Confessions of a Gaming Addict When that "going to play just a while" mentality goes out of control We all think we know about responsible gaming, don't we? No one really believes in that stuff that Jack Thompson spouts off, right? But the truth is, for every one of us who practices proper gaming habits, there's someone out there, 24/7, stuck in front of their monitors. You know the ones. They're the guys who are always on your MMORPG no matter what time you log in, and they'll be playing. They're the ones on your Halo Friends List all day and night, and actually respond when invited to a game. In short, addicts.   While the term "gaming addiction" isn't actually a proper word yet (it hasn't been ratified by the medical world as a proper addiction) it's not too much of a stretch to say some people certainly fall into that group. Here's one man's tale of it. *Names have been changed for anonymity Jim, 18 Playworks (PW): Tell us a little bit about yourself Robert. Jim (J): Well, I just turned 18, and I'm in my first year of poly. I've been a gamer for almost all my life, started when I was... eh 9 I think? PW: So what happened? We understand you got into it a little too much... J: Yeah. At first, my grades were pretty passable, mostly B's... Then I found World of Warcraft. I lost it then. PW: Your parents never complained? J: They pretty much left me to do whatever I wanted and never complained. They were always eager to please, and didn't care too much about how I spent my time. I guess having my own room in each of their houses helped... I played till I was one of the top players in the server, with gear to match. School became boring, and the people I played with immature. Since I was so hardcore, I began running with Americans. Every day, six hours, starting at around 2 in the morning. I got too tired to go to school and just faked illnesses to skip it. PW: Grades suffered, we assume? J: Not at first. I tried to keep up at home by reading and doing the assignments in between breaks to eat and play, but after awhile I just gave up because I was running instances, fighting to gain honour and stuff. That's when my marks took a nosedive, but I didn't care anymore. I ended up failing my O-levels and re-taking it. I faired a little better, but with Burning Crusade and everything, I just was like "Eh, screw it," and just aimed for a polytechnic. PW: How did you get out of it? Heck, are you out of it? J: I suppose. I got into a poly here where I've made some friends. I think that's the only reason I'm not playing as much as I used to. I cut it down to around three hours a day now and pulled out of the guild, because I realized that the guild isn't everything. Sure, I made great friends there, and if I ever visit America I won't have to pay for lodging, but that's not the same as what's going on here, in Singapore, where it matters. PW: How did they help? J: First they got me a life again. Project work, chilling with friends over coffee, it took a lot of time. I think they got to know me and realized what was happening to me after like, three months? That's when the people I was closer to in school, the ones helping me out in classes, began taking that extra initiative. I was lucky I guess, because one girl I think likes me... PW: Score there buddy. What do you say to those who are addicted like you? J: Go out. No, seriously. Turn off your computers or consoles, and get out there. Sure, if you log on there's always something to do, someone to talk to, but it doesn't beat real life. It doesn't beat interactions with friends. Sure there's voice chat, but sometimes, life's just better if you balance it out. PW: Sage words. Thanks for your time Jim. J: No problem.   How parents can help If you’re a concerned parent reading through this, and you think your child needs some help, don’t just think it, do it. Set timers and rules. Most MMORPG’s have in-built parent timer locks which automatically log players out for the rest of the day when the time’s elapsed. Use it. Be involved. Know what they’re playing, even if in general. Sit next to them and watch, or talk to them about it. Gamers love to gab on their latest conquest, and parents can get a clear sense if their child is playing too much by just how much babble is being said. If possible, try playing with them. Tell them they can only game when you’re gaming. It builds bonds, and also lets you limit game time for them. If all else fails, send them in for a checkup at the IMH. While gaming is not yet classified as a pure addiction, therapy that’s been applied to drug users or compulsive shoplifters can help when all else is lost. Don’t make this decision lightly however. Be responsible There are always ways to make sure you can split time between gaming and a real life. It just takes some serious cojones to make sure you stick to it. You have those, right? Here’s some tips: Set a maximum of three to four hours for gaming, for cutting down. Concessions can be made, but you have to make up for the lost hours somehow. For instance, a raid may take six hours, so you’re going to have to give up playing games entirely on another day. Get out of the house. Unless you game on a gaming laptop, getting out of the house to study/chill with friends/do sports/whatever helps to lessen the twitch urge to just log on and play “a little while” Work first, play later. Set play time as your reward. “If I finish this game review for my boss, I’ll play Mario Kart Wii for half an hour” is better than playing first, and ending up not doing the review at all. Ask yourself the question: If I stop, what’s going to happen? If the answer is “I’d lose everything” because you’re playing that MMORPG non-stop, or DOTA non-stop, and you’ll lose your online buddies... It may be time to stop. Begin setting aside a day on your weekend to chill with the family, and another day for friends outdoors. The evenings can be dedicated to gaming still – we’re not asking you to totally give it up – but cutting down drastically will help. Need help? Take a test Do you think you’re addicted, or someone else is? Here’s a chop quick survey to find out. 1) Can you get off your chair and meet friends outside if they asked? a. Hell yes. Time? Place? Let’s go. b. Depends on what they’re doing. c. And miss the raid? Are you crazy? 2) Do you actively call friends to go hang out? a. Regularly chill out with them. b. Every now and then c. My phone is just there for me to talk to my parents. 3) Can you give up the games if your parents/significant other/friends asked you to? a. In a heartbeat b. I won’t give it up, but I can sure cut down. c. They have to learn to live with my quirks, else what’s the point? 4) Have your grades/work performance suffered lately? a. Maybe, but doesn’t mean I’m not workin’ hard. b. Maybe, because I’m beginning to fall behind. c. Maybe, because I haven’t done any of it. Answers: Mostly As – Casual. You know when to start and when to stop, and it sounds like you have a life too. Stay that way. Mostly Bs – Regular. Sometimes it can get a little tough telling the lines, but on the whole you know what’s what. You may want to watch yourself though. Mostly Cs – Hardcore. Perhaps too hardcore. You might want to get a reality check buddy. Child Guidance Clinic, Health Promotion Board Tel 6435 3878/79 Fax 6534 3677 Email hpb@imh.com.sg Touch Community Services' Crush (Cyberspace Risks & where U Seek Help) Tel 6273 5568 Fax 6271 5449 Email contactus@planetcrush.org TOUCH Line (for Cyber Wellness issues) 1800 377 2252   Also, keep your queries on the Video Games Classification system for MDA coming, we will print them in the next issue. Email to us at letters@playworksonline.com with the header "MDA Questions". - Neubronner Eugene