No

by Paul Baggarley

Created on: June 30, 2009   Last Updated: July 03, 2009

The problem when discussing gaming addiction is that gaming is far too varied for the umbrella term of 'gaming' to encompass completely. For instance, it is beyond doubt that an addiction to a Massively Multiplayer Online RPG such as World of Warcraft can in some instances be damaging. This is down to the potentially unending nature of the game, combined with communicative aspects which not only serve to fulfil social needs that would otherwise necessitate a break in playing time, but also on some level discourage time away from the game. Often certain in-game events (such as WoW's 'raids') are scheduled by a group and everyone is expected to be there at a specific time and for a specific, often prolonged, length of time. Nobody likes to let down their friends, and online friends are no exception. MMORPGs can create conditions whereby addiction can cause health issues, that much is at least confirmed by anecdotal evidence.

Now, before I begin to receive accusations of writing on the wrong side of the debate, herein lays my argument. Only a small portion of 'gaming' as a whole comprises of MMORPGs or other games requiring the kind of time investment needed to endanger one's health. With the length of games decreasing, even those in the RPG category, possibly due to development costs increasing with the advance of technology, the average game lasts between 3 to 10 hours. Many RPGs still hit the 30hr+ mark, but social requirements, toilet breaks, food cravings, etc are usually enough to drag someone away from even the most engaging of stories. After all, the ability to pause the game facilitates easy breaks, even if the player does just end up eating a cheese sandwich while carrying on with the game.

Once a game has been completed, even someone who is massively fanatical about gaming will tend to take a break. Financially speaking, a gamer cannot usually afford to go out and buy a new game straight away when one is completed. If someone is addicted enough to be playing instead of having a job, then they will hardly have the income to sustain a habit. At the risk of controversy, this particular writer has never heard of someone selling their body for gaming money. Not even massive crazes such as Pokmon have been enough to cause damage even close to scratching the surface of 'real' addictions like drugs or gambling. Again, that honour lies almost exclusively with the realms of the MMORPG.

Of course there will always be people who will pursue a leisure activity at the dangerous exclusion of necessities such as food, water, etc, but these are the same people who would likely show the same behaviour regardless of the chosen activity. It could be gaming, that conclusion cannot be ruled out, but it could also be crosswords or macaroni pictures. The point is that 'gaming' addictions are as rare and relatively safe as addictions to many other innocuous pastimes. I would be less worried about my child/friend/partner spending hours on end playing Super Paper Mario on the Wii than I would be if they took up opium as a recreational activity or started binge drinking on a regular basis.

As it stands, an addiction to online gaming could well be a problem, but an addiction to 'gaming' on the whole is a relatively rare phenomenon. While in these few cases it could be damaging, the odds would appear to be slim. Ultimately, gaming addiction will likely be portrayed in the media as the new smallpox at some point, and I can guarantee that many articles will contain a sidebar detailing all the many acts of violence and stupidity that have been blamed on gaming in the past. The problem, as with past transgressions supposedly committed by gaming, is that it all comes down to individuals and the focus of the press. Yes, some people will go on massive gaming binges and die 50 nonstop gaming hours later, but those people do not die because of gaming, they die because the owner of the internet cafe doesn't moderate their usage, or the parent doesn't tell them that it's time to turn the console or pc off.

In summary, 'gaming' addictions are not, in my humble opinion, a problem, with the occasional exception of MMOs (the only games I believe capable of causing a 'true' addiction), usually if the player lives alone. However, who can afford to live alone and spend all their time gaming? And if they can then perhaps the benefits system needs an overhaul designed to get them into work. If they can afford broadband, a pc, and a monthly MMORPG subscription, then they're getting too much money for not doing anything. That, however, is a whole different debate. The problem is that excessive gaming, like any excess, needs to be taken seriously at the time rather than when it is too late. If little Jimmy has been playing a video game for 10 hours straight, then step right up and do some parenting. How many games that are rated suitable for kids last 10 or more hours anyway? Look at the rating certificate folks. Is there a guy who hasn't left your internet cafe for 24 hours? Send them home. Employ a maximum usage policy. Yes, they may just head to a different internet cafe, but I strongly believe that they will suddenly realise they need to stop somewhere for food and drink on the way. It's funny how hunger can kick in after prolonged distraction.

So, is gaming addiction a problem? Not particularly. Is anything taken to excess a problem? Yes, I would say so.

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