The Truth About Video Game Addiction
Gambling and drugs are addictive, and many individuals wonder if video games could also top that list.
Wendy Kays, author of the book “Game Widow,” which analyzes game addiction said too much energy is spent arguing whether game addiction is real, or what classifies a person as being addicted.
“The real issue is not validating the label,” she said, “but addressing the behavior problem and flawed decision-making processes of abusers.”
Kays said warning signs of an addiction include a hangover mood after playing, thinking and talking about nothing but the game and when they get to play next, and cutting important things out of the individual’s life for more game time.
Not all gamers recognize these warning signs, she said. Kays said she has encountered some gamers who denied they were addicted, but because of video games they lived in depressed conditions and experienced divorces and other life changing consequences.
Depressed conditions are not the only drawback to gaming addictions. Rare reports have surfaced of individuals who have died from the activity. CNN reported in September of 2007, a man in China died in a cyber-café after a three day non-stop gaming session. A similar incident was reported by BBC News of a South Korean man who died after a 50-hour gaming marathon. Exhaustion was found to be a common factor in both.
The number of gamers affected is not agreed on by experts. Some experts claim between 5 and 20 percent of gamers may become obsessively addicted. However, they do agree a certain genre can be problematic.
Dylan Cuthbert, president of Q-Games which is a game developer in Japan, said some game genres can be more addictive than others. He said it can be a problem for people playing MMO’s (Massively Multiplayer Online Games) because they take up a lot of time to play.
But video games are not all bad. A majority of people can enjoy video games without any problems. MMO’s can even promote leadership skills and teamwork. For instance, in many MMO’s, players must work together to strategize certain tasks. In addition, many college students play online games to keep in touch with old friends.
There are other advantages to video games. Cuthbert described Mario Bros. 3 as a defining experience.
“The learning curve required for that game is pretty cool and at the end of it you feel very quick, responsive and alert,” he said. “It teaches you incredible hand-eye coordination.”
The benefits of video games are not limited to specific gaming groups. Surgeons also use video games to help save lives. According to a study reported by Reuters, doctors who played “Super Monkey Ball” for 20 minutes before performing a procedure were faster and had fewer errors than surgeons who did not play. A recent report from Phoenix also showed surgeons improved their accuracy in certain procedures by 50 percent.
Psychiatrist Kourosh Dini, who specializes in video game addiction, said individuals need to decide if the video game is worth the time and effort consumed.
“Being able to identify one’s goals, short and long-term, and learning how to create the day to get there takes work,” Dini said. “If a game is sapping the resource of attention needed to make these choices, then a person needs to seriously think about reassessing one’s relationship to a game.”
What can be done to help those with a video game addiction? Kays said while it may seem natural for online gamers to seek online help, this is not the best solution.
“Getting help online may be like going to an AA meeting in a bar,” Kays said. “Be careful and look first for offline counsel and support.”
At USU, students are encouraged to use the Counseling Service Center for help and support. Visiting the Counseling Service Center is free of charge for all current full-time students. If students see signs of addiction in a roommate or friend, it is best to recommend counseling before forcibly removing the hardware and software.
It’s important to be aware of the warning signs associated with addiction, and look for them. Video game addiction should not be considered a myth, because it is a problem.
-tim.russell@aggiemail.usu.edu