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How do you define an addictive gamer?

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Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-23 17:49:36
February 22 2011 23:12 GMT
#1
*Before I go on, I made a search and although the topic of addicts came up quite a lot, it never entirely hit the issue I wanted to talk about. Feel free to close it if you feel otherwise wise TL Staff (and I apologize). - Thanks

http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/search.php?q=addicts

There is this topic, but it comes with the notion that games may or may not be an addiction rather than placing the quality on the person: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=173743


So today I went on my e-mail or my community's e-mail, my community being here at Concordia University (we're a Starcraft Club/Community supported and funded by our student council) and I got an e-mail today from a student in journalism as it reads the following:

Good morning!

I'm a journalism student from UQAM doing a video project about video games addictions. I was wondering if you knew anyone who would be an addict or an ex-addict. Our video is a school project and therefore won't be aired.

Please let me know if you know anyone or not. Thank you!

His/Her Name
His/Her Number


I immediately felt defensive, but strangely, I was unsure of whether what I was feeling was just a defense mechanism, so I inquired: + Show Spoiler +
Addict is a very strong and potentially misused word. You will have to define it and not via examples. Video-gamers are sometimes misconstrued as addicts or those without the ability to restrain themselves. We're all passionate video-gamers and thus the word "addict" is a word we tend to avoid because of its social stigma and misunderstanding.

Please be specific, though I don't believe we have any addicts, just passionate people who enjoy video-games over other social outlets.

Cheers,
Concordia Startcraft


Her response was more or less not what I wanted to hear and I construed that in a civil way, but perhaps I was too harsh in my response. But this exchange of e-mails had me wondering: What exactly defines an addictive gamer. Here are the follow-up responses and will finish out with an open-ended question: His/Her Reply

+ Show Spoiler +
Good afternoon!

We do not want to miscontrue passionate video gamers; I am myself an adept of online gaming, and although I can spend a few hours a day playing games, I wouldn't like to be called an addict. By addict we mean people who don't do much else than playing at video games, and do not have any other social interests. I just thought of asking your group if you didn't know anyone in this position, because my team and I are struggling with finding some addict-gamers (I'm not sure of the term I should use anymore. Maybe it varies from French to English).

Thank you anyway for your quick answer! Best regards,

His/Her Name


My reply

+ Show Spoiler +
I think the main issue is trying to define addicts in general. You won't find anyone who will say he/she is a serious addict and if he was previously, who's to say his views of addiction are not distorted by the conventional views of society and socialization?

When it comes to video games, the distinction becomes even harder because of the social interaction of online games now (thus assumption of the seclusion and anti-social behavior of gamers is voided) and especially with casual games giving the illusion that simplicity equates to non-addicted level of knowledge (think of Zygna games/Facebook games). Additionally those who spend a lot of time in games could simply be experience a field of work they would enjoy, which makes the topic vastly more diverse and difficult than addictive smokers and drug addicts.

Unfortunately we don't have any "addicts" in our group because we feel that the parameters of "time spent playing video games" or "people who don't do much else than playing at video games, and do not have any other social interests" is not a very accurate or sufficient parameter to define an addict, especially when related to video-games or the convenience of the online socialization (Facebook is an easy indicator). Additionally, we are a group of collaborate individuals who want to remove the stigma or poor views of video-games and all its aspects, including ones that create a distance between a passion of gaming (thus spending numerous hours playing with others as well as alone) and a passion of another occupation, pastime or interest.

To conclude, in my opinion, you might want to alter your topic to the addictive nature of games or perhaps the quality of games that ensue addictive behavior and get some psychological and sociological experts' views and opinions or to reverse your problem: find out what the general population views as an addicted gamer. We'd be more than likely to help you with those endeavors or journalistic topics.

I'm sorry we couldn't be more help,
Concordia Starcraft [Michael Cohen]


I will admit that my response is perhaps too impartial or bias towards my view of things or even mistaken or misunderstanding of her intentions. I will admit to many things and perhaps I am just entirely wrong and I'll admit to that.

But what I want to know is how everyone else defines an addictive gamer without examples. It's very easy to say that an addictive gamer is some WoW Nerd who doesn't get laid and spends all his time alone in his room with the lights off ignoring the basic human necessities of eating and bathing, but that's perhaps just an extreme example and doesn't really set a general line for others to base their definitions off of.

So to conclude or (tl:dr); how do you define an addictive gamer, one who is different from say those who are just generally interest, passionate and contributory to the gaming world, industry and society? Do you use a measurement of time to underline one's addictive behavior towards games? Amount of games played, etc.? Are those addicted to games no different than those who are addicted to cigarettes or drugs? Are video-games a safer or much healthier emotional outlet than some other forms of adi


I'd love to hear equally-valued opinions.

Thanks!
Torte de Lini

https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
Draconicfire
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada2562 Posts
February 22 2011 23:17 GMT
#2
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/addiction

"the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma."

