South Korea Grapples With Online Gaming Addicts

Thanks to Yahoo News/Reuters for their story discussing the problems associated with online gaming addiction in MMO-crazy South Korea. According to the article, a 12 year-old named Lim's "love affair with the fantasy game [Lineage] saw him fall foul of the law after he stole $16,000 from his father and ran away to feed a passion for online gaming." This issue is particularly marked in Korea since "...about 70 percent of South Korea's 48 million people have access to the Internet, with 11 million using high-speed services, the world's highest broadband penetration rate." The article ends with the note that, "while some game industry alliances have been pushing game makers and distributors to provide purchasing guidelines, the likelihood of authorities imposing regulations that may pull the plug on a lucrative 500 billion won [$420 million] industry seems unlikely."

Comments

All wrong.

[Cosmik]

See, this kid got it all wrong. If you are going to play MMOs and commit a crime, you may as well put them both together.

Nothing like killing two birds with one stone. And the kid learns a life skill or two (ie pimping) so he can use them on the street when his cash runs out.

addictiveness ratings on reviews

[jago25_98]

Next time I review a game, or read a review I'll have to take note of the addictiveness rated.

Like chocolate there are drawbacks to gaming

Re:Why South Korea?

[Matrix272]

Although it's not documented anywhere, I feel another reason may be because not many people in the US etc are prepared to talk about online addiction.

Technically, since you posted it, it's now documented. However, I agree. Most addicts don't want to admit they're addicts. Now that I've cleared the air, I'm here to admit that I'm addicted to Final Fantasy XI. It's a fabulous game with many possibilities that I want to sell my house, quit my job, and desert my friends and family for. I certainly feel that spending 20 hours a day trying to make gil and get to lvl 75 is far more important than working at a job, spending time with loved ones, or just generally having a good wholesome life. I fully admit my addiction, and I'm here looking for help.