View Full Version : Doctor Claims 40 Percent of WoW Players Are Addicted
Straight from Ars Technica (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060809-7459.html). What do you think? Is "addicted" the right word? I see this as compulsive behavior, not addictive behavior, but that's because I reserve the A word for chemical dependencies.
Curious for Orgite opinions. Is this Doctor right on or out of her mind?
A few years ago, when I was working at Electronic Arts, a coworker of mine had a problem. He spent much of his time playing Sony's massively multiplayer on-line roleplaying game EverQuest, and when he wasn't playing it, he was talking about it, posting to online forums about it, or dreaming about the next time he could log on. He played obsessively, often signing on as soon as he got home from work. Predictably, his behavior had a negative impact on his family and social life, and eventually cost him his job.
Many of us have known people like my coworker. The problems of online gaming addiction date back to the days of text-based MUDs, but in more recent years terms like "Evercrack" and "World of Warcrack" have entered the popular lexicon. Now, Dr. Maressa Hecht Orzack, a clinical psychologist at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts, has come forward to claim that up to 40 percent of World of Warcraft players are addicted to the game.
Dr. Orzack, who is the founder and coordinator of the Computer Addiction Service, told Ars in an e-mail that the 40 percent figure came from "a forum that Nick Yee runs" but did not reveal any additional methodology for arriving at this number. She added that "even if the percentage is 5 to 10 percent which is standard for most addictive behaviors, it is a huge number of people who are out of control." Orzack states that she has been studying the problem for the last 11 years. She claims to be swamped with people asking for her help, usually concerned parents, neglected spouses, and sometimes the players themselves.
She points out that MMORPGs typically use what is known in psychological circles as variable ratio reinforcement. Variable ratio reinforcement is the idea that the best way to optimize the desired behavior in the subject is to hand out rewards for correct behavior, and then adjust the number of times the subject is required to exhibit that behavior before a reward is handed out. For instance, if a rat must press a bar to receive food, then it will press faster and more often if it doesn't know how many times it needs to press the bar. An equivalent in World of Warcraft would be purple (epic) loot drops: you never know when they are going to happen, but that just increases the anticipation of getting them.
Orzack feels that the games are at fault more than the players. "This isn't about willpower or restraint," she said in an interview. "These games are very elaborately designed to ease you in gently, entice you, and keep you there. And it's a cycle: people begin to spend too much time playing and their careers and personal relationships begin to deteriorate."
So what's her solution? She believes that MMORPGs should come with warning labels on the box, much like cigarette boxes do today. In addition, she feels that computer-related addiction (not just gaming, but also excessive chat and Internet use) should be considered to be legitimate mental disorders, and thus be eligible for health insurance. Currently, there is no entry for gaming or Internet addiction in the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Orzack isn't the only one worried about people playing too many online games. The Chinese government recently instituted time limits for MMORPG players, citing concern that its citizens were spending too much time playing games such as World of Warcraft. A recovery clinic for video game addiction was recently opened in Amsterdam. There are definitely people who fall into the MMORPG trap, but I'm not sure it's an epidemic. With World of Warcraft's player base at 6.5 million and climbing, if 40 percent of those people are actually addicted, that's 2.6 million people doomed for the psych ward. Either there are more mentally ill people in the world than I thought, or Orzack's figures are somewhat exaggerated.
This story is also a personal issue for me, because I avoided MMORPGs for many years over concerns about their addictive qualities, yet finally succumbed to World of Warcraft because many of my friends were already playing it (I suspect many other people fall into this category). While I admit to the game's addictive nature, I sometimes wonder if the word addiction is being spread too thinly, and perhaps being applied to areas where it is not necessarily relevant. In life, we all do things that operate on the variable ratio reinforcement principle. Work, for example. Bonuses, raises, and promotions are handed out at a variable rate. Yet we don't worry too much about becoming addicted to work. Getting excited about variable ratio rewards seems to me to be very much a part of the human condition.
Still, there are people who we would consider workaholics, just as there are people addicted to working out, or other activities generally considered positive. And yes, people who spend too much time on these activities to the exclusion of all others risk negative real-world consequences. But in my opinion, the answer to these issues is not to simply label them as addictions and blame the activity itself, or to get the pharmaceutical companies all excited about more new products that they can push on the general population. The solution is to promote greater awareness about the necessity of balance in our lives. That, perhaps, is the greatest variable ratio reward of all.
R'as al Ghul
08-10-2006, 14:27
Obsession may be a good expression?
