Is this phenomena constructed by the media, or is there something to this? I’ve noticed the subject of video game addictions in the media a lot these days.
Video games can offer an immediate distraction from the world around us. They’re fun, they’re challenging, many offer intense stimuli – a very immersive experience. So when life isn’t going our way, it can be easy to turn to video games for escape.
There are countless outlets that people use for the same purpose. Food, exercise, sports, books, movies. They often become obsessions. What draws the media to pick on video games?
I think a large reason is because they’re relatively new. Video games only appeared about 30 years ago, and have really just become mainstream in the last 10 years. Only now are kids who grew up with games becoming parents themselves. Until now, most parents just saw video games as something their kids wanted – but didn’t know a whole lot about them.
It shouldn’t be surprising that teens are drawn so strongly to games. Video games are empowering to the player. While in the game world you’re usually playing the role of hero. You rescue people, fight off enemies, solve puzzles, and do all kinds of fantastic things. That’s powerful for a person crossing the bridge between childhood and adulthood.
The media really picked up on parents’ concern when their children began spending hours playing video games. The news has had a field day, and “Video Game Addiction” stories have been hits.
What criteria does heavy use of video games have to meet to become an addiction? For substance abuse, there are three primary criteria. Increased tolerance, signs of withdrawal and the acquisition of the substance putting stress on other aspects of your life.
There are plenty of cases where people play inordinate amounts of games; failed relationships, lost jobs, etc. But with video games, there’s the chicken and egg equation. Do they avoid other things to play games; or do they play games to avoid other issues?
I don’t think that there are any serious physiological withdrawal symptoms of going game-free. Nor do I think there’s any tolerance building to gaming (aside from thumb strength/calluses). I do think there are a lot of discontent and often depressed people who find video games an empowering escape.
The video game addiction is a media cover-up for many other, far more frightening problems and mental disorders. Games even come packaged with controllers – most other things are much trickier, and scarier to gain control of.
I don’t think there is such a thing as video game addiction, but it’s interesting how my roommate buys a new game and basically shuts himself off from society for a few weeknights and weekends. Maybe “addiction” is the wrong word. What about “obsession”? Just a thought…
Hi Chris. I used to do that… Now, I’ll get a new game and play a few hours the first day, then just on occasion until I either finish the game, or get bored of it.
I think obsession works. Buying a new game and going on a binge with it is kinda like the new shiny toy syndrome, and that wears off in a short time span.
I think also, video games can become habit. You get used to sitting in a certain spot, doing a certain thing. I’m sure a lot of WoW players play because that’s how they’re used to spending their spare time.
Hmm… I tend to think it can be a problem, but the personality types who become addicted to video games are likely the same who are pre-disposed, for whatever reason, to be addicted to other things, too.
Just like you mentioned, it’s an escape, and we all have healthy and unhealthy things we turn to for escape. It’s not about video games; it’s about something else driving that person to neglect the rest of the world and shut themselves off from whatever it is they’re trying to escape.
Of course, the “new toy” theory also works. When we first got Xbox and Guitar Hero, I would wake up in the morning thinking about it and wanting to conquer a particular song. But that’s not inherently unhealthy – it’s just the novelty of something that eventually wears off. I mean, if I had something better to do on a late Saturday morning, then I’d be doing it, but I found nothing wrong with sitting in PJs and playing a game and listening to music to ease into the day!
Hi Rick,
I recently wrote a paper on gaming addiction, more specifically within MMOs. I do firmly believe that it is a phenomena that can be quite easy to fall into.
Everybody loves to “Escape” just for a little while into entertainment. But it’s when as you point out it starts to affect oneself and those around them that it becomes an issue. It’s sad to know that when you hear that kids in Korea are literally dying from gaming addiction, you know there’s a problem: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4137782.stm
It’s by no means a media cover up.
I also agree with Menzo on the addictive personality trait issue, addiction is born out of escapism, if it’s not games, it will 8 out of 10 times be something else.
Also love the fact you’re writing a Gaming PR blog.
The industry is already reading….
Well done keep up the good work!
Chris