On Online Backgammon And Gaming Addiction

Thanks to the New York Times for its article (free reg. req.) discussing game addiction as it relates to playing backgammon online. The author, who found "a deep, narcotic satisfaction in online backgammon" at sites such as Itsyourturn.com and DailyGammon, tries to discuss what gaming addiction is, and whether it's healthy. Dr. Eric Hollander, the director of the Compulsive, Impulsive, and Anxiety Disorders Program at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, argues with regard to this addiction: "Everyone has their own optimal level of arousal... If you're understimulated, you're bored, and if you are overstimulated, you're uncomfortable. This is a way of regulating that process." [However, Dr.Hollander did also say "I recently got a BlackBerry, and I have this compulsive e-mail checking [habit] now."] Can you relate these 'casual game' addictions to more often discussed MMO addiction, and if not, how do they differ?

Comments

Re:Freecell

[tha_mink]

I have a top-of-the-line (as of 3 months ago) PC, an XBox, a PS2, and a GameCube. I can get enough Freecell. I think it has to do with the fact that it takes some problem solving skills and you can start or stop a game on the drop of a hat (even come back to a game halfway into it).

I assume you meant that you can['t] get enough freecell.

(pointing out mistakes of others is fun)