How many pathetic video gamers do you know?

[Fooz]

If you seriously think that (and it seems you do), I don't know how to change your opinion. I have friends that I didn't meet in WoW, and I have friends I did meet there. They're the same quality friends, but the WoW ones are three times as many (not counting my family and relatives, obviously). I do not regret a single hour spent in that game. (Five years worth).

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

Of course you don't agree with me, you're too entrenched to do so. And that's fine! I realise that people can make friends online, but to suggest that being friends in WoW and being friends in real life is equal is ridiculous.

Real life>Fantasy. Of course there is a place for both and of course you can be enriched by both, but one is significantly more important and holds more gravitas than the other.

Even trying to suggest to me that talking through a laggy voice communication system and cartoon characters is as equal as real life conversation is being completely ignorant to biology. Face to face conversation and non-verbal cues count for a fuck load.

you seem a bit ignorant to me, some people have trouble making friends in 'real life' due to low self esteem and such, making friends online means they can talk to people without these low self esteem issues etc

For some people this is the only way they can feel comfortable speaking to others, and you shouldn't criticise them for that

I do understand, that if you can make friends in the 'real world', then you should, because life is more fun with friends (IMO anyway) but you shouldd't dampen other peoples relationships with there friends just because you think 'it doesn't count'

 

[Corekrash]

If you seriously think that (and it seems you do), I don't know how to change your opinion. I have friends that I didn't meet in WoW, and I have friends I did meet there. They're the same quality friends, but the WoW ones are three times as many (not counting my family and relatives, obviously). I do not regret a single hour spent in that game. (Five years worth).

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

Of course you don't agree with me, you're too entrenched to do so. And that's fine! I realise that people can make friends online, but to suggest that being friends in WoW and being friends in real life is equal is ridiculous.

Real life>Fantasy. Of course there is a place for both and of course you can be enriched by both, but one is significantly more important and holds more gravitas than the other.

Even trying to suggest to me that talking through a laggy voice communication system and cartoon characters is as equal as real life conversation is being completely ignorant to biology. Face to face conversation and non-verbal cues count for a fuck load.

I largely agree with this. There is nothing wrong with having online friends, but it can't compare to real human interaction (Something science has actually proven that humans need on a regular basis) and should not replace physically meeting with people. I understand for some people it is easier to be social with others when you can distance yourself via texting or computer, but then I'm reminded of how addicting that can get as well. I've met people who honestly would rather text someone than talk to them, even if they were in the same building and within vocal range of one another.

 

[Daniel Janhagen]

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

No I'm not and yes they are. I've seen most of them outside of the game, and I've seen how they interact with the world. I've inspired their children and I've petted their pets. We met in WoW, that doesn't mean it ends there.
What you don't seem to understand is that World of Warcraft doesn't limit your interactions with people in any way, it just gives you one more route to engage people. One that some people (myself included) find superior to "local" chatting, drinking, dancing etc. It's just that much more efficient. And fun, tbh. Most parties suck.

 

[Corekrash]

If you seriously think that (and it seems you do), I don't know how to change your opinion. I have friends that I didn't meet in WoW, and I have friends I did meet there. They're the same quality friends, but the WoW ones are three times as many (not counting my family and relatives, obviously). I do not regret a single hour spent in that game. (Five years worth).

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

Of course you don't agree with me, you're too entrenched to do so. And that's fine! I realise that people can make friends online, but to suggest that being friends in WoW and being friends in real life is equal is ridiculous.

Real life>Fantasy. Of course there is a place for both and of course you can be enriched by both, but one is significantly more important and holds more gravitas than the other.

Even trying to suggest to me that talking through a laggy voice communication system and cartoon characters is as equal as real life conversation is being completely ignorant to biology. Face to face conversation and non-verbal cues count for a fuck load.

you seem a bit ignorant to me, some people have trouble making friends in 'real life' due to low self esteem and such, making friends online means they can talk to people without these low self esteem issues etc

For some people this is the only way they can feel comfortable speaking to others, and you shouldn't criticise them for that

I do understand, that if you can make friends in the 'real world', then you should, because life is more fun with friends (IMO anyway) but you shouldd't dampen other peoples relationships with there friends just because you think 'it doesn't count'

Yes, but, wouldn't the better long term solution for being shy or having low self esteem be to confront the issue, instead of hiding from it?

