MMORPGs

[jordanisonfire]

There's been some mention of this throughout the site. So, do you think MMORPGs like World of Warcraft and EverQuest should be banned or have some restrictions put on them, seeing as they cause many people to become addicted, ranging from playing it for about an hour a day to quitting jobs, wearing diapers and ordering takeaways in order to keep on playing it?

For a note, China has actually put a restriction on WoW of people there only being able to play it for three hours per day. That was after the baby of a couple died from suffocation because the parents were addicted to WoW.

[Shaun]

If playing said games results in the death or neglect of a child, then said people should be put in prison for their actions. Otherwise, if you're the only person you're harming by playing those games religiously, then go at it. It's your choice to become a deadbeat loser drinking mountain dew all day long and I'm not going to stop you. I'll just make fun of you and watch that South Park episode about WoW for kicks.

[Carraka]

... I like WoW.

But I've never played it, not even the trial. It would depress me.

Meh -- I pretty much agree with Shaun on this one. I mean -- only three hours a day? ... I'd probably stop playing, because I would get behind on leveling (compared with my dear guildmates in Amellica).

Then again, that's a good thing. If I didn't play, I would edit more.

-proud to have not played an MMORPG for four months-

What was I saying?

[jordanisonfire]

Well, in places like China, they have places that are like internet cafes that are dedicated to WoW, so you wouldn't be short of people to play against even if you only had three hours to play. As for me, I have played WoW. I still do, sometimes. I go on it like twice a week. Only for about 1-3 hours, though. I have no addiction, as things like that aren't particularly addicting to me. Plus, I get all intimidated when I go to towns and there's loads of Lvl. 70s (highest level you can get at the moment) walking around in awesome gear and I look totally idiotic in the stuff you start off with. :rolleyes:

[Alex]

This is a dumb argument made by people who still think, from the generation X days, that video games are harmful. I am one of those people who has spent hours playing the same MMO, for nothing else other than it is fun to me. I don't feel, however, they have a severely harmful addictive property to them and therefore shouldn't be bad. It is all about self control, not the game

[jordanisonfire]

The problem is that some teenagers seriously neglect their education due to it. I don't think I have to say it's due to addiction and/or wanting to procrastinate.

[Simmi]

People should also watch out for Runescape, but I agree I used to be addicted and my grades started dropping, so I quit it was VERY hard though. Now I use writing to help me forget about it XD. But they should definatly have restrictions... we don't want more people to get addicted and drop out of school. I've never heard of people wearing diapers to play a game for a long time... that's a little out of hand...

[Alex]

Runescape is an MMO, a very bad one, but an MMO nevertheless. It shouldn't have restrictions... I can't even play video games I enjoy because the government doesn't want me to? I'm all for the government's control of things, but if someone can't draw the line on their own then good for them...

[Simmi]

MMO? But runescape is addicting... some of my friends are so addicted to it that when I call them that's all they talk about. It gets very annoying... it's like they don't have lives...

[jordanisonfire]

You'll probably hate me for saying this, but that's their problem. If they can't regulate, then they shouldn't have gone on it in the first place. I agree with Alex, there shouldn't be restrictions, it's the person's fault they get addicted.

[Simmi]

Hmm... I can agree with that. It kinda is their problem... But sometimes the games are too good! I guess it really depends on how you balance out your gaming time...

[GoldEagle]

Hey. I used to play RuneScape, and it used to stop me going out with friends, etc. I played it with my brothers for around 3-4 hours a day. I stopped playing it about two years ago, and I've not regretted it for one minute. MMOORPGS are a massive waste of time, and now I spend my time more constructively (for example, writing ;)). I don't have anything against people who play them, though. It's their choice.

[Simmi]

Hey. I used to play RuneScape, and it used to stop me going out with friends, etc. I played it with my brothers for around 3-4 hours a day. I stopped playing it about two years ago, and I've not regretted it for one minute. MMOORPGS are a massive waste of time, and now I spend my time more constructively (for example, writing ;)). I don't have anything against people who play them, though. It's their choice.

