I work in an environment where everyone loves Computers. Developed a Gaming Dependency as I got a few consoles and started playing Video Games. There are some games that encourage one to play daily and go on and on and on. I am slowly reducing playing them now.

Do you or anyone you know play a lot of Video Games ? Please share your experience.

Thank You.

Vijay

I stumbled upon a website called WOWdetox.com - it's a forum where people are talking about how they have quit playing World of Warcraft.  The stories on there are pretty sad.  People talking about how their spouses have left them, they've lost their houses, jobs, etc because they spent so much time on a game that really just never ends, kinda like soap operas. I have to say that my ineptitude with video games has kept me from becoming too attached to them, lol

 The impact of gaming addiction:

My coworker, 25 years old, lives with his parents still, has no social life, never went to college, has a vehicle 4 years old that has 3,000 miles on it total, can only work at our workplace 12 hours weekly, and his other pt job 8 hours weekly, no SO, has no life, out of his own mouth.  He has added a mini fridge and microwave to his bedroom so he "never even has to go to the kitchen to snack"...as if this was an admirable accomplishment.  

He will tell you he spends 10-12 hours daily gaming.  And trust me, he will tell you, in great detail all the neat tips, tricks, etc. until your eyes glaze over and the brain shuts down. He is clueless as to how others perceive him. 

Total failure to launch.  What a loser.  

 He needs help but he thinks he's doing well as he does work...

 rolo ~ I agree with you we have 2 very dear friends that lost everything playing Everquest.  These are two men that have MS's in Engineering, one missed his fathers funeral because he lost days playing.  Both were responsible people with professional jobs, now one lives in his brothers basement with nothing but his computer, takes numerous meds for nervous disorders and is awaiting SSI benefits, he once made $100k a year.  The other lost his wife and child to divorce, lives back home with his mom, and still plays his days away in his Guild.  We have a dear friend that is losing her grandons(14 years old) to World of Warcraft, his grades have bottomed out, he sneaks out of the house at night to go to a friends to play on his computer, lies, cheats, steals money and jewlery to cash in to play at an internet cafe locally.  And my husbands secretary stands to lose her job, with 19 years in, because she plays online games and loses her time, she is 59 years old.  It can take over ones life just like any other addiction...

Brianschef Michelle 

rvijay07:

Do you or anyone you know play a lot of Video Games ? Please share your experience

Video games- I started with Colecovision in the 80s and moved to Nintendo. My personal interest in console video games waned several years ago in favor of computer games. I have played computer based games for fifteen or so years now. I also play pen and paper RPGs and tried minitures and Magic.

Gaming does not define me, it's something I do. I think it can be a fun and relaxing experience if it's just a part of a whole and fulfilling life.

I have seen the nasty effects of allowing any kind of gaming to dominate one's life and it's always sad to see people live an alternate life through a character.

rolo:

 He needs help but he thinks he's doing well as he does work...

Are his parents carrying financial burdens for him?

Michelle,

Those situations are very sad. They may regret what they have lost one day...like when the electricity goes out and they look around and realise they are alone with piles of ramen noodle packages.