First Gaming Detox Center Opened in the Netherlands

**doc_bean** · 06-08-2006, 09:33

Anyone got a link to an article about the kid that died from playing WoW ?

**English assassin** · 06-08-2006, 09:54

If a lord of the rings MMORPG's was addictive does that make it hobbit forming?

Ahem.

**Fragony** · 06-08-2006, 10:10

Yay another useless institution because people with beards and sandals need jobs and tax money needs to be spend

**Lemur** · 06-09-2006, 04:20

Originally Posted by doc_bean

Anyone got a link to an article about the kid that died from playing WoW ?

Let's see, there's the Korean couple that allowed their baby to die of neglect while playing WoW, then there's the Chinese kid whose death was linked to WoW. Not sure about any other cases ...

**Lehesu** · 06-09-2006, 07:16

Everything in moderation. Playing computer games a lot is only okay if you do something else during the week, preferably a sport or exercise of some sort. I game a lot, but I also run, lift weights, play the violin and piano, and work. Balance.

**Boohugh** · 06-09-2006, 08:01

I don't know about other MMORPG's, but WoW is certainly very addictive, and I think people could very easily become hooked on it. If you're in a guild that does the end-game 40-man content, you often feel compelled to raid every night, especially if you play an important class such as the main tank (who will have the best gear and so can't be replaced easily) or a healer (of which there always seems a shortage). This can have a massive impact on your social life and your school/work. How do I know this? Because it happened to me

.

I was normally very sociable and an active sportsman (I play waterpolo for 2 clubs) but I increasingly found I skipped training or told my friends I had other things to do and stayed in to play WoW. I would also miss lectures during the day because I wanted to play, causing my grades to slip. This went on for about 9 months before I realised I had a fairly serious problem, and I would describe myself as addicted to the game. It took 3 more months before I finally cancelled my subscription and quit the game completely.

I've been "clean" since 1st May, and I've now got a job and am enjoying my waterpolo again (was top scorer for my uni team this year, with most of my goals coming since I quit WoW

). There have been drawbacks however. I still yearn to reactivate my account and play again, but I know its just a slippery slope so I have resisted so far. I don't really find any other games as good anymore and have basically lost my appetite to play any other computer games. I suppose these can only be described as withdrawal symptoms so I hope they will pass over time.

I don't really know why I've just said all this, I've never talked to anyone else about it (its amazing how your behaviour changes in internet chat rooms, but that a topic for another time), but it'll probably do me some good to have gotten it off my chest.

Anyway, back on topic, I think this centre is a good idea as I do believe people can become addicted to games in the same way as alcoholism or drug addiction, and although I never got to that stage, its nice to know there are people around that would actually help you should it ever happen, instead of just laughing in your face about it.

**Husar** · 06-09-2006, 10:44

Originally Posted by LordHugh

I don't really know why I've just said all this, I've never talked to anyone else about it (its amazing how your behaviour changes in internet chat rooms, but that a topic for another time), but it'll probably do me some good to have gotten it off my chest.

Yeah, and nobody should laugh in your face for being honest.

Originally Posted by LordHugh

Anyway, back on topic, I think this centre is a good idea as I do believe people can become addicted to games in the same way as alcoholism or drug addiction, and although I never got to that stage, its nice to know there are people around that would actually help you should it ever happen, instead of just laughing in your face about it.

It´s nice to have these people around, but I personally think there may be something wrong with World of Warcraft, I haven´t heard about someone playing a flight simulation or strategy game to death(not even an online shooter I think), maybe some regulations concerning this are required. Instead of more banana curvature guidelines the EU may try to regulate some games which destroy peoples´lives to make Blizzard and others rich.

I like long games with a lot of things to do, but those I played never required me to play in order to keep a certain statusand not being downgraded.
Besides I value my friends over any game, I still have enough spare time to play anyway.

**doc_bean** · 06-09-2006, 10:56

Originally Posted by Husar

It´s nice to have these people around, but I personally think there may be something wrong with World of Warcraft

Its MMORPGs in general, I've heard horror stories as far back as EverQuest.

Counterstrike has its addicts too I think. Basically anything with clans or guilds in it is 'dangerous' I guess.

**AntiochusIII** · 06-09-2006, 16:04

Multiplayer games are arguably the only groups of games that can create such a situation, and the nature of MMORPGs will make it even more "dangerous."

Addiction to other games are, of course, possible, but will be much easier to "heal" and much less damaging in most cases.

The nature of MMORPGs that I spoke of is the creation of a virtual community and a virtual--even false--obligation. The individual will feel the need to "serve the clan," "help a friend," "gain my status (respect, in other terms)," or other activities that a game might require. The result involves retreating from the real world and neglecting his or her responsibilities. World of Warcraft being pinpointed in particular is only because it is the largest, hottest, and most prominent of games of this nature. Others can do the same.

You'll be surprised how large the scope of this problem is. Many Asian countries--those games-producing, or maybe just game-consuming ones, like Korea--have serious troubles on the issue. It's no longer an individual issue there but a social one. Unfortunately, the reaction of the old guards--ahem, the powers-that-be--more or less involve knee-jerk reactions, more useless, rights-breaking regulations, blaming its damage in a far larger scope, turning the issue into a scapegoat, especially for parents and their votes, and others which make my blood boil.

But oh well. Politicians. That word is more offensive than any cussing could ever be.

This clinic in the Netherlands seem rather useless in practical utility since its only real advantage is to give encouragements and help the individuals trapped in the addiction of MMORPGs regulate themselves. Medications? Nah.

The problem is individual by nature; far-reaching regulations? I'm gonna be a Thoreau on this one.