by Brian Lamacraft

Created on: May 20, 2009   Last Updated: January 11, 2012

Video games have come a long way since I began playing them in the 1980s. These games have become a part of our culture. It is not just the young who play these games as many adults are playing them too. Playing these games on a constant basis may lead to video game addiction. It is not the games that cause the addiction but the personality and behavior patterns of the player.

Social Problems

People who are addicted to video games may have social problems and have trouble interacting and socializing with people in real life. Playing video games with a multiplayer function allows these shy people to make friends and have a social network without having to actually be in the presence of another person. These people may get addicted because the games they are playing are their only source of real friendship and they keep playing to keep those online friends. If they have friends in the real world the online friendships may mean more to them or they may feel closer to the other players in the games. Sometimes we can say things to other people over a computer screen that we might find extremely difficult to do with someone in the same room.

Fun Factor

Video games are just plain fun to play. A person may get addicted to them because they find them entertaining. A person can visit a strange world, be a character with mythical powers, race cars, or fight a war. Games allow us to do things that are impossible or difficult for us to do in the real world. We can live out dreams inside a computer game. These games like a movie, transport us to different times, places and keep us entertained. This entertainment factor may lead to addiction in some people. A person may also get addicted because they find games more entertaining then other activities in life.

The Desire To Succeed

Some people have the need to be the best in everything they do. A video game player may get addicted to the game because they have a desire inside of themselves to reach the highest level in the game or collect every item in the game. They can then tell everyone around them that they are the best in the game and it gives the player a sense of accomplishment. It usually takes a very long time in a video game to reach the highest levels so a player may keep playing because they want to reach that level. Their desire to reach that top level keeps them addicted and coming back for more.

Escape From Everyday Life

A person may get addicted to these games to escape life. A person may want to forget about school or work and just escape into the game. A person may be having relationship problems and might use the game to forget about those issues. A person may use games as a form of relaxation after a long day but may get too involved in the game and get addicted to it.

Video games are not the source of addiction. The person playing the game may get addicted for several reasons. The person may have social problems or want to escape from everyday life. Game are fun and the person may play them as a source of entertainment. The player may want to be the best at the game and have a desire to reach the top levels in the game.

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