 

[SweetNess_666]

I to know the sting of wow addiction, if I wasn't working I was playing wow I mean I must've spent 40+ hours on the dam thing but I went cold turkey and nowadays I Probs play wow...maybe couple of hours every few days. It's all about moderation makes things alot more fun that way to . As for online relationships I think (this may get me a few enemies) there ok if you have the intention of eventually meeting in person and making a go of it if not and its soaly a internet thing....sigh.... whats the point if your never going to spend the night/go to dinner (in real life) together. I'm talking from experience to

 

[Fooz]

-snip-

in some cases, yes, it would be, but for some people it just isn't possible, unless they are with someone that has the same problems as themselves, then they have a common ground

i dunna, im not a pro or anything, it's just the way i see it

 

[Daniel Janhagen]

real human interaction (Something science has actually proven that humans need on a regular basis)

Science doesn't really deal in absolute proof (except mathematics), but since you brought it up, it's also been proven that that isn't true for everyone. True loners are rare compared to the rest of us, yes, but they exist and they're not pathetic (as a group, I mean. I'm sure a lot of them are pathetic in some way. )
I'm not saying "don't interact socially", of course. I'm saying everyone should decide when, how, with whom, and how often for themselves and not look down on people who choose to live differently from themselves.

 

[Bat Vader]

If you seriously think that (and it seems you do), I don't know how to change your opinion. I have friends that I didn't meet in WoW, and I have friends I did meet there. They're the same quality friends, but the WoW ones are three times as many (not counting my family and relatives, obviously). I do not regret a single hour spent in that game. (Five years worth).

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

Of course you don't agree with me, you're too entrenched to do so. And that's fine! I realise that people can make friends online, but to suggest that being friends in WoW and being friends in real life is equal is ridiculous.

Real life>Fantasy. Of course there is a place for both and of course you can be enriched by both, but one is significantly more important and holds more gravitas than the other.

Even trying to suggest to me that talking through a laggy voice communication system and cartoon characters is as equal as real life conversation is being completely ignorant to biology. Face to face conversation and non-verbal cues count for a fuck load.

I don't see the bad thing with just wanting to stay inside instead of going outside and socializing with people. I would much rather stay inside and play a game, read a book, or practice on my drawing.

I have about three or four friends over x-box live that I talk to every day and I consider them good friends. I would much rather talk with them instead of having to talk to someone in person. I do talk to other people in person when I am working but that is mainly about work related stuff.

 

[Phishfood]

Well, I don't know anyone that way because of gaming thankfully.

I do know some who are addicted to other things, one who is addicted to TV and facebook. Similar results.

 

[Double A]

If you seriously think that (and it seems you do), I don't know how to change your opinion. I have friends that I didn't meet in WoW, and I have friends I did meet there. They're the same quality friends, but the WoW ones are three times as many (not counting my family and relatives, obviously). I do not regret a single hour spent in that game. (Five years worth).

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

Of course you don't agree with me, you're too entrenched to do so. And that's fine! I realise that people can make friends online, but to suggest that being friends in WoW and being friends in real life is equal is ridiculous.

Real life>Fantasy. Of course there is a place for both and of course you can be enriched by both, but one is significantly more important and holds more gravitas than the other.

Even trying to suggest to me that talking through a laggy voice communication system and cartoon characters is as equal as real life conversation is being completely ignorant to biology. Face to face conversation and non-verbal cues count for a fuck load.

Now I don't play WoW, nor do I plan to because I'll probably get addicted, but I can say one thing about online friends. Those are real people talking to you, whether through text or a mic. They have likes and dislikes, as well as moods. That means being their friend without ever having seen them still possible. Hell, I know (and like) my online friends I've never seen better than a lot of my real ones. You're attacking online social interactions considerably more than you think you are.

