Mmo's

Videogame Addictions

Online video games take over the lives of people who play through a powerful addiction and should be avoided. Millions of people play Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, more commonly known as MMORPG's. While there are other forms of video games, MMORPG's account for the highest level of addiction. They are an escape from reality, allow a person get away from everyday life, and slip into a fantasy world.

With games like Square Enix's, Final Fantasy XI, and Blizzard's World of Warcraft, the game content goes on forever, drawing the player to play everyday in an ever changing online experience. Companies constantly add content to the games, so there is no real way to "beat the game." Their goal is to keep the players interested and the cash coming in. Some raids or events can take hours on end to complete with multiple people in the group working together to achieve a goal, inspiring teamwork and friendship. These raids are usually rewarded and can range from plain satisfaction to different in game items or currency. Another aspect of these video games is the real time chat. Players can meet and chat with hundreds of thousands of other players from all over the world and share an online friendship and in some instances, romance. They can chose, in their own minds, how these other people might look, sound and act. These are good for the game; these features, programmed into the games, raise the level of fun and interaction. However, they can be very dangerous and harmful to all facets of life if addiction sets in.

Of the half of all Americans playing video games, and 42 percent of those play online, gaming addictions are becoming more and more of a serious concern to doctors, friends, parents, and significant others. According to physiologists, video game addictions are ruining the lives of people. This addiction hinders lives; young children slow down on their social development, never learn how to talk to girls, or play any sports. Adult's lives suffer in similar ways. Jobs and relationships start sliding due to increased level of irritability and lack of attention. Emotional and physical fatigue is heightened because of the frustration of everyday gaming, lack of sleep, and lack of nutrition.

...