Some ideas: Addictive is a bit strong but there's the destinction between "physiological" and "psycological" addiction. Some drugs cause heavy physiological addiction and hence are painful to withdraw from, some only cause psychological addiction but that doesn't mean they're easy to get away from.
Playing Video games certainly has a strong appeal on many. I think the reason is that they combine so many elements. It's like an interactive story where you play a character. Just imagine being very succesful in WoW and not succesful at all in real life. Which one would you prefer as a Teenager?
Personally I can't wait to get home to play another round atm (while sitting at work) but I do know that my girlfriend is waiting and there're other things in my life (besides playing) that are also fun or just need to be done. I can imagine that if I was 16 again I may be totally obsessive about WoW.
Come to think of it, when I was 16 I don't remember guys over 30 still "playing". No we have Grannies playing video games. Times certainly change and humanity has problems dealing with it.
R'as
Kekvit Irae
08-10-2006, 14:30
I think "blind" or "stupid" would be a better word. But different people have different tastes. I honestly dont enjoy Warcraft III, and a standard level-based PvP MMORPG based on WCIII is even worse. My years of playing the worst of the worst in addictive MMORPGs (Asheron's Call... omg) made me hard. Only DAoC and Ultima Online keep me satisfied now.
Although, if I ever want to make a lot of RL money, I would most likely be addicted as heck to WoW, thanks to gold farming.
Yay I'm one of the 60% :sweatdrop:
Banquo's Ghost
08-11-2006, 09:58
I think the doctor's numbers are rather high but the essence of what is being said - that game design for MMORPGs is based on encouraging compulsive behaviour is pertinent.
I didn't like WoW when I tried it for the very reason it is a levelling, item-based game which seems to encourage the farming, competitive mind-set. When I joined my first (and only, to date) MMORPG Ultima Online (waves to kekvitirae ~:wave: ) it was all about role-playing online with lots of other people. Those friends are still what keeps me there nearly eight years on - though I must admit, the concept of housing was one of the most brilliant hooks - I can admit to a sense of mild distress at the thought of that virtual home being lost - so I'm clearly not immune to the bug.
Ultima Online had societal problems rooted in the ideas of Raph Koster and the the original design team to build a self-regulating online society. They reckoned without the destructive idiot crowd and the fact that most people wanted to have fun rather than participate in a justice system that could never win. Eventually, the society was abandoned and in the expansion Age of Shadows, item-based Monty Haul was introduced. It didn't really help, because there were others doing it better by then.
But if you look at the player-base of Ultima Online, there is a remarkably high proportion of people that have been playing for several years. The return rate of old players who just can't let go is quite high. Compulsion - or affection?
WoW, I think, learned from all this and designed something with the variable reward idea rooted right through.
I have no doubt that most MMORPG players are addicted. Those are the types of games that cater to the "addicts market".
Just look at DAoC - most of those subscribers have 2 accounts minimum (need one to act as a buffbot for their main character) - that's like $30 USD per month + taxes just to continue to play the game not to mention they have to buy every $50+ expansion that comes out.
Do you think these prices even bother them? No. Many of them actively request to raise the price they pay.
Definitely was very disturbed once I observed these things and noticed that big corporations are leeching off of "the addicts market" with MMORPG games.
It's a good thing people are starting to talk about this.
edyzmedieval
08-11-2006, 11:59
That's not big news. We already knew that. :laugh4:
WoW and CounterStrike are addictive. Very.
It's like a drug.
Kekvit Irae
08-11-2006, 12:27
I put on my robe and wizards hat (http://kekvitirae.com/portraits/Kekvit-4.html)
I have no doubt that most MMORPG players are addicted. Those are the types of games that cater to the "addicts market".
I don't think this is an entirely valid arguement. It's quite possible that WoW was originally designed to hook into this "addicts market" as you call it (which basically means the MMORPG market as those are the only games that require people to keep subscribing over a period of time, and thus keep the cash flowing), but the fact that the WoW subscriber base quickly became bigger than every other MMORPG combined shows it has some greater appeal than just those who would traditionally get involved in this sort of thing. There must therefore be something deeper to this than just designing a game for people who traditionally have addiction problems as it seems to have drawn in people who wouldn't normally get addicted.
Crazed Rabbit
08-12-2006, 00:43
So what's her solution? She believes that MMORPGs should come with warning labels on the box, much like cigarette boxes do today. In addition, she feels that computer-related addiction (not just gaming, but also excessive chat and Internet use) should be considered to be legitimate mental disorders, and thus be eligible for health insurance. Currently, there is no entry for gaming or Internet addiction in the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Quack.
