Gaming...physically addicting?

[Trent]

In any case, that addicted gamer failed to control his life. Any grown person should have the responsibility over his life, he/she can not be a child forever. He needs to set his priorities, and if he cannot do that, then something is seriously wrong with him. I mean, family fathers (for example) playing video games all day is something really weird, don't you think?

[Darkmoon]

Any activity that links an action with a reward can become addictive. This article, although it doesn't paint a complete picture of addiction, isn't biased in my opinion. Heck, it even suggests that gaming wasn't the only reason he lost one girlfriend. And if you squirrel away 12 hours a day with your games, bottle, drugs, gambling, model train set, project car etc. - most people will think this isn't normal. I just hope that others reading the article can see that it's really nothing new.

I'd disagree about it's bias. The focus on video games, without mentioning that this can happen with so many other things, gives it the feeling that it's video games and those alone that are a problem. A simple sentance along the line of, 'As with any pleasurable activity, there is a danger of addiction' was all that was required, but it's not there...unless I missed it.

Of course, I may also be over sensitive that everything I like (Games, table top games, roleplaying, heavy metal, wrestling...) is portrayed as destroying society and needs to be stopped.

In any case, that addicted gamer failed to control his life. Any grown person should have the responsibility over his life, he/she can not be a child forever. He needs to set his priorities, and if he cannot do that, then something is seriously wrong with him. I mean, family fathers (for example) playing video games all day is something really weird, don't you think?

Or mothers, for that matter. As a dad who games, I'd be lying if I said you don't need a good balance. My boy is six. He loves playing Mario games on the Wii, especially Mario Kart. I try to lead by example by only playing for an hour or two in front of them, but I know for a fact if you don't give him a time limit he'll play all day, and have a mighty strop if you don't stop him.

Of course, he does the same things with TV, books he's looking at, his legos, any toys he has...he's six. It's natural. Letting it continue is where the danger lies.

For some people, when they move out from there parents control, they go a little whacko. As a kid and teenager, my family was dirt poor. So when I get my student lone, do I scrimp and save to make sure I'm OK? Hell no. I pay my rent then buy takeaway every night...running out of money early and living on noodles for a month. I did this three terms in a row, too. Hell, I still have trouble saying no to takeaway food.

[I_Am_Nemesis]

Personally my faveourite part of the article was this section here:

He's also a person who knows how completely those games can take over his life. He lost a girlfriend, in part, to excessive playing of World of Warcraft (Buy | Search)

[Darkmoon]

I admit, I did laugh.

[TheSelfishGene]

http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/01/mum-loses-her-6-kids-over-game-addiction-filthy-home/#more-431753

[rewak]

Why didn't her husband do anything?

[Enrico Marini]

Ah this old chestnut. Its essentially that with most things there is bound to be someone who is addicted to it. But as they say, each to his own.

I freely admit I would happily sit there and play a game I'm enjoying for 16~18 hours straight (even going passed midnight), I honestly used to do that pretty much weekends/holidays as a kid as it was the activity I enjoyed the most. But as a responsible (ha ha) Adult I refuse to Play MMO's because I have the Grinder's Bug, and those usually make me forget to do the minor things (like laundry).

My Parents never enforced a time limit on my mass game sessions but they never really had a reason to. My School Work was always done. I did my chores when asked (mainly to secure extra funding for my games).

I do feel sorry for those that get addicted, and I do believe Games can be, but its just annoying when people tar and feather a subject without really stating the facts. It is essentially just trying to Villify games.

BLAME IT ALL ON GAMES!!

[The_15th]

I think it can be a serious issue, like alchoolism. Beer and wine aren't bad in moderation. Games are easy to get stuck into. There should be some sorts of support groups for Gamers Anonymous.

Personally my faveourite part of the article was this section here:

He's also a person who knows how completely those games can take over his life. He lost a girlfriend, in part, to excessive playing of World of Warcraft (Buy | Search)

LMAO