I go on runescape occasionaly still but not as much as my friends do... they sometimes try to bribe me to go on... 'their' choice can sometimes get annoyin haha

[GoldEagle]

Haha. Wow, your signature is very nice, Simmi.

[Alex]

who cares if they get addicted, the answer to this discussion is as clear as a new pane of glass. It shouldn't be regulated, if they regulate this then why shouldn't they regulate when I get up in the morning. If I oversleep doesn't it hurt me negatively? Well if thats the case then I shouldn't be aloud to be asleep past 10 in the morning because its unproductive?

[Carraka]

And if it hurts other people? (Like the baby example in Shadow's first post?)

I mostly agree with Alex, and I have no idea how they would create a rule to protect babies, but still give people freedom to game. x.x Was that a one-time example, or have there been similar cases in China/other parts of the world?

[Rouge]

I'm abusing my education because I'm on here all the time.
:P

My brother plays RuneScape all the time and it sickens me.
I've never played WoW but, I have played RS.
I dunno, I'm like Shaun: If they wanna do it, and it's only harming themselves, let them do it. It's whatever.

[Carraka]

Aha! Now you're only allowed to be on YWO for three hours a day!

NOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOO ...

[jordanisonfire]

WoW is just like RS, except with more races, more classes,, better stuff to get and WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better graphics. And it costs.

And if it hurts other people? (Like the baby example in Shadow's first post?)

That only happened on one occassion, and that's the worst. Usually the addicts are guys who are pathetic losers and pretty much have a pointless existance. Why they don't get a job at Blizzard Entertainment (the company that owns and manages WoW), I have no idea. They pay pretty good and you get loads of advantages over normal players on WoW, which I would have thought would be what any addict wants.

[Rafael Domination]

Now, while I agree with Alex in that it's their problem, I am a little cautious of that 'let them die' attitude. Also, denying that games don't have an addictive quality to them isn't very wise. It's called 'immersion'. Game designer WANT you to play their games longer, to put you in there and make it so your forget everything else around you. I know. They're not going to put crappy graphics or a good storyline, and easy to use controls if those didn't matter. They need those so people aren't repelled by their games. In fact, I read an article how those games appeal to people's sense of adventure and that's another hook the industry uses. Slaying monsters, making gold, etc. It's addictive, and there's no denying that.

Still, if people fall for that hook, then its their problem. I just wouldn't throw caution to the wind. I think the in China three-hour limit should be increased to 7 hours, but thank goodness it's there.

[Alex]

There shouldn't be a limit. I fall into one of two categories, they control this they should control everything dangerous, if not then they shouldn't. Of course there are underlying issues that don't allow for this in real-world, but if everything was in a vacuum. No limit, good for all. That being said I have to go make some shoes in a sweatshop so adios for now

[Rafael Domination]

No limits, good for all? Not so. Limits are there for the good of all. I don't believe in dogmatic/constrictive/influenced by prejudiced etc limits but I think they should exist. No limits=anarchy.

[Crocolyle]

I personally don't see why so many people like MMO's. They take so much of your time it's like having another job.

[Rafael Domination]

A job that doesn't pay! I mean, come on! eleven hours of decomposing in front of your computer and what? Woot: I'm a level 60 mage! So? That won't buy you half an egg in real life. Well, unless of course you sell your account to another MMORPG junkie - which is highly unlikely. I mean, a few hours his maybe ok, but to live in front of that machine is...well...

[Alex]

I dont do anything better so if I want too I'll do what I find enjoyable, and if everyone else is bitching about me on a forum it is kind of hypocritical. I feel this is a dumb topic to keep talking about, and each time I open my mouth in this god-forsaken topic I feel like a hypocrit with his thumb up his ass.

[Rafael Domination]

1) You are free to express you own opinion - so do we

2) If you're wearing a diaper cuz' you're addicted to WoW, then you kinda had those comments coming to you

3) How is 'bitching' about that on a forum hypocrytical? A lot of people here - me included - have improved our writing by being here, unlike some.

