Would you consider online gaming an addiction?

I'm thinking more from the angle of the MMORPG. You see, my brother plays Final Fantasy XI constantly...so much that he's scheduled his work and college classes around his game time (instead of the situation being the other way around). He sometimes puts aside feeding our rabbit to level his character, he decides not to eat to learn cooking combinations in the game, he'll stay up all night to just earn money in the game. I've played the game also and I like the game a lot...but I'm not as immersed as my brother...yet, I'm sure that there are others in the gaming world that can say they've met someone like this. I even remember that there's a warning before you log in saying, "Don't forget your school, family, and work when you start to play this game" (not the exact phrase, but close enough). Where in time did we come to the point where a game has to remind us that there's more to life than...games? It worries me to think that if games are like this now...what happens in the future?Would you consider online gaming an addiction?
Yes it can be addictive but no more than a PS2 game. Its cheaper than buying a game and you are already online plus it's more of a challenge playing against others.

I am very keen on Fantasy Racing Manager a Yahoo F1 game but I do regulate my time as I do have other duties to perform. So it really is up to the individual or the PC owner to regulate the time. It's not the game at fault it's the individual.
Depends on what kind of game...I hear some of those suck you in pretty goodWould you consider online gaming an addiction?
Looks like he likes his life in the game better than outside of it.
I think his game has gone way beyond recreational. It is possible to be addicted to the Internet, so I guess a game would be along the same lines. I don't know how you can make him see the trouble it could be causing him, though. It's almost like making a drug addict see drugs are bad.Would you consider online gaming an addiction?
when are lives have become so scheduled and uneventful



it seems as if only material dreams can be acheived in our society



and with out the proper capital and pedegree GOOD LUCK



sometimes fictional fantasies are more exciting and awaken long dormat emotions





it is no suprise that the average Gamer is now 28(Time)



the warning is apropriate and neccesary



it is easy to grow attached to the game and its protagonist b/c when playing the game we are the hero





addiction though iono



i dont think there is a dependency



perhaps it can be addicting for some, but it is not an addiction







the future just gets better they are working on a contoller that will be able to respond to the players thoughts









i go through gaming phases



i love halo and was briefly obsessed







now 4 months clean and sober



one day at a time









you just gotta cut the cord eventually
very
From my personal experience anything can become overdone, maybe this is a phase which will pass.You fail to mention how long he has been gaming and if this is a recurring problem, maybe it's something he can turn to an advantage by journaling his experience as a compulsive gamer and get press with Dr. Phil!

As long as Phil's pal "The big O" doesn't find him copy/pasting anything in his journal he can still go for the non-fiction market, it's hot now.
Yes. Some people feel that their real lives just don't compare to what they can be in a video game. Being a college student seems a bit mundane when you can be a magician battling to save the world.

I heard that a couple of years ago a guy killed himself after his character died in Everquest so yes I think it can most definately become and addiction.
i would say so. . ..
i dont think so.. im already bored at online games..
Maybe you should try tough love and do something to his computer when he finally sleeps..



You could even go as far as adding a monitoring program (key logger) and accessing his character in the game and ruining it.. As long as it is all descrete he wont blame you..



Maybe a time away from the pc would make him frustrated and at this point he may be able to take in advice that it is a problem.
In all honesty, anything can become an addiction. Wether it is work, games, pills, alcohol, drugs, food, anything. Addiction is a behaivor which is triggered by a pleasurable item. Your brother may be substituting his real life, for his fantasy life and that is not uncommon. I and my roommates play WoW and this sometimes happens. If your brother is still a minor and your concerned about his real life experiences becoming less and less, talk to your parents about maybe placing certain rules or restrictions against his playing time. And if he is an adult, well there is not much you can do other then voice your concerns to him.