CD4 Lecture 5 Addiction: All play and no work makes Jack a dull boy

CD4CD4Lecture 5Lecture 5

Addiction:Addiction:All play and All play and

no work no work makes Jack makes Jack a dull boya dull boy

Reminder:Reminder: 50% 50