4) How are you like a hypocrit with his thumb up his anus? You have your opinions, and you should express them without giving a crap about those from others. It would be wise to at least acknowledge the helpful bits about others, but there's no need to take things personally

5) This topic is quite relevant beacuse it's dealing with a rather global issue

[Crocolyle]

With what Alex said earlier, I don't think the government should have the right to impose limits on a computer game--I mean people spend too much time doing other trivial stuff rather than important stuff, like TV, web surfing, forum-posting, sleeping (I sleep between 10 and 14 hours a day, and I know that's unhealthy), but it is true that some people do have a problem with game addiction. They should know and be able to decide when enough is enough, and should try to regulate their game-playing time themselves. I think the time limit idea is silly (parents neglecting children is a different matter entirely. Someone should call child services on them). The government might as well try to regulate my bowels.

This being said, I can't really get into computer games so much that I'm addicted. While I do have a terrible web-surfing addiction, computer games tend to become a chore--and from what I know about games like WoW and EQ (I played EQ for a couple months. Didn't like it), playing an MMO is like having another job. You have to fight all these monsters and spend all this time trying to get monopoly money, just to get some ultimately meaningless equipment and experience points. I mean, I like spending my free time, not at work(/school).

[Rafael Domination]

The government shouldn't impose the limit: the company itself should. Do I think they should got to hell if they don't? No, but what I'm saying is an eight-hour limit per day would be a little healthier than friggin' 21 hours our of the 24.

Heck, I'll admit: killing monsters is fun...but unless it's real life, it's still just meaningless computer graphics.

[Shaun]

I don't agree that any limits should be placed on people, as I've said. You want to waste your life away playing a game? That's your choice, so long as it does NOT affect the lives of others. The only time I would agree with government control is in the event that a parent is obsessed and is neglecting their children, in which case the children should be removed until the parent gets their habit under control.
The problem with Americans, sometimes, is that we are so quick to impose new laws...which is a little irritating. Some things we don't need laws for...

[Zombified]

Is there a limit to how much people can eat? Even if they are extremely fat, does a store say, "Sorry buddy, you're too fat. No food for you. Next in line."
No that doesn't happen.

Does somebody tell a music freak, "Hey! Hippy stoner! No more music for you! All you do is play music and listen to it! You aren't gonna be sucesful! You can't play anymore."
No. That doesn't happen.

Does someone tell a movie fanatic, "Hey! You've watched ten movies in one day! No more for you! Get a life!"
No. That doesn't happen.

My point is, we are free people and we can do whatever the hell we want. Who is anyone else to tell you how long you can play a video game? If someone is so addicted that they want to waste their life doing it, fine, let them. It's not the games fault, its the person.

If someone is a junkie do you say, "Ahh! Its not his fault! The drugs made him be like this!"
They are only part of the equation. You take away the computer game, then they will just find something else to waste their time with.

Having someone step in and intervene is not right. If that happened, we wouldn't be really free then would we?

[jordanisonfire]

What you guys seem to missing is that China's a COMMUNIST country. If the government tells them to do something, there's no complaining, they do it. Whereas, if we were to put restrictions on it in America, there'd be loads of complaining and maybe lots of protests from fans.

[Rafael Domination]

Is there a limit to how much people can eat? Even if they are extremely fat, does a store say, "Sorry buddy, you're too fat. No food for you. Next in line."
No that doesn't happen.

Does somebody tell a music freak, "Hey! Hippy stoner! No more music for you! All you do is play music and listen to it! You aren't gonna be sucesful! You can't play anymore."
No. That doesn't happen.

Does someone tell a movie fanatic, "Hey! You've watched ten movies in one day! No more for you! Get a life!"
No. That doesn't happen.

My point is, we are free people and we can do whatever the hell we want. Who is anyone else to tell you how long you can play a video game? If someone is so addicted that they want to waste their life doing it, fine, let them. It's not the games fault, its the person.

