Gaming Addiction.

[ScAR_TiSsUE]

My Dad recently told me that it was acceptable to play games for no longer than 30mins/week. I said that was ridiculous. He stated that anybody who played games for longer was addicted.

As people who know 'a little more' about gaming. I would like to know if you have ever been truly addicted to gaming, how you found out, and what you did. What game/games affect you the most, etc. Stuff like that.

By the way, my gaming play time averages at around 6-10hrs/week. I'm selling some of my consoles to buy a digital slr camera. No doubt my dad will say something inspired like: "You shouldn't take more than a few pictures/week, anymore and you're a pervert!"

 

[Mr.Pandah]

I'd say my gaming spans no longer then over 2 hours a day, unless I really have nothing else to do. Your dad needs to be a bit more educated on a addictions. These aren't drugs or something. I've never been truly addicted to a game because I've always been able to stop whenever need be.

In the end, I'd play my games anyways regardless of what my father thought. Just tell him to stop whatever it is he does for more than 30minutes overall time. If he takes too long to eat, say hes addicted to food.

 

[un533n]

I was addicted to WoW for a good 8 months. If I went a whole day without logging on and playing a for a few hours I was just pissy.. and irritable. Fortunately this was only like.. my freshmen year in high school. Then I got a job, a girlfriend, and a car. Happy days

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Sounds like I'm addicted to eating, sleeping, walking, reading, going to the bathroom, talking, listening...

 

[fix-the-spade]

My Dad recently told me that it was acceptable to play games for no longer than 30mins/week. I said that was ridiculous. He stated that anybody who played games for longer was addicted.

Time how long he spends watching TV, surfing the web or listening to the radio for a week.
Then sign him up to a self help clinic for all three because 'he's addicted'.

I'm assuming your Dad has a sufficient sense of humour to get the joke.

 

[J-Man]

Firstly, 30mins a week could not even be considered as an addiction. Secondly, compulsive gaming tends to be a symptom, rather than cause of social problems. Thirdly, slr cameras are awesome

 

[ZacQuickSilver]

I'd say I'm addicted. Something about being tired and bored whenever I can't play games for more than a day.


However, I'm not hopelessly addicted: I make sure that I get everything I need to get done too; and I've got a B+ average in college to show it.

For me, the two things to consider about any addiction are withdrawal (what are the effects, how long can you be away from the addiction, how long do they last) and the psychological effects (on yourself, on those around you; both mentally and physically). I am able to manage my gaming so that I don't become addicted to the point where it is harming me, but not everyone is.

 

[jamesworkshop]

playing a game for 6 hours is no different from reading a book an addiction really has to bring a negative consequence otherwise any hobby could be called an addiction.
Besides gaming can be made a social activity the Wii has proved that long ago

 

[Cid Silverwing]

My gaming time can easily extend to 10+ hours, with breaks for food, toilet and social reconnection on MSN.

 

[Hunde Des Krieg]

I'd say addiction to gaming would be indicated by gaming for more than three hours, everyday.
I must say there really is something to the prospect though, I've gone through withdrawals, and serious cravings before.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

I tend to average around 12 hours a week on home systems and an additional 5 hours a week if you include playing my DS while going to and from work.

But yeah, you're dad is a putz, I'm just going to come out and say that. My parents limited my gaming when I was a kid (1 Hour on weekdays, 2-3 hours on weekends) because they felt I should spend my time doing other things. Which is fine, it's their house they are welcome to their opinions. They basically stopped restricting me once I got into high school though.

 

[USSR]

I'd say addiction to gaming would be indicated by gaming for more than three hours, everyday.

..I am an addict

I guess that would also make me an addict to guitar =/

 

[marfoir(IRL)]

Gaming addiction is blowing off everything else to play games. Usually there will be disruptions in sleep and eating patterns too. 30mins a day is not an addiction. 6hrs a day(something i'm guilty of) is slightly worrying but still not an addiction, an addiction is a very serious thing not 30mins of fun a week.

Besides gaming can be made a social activity the Wii has proved that long ago

The Wii!?

Sir, gaming was a social activity looooong before the wii.

 

[jamesworkshop]

Gaming addiction is blowing off everything else to play games. Usually there will be disruptions in sleep and eating patterns too. 30mins a day is not an addiction. 6hrs a day(something i'm guilty of) is slightly worrying but still not an addiction, an addiction is a very serious thing not 30mins of fun a week.

Besides gaming can be made a social activity the Wii has proved that long ago

The Wii!?



Sir, gaming was a social activity looooong before the wii.

yes but not to those who don't play video games

 

[Hunde Des Krieg]

I'd say addiction to gaming would be indicated by gaming for more than three hours, everyday.

..I am an addict

I guess that would also make me an addict to guitar =/

Guitar addiction isn't such a bad thing though. But I really mean like 5-6 hours or more even, every single day.

 

[marfoir(IRL)]

Gaming addiction is blowing off everything else to play games. Usually there will be disruptions in sleep and eating patterns too. 30mins a day is not an addiction. 6hrs a day(something i'm guilty of) is slightly worrying but still not an addiction, an addiction is a very serious thing not 30mins of fun a week.

Besides gaming can be made a social activity the Wii has proved that long ago

The Wii!?



Sir, gaming was a social activity looooong before the wii.

yes but not to those who don't play video games

So...
Friends=Social
Video games= Not social

Friends+Video games= Not social?

Please explain.

 

[TehLlamaFarmer]

My Dad recently told me that it was acceptable to play games for no longer than 30mins/week. I said that was ridiculous. He stated that anybody who played games for longer was addicted."

i am obviously addicted to my school work, job and homework if you follow your dads logic

 

[runtheplacered]

I tend to average around 12 hours a week on home systems and an additional 5 hours a week if you include playing my DS while going to and from work.

But yeah, you're dad is a putz, I'm just going to come out and say that. My parents limited my gaming when I was a kid (1 Hour on weekdays, 2-3 hours on weekends) because they felt I should spend my time doing other things. Which is fine, it's their house they are welcome to their opinions. They basically stopped restricting me once I got into high school though.

I'm 28 and have been gaming since I was 2 (technically speaking). So I've been in and out of gaming addictions since I can remember. Gaming was so new back then that my parents pretty much let me do whatever I wanted to in the gaming arena. I have a baby boy who is not even 2 months old yet, now. But, I wonder how I will handle his gaming habits (assuming he even has one.) Knowing what I know, would I restrict him like you were restricted? I'd have to cut back on my own gaming as to not look like a hypocrite, which would be tough on its own!

Anyway, I just got to thinking about that after reading your post.

 

[USSR]

I'd say addiction to gaming would be indicated by gaming for more than three hours, everyday.

..I am an addict

I guess that would also make me an addict to guitar =/

Guitar addiction isn't such a bad thing though. But I really mean like 5-6 hours or more even, every single day.

Ah, than I really am addicted to gaming =/

But I don't see that as a bad thing either

7 hours a day isn't bad ^^ *twitches*