That's essentially how I define an addict. If a person is so into video games that they actually cannot stop playing them, then I consider them an addict. If a person can take a day and be like "Alright, no games today" and just do other things, they aren't an addict in my book.
@Drayxs | Drayxs.221 | Drayxs#1802
Manifesto7
Profile Blog Joined November 2002
Osaka27140 Posts
February 22 2011 23:17 GMT
#3
I dont think an game addict is different than other addicts. If gaming is something that negatively impacts other important aspects of your life, and creates an imbalance, then it is a problem.

Continuing behaviour that contributes to this negative impact makes you an addict.
ModeratorGodfather
IamBach
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States1059 Posts
February 22 2011 23:18 GMT
#4
If someone has drastically altered their life so that it centers around their game, and they have stopped doing what they previously enjoyed doing to the extent that video games seem all that defines life for them, then they are addicted. Even if they play video games 6 hours a day, but still are getting good grades and do other things besides just games and have other interests, then they are not addicted IMO.
Just listen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__lCZeePG48
Zerokaiser
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Canada885 Posts
February 22 2011 23:20 GMT
#5
I would say a game becomes an addiction when you play it obsessively past the point of enjoying it.

I don't think it should be labelled as addiction of you play a game constantly just because it's awesomely fun.
Lanaia is love.
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
February 22 2011 23:20 GMT
#6
On February 23 2011 08:17 Draconicfire wrote:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/addiction

"the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma."

That's essentially how I define an addict. If a person is so into video games that they actually cannot stop playing them, then I consider them an addict. If a person can take a day and be like "Alright, no games today" and just do other things, they aren't an addict in my book.


What trauma would you get if you weren't playing games? Boredom? I'm not being sarcastic, but generally unsure of the repercussions of not playing games.
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
February 22 2011 23:21 GMT
#7
On February 23 2011 08:20 Zerokaiser wrote:
I would say a game becomes an addiction when you play it obsessively past the point of enjoying it.

I don't think it should be labelled as addiction of you play a game constantly just because it's awesomely fun.


Enjoyment is a bit of an ambiguous word. I'm sure many people find their games or how they play their games unenjoyable but the achievement of an accomplishment or the end-result of playing something (either beating a very challenging part or reaching a new level) is an enjoyable aspect of the game one would pursue.
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
AllNight
Profile Joined November 2010
Netherlands86 Posts
February 22 2011 23:22 GMT
#8
Maybe you could look for some scientific literature on the subject which defines addictive gamers and their traits.
www.livestream.com/allnightsc2
YejinYejin
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States1053 Posts
February 22 2011 23:22 GMT
#9
I define addiction like Draconicfire. I don't think it's sufficient to say that the gaming negatively impacts other aspects of your life. That is not an addiction, because there are plenty of things that do that. A lot of people procrastinate, and that often negatively impacts academic performance, but I don't think you can say someone is "addicted to procrastination."

In my opinion, the activity needs to be habit forming, and, as Draconic's dictionary definition said, cessation of the activity itself has to have certain effects. Most people will not start shaking if they stop gaming, as opposed to people who try to stop their alcoholism or smoking cold turkey. Those two have intense side effects when you try to stop.
안지호
BrenttheGreat
Profile Joined July 2010
United States150 Posts
February 22 2011 23:22 GMT
#10
When things that don't really matter in life are made a priority over things that matter more.

Example: Not having a job and living in your parents basement.
Example: Not paying your bills because you are too lazy/busy playing a game to take care of it.
Example: Avoiding social opportunities and being determined to be FOREVER ALONE!
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 23:24:21
February 22 2011 23:23 GMT
#11
On February 23 2011 08:22 BrenttheGreat wrote:
When things that don't really matter in life are made a priority over things that matter more.

Example: Not having a job and living in your parents basement.
Example: Not paying your bills because you are too lazy/busy playing a game to take care of it.
Example: Avoiding social opportunities and being determined to be FOREVER ALONE!


All those examples could be manifestations by some other aspect of one's life. How would you determine if it's due to your gaming interests?

By the way, if I'm replying to you, I'm just trying to play Devil's Advocate :3
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
Consolidate
Profile Joined February 2010
United States829 Posts
February 22 2011 23:24 GMT
#12
Game addition and gambling addition are comparable.
Creature posessed the the spirit of inquiry and bloodlust - Adventure Time
BrenttheGreat
Profile Joined July 2010
United States150 Posts
February 22 2011 23:25 GMT
#13
On February 23 2011 08:23 Torte de Lini wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 23 2011 08:22 BrenttheGreat wrote:
When things that don't really matter in life are made a priority over things that matter more.

Example: Not having a job and living in your parents basement.
Example: Not paying your bills because you are too lazy/busy playing a game to take care of it.
Example: Avoiding social opportunities and being determined to be FOREVER ALONE!


All those examples could be manifestations by some other aspect of one's life. How would you determine if it's due to your gaming interests?

By the way, if I'm replying to you, I'm just trying to play Devil's Advocate :3



I have no idea. You win.
AllNight
Profile Joined November 2010
Netherlands86 Posts
February 22 2011 23:26 GMT
#14
You can use scholar.google.com if you need to find articles.
Use your university account (if the university facilitates e-journals) to acces some papers.