If someone is a junkie do you say, "Ahh! Its not his fault! The drugs made him be like this!"
They are only part of the equation. You take away the computer game, then they will just find something else to waste their time with.

Having someone step in and intervene is not right. If that happened, we wouldn't be really free then would we?

I'm not saying a government HAS to impose limits...I'm saying that the companies themseves should do something to limit the risk of people abusing their products. As a matter of fact, a lot of companies have already sided with me. They've given advice. Some fast foos restaurants have cut down on the fat of their products. Etc. Imposing or focring limits isn't what I had in mind, but what I'm saying is if a limit was imposed that wasn't too constrictive or at all influenced by ulterior things (like racism). Limits those kinds of exist. LAWS are limits - they tell people what they can and can't do. Without them, theres nothing stopping me from killing whoever I want.


I don't agree that any limits should be placed on people, as I've said. You want to waste your life away playing a game? That's your choice, so long as it does NOT affect the lives of others. The only time I would agree with government control is in the event that a parent is obsessed and is neglecting their children, in which case the children should be removed until the parent gets their habit under control.
The problem with Americans, sometimes, is that we are so quick to impose new laws...which is a little irritating. Some things we don't need laws for...

I agree that somethings we don't need laws for. But what I'm saying is that a little 'nudge' from the government to prevent some tragedy like that from ever happening again. That 'nudge' doesn't have to be an imposed law - maybe it can be an advertisment, or the government can encourage those companies to put a daily gold or Xp cap on their games - I know this site called 'battleon' does. The cap is massive, something like several million gold or XP per day, and barely anyone reaches that in eight hours. But after half a day of playing, the company is basically telling them to go get some rest. Do I think all companies should do that? It would be nice, but even if they don't, it's their choice.

As for those who waste their lives playing a game, be my guest. At least that's one less person in the line-up at the grocerry store. And if they die becuase their bladder ruptured, give them a darwin award. After all, who gives a crap?

[Alex]

1) You are free to express you own opinion - so do we

2) If you're wearing a diaper cuz' you're addicted to WoW, then you kinda had those comments coming to you

3) How is 'bitching' about that on a forum hypocrytical? A lot of people here - me included - have improved our writing by being here, unlike some.

4) How are you like a hypocrit with his thumb up his anus? You have your opinions, and you should express them without giving a crap about those from others. It would be wise to at least acknowledge the helpful bits about others, but there's no need to take things personally

5) This topic is quite relevant beacuse it's dealing with a rather global issue


I find the end of point number three insulting, quite frankly. I don't give a crap, but the fact that I don't care what others think doesn't erase the fact that I'm a hypocrit for doing something I condone as 'trivial'. I don't plan to become a famous writer, so this is something I do for fun. MMOs, to me, are fun. So to me they are equal. Yes, I am trivializing it and making it simple, but in my opinion at the core of it that is how it is.

This isn't a global issue, people should go and worry about poverty and shit like that. I'm not taking it personally because I'm not huge on MMOs. I'm more of an RTS/shooter type guy myself, but I take it so hard that we are arguing about this trivial matter over anything else.

[Shaun]

Raf: Companies that change don't change because they're doing the right thing. They make changes to keep bringing in revenue. McDonald's and other fast food places didn't put loads of "healthy" choices on their menus because they wanted to do the right thing. They saw the market changing and had to get on top of it before they started losing serious profits.
And I'll tell you this: any game from a company that will impose limitations on me on how often I can play the game will get no money from me and they'll find that they will lose money from others as well. It's not a viable market.

And really, what would imposing limitations do? There are loads of free games online people can get obsessed with, and people will just learn how to crack those games with limitations...or folks will go elsewhere for their obsessive behavior. You can't force people to take care of themselves.

[Rafael Domination]

Ah, but forcing people to take care of themselves wasn't my goal in the first place. If my comments have been read earlier, I said encouraging them to. If they wanna find ways to by pass those limits, then go ahead. But a lot of people don't care about those trivial limits (gold or XP caps and all. They're massive and when the clock strikes 12 the next day, they can start all over again). Heck, unless those limits are too contrictive, they won't even notice you and those others are gone. ^^

Once again, a light nudge won't hurt. And if people still want to waste in front of the computer, then it's their funeral.

