Is a Video Game Addiction a Dealbreaker?


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dmi is online now dmi Post #1  July 4,2010, 6:34pm
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I wanted to respond to this, but, didn't want to go off topic on the original thread.

nightling wrote :
See the problem here is, the game relies upon a multitude of other people doing an activity at the same time together, all with specialized jobs.

It can be pretty difficult to do the raids if even one or two of your healers bail, so the 50 or so people who showed up and made a commitment to do that activity that day are not going to be pleased if you suddenly have to go about halfway through their raid. And you pretty much can't get anywhere in the game without a guild of 50 or so people, so to play the game, you really can't just bail on raids.

On top of that, you're expected to develop a raid-worthy character on your own.

So this game imo really only works if you have a LOT of time on your hands and someone who will play the game with you as the recreation du jour practically every day.

This is no different to my mind than two people sitting down to watch TV every night. (But neither of those activities would be how I'd choose to spend my time.)
Let me start by saying I am a WoW player, more than that really, a guild leader and raid leader. I understand what happens when key players bail on raids.

I did suffer from addiction to this game. What it did is turn me from a 170 lb sports player who was actively doing many social things (including dating) to a completely unhealthy 240+ lb (I stopped stepping on scales) person who did nothing but go home after work and play this game. I have seen many couples break up over this game. I have also seen many couples that play the game together and they seem to be ok.

I don't view WoW as all that different from alcohol. In moderation it isn't a problem. When you become addicted to it and you let it take over your life, it ruins your relationships and it can take a big toll on you physically.

I personally view this kind of thing as a great big red flag... much like a recovering alcoholic would view someone who drinks every night I suppose. Playing WoW or any MMO game is fine. Playing it to the point where you start to neglect real life is a bad sign.

What do other people think about this? Has anyone else had a video game addiction and if so what did it do to you? Has anyone dated someone with a video game addiction and what did it do to your relationship?
 
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Tank is online now Tank Post #2  July 4,2010, 7:00pm
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I play console games quite often (not to the point of it becoming an addiction) but have scaled back because they are so time consuming and I stopped playing online sports because of the amount of time needed to developt even moderate skills. one of my neighbors husband was addicted to Star Wars Galaxies and his wife said he is very lucky she did not leave him during this period.
 
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ThePriestess is offline ThePriestess Post #3  July 4,2010, 7:03pm
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dmi wrote :
I don't view WoW as all that different from alcohol. In moderation it isn't a problem. When you become addicted to it and you let it take over your life, it ruins your relationships and it can take a big toll on you physically.

I personally view this kind of thing as a great big red flag... much like a recovering alcoholic would view someone who drinks every night I suppose. Playing WoW or any MMO game is fine. Playing it to the point where you start to neglect real life is a bad sign.
I would say this is true with any activity ... be it drinking, working, playing games, etc.

As part of a balanced life, they are fine. When any activity causes you to neglect your life you should take the time to evaluate the situation and make adjustments as necessary.
 
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D_Lion is online now D_Lion Post #4  July 4,2010, 7:11pm
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The level of commitment described in the posts would probably be a deal-breaker for me.

I do tend to have tolerance for activities which are intensely time-consuming, if they are economically valued (employment, education.)

This level of involvement, without being motivated by career, or the creation of a new product or business around the game, would be worrisome.
 
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reenz is offline reenz Post #5  July 4,2010, 7:49pm
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All of these things are dealbreakers for me.... video game addiction, spending long hours on the TV or internet at one stretch. I am much more attracted to men who like to play sports versus those who just like to sit and watch them. Being active in living life is so much more attractive than just engaging in the escape of a fantasy life.

I've been applying this to my own life as well, as I realize I spend way too much time online. It wasn't good for me, and was keeping me fat and sedentary as well. I've been spending more time doing other stuff lately... jogging, hanging out with family, etc, and its been so much more enjoyable.
Last edited by reenz; July 4,2010 at 7:52pm.
 
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ThePriestess is offline ThePriestess Post #6  July 4,2010, 7:57pm
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D_Lion wrote :
This level of involvement, without being motivated by career, or the creation of a new product or business around the game, would be worrisome.
So by your own definition, based on eHA involvement (which does not provide financial improvement in your life), you would not date yourself ... :P
 
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D_Lion is online now D_Lion Post #7  July 4,2010, 8:17pm
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Ha, I was waiting for that!

I would ignore this service to be with a Lady, you know?
 
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chemgal is offline chemgal Post #8  July 4,2010, 8:31pm
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But then it's not really an addiction. I'll freely admit that I spend more time than necessary online and/or watching TV when I'm on my own (admittedly, it's more that I use TV as background noise while doing something else). But when the boyfriend comes to visit, I don't even turn on the computer and we watch very little TV. Because him being here means I've got better things to do.
 
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HFox is offline HFox Post #9  July 4,2010, 8:47pm
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Definate Deal breaker, you might as well be a smoker which is another deal breaker for me.
 
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Breezy1 is offline Breezy1 Post #10  July 4,2010, 9:03pm
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Yes, it would be a dealbreaker if he'd rather play video games than...you know.

Oh...you know.
 
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