Online Gaming Addiction – Who Me?
Overview of MMORPGs
There is an overabundance of online games in our internet-dependent society these days. The most common online games include gambling, which is also a prime candidate for addiction, massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), and multi-user domain games (MUDs). MMORPGs are networks of players, who interact with each other to achieve goals, go on missions, and reach high scores in a fantasy world, while MUDs combine elements of role-playing games, fighting, killing in social chat channels with limited graphics. All in all when you consider the overall change in our society people are beginning to feel less safe about venturing out into the real world. And more comfortable in the trappings of their own little world of pseudo-reality. As we find it more difficult to comfortably find the social interactions we need as functioning human beings we will find substitutes.
Addicted To Videos Games
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I can remember the days of graphic novels where one’s own imagination would run wild after being prompted with a few images. Our genre of MMORPGs originated from Dungeons and Dragons, a role-playing game played on pen and paper from the 1970s. Eventually, computers revolutionized role-playing games; first with Ultima Online in 1997 ( even as a stand-alone game the Ultima series created quite a stir, then EverQuest and Asheron Call, these three pioneer MMORPGs were coined the “Big Three” that ultimately attracted Western players. Since the “Big Three,” many other games of this genre have sprouted. Some of the most popular MMORPGs today are EverQuest, World of Warcraft, Asheron Call, AION, and City of Heroes. Most MMORPGs charge a one-month subscription fee of about $15. South Korea boasts the highest number of online subscribers.
MUDs are very similar to MMORPGs. However, MUDs must be created by the players in the game, while MMORPGs only require you to create a character to start on a predetermined quest. MUDs require much more social interaction because they were originally chat-based. There are very few commercial MUDs due to the constantly growing market of free games.
Are You an Online Gaming Addict? Here are some signs to watch for.
- Inability to stop the activity
- Neglect of family and friends
- Lying to employers and family about activities
- Problems with school or job
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dry Eyes
- Failure to attend to personal hygiene
- Sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns
- Feeling empty, depressed, irritable when not at the computer
- Craving more and more time at the computer
Causes of Online Gaming Addiction
Similar to substance addictions, online gaming addictions are triggered by Individuals’ needs to substitute real-life human connections, which they are unable to achieve normally. Through a virtual fantasy world and real people connected by the internet, MMORPGs allow these people to create these human connections. In this new world, it makes no difference what my real life situation or persona is. Here I can be who I want when I want and do what I want, and still maintain that human connection. This may be one reason why people are easily addicted to these games; they need to substitute real interpersonal relationships with virtual ones through a game.
A study done by Park and Chen differentiate between MMOGs and MUDs and distinguish the reason behind addiction to each type of game. They use two theories of addiction, Use and Gratification Theory and Flow Theory to explain MMOG and MUD addictions. The Use and Gratification Theory explains how people use media to get specific gratifications such as personal identity, personal relationships, and diversion. These gratification needs can stem from low self-esteem, lack of personal relationships, and dissatisfaction with life. The Flow Theory explains the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter, totally unaware of their surroundings but enjoying the task and having fun while doing it. MUD players who are good at communicating through text and were socially awkward would be able to make friends through the network. Alternatively, MMOG players found satisfaction in reaching goals, achieving high scores, and joining teams with the same skill level as them. Addictions to MMOGs were related to the flow experience, while addictions to MUDs were linked to social interaction and the Use and Gratification Theory.
Yee’s study on the addiction factors of MMORPGs argues that there are two sides to addiction. One is “the underlying internal frustrations that push you, and the second being objects and activities that pull you in.” There are parts of MMORPGs that are entertaining and encouraging players to become attached to the fantasy world and their characters, but the degree of the addiction depends on how the external factors are pushing the player to use gaming as an outlet from reality. These are what Yee calls “attraction” and “motivation” factors that cause MMORPG addictions. Other attractive characteristics of MMORPGs include reaching goals, collecting rewards, achieving high scores, and making social connections with other players online. However, the most addictive part of MMORPGs is the ability to create, personify, and improve a character. This mainly includes building the character’s skills and abilities as if it were the player himself. The motivation factors are low self-esteem, the need for social interaction, and other external stresses to an individual.
Common to all other substance addictions, people with mental health issues are more likely to be at risk for online gaming addiction. Addiction to the game can also increase the likelihood of mental disorders. One key component that draws people in is that there is no end to the game; the game can go on indefinitely. People who are dissatisfied and socially awkward can use MMORPGs to reinvent themselves. When all is said and done, who really cares? It’s only a game… Right?