By the way, there's no harm if the company makes a profit from a benefit. It's similar to symbiosis, really.

And Alex: the 'some' at the end of point three wasn't directed at you. Please. How long have I been here and people still haven't noticed that I don't attack anyone unless attacked first. Sheesh. Go ahead if you want to play those MMO's. But if you play 24 hours and suffer from that, all I'm saying is that you had it coming, and that it might have been avoided with a 9-hour limit per day.

[Shaun]

By the way, there's no harm if the company makes a profit from a benefit. It's similar to symbiosis, really.

That's not what I was saying. I was saying that companies don't give us "nudges" to be healthier or better or whatever by changing their products. They follow the market, and companies like McDonalds were being hit hard by the low-fat and no carb diets, so they adjusted so tehy could keep making a profit. Companies follow the money. They could care less if it's good for you. Likewise, no gaming company would put restrictions on gameplay because doing so would drastically affect their profits.

And Alex: the 'some' at the end of point three wasn't directed at you. Please. How long have I been here and people still haven't noticed that I don't attack anyone unless attacked first. Sheesh. Go ahead if you want to play those MMO's. But if you play 24 hours and suffer from that, all I'm saying is that you had it coming, and that it might have been avoided with a 9-hour limit per day.

Well, now I'm putting an end to your back and forth stuff. Enough, both of you :P.

Also, it's a CHOICE to play a game all day and it should remain a choice. Of course limiting oneself to 9 hours is better for you. The same can be said about not eating ten gallons of icecream. But if you want to screw yourself up, it should be a choice you can make.

[lango]

Hmm

Considering I have a long story with games, be it MMORPG or FPS.
Gaming is both bad and good for you. Lets take MMORPGs for example. Ill take tibia, for instance, since its a game I used to play, and sometimes still login, because I made way too many friends there :D

You create a character. Your character starts small. It takes ages for you to level, so you learn that good things in life take time. You make friends, you start hunting together. You learn the notion of teamwork. You and your friends decide to form a guild (Small comment here: tibia is a game that if you are on a pvp-server, you can be attacked pretty much anywhere, be it innocently buying food, fishing, or hunting for experience points). Your guildmates get into trouble, you find out that since youre not the baddest guy all around, you'll have to talk to solve problems. You learn to rationalize with people, which is something what we will all have to do in real life eventually, you have your opinion on the matter, you voice it, you argue with the person and try to solve the problem.

Take my example, I was leader of a very famous guild on my server, that guild is now over 4 years old. I had to deal with a lot of problems, and had to make sure the actions I took to solve the problem would be benefitial to my guild members. They depended on me, I couldnt let them down. That gave me a bit of responsability

But every story has its ugly side. On the start of my MMORPG addiction, I used to get into constant arguments with my parents. They wouldnt see my side of the story, and I wouldnt see theirs. They came from a very different childhood, where kids didnt have the internet, their games were ugly as hell, so they always found another way to spend their time. But of course, wasting ALL my free time in a game was not very healthy. I stopped reading as much as I used to read, since I began to read only before sleeping, so as to maximize gaming time. I did indeed play instead of studying. Though to be honest, I was a teenager. If there were no games, Id be watching tv, chatting with friends. I still wouldnt be studying.

Also playing for too long per day made me a bit shy near my friends, which was the first problem I noticed. Nowadays though I can go from playing 12 hours in a single day to not playing for a few days, I consider myself healed. Gaming is fun, I like games, specially the online sort that makes you compete with other players. Learning to compete I guess is another good virtue, so for me gaming is more benefitial then not, with moderation :P
But then again, everything in excess is bad for you. Try drinking 100 cups of water a day.

I wont get started on the "government forbidding games" subject though, since I get real pissed real fast with that subject, since my government is trying their best to forbid counter-strike here for unknown reasons other than the fact that the judge's son plays the game