 

[SillyBear]

If you seriously think that (and it seems you do), I don't know how to change your opinion. I have friends that I didn't meet in WoW, and I have friends I did meet there. They're the same quality friends, but the WoW ones are three times as many (not counting my family and relatives, obviously). I do not regret a single hour spent in that game. (Five years worth).

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

Of course you don't agree with me, you're too entrenched to do so. And that's fine! I realise that people can make friends online, but to suggest that being friends in WoW and being friends in real life is equal is ridiculous.

Real life>Fantasy. Of course there is a place for both and of course you can be enriched by both, but one is significantly more important and holds more gravitas than the other.

Even trying to suggest to me that talking through a laggy voice communication system and cartoon characters is as equal as real life conversation is being completely ignorant to biology. Face to face conversation and non-verbal cues count for a fuck load.

I largely agree with this. There is nothing wrong with having online friends, but it can't compare to real human interaction (Something science has actually proven that humans need on a regular basis) and should not replace physically meeting with people. I understand for some people it is easier to be social with others when you can distance yourself via texting or computer, but then I'm reminded of how addicting that can get as well. I've met people who honestly would rather text someone than talk to them, even if they were in the same building and within vocal range of one another.

Thanks Glad you agree! I didn't expect anyone to, thanks to the demographic of this website.

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

No I'm not and yes they are. I've seen most of them outside of the game, and I've seen how they interact with the world. I've inspired their children and I've petted their pets. We met in WoW, that doesn't mean it ends there.
What you don't seem to understand is that World of Warcraft doesn't limit your interactions with people in any way, it just gives you one more route to engage people. One that some people (myself included) find superior to "local" chatting, drinking, dancing etc. It's just that much more efficient. And fun, tbh. Most parties suck.

Ah, we see to be at a misunderstanding then. I thought by "wow friends" you meant people you only know through the game. Meeting someone online then becoming good friends in real life is totally fine, of course, It's the same thing. My mistake!

My argument is more to do with people who make their friends online and don't even know them in real life. It's not good to fall back on that as your only option.

If you seriously think that (and it seems you do), I don't know how to change your opinion. I have friends that I didn't meet in WoW, and I have friends I did meet there. They're the same quality friends, but the WoW ones are three times as many (not counting my family and relatives, obviously). I do not regret a single hour spent in that game. (Five years worth).

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

Of course you don't agree with me, you're too entrenched to do so. And that's fine! I realise that people can make friends online, but to suggest that being friends in WoW and being friends in real life is equal is ridiculous.

Real life>Fantasy. Of course there is a place for both and of course you can be enriched by both, but one is significantly more important and holds more gravitas than the other.

Even trying to suggest to me that talking through a laggy voice communication system and cartoon characters is as equal as real life conversation is being completely ignorant to biology. Face to face conversation and non-verbal cues count for a fuck load.

you seem a bit ignorant to me, some people have trouble making friends in 'real life' due to low self esteem and such, making friends online means they can talk to people without these low self esteem issues etc

For some people this is the only way they can feel comfortable speaking to others, and you shouldn't criticise them for that

I do understand, that if you can make friends in the 'real world', then you should, because life is more fun with friends (IMO anyway) but you shouldd't dampen other peoples relationships with there friends just because you think 'it doesn't count'

Mate, all you are doing is offering defeatism. "Yeah, real life friends are preferable but online friends are better than nothing". NO! Go out and make friend! Everyone has the potential to make a new best friend. You don't need to be online to do it.

If you seriously think that (and it seems you do), I don't know how to change your opinion. I have friends that I didn't meet in WoW, and I have friends I did meet there. They're the same quality friends, but the WoW ones are three times as many (not counting my family and relatives, obviously). I do not regret a single hour spent in that game. (Five years worth).