A quick search came up with this (for example).

Fisher (1994) Identifying video game addiction in children and adolescents
www.livestream.com/allnightsc2
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 23:27:31
February 22 2011 23:27 GMT
#15
On February 23 2011 08:25 BrenttheGreat wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 23 2011 08:23 Torte de Lini wrote:
On February 23 2011 08:22 BrenttheGreat wrote:
When things that don't really matter in life are made a priority over things that matter more.

Example: Not having a job and living in your parents basement.
Example: Not paying your bills because you are too lazy/busy playing a game to take care of it.
Example: Avoiding social opportunities and being determined to be FOREVER ALONE!


All those examples could be manifestations by some other aspect of one's life. How would you determine if it's due to your gaming interests?

By the way, if I'm replying to you, I'm just trying to play Devil's Advocate :3



I have no idea. You win.


That's no fun ):

On February 23 2011 08:26 AllNight wrote:
You can use scholar.google.com if you need to find articles.
Use your university account (if the university facilitates e-journals) to acces some papers.

A quick search came up with this (for example).

Fisher (1994) Identifying video game addiction in children and adolescents


This isn't for a paper, I want your general opinion. Just yours
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
Manifesto7
Profile Blog Joined November 2002
Osaka27140 Posts
February 22 2011 23:29 GMT
#16
On February 23 2011 08:22 DTK-m2 wrote:
I define addiction like Draconicfire. I don't think it's sufficient to say that the gaming negatively impacts other aspects of your life. That is not an addiction, because there are plenty of things that do that. A lot of people procrastinate, and that often negatively impacts academic performance, but I don't think you can say someone is "addicted to procrastination."

In my opinion, the activity needs to be habit forming, and, as Draconic's dictionary definition said, cessation of the activity itself has to have certain effects. Most people will not start shaking if they stop gaming, as opposed to people who try to stop their alcoholism or smoking cold turkey. Those two have intense side effects when you try to stop.


This is why I added the second line to my post. Thebehaviour has to continue even though the person knows about the negative consequences.

As for the physical thing, we recently had a thread about over-stimulation and its effects. I would venture that someone who is addicted to games would get quite jittery if not exposed to that stimulation.
ModeratorGodfather
KwarK
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States42478 Posts
February 22 2011 23:30 GMT
#17
If you focus heavily on one area of your life it'll generally take from the others. That's an inevitable part of the way you prioritise your time so negatively impacting other areas isn't enough. I feel it has to be more severe than that to qualify as an addiction over a passion. For example, gaming instead of actively seeking a promotion in your free time when you're doing okay would be negative to your career but could be a rational and logical choice in terms of your overall standard of living. Gaming over showing up to work and losing house/family is most likely not. The choice has to be short-termist and irrational to prove addiction in my opinion.
ModeratorThe angels have the phone box
solidbebe
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Netherlands4921 Posts
February 22 2011 23:31 GMT
#18
There should be a more clear distinction between someone who just plays alot of games and someone who is addicted. Right now most people just think, wow he plays 6 hours of games a day!? He MUST be addicted. Which is a very wrong though IMO.

As Draconicfire has said someone who cannot let go of gaming on their own ( thus without help ) is addicted. And I would definitely agree on saying that if somebody can just say, alright no games today or this week then they are most likely NOT addicted.

Even if they play video games 6 hours a day, but still are getting good grades and do other things besides just games and have other interests, then they are not addicted IMO.


I'd say this is something else, if someone is addicted to gaming then it will ( in most cases ) consume his life more and more. The very definition of 'being addicted to' means that you can't go without it. You NEED to do it, even if you still get good grades and have other interests/activities, you could still be addicted to games. ( You might still be in an early stage of 'the consuming process' ). But I believe someone can be addicted to 'a daily dose' which would basically mean someone having to play starcraft every day. He/she doesn't need to play it alot ( and it doesn't get to be more over time, the amount of time stays the same ) but he/she does need the daily dose even if it is just for 1 or 2 hours.

As for your response to his/her email's about addicted gamers, I think you weren't too harsh at all. He/she was really careless in formulating their intentions. That email could have very well been interpreted as: "hey is your club/you addicted to games and could we talk to you?". Pretty bad imo.

That's the 2nd time in a week I've seen someone sig a quote from this GD and I have never witnessed a sig quote happen in my TL history ever before. -Najda
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-22 23:34:36
February 22 2011 23:31 GMT
#19
I guess over-stimulation would depend on the person because anecdotally, I've been heavily exposed to video-games (between my job and at home/leisure time).

So would you say the journalist was right on how she defines video-game addicts?

Edit: haha, someone answered the question, thanks!
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
February 22 2011 23:37 GMT
#20
I think the addiction of an activity is vastly more different than how one's addicted to the consumption of a drug or cigarettes (I know I keep using these as example, I apologize). So the techniques we're using to define it or at least identify it seem a bit off the mark (Thanks Kwark).
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
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