That is exactly why I haven't played any MMORPG's online yet. I am too scared. I played MUDs extensively from the age of 16-19. It was my boyfriend's fault:) He got me into playing FED, on AOL. When AOL stopped supporting Fed, Gemstone, DragonRealms (I think that was the name) and Modus Operandi - I picked up MUDding through telnet clients. Fed (http://www.ibgames.net/index.html) still exists -and I have resisted joining again (but I still yearn for it.. even after such a long time.) I'm a bit older now, and if I were to MUD again I'd have to restart my characters.. I'm sure they've been deleted by now:).
I played Neverwinter Nights (solo) for a few months earlier this summer - and when school started up again I dropped it. I'm actually scared to start it up again.
Not that I expect my words to carry much weight - but for what it's worth. I actually know Jewels (the author of the article) - and she wasn't an avid gamer (in any sense of the word) prior to her experiment.
Nor is she someone with self-esteem issues, or an addictive personality.
At the risk of making a sweeping blanket statement, let me say that:
I've had issues with game addiction before (speficically MUDs) and I think her point was valid. That basically - even for people wbo aren't avid gamers - all it takes is the right game.
I'm losing my point here - so with that I'll stop. =)
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That is exactly why I haven't played any MMORPG's online yet. I am too scared. I played MUDs extensively from the age of 16-19. It was my boyfriend's fault :) He got me into playing FED, on AOL. When AOL stopped supporting Fed, Gemstone, DragonRealms (I think that was the name) and Modus Operandi - I picked up MUDding through telnet clients. Fed (http://www.ibgames.net/index.html) still exists -and I have resisted joining again (but I still yearn for it.. even after such a long time.) I'm a bit older now, and if I were to MUD again I'd have to restart my characters.. I'm sure they've been deleted by now :).
I played Neverwinter Nights (solo) for a few months earlier this summer - and when school started up again I dropped it. I'm actually scared to start it up again.
Not that I expect my words to carry much weight - but for what it's worth. I actually know Jewels (the author of the article) - and she wasn't an avid gamer (in any sense of the word) prior to her experiment. Nor is she someone with self-esteem issues, or an addictive personality. At the risk of making a sweeping blanket statement, let me say that: I've had issues with game addiction before (speficically MUDs) and I think her point was valid. That basically - even for people wbo aren't avid gamers - all it takes is the right game. I'm losing my point here - so with that I'll stop. =)