Friday, October 14, 2005
Are multiplayer online games more compelling, more addictive? | csmonitor.com
Are multiplayer online games more compelling, more addictive? | csmonitor.com
The Christian Science Monitor has an article which asks whether MMORPGs are more "addictive" than previous generations of games. For the majority of players the obsession wears off after an intensive period of game playing but for a
Will there be a push for regulation based on this small minority of people who just can't stop playing? And how small will this minority be if current growth rates for online game playing continue? Of course, World of Warcraft is at the center of the debate. How will Blizzard handle this new situation? Warning labels? Denial? Online support groups?
The Monitor article also touchs on what makes these games so popular. One reason is the social networking aspect. The monitor interviewed several experts including a therapist:
Not everyone is so concerned, Aaron Delwiche, "an assistant professor of communication at Trinity University in San Antonio" who explores the gaming world in his courses is quoted:
Sounds like a fun class.
The Christian Science Monitor has an article which asks whether MMORPGs are more "addictive" than previous generations of games. For the majority of players the obsession wears off after an intensive period of game playing but for a
But for a small minority, obsession with these games can lead to bad habits or worse. Some players have been known to avoid eating and sleeping for many hours at a stretch while lost inside the game. In August, a South Korean in his 20s died after he spent 50 hours, taking only short breaks, playing an online game at an Internet cafe. One early MMORPG, called "Everquest," has earned the nickname "Evercrack."
Will there be a push for regulation based on this small minority of people who just can't stop playing? And how small will this minority be if current growth rates for online game playing continue? Of course, World of Warcraft is at the center of the debate. How will Blizzard handle this new situation? Warning labels? Denial? Online support groups?
The Monitor article also touchs on what makes these games so popular. One reason is the social networking aspect. The monitor interviewed several experts including a therapist:
For some, MMORPGs amount to a kind of "giant chat room" that just happens to have other stuff, like monster-slaying, going on, Yee says. They are "a very social space where you can chat and make long-term friends."
But even that can backfire, Dr. Orzack says. One of her patients told her how his wife decided to participate in an online "marriage" ceremony between her online character and that of another player she met in a MMORPG. They even e-mailed wedding invitations. The real-life husband "was absolutely beside himself," she says.
Not everyone is so concerned, Aaron Delwiche, "an assistant professor of communication at Trinity University in San Antonio" who explores the gaming world in his courses is quoted:
"When television was introduced, there was much concern about TV addiction," he says. "New media historically have tended to engender a lot of fear ... that bad social messages will be imparted."
But that hasn't stopped him from taking precautions. He talks with his students a lot about potential addiction," he says. "We have readings about addiction in the course packet." Some students go further: They "deliberately chose not to install the game on their home machines" and play only at the school's computer lab.
"I tell them, 'We're going to keep an eye on each other and make sure we don't get addicted to the game,' " he says.
Sounds like a fun class.
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Prof. Mattson,
I just fnisshed reading the article Mobile Phone Revolution in Africa? and I think is just on target. Mobile phones can play a big role on preventing situations such as the one on Rwanda. (and there are cheeper than computers)
I just fnisshed reading the article Mobile Phone Revolution in Africa? and I think is just on target. Mobile phones can play a big role on preventing situations such as the one on Rwanda. (and there are cheeper than computers)
The University of Washington is also offering a course on video games in general... I wonder if the instructor there is keeping an eye on the students like the one at Trinity University is.
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