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Competitive, Social Aspects Make Video Games Addictive

Posted Apr 22, 08 7:23 PM CDT in Science & Health,  Technology    Editor's Choice

(Newser) – The American Medical Association may not yet rank video gaming as addictive, but players who call World of Warcraft “World of Warcrack” know the score, writes Kristin Kalning on msnbc.com. But what is it that drives obsessed players to neglect their jobs, their health and even their kids? Competing and socializing, says a therapist who treats Internet and computer addiction.

The urge kicks in when players feel they’re “competing against other people” and “really want to receive the admiration that comes with achieving a high status in the game,” said the therapist, who called many gamers in therapy “bored and lonely.” One gamer said he was addicted to “trying to be the best,” but quit when his work suffered and he got out of shape.

Source MSNBC

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A gamer plays at a video game expo.   (Getty Images)
Tyrus Lackman, 15, plays the online game Runescape at his home in Center, N.D., Monday, Nov. 5, 2007. Jesse Lackman says his son devotes a dozen hours a week to computer games.   (AP Photo/Will Kincaid)
Video game fan Robert Overson, 31 from Highland, CA challenges his son Mathew, 10 to a Wii Sports tennis match game at the E for All Expo on Thurs., Oct. 18, 2007 in Los Angeles, CA.   (AP Photo)
Gamers have nicknamed World of Warcraft "World of Warcrack."   ((c) flawedartist)
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video game  • addiction  • gaming  • World of Warcraft  • American Medical Association


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