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

Of course you don't agree with me, you're too entrenched to do so. And that's fine! I realise that people can make friends online, but to suggest that being friends in WoW and being friends in real life is equal is ridiculous.

Real life>Fantasy. Of course there is a place for both and of course you can be enriched by both, but one is significantly more important and holds more gravitas than the other.

Even trying to suggest to me that talking through a laggy voice communication system and cartoon characters is as equal as real life conversation is being completely ignorant to biology. Face to face conversation and non-verbal cues count for a fuck load.

I don't see the bad thing with just wanting to stay inside instead of going outside and socializing with people. I would much rather stay inside and play a game, read a book, or practice on my drawing.

I have about three or four friends over x-box live that I talk to every day and I consider them good friends. I would much rather talk with them instead of having to talk to someone in person. I do talk to other people in person when I am working but that is mainly about work related stuff.

Of course! I'm not here to claim that being extroverted is the best and only option. I'm an introvert too, and sometimes I totally prefer to stay inside and read a book than go to a rave party.

My "beef" is with people who hide behind the internet as a blanket of security and in the process fail to live up to real life expectations and completely short cell themselves.

They end up with no money, no job and no life outside of the internet and video games. That's bad. Really, really had and I'm not going to sit here and let people try to argue that it isn't. I think it's really upsetting and destructive.

 

[SillyBear]

Gaming really is dangerous. I can't think of any other entertainment based hobby that chews so much time and can completely destroy a person. I don't know any bookworms or film buffs that are as pathetic as these people.

Be safe people! Game in moderation.

Are you aware of how ignorant and pedantic you sound?

I'm seriously concerned about the life of one of my oldest friends, and you call me ignorant and pedantic?

Stop with the smug insults and stop being pretentious. Tell me straight out why you disagree and we will talk.

Video gaming does have the capacity to completely lure people in. Film, music and books don't have quite as strong of a draw. That's all I'm saying.

 

[Gigano]

Don't really know anyone like that, but undoubtedly gaming - like any other interest - can get out of hand and take too much time and effort away from other endeavours. Addiction is bad, m'key?

Best thing to do would probably be to find out why the escape to the World of Warcraft holds such allure for her - i.e. what problems in the real world makes it unbearable to remain in - and then help her work on those.

 

[Nikolaz72]

If you seriously think that (and it seems you do), I don't know how to change your opinion. I have friends that I didn't meet in WoW, and I have friends I did meet there. They're the same quality friends, but the WoW ones are three times as many (not counting my family and relatives, obviously). I do not regret a single hour spent in that game. (Five years worth).

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

Of course you don't agree with me, you're too entrenched to do so. And that's fine! I realise that people can make friends online, but to suggest that being friends in WoW and being friends in real life is equal is ridiculous.

Real life>Fantasy. Of course there is a place for both and of course you can be enriched by both, but one is significantly more important and holds more gravitas than the other.

Even trying to suggest to me that talking through a laggy voice communication system and cartoon characters is as equal as real life conversation is being completely ignorant to biology. Face to face conversation and non-verbal cues count for a fuck load.

I think the point theres being made is that you are just as close-minded as anybody else you can think of. World of Warcraft is not the only game online, people meet over a lot of other games aswell. People online dont need to game with eachother in order to talk with eachother. And they dont always have to talk about games.

Using years on online relationships and then switcing over to real-life relationships did little hurt. Only things it caused was.. Not drinking alchohol, not doing drugs and... Not going to house-parties with overthetop loud music with everyone puking after a couple of hours. (Tried it a couple of times, it isnt as great as people make it out to be)

I admit online 'serious relationships' is a bit weird. But if it works for her then you cannot. And I say, cannot dis' it if you are truly a friend. What you can do is make her realize that playing excessively is not the right thing to do. I would go right for the ehem 'balls' and say that she is contributing nothing to soceity by not working and is infact mooching off everyone else. I hate using that word since a lot of people going off the goverment salary dont sit home playing World of Warcraft all day, but she is a perfect example of why the poor families with kids that cannot get work is soon gonna get a cut. Its because of people like her. Show her the Poor Kids BBC documentary. Tell her that she is infact, right now. Sucking from other peoples funds in order to play a videogame. Actually, since people like her create this kind of cuts. Tell her that she is infact. Taking money for clothes and food, away from poor kids. In order to feed her videogame addiction. If she has not lost her heart while playing World of Warcraft. She will realize that she might have to work on the side in order to afford her own game. And if she gets outside and gets to talk a little perhaps it will create a balance between the game/real life.

