The Lure of Heroinware

blankmange writes "news.com reports: When games stop being fun; where the line between reality and fantasy blurs. Another story about games and the adults who can't stop playing them. It seems that we can't be held responsible for our actions -- it must be the 'heroinware' that game companies are producing...." Mmmm, Evercrack. T. pops in: Don't worry, games aren't addictive, but here's the announcement of a 24-hour gaming TV network for those unexplained late-night cravings. (Thanks to joestump98.)

Comments

computer addiction in general

[Syre]

I'm computer addicted, though I play no online games.

I don't think one can blame the game so much as the medium and what it allows one to do.

There's something very mesmerizing about the screen in general (look at all the TV addicts) and it gets even more compelling with interaction.

Are you addicted? Take this online test and see.

This page also contains some good information and links.

I am trying to wean myself of all but the most necessary computer use, but so far it's not going too well.

I thought of a system that would disconnect my internet connection except at certain hours (since that seems to be the biggest part of the problem), but I would probably just get around it if I wanted to. Or maybe not... could be a good start.

Anyone with any suggestions please reply!

Re:Good Ol' Everquest

[lkaos]

The current generation of kids growing up is going to be nothing but a bunch of computer crazed, game addicted losers who spend all their time in some virtual world slaying some pixel dragon.

Wait a second, I think it is more reasonable for a high school kid to be playing a video game as he has no real responsibility in life yet. If you, as an adult, have created a life for yourself where you spend 3 years playing a video game, well, I would say that you are the loser my friend.

Being young is about experimenting. Play lots of video games, drink lots of beer, sleep with all sorts of girls who drink lots of beer. Then you grow up. At least these kids have youth as an excuse.

BTW: I can speak on behalf of this "current generation" of computer geeks in saying that I despise video games and spend no time playing them. There are just as many adult "game addicted losers."

Oh well, I'm glad I quit (again).

You "quit" a video game? What in the world makes you get up out of bed in the morning? To treat a video game with such mysticism, I simply cannot understand it. It's funny that you qualify your statement with "(again)" because I have a feeling that you are simply acknowledging the inevitable, that you will eventually go back to consuming your time with video games.

I'm sorry to be harsh man, but your sense of philanthropy is most disgusting. You comment that if you played video games as a kid, you'd be making $6 an hour, well, assuming you making the code monkey's salary now, you can't possibly be any happier. It doesn't matter if you make 15k a year or 35k a year if your still leading a miserable existance.

Somebody's gotta be a dick and say it..

[bmetz]

So I'm seeing a lot of "but anything is potentially addictive" posts. That's besides the point. If you are playing Everquest, you suck. You are almost certainly addicted. No, really. We're not joking here. You suck. Stop it. Give yourself a slap on the face, shower, and go outside.