Coming from a WoW player, I know this may sound hard to believe, but I can honestly say that MMOs such as WoW are not addictive normally. The few people that are “addicted” are a small section of the in-game community; most play the game simply because it’s fun or because they use it to socialize with people.
For those who think that the designers made the game with the express objective of “getting people addicted” (I’m talking to you, Dr. Phil. You and your special episode on MMOs. You inspired me to write this post.), you’re wrong. The designers designed the game to be fun and to make money for the company. If the game wasn’t fun, players wouldn’t play. Are cigarettes fun? No. Are they addictive? Yes. Are MMO’s fun? Yes. Are they addictive? No. (As a side note, MMO’s aren’t harmful to your health like cigarettes are.) Reasons people play MMOs are not consistent with addictions either. Most people don’t play WoW to be “cool”; heck, some people in my high-school percieved me as kind of a “geek” for playing WoW. No. They play it because it’s what they enjoy doing. I doubt that many people enjoy inhaling carcinogenous smoke directly into their lungs anymore.
I personally have taken breaks from WoW a few times. Felt no urge to get on and play, and simply came back to the game recharged and excited about it again. No “withdrawals”, no nothing. The only way one could be said to be “addicted” is in that a lot of work has been sunk into their character and they don’t want to lose that–and honestly? I understand that. I’ve put a lot of time into my mage, I know more about the class than 90% of the people I know, that’s something that I’m proud of, regardless of whether it’s “real-world” or simply in WoW. It’s something *I’ve* accomplished. Referring to my recent post on achievements, people as a whole–not just WoW players–revel in that sense of accomplishment. That’s just human nature. Those who are “addicted” are also only considered to be because they’ve never tried to take a break. Once you take a step back from the game, and you realize that there really are no serious urges to get back on and keep playing, it’s notable that you’re not just playing for the sake of playing, you’re playing because you’ve accomplished something and you want to continue to better your character. That’s all there is to it, folks–no “addiction” there.
For those who still have doubts, check out the Daedalus Project at http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/ .
I had a friend point out to me that many cases of MMO “addiction” stem from some psychological issue such as depression. This is true, and may have merit. HOWEVER, the “MMO addiction” stems NOT from the game, but from the event that caused the depression. Plus, let’s face it–would you rather have a depressed alcoholic or drug addict who ends up, say, trying to take his own life, or accidentally overdosing and killing himself–or a depressed MMO player who has the chance of not only recovering through perhaps this sense of accomplishment/affirmation but also through social interaction with people in the game, say if he finds a guild? An instance like that, you could even see WoW as PRESERVING lives rather than destroying them through some falsified “addiction”.
I know that most people who believe that video games and, more specifically, MMOs are addictive will not be swayed by this blog. For those who are open to debate, I invite you to comment; I’ll reply in as timely a fashion as I am able.
Thanks for the link to the Daedalus project.
Very valid points, I agree with most of it…
“The designers designed the game to be fun and to make money for the company. ”
From a business sense the designers do have to plan ways to extend the lifetime of their games, Blizzard has done this by adding long faction grind and rewards and well as the newly added achievement system as well as having specific boss-gear in the past(shadow resist,etc). I’m glad they are getting rid of this system somewhat with Wrath…adding a more guild wars-like(i use this as an example since it hit me as an immediate example) ideals of player skill vs. time played.
“If the game wasn’t fun, players wouldn’t play. Are cigarettes fun? No. Are they addictive? Yes. Are MMO’s fun? Yes. Are they addictive? No. ”
Nice attempt at a clear comparison.
The danger there is, what is the person playing has little/no self-control? I’ve had friends come late to class/work because time flew by while playing or they wanted to finish something in-game.
But I completely agree though, blame the person; not the game.
(I’ll post up my own P.o.V in regards to this soon, I’ve been trying to solve the TLB issue going on before LK release :/)
[...] Life outside of WoW has been very hectic recently. As a music major, I end up having a lot of commitments, and sometimes have trouble taking care of everything, as is the case right now. I was sick recently and missed nearly a week of classes. I’m trying to get back into the swing of things, but it’s tough. (As an aside, I was asked if I had ever considered journalism after a friend read my post on how MMOs are not addictive.) [...]
[...] make this short and sweet, since AJ did an awesome job covering this topic on his [...]
[...] WoW IS NOT ADDICTIVE. [...]
A friend led me to a very cool comparison:
A baseball team.
The team plays once or twice a week (which is the usual for casual raiding guilds).
Games last 3 to 4 hours. Raids last 3 to 4 hours.
To prepare for the baseball game, these players need to practice all week(or most of it), 2 to 3 hours a day. A WoW gamer may or may not play every day, to make gold for repairs or consumables, usually a single day of dailys is more than enough and takes an hour or two.
Location. Baseball team players go out and have some beers after the game, wow players live in different localities, but those who live close, do tend to go out and celebrate.
Baseball players spend hundreds of dollars on gear, bats, baseballs, renting a baseball field, beer for the games, etc. Wow players spend 15 dollars a month.
What’s the difference between the two? Why is one good and the other bad? Misconception.
Why isn’t baseball considered an addiction? Why categorize playing wow as being antisocial? Because the most important factor of wow is being ignored: It is a social game, not just a person in front of a screen, but a person being a part of a group, talking and responding for their actions to an entire team.
People tend to have conversation on topics they’re knowledgeable at. Or things of their interest. If you don’t believe me talk to a boston red sox fan. Or a hardcore raiding warlock. When people overhear these two enthralled in conversation, they may understand some of what the redsox fan is saying, but they’ll find what the warlock is saying different and strange. This “common knowledge” is the real difference, people don’t know what DPS means, but they do know what “struck out” or RBI means. Both a boston redsox fan, and a hardcore raiding warlock can be addicted (to a game each), but people fear what they don’t understand and people alienate that which they fear. Most people don’t understand wow.
People can be addicted to games. That doesn’t mean all people are. Most hardcore fans (of any sports team) are. Many wow players are. It doesn’t mean everyone is an addict. There is no real measure as to where it starts being an addiction, but from experience these are some surefire signs:
-When you lie (to another one or yourself) to continue doing that to which you are addicted.
-When you talk, eat, dream, and can’t wait for the next time you do that to which you are addicted.
-When you need to hide in your addiction if you feel sad.
-When you need to celebrate in your addiction if you feel happy.
(i’m addicted to food btw, in treatment and have lost about 40 pounds)
The only real difference between baseball and wow is the (possible) physical benefit. I say possible because i’ve seen baseball players (specially amateurs) tend to be the least fit, and drink (beer) the most. Then again, my guild raids at 8:30, and for 3 hrs max. Because that’s the time when the last person (eärendur) gets out of the gym, and we don’t like to stay up after midnight since we all work the next day (we raid mondays and wednesdays), and some start work very early, at around 4am (Acalana).
I like the way you’re looking at this, and appreciate your viewpoint. Made me rethink exactly where I’m coming from on this issue. Thanks.