 

[SillyBear]

Best thing to do would probably be to find out why the escape to the World of Warcraft holds such allure for her - i.e. what problems in the real world makes it unbearable - and then help her work on those.

The problem is that is really hard to do. She was never a really unhappy person, in fact she was never even an "outsider". I know her very well and she really didn't have anything wrong in her life that she externalised, so it's really really difficult.

 

[EradiusLore]

Gaming really is dangerous. I can't think of any other entertainment based hobby that chews so much time and can completely destroy a person. I don't know any bookworms or film buffs that are as pathetic as these people.

Be safe people! Game in moderation.

bit of an ignorent thing to say, people are dangerous, people hide from reality, people destroy their own lives and those of others. its called responsibility

 

[Corekrash]

real human interaction (Something science has actually proven that humans need on a regular basis)

Science doesn't really deal in absolute proof (except mathematics), but since you brought it up, it's also been proven that that isn't true for everyone. True loners are rare compared to the rest of us, yes, but they exist and they're not pathetic (as a group, I mean. I'm sure a lot of them are pathetic in some way. )
I'm not saying "don't interact socially", of course. I'm saying everyone should decide when, how, with whom, and how often for themselves and not look down on people who choose to live differently from themselves.

I know Science doesn't really deal in absolute proof, so I will correct myself. Studies in the past have shown that people who forego physical contact do tend to suffer from it, with claims of people that avoid contact living shorter lives etc. Some studies have claimed that babies who aren't touched by their mothers enough where not as healthy overall as babies who were. didn't mean to say it as an absolute, like there is a daily hugs quota people need to fill out (The thought of that seems odd doesn't it? waking up one day to see on the news that everyone needs to get at least 4 hugs a day in or they could die sooner).

Ihave made a number of friends online over the years, a couple of which I still keep in touch with off and on, but I prefer interacting with other human beings in person and I value that over any friendships I made online.

 

[SillyBear]

Gaming really is dangerous. I can't think of any other entertainment based hobby that chews so much time and can completely destroy a person. I don't know any bookworms or film buffs that are as pathetic as these people.

Be safe people! Game in moderation.

bit of an ignorent thing to say

Maybe, but I would wager spelling ignorant ignorent is even more ignorent. Wait..

If you seriously think that (and it seems you do), I don't know how to change your opinion. I have friends that I didn't meet in WoW, and I have friends I did meet there. They're the same quality friends, but the WoW ones are three times as many (not counting my family and relatives, obviously). I do not regret a single hour spent in that game. (Five years worth).

You're partaking in your social relationships through a barrier of security. These friends of yours online aren't really connected to you other than through voice and by game. You have never seen them outside of the game, you have not seen how they interact with the world and you are interacting them with the equivalent of a brick wall between you.

Of course you don't agree with me, you're too entrenched to do so. And that's fine! I realise that people can make friends online, but to suggest that being friends in WoW and being friends in real life is equal is ridiculous.

Real life>Fantasy. Of course there is a place for both and of course you can be enriched by both, but one is significantly more important and holds more gravitas than the other.

Even trying to suggest to me that talking through a laggy voice communication system and cartoon characters is as equal as real life conversation is being completely ignorant to biology. Face to face conversation and non-verbal cues count for a fuck load.

I think the point theres being made is that you are just as close-minded as anybody else you can think of. World of Warcraft is not the only game online

I never claimed it was. I was talking to someone explicitly about World of Warcraft. Hence why I focused on that.