Crazed Rabbit
In addition, she feels that computer-related addiction (not just gaming, but also excessive chat and Internet use) should be considered to be legitimate mental disorders, and thus be eligible for health insurance.Hmm, hoping to drum up some business are we? :laugh4:
Could very well be, if you can get addicted to gambling why not to a videogame. Wasn't there some guy in Korea that played so long he died?
There have been several cases of guys mostly in Asia who died after excessive gaming. They are the reason the Chinese government implemented laws who make it mandatory for companies to reduce the amount of experience gained by a player the longer his gaming session lasts.
Kekvit Irae
08-13-2006, 21:52
There have been several cases of guys mostly in Asia who died after excessive gaming. They are the reason the Chinese government implemented laws who make it mandatory for companies to reduce the amount of experience gained by a player the longer his gaming session lasts.
It may sound a little off, but it amuses me to imagine something like "Died trying to kill Lord Nagafen" or "Died waiting for The Grand Summoner to spawn" on someone's tombstone... in Real Life.
edyzmedieval
08-13-2006, 23:09
It's somehow amusing and something to cry about too.
They die because they are extremely addicted, and they are trying to kill some idiot in the game. :no:
I don't think this is an entirely valid arguement. It's quite possible that WoW was originally designed to hook into this "addicts market" as you call it (which basically means the MMORPG market as those are the only games that require people to keep subscribing over a period of time, and thus keep the cash flowing), but the fact that the WoW subscriber base quickly became bigger than every other MMORPG combined shows it has some greater appeal than just those who would traditionally get involved in this sort of thing. There must therefore be something deeper to this than just designing a game for people who traditionally have addiction problems as it seems to have drawn in people who wouldn't normally get addicted.
I agree - back when UO was big - there were dudes playing UO or D2 - generally UO and EQ, task orientated character development and Rpg (mining and chatting) appealed to different players than D2 which was more of a hack n slash. I think WoW combined these appealing to a wider band of player types - just seemed like everyone was playing WoW.
even back in everquest days they were finding its addictive qualities calling it 'evercrack'.
The system however remains very biased toward 'no lifers' - you pay if you are playing or not... so the fact that you are paying constantly encourages 1) you to play as much as possible - get your moneys worth... 2) not play other games which you are not actively paying for .. it takes all you gaming time
also if your going to compete with other gamers (PvP or levels) .. then you'll need to be playing alot... what about if you work 8hrs a day... have a life for another 2 ...leaving maybe 3hrs of game time... yet your paying the same as some guy whos on 24/7 .... fair? - why didnt these companies implement pay per time played - because that wouldnt be pushing people to play as much as they can like the current system - which is a disgrace
also most of these games... your character or in game investment...like houses, castles, equpment, deteriorates the longer you are away from the game... this I feel is the equivalent of giving cigarettes away with lollies at the local primary school...
the poor corporate behaviour demonstrated above .. wouldnt be tolerated by a cigarette company .. yet it is tolerated in games because game addiction is not recognised as a true addiction.
edit: it will be very interesting if one day in the future, a heap of 40somethings sue blizzard for taking their life away.... and win... I guess theyll be the ones paying then
It may sound a little off, but it amuses me to imagine something like "Died trying to kill Lord Nagafen" or "Died waiting for The Grand Summoner to spawn" on someone's tombstone... in Real Life.
:laugh4: :oops:
Well, from what I heard this happens mostly in Internet Cafes, if people are at home, their hunger probably makes them go to the fridge and eat. I just wonder why some Internet Cafes never seem to close at night or throw these people out when they see they are playing nonstop fo more than 24 hours. A dead customer won't come back after all and there should even be some punishment for letting someone die of hunger in your Internet Cafe. After all, the owner should know perfectly well for how long the people have been sitting there.
I have my share of long gaming sessions but I play at home and can eat and drink and I remember my dad coming in saying: "Don't you think 12 hours are enough?" on some Saturdays. Oh, and I never touched MMORPGs anyway.
Anyway, I can't understand how people can ignore the signals their body sends to them for that long? Is an MMORPG really worth dying? Will they get their own Crypt from Blizzard for dying while playing WoW?:dizzy2:
doc_bean
08-14-2006, 11:47
If gambling can be subject to rules and regulations protecting the gamblers than videogames (or specifically MMORPGs) can be subject to similar rules.
