The Swaying of Gamer’s Pendulum
Internet gaming was perceived impossible some 50 years back. A total flip side of today’s society where we are all get slapped and spanked with gadgets and gaming breakthroughs. To some this brings excitement. And to some, a threat.
Video games, online/offline RPGs and a whole lot more are consuming the attention of kids, teenagers and yuppies. No wonder most parents, girlfriends and wives hate this stuff.
I am into online games — I play Mü, an online RPG. I confess I’ve spent thousands for load-up cards since I started playing (around 2002). I play to vent out stress from work and the hassles of everyday life. It’s fun. On top of the game excitement, I’ve met friends.
I pity those men being shouted at by their girlfriends or wives forcing them to quit playing and get out of the Internet cafe in the middle of a bloody DOTA battle. There are classic stories of mothers bringing broomstick in the middle of a highway, looking for the Internet cafe where his son could be playing. Undeniably, some issues have gotten out of hand. On a larger scale, there are countries promoting programs and rehabilitation centers for video game addicts. Rehabs for gamers and Internet addicts are found in Daxing (China), Amsterdam, Britain and perhaps many others.
Their programs are designed to help “game addicts” replace the excitement of the fantasy world with real excitements through therapy sessions and group interaction.
I agree playing can be addictive. When one plays hard, learning strategies for great character builds, looting weapons and sets, the game can absorb the player, creating a carefree, and totally exciting environment, often creating a virtual existence that is not achieved in real life.
Online gaming is fine in moderation, just like all the pleasurable stuffs in life. If kids are into RPGs and video games, I suggest parents check out what the game is all about, what characters are created, how much does the game cost and who does he play it with. The same goes for wives or girlfriends who get mad when their partners choose to play instead of staying with them. It’s when parents/partners do not participate in their loved one’s lives that they get addicted not only to games but to other destructive things like drugs, alcohol, even sports — anything that excuses them from staying “home.” When the gaming seems to get in the way of relationships, perhaps the issue should be viewed the other way around. Could gaming be the vent of a sour relationship?
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That is so true. It is medically researched that playing video games DOES relieve stress and makes a person happier (mostly on guys because guys are not prone to releasing stress and anger like we women do).
My hub is into gaming too. At one point I was as well, I played Lineage (another RPG game) with pretty much the entire Mortier clan…. that is until I had Jordan. When you have kids, your priorities shift and change drastically. At this point in time… I have no great desire to play computer games no more. But I do occasionally play a game of Monopoly, Solitaire, etc. Games that has a definite ending. Short. I think I would rather play board or card games or any games that has “real” or personal interaction. One you can enjoy as a family or with freinds.
Couldn’t agree more with you, Laurie. My gaming really did stop for a long while now that I have 2 babies to care for. But perhaps, not long from now, I can go back playing again. For the mean time, i’ll stick to games me and my little ones could play together. We spend most of our daytime cuddling and rolling on the bed
Wow, it’s pretty rare to see someone put things into perspective the way you just did. I wish that other bloggers and people that post content to the web would take a page from your book! Do you have any other sites that I could visit or could you possibly make a recommendation as to where I might be able to find some more information? Either way, thanks for an excellent resource and I look forward to being a repeat reader!