM
Ben,very nice article(like always)…
BikerSaint,i loved the demo(first one)still got to buy it though,like you,i wait until it goes down in price….
Ben,yesterday looking in the box of my past i found the original Final Fantasy For NES…(maybe you should do an article on it)…
Last edited by slayerkillemall on 6/27/2009 4:07:27 AM
HAHA so I take it that's you in that picture Ben? I always knew you were a pasty wait skinny male that is only allowed to occupy backgrounds of pictures. 😉 You know I'm kidding. But seriously I've never seen you so it makes a person wonder. Anyway, what would this site be if your readers couldn't make fun of the moderator?
In regards to your article, sorry Ben I still get called an addict. Hell! I get called an addict by WOWers. Thanks though, this makes me feel better.
LOL No….. trust me i've seen him.
Picture Chris Redfield of Resident Evil 5,that's Ben.
Here a real picture of Ben from his facebook page.
www(dot)facebook(dot)com/people/Ben-Dutka/11905228
Sorry, chief. Don't do Facebook.
@Ben
I didn't mean to offend you Ben, I thought that it was you on facebook. So then someone made a fake account using your name?
No idea. But I know that isn't me.
Video games are considered "addicting" because of the reward system in our brains. We play a game so we can beat the next level, unlock the next item, etc., and when we achieve these things, our brains release some chemical that makes us happy. So, naturally, we go back and do it again. And again.
But this phenomenon happens with a LOT of things–just about anything where there's something to work toward.
Drugs take control of the whole reward system in our brains, and that's why they are so addicting. We are so "rewarded" that we want to go back and do it again. Except it takes more to get back to that state the next time, and the next time, and our brains turn into swiss cheese.
I think there's a subtle difference.
There won't be moderation when FF13&14 come out. Good RPGs will keep you going for at least 5 hours straight.
I was never addicted to games even as a kid.I always did other activities.However,I do wish that gaming never took off in the mainstream,because now too many developers (Nintendo specifically) are making crappy casual games and destroying the creative aspect that I love and what made gaming an incredible form of entertainment to begin with.
Moderation? What's that? 😀
I really don't care what people think of my gaming. I'll play whatever games I want whatever amount of time I want.
As long as everything else is fine.
@WWW & Techy,
I'm 56(but only till Nov 5th)
@slayerkillemall
Just an FYI, If you buy it used, Gamestop's selling R:FOM for $19.99 now, & if you have their "EDGE" card, it drops even lower in price to around $17.
I don't believe you
Ya know what?
YES, I AM AN ADDICT!!!!
When I'm playing a game, I get the feeling of being on drugs.
While in the game, "BANG"…I get an immediate head rush & go into in long states of euphoria as my mind gets immersed further & further into my game.
But at that exact moment when I actually finish the game, my brain becomes numb, my body's spent from being in hyper-overdrive so long, & I get that big sudden crash from knowing I can't get another fix again, until I'm "popping" another game. And if there isn't another game for me to score immediately, then melancholy set's in.
And thanks to all those damned crack-addicting game developing pushers, now I'm way too far gone to even think about going into any 12-step programs!!!!!
(Nor do I want to)!!!!!!
Last edited by BikerSaint on 6/27/2009 9:41:22 PM
I luv u
i have to say that during the ps1 age i was fully addicted then ps2 i would buy games and not open them!! but now on the ps3 age i have to beat the game im playing and play it every day, and the wife hates it lol
@bikersaint not a bad idea,i'll look into it.,although i have a hard time(dont Know why) buying used games if i can buyit new,unless its discontinued or something (like halflife for ps2,got it for $5)etc…
@www
What…that I'm 56, or is it that I have an Edge card? LOL
I play my PS3 like crazy, and I use the internet a lot to look at upcoming games and reading reviews etc. But I still go outside and hang out with friends, I skateboard and I go to school. Plus, I'm taking driving lessons, which is a hobby I've been waiting to grow into, since I've always been fascinated by cars. Two years from now I will be a delivery truck driver, which is my dream job. But I will still be playing games.
I don't really know what this had to do with moderation, but whatever. I guess I just wanted to prove that I can play games, have a social life and a career all at the same time.
😉
Hey LV,
er…OK guy, but I'm not shaving my legs for you!
And you're still not getting my Bud Liight! LOL
@ worldendswithme and @ karsso Valkyria chronicals DAMN GOOD, getting the DLC soon once i have the cash for it.
I have found moderation in my gaming I PLAY MORE than i did before but once i go back to work in Nov then DAMN that will end.