Kekvit Irae
08-14-2006, 11:54
Anyway, I can't understand how people can ignore the signals their body sends to them for that long? Is an MMORPG really worth dying? Will they get their own Crypt from Blizzard for dying while playing WoW?:dizzy2:
People have died in a fire at a casino because they were too addicted to their slot machines. The whole premise is the same, but the execution is a bit different. As with gambling, MMORPGs give you that chance to advance above your peers with the possibility of riches (weither social or inventory-related). Considering most of us have grown up in the gaming era, it's ingrained into our minds that a fantasy world where you can be the hero or villian of a story appeals the senses in our brains, and "just one more level" is all it takes to become addicted. Before you know it, "one more level" becomes "five more minutes" then "five more gold" and so on and so forth, until you realise it's morning the next day are late for work.
I do believe in rehabilitation for gaming addicts, but I do not believe it should be eligable for health insurance, no more so than I believe I should get health insurance for needing a Diet Dr Pepper every few hours.
Well, I know the "one more level" thing, but I also know that I have to stop somewhen and when I'm hungry or have something important to do, that should come first. I can afford playing into the next morning, because I have too much free time. But I think to play until you die should be a bit more than just "getting hungry". Then again, I feel like I'm not the kind of guy who gets addicted very fast or for long anyway. Once it takes days to advance to the next level(Americas Army) I may get bored anyway.:sweatdrop:
Also I play online usually with friends, so when they leave, I won't stay for long. People who die in front of online games probably have some serious mental issues before already I would guess.
Reverend Joe
08-14-2006, 15:50
Computer addiction actually makes it easier to die from than gambling addiction, because excessive periods of play literally numb your mind. You stop having to pay attention to your body's signals. I remember back when I played a lot, I would play for 5-6 hours, then get up, and realise I had to piss really bad. It would also kill my appetite, which was probably the scariest part.
Computer addiction actually makes it easier to die from than gambling addiction, because excessive periods of play literally numb your mind. You stop having to pay attention to your body's signals. I remember back when I played a lot, I would play for 5-6 hours, then get up, and realise I had to piss really bad. It would also kill my appetite, which was probably the scariest part.
Indeed... And you can condition your body to ignore hunger and thirst to a degree. It is quite simple, just don't eat regularly and your body will find out that initial hunger isn't worth the effort.
I found that out the hard way when I lived at a dorm where I had to walk some distance to the kitchen. Often homework and gaming kept me from going to prepare proper meal. For an entire year after moving out I didn't really know I was hungry within the same day. I knew of course that I should eat so I did, but I didn't feel hungry.
Now combine that with being deep into something (be it a movie, a book, the internet or a game) and you can actually imagine people falling over from it. But the people that have died have died from exhaustion. Not enough sleep (combined with lack of food and fluids of course) is what killed them. The body simply can't sustain our brain going 100% for days on end with little intake of energy or rest.
Oh, I know I can ignore being hungry as well, but I personally cannot sit in the same position for so many hours and once I lean back for example, I will feel hunger in my stomach, also I start to tremble when I'm very hungry. Maybe I'm a bit different, but I get signs from my body that are hard to ignore...
Well, my bodyfat percentage is very low, maybe that makes a difference.
I have spent a lot of time over the last year playing WoW. My sons got me into it. We like it. It isn’t the only thing we do or even the only game we play. We have active social lives and alternate interests.
The weirdness occurs when WoW or any game becomes one’s sole pursuit. If getting tier 3 gear or becoming High Warlord or whatever becomes the most important objective in life then somebody is in serious trouble. I have noticed that when I log on I will see some of the very same players every time! Morning, noon or night, month after month. Not farmers but other guild members, some of whom seldom go 8 or more hours without playing. I think that is astounding.
The guild I am in raids 3 times a week. (This is considered a “casual” guild since it doesn’t DEMAND scheduled raid attendance!) I haven’t raided with them yet because I won’t commit 3 to 5 hours a shot on Friday and Saturday nights. If the wife wants to do dinner and a movie we’re out the door and WoW gets trumped once again. I married my addiction 24 years ago! :grin:
I have spent a lot of time over the last year playing WoW. My sons got me into it. We like it. It isn’t the only thing we do or even the only game we play. We have active social lives and alternate interests.
The weirdness occurs when WoW or any game becomes one’s sole pursuit. If getting tier 3 gear or becoming High Warlord or whatever becomes the most important objective in life then somebody is in serious trouble. I have noticed that when I log on I will see some of the very same players every time! Morning, noon or night, month after month. Not farmers but other guild members, some of whom seldom go 8 or more hours without playing. I think that is astounding.
The guild I am in raids 3 times a week. (This is considered a “casual” guild since it doesn’t DEMAND scheduled raid attendance!) I haven’t raided with them yet because I won’t commit 3 to 5 hours a shot on Friday and Saturday nights. If the wife wants to do dinner and a movie we’re out the door and WoW gets trumped once again. I married my addiction 24 years ago! :grin:
And that is the way it should be! A nice pasttime, but just that.
I decided long ago that I wouldn't touch the game... I feared getting too deep into it, and since I have had quite a bit of freetime I could quickly get addicted. Not what I wanted.
I have watched others play a few times and felt the urge to try it, for it does look fun, but I shouldn't do it, and haven't.
Strike For The South
08-16-2006, 00:38
I never got into WoW becuase i never liked the game. Come to think of it the onlu game I play now is Vicky
Abokasee
08-19-2006, 12:38
Yay I'm one of the 60% :sweatdrop:
no your 59% the 1% is me:2thumbsup:
anyway some people get so addicted that lots things happen aka: ingame marriges (I've never played WoW but I hope undead can't marry ughk)
anyway some people get so addicted that lots things happen aka: ingame marriges (I've never played WoW but I hope undead can't marry ughk)
I actually got married in-game :sweatdrop:
I will never do that again :laugh4:
Debated a bit about getting into WoW back when it had just started, a friend got a beta and showed me around. I liked it well enough.
Then luck intervened, they sold it out while I was still debating whether I was actually willing to cash out the money (the monthly rates were what I was debating over, not the actual price, I have no problems buying games every now and then).
I've seen that friend once this year, he spends most of his time playing WoW. Second reason against, all the nerds over here talk about nothing except WoW, which annoys me incessantly. I mean, ok, talk about it a bit, then change topics, but always?
Turns out I got lucky to have never got in, or I would probably have ended in that 40% ... which I have little trouble believing.
Me? These days I'm playing Shogun: Total War ... third campaign in a row.
Kekvit Irae
08-20-2006, 05:04
no your 59% the 1% is me:2thumbsup:
anyway some people get so addicted that lots things happen aka: ingame marriges (I've never played WoW but I hope undead can't marry ughk)
As a card-carrying member of the roleplaying community, I will say that addiction plays no part in getting married in any game.
I listen to Podcasts driving to and from work, so I'm giddy to see that the PC Gamer podcast includes an interview with the doctor this week. I'm gonna be strong, and I'm not going to listen to it until Monday's commute. Should be interesting.
[edit]
Listened to the interview today while driving. Move along, nothing to see here; the woman is very, very old. That's for starters. Her entire personal experience of computer addiction was with Solitaire, and she informs us that she recovered after only a couple of months. She has no data to back up anything she is saying, and she sounds scared when people ask her what her sources are.
She's a therapist, pure and simple, not a researcher. Who knows, she might help a few people with compulsive behavior, but that's about it. I'll surely turn to her when my Solitaire gets out of control.
Well in our house we have 2 computers, mine and everyone else's.
My younger brother is addicted to WoW for sure, I have never bothered to play it though he is definately out of control with it.
When his friends come around they get to sit there and watch him play WoW, now that just isn't fun. They usually end up talking to me more than him.
He doesn't do homework until it is extremely desperate and my parents yell at him to. When my youngest brother goes on WoW (which isn't very often, only when my mum yells at him to give my little brother a go).
The only time he does anything with his friends is when I tell him to play a LAN game with his friend and I go off and do something else.
doc_bean
08-23-2006, 10:52
So why haven't your parents just killed his WoW subscription ? Or even his interent connection if he's willing and able to pay it for himself ? ~:confused:
Because my youngest brother plays it too when he isn't there and because they don't understand anything about the game, and he brought the game with his own money, though I don't think he is paying for the subscription.
But he is just a portal which you can pour money into and never get it back, he plays WoW with his phone on the computer desk and he isn't paying for that either! He goes through all his texts and then goes on to my mother's mobile without her knowing.
I don't have a mobile phone or play WoW, and I don't consider texting people while playing WoW being social.
I can talk to my friends in real life, or just ring them up on an orthodox phone (gasp!). Maybe I am old fashioned but I don't like spending lots of money, I would rather save for something big, LIKE MY TRIP TO EUROPE IN 4 WEEKS!
I think the problem is more that my parents are willing to pay for all his stuff when I have to work, he had a job but quit it, well actually just stopped turning up and would always pretend to be sick and play WoW instead, so he isn't making money anymore.
AntiochusIII
08-23-2006, 22:22
Hepcat: that is a problem. You guys will have to deal with that on your own, though. Such addictions -- or compulsive obsessive or whatever you prefer -- could ruin one's life.
Still, these new RPGs are getting the cheap way out of real characterizations by using the actual players in such roles themselves...cowards... *grumbles*
Really, the days of Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment are the true, orthodox, awesome RPGs! Ha! Pathetic WoW-ers!
I'm never such a multiplayer anyway. I used to play MMOs in those days when half the teenage population weren't addicted; some of the earliest, crudest ones -- with the raw quality of being something truly new -- I played. Yet I have no particular fond memories from them. Instead, the original Counter-Strike (Counter, for short :P) days, in internet cafes (though we played by LAN within the shop) brings back the awesome memories of my halcyon days of the true youth...
MMORPG's overrated, IMO.
Patriarch of Constantinople
08-24-2006, 18:40
It may sound a little off, but it amuses me to imagine something like "Died trying to kill Lord Nagafen" or "Died waiting for The Grand Summoner to spawn" on someone's tombstone... in Real Life.
:skull: Here lies (name here), died trying to defeat Tartarus.:skull:
Think of that.
Anyway, MMORPG's that cost money is something i steer clear of. I have things i need to do and sometimes dont even have time to play games so why pay money for something i wont play? Its always the fantasy universe that makes people "addicts".
Patriarch of Constantinople
08-24-2006, 18:54
no your 59% the 1% is me:2thumbsup:
anyway some people get so addicted that lots things happen aka: ingame marriges (I've never played WoW but I hope undead can't marry ughk)
Theres where it gets serious. Then you have an ingame commitment becuase your wondering how your "GF" is. Then you dont even know if its a girl!
Has anyone heard of Runescape? Many an addict there.
~:pimp:
Hmm, I played the gothic 2 addon for two days now, until after 6am , then went to bed and slept until 2pm, today I will do other stuffs. That's why one should prefer single player RPGs, they're good and addictive, but they end somewhen.~;)
Then again, I don't have important things to do anyway, so noone can tell me I neglected anything, I even went shopping and working out in between.
But to come back to what we discussed before, I cut down on food a bit.
AntiochusIII
08-25-2006, 21:56
~:pimp:
Hmm, I played the gothic 2 addon for two days now, until after 6am , then went to bed and slept until 2pm, today I will do other stuffs. That's why one should prefer single player RPGs, they're good and addictive, but they end somewhen.~;) Wow. What a coincidence; I was just marathoning Planescape:Torment (it's like an ancient artifact, immensely awesome ~:) ) in the exact same manner, including morning sleep and afternoon wakeup, for about four or five days now.
Those old RPGs really have something with them, don't they?
Theres where it gets serious. Then you have an ingame commitment becuase your wondering how your "GF" is. Then you dont even know if its a girl!
Trust me, you're better off if it is a man. As spoken from experience.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I must continue purging my memories of my first (and last) forum reunion. :ahh:
I'm afraid the majority of games that I like require a lot of time invested.
I like America's Army; if you want a GREAT squad you have to work on the squad more than you play, perhaps 2 hours or more a day.
I like LockOn: if you want to fly at 100% realism and have great online battles. Again you need to spend at least 2 hours a day.
I like: Silent Hunter 3. I can tell you this, you can play for 2 months every single day for 8 hours a day and you won't even be close to becoming a GREAT player.
I like: Victoria, Hearts of Iron2: Doomsday. No need to mention the time it takes to play those games to PERFECTION.
As such I'm afraid I'll soon have to make a choice about gaming, and the answer is clear.
I want something that I often look for in games. I'm not a casual gamer, and I'd much prefer to feel that sense of accomplishment I get in games from life itself.
The answer is really that at some stage I'll have to give up games all together like I did when I was at college. That is the healthy choice for me. I'm quite obsessive about everything I do, I like to go all the way. This has brought me great things in life, but in the virtual world I'd better pass.
Hopefully someday when I'm retired I can buy myself a monster PC and play all the smiulations in their, by then, incredible graphics.
WoW is actually offensive to me, it has the opposite effect.
People claim it has good pvp but everyone non stop does pve and the pvp absolutely blows.
Then people claim it has good pve, but it doesn't until your level 60. Also it takes hours to find a group until your high level for things that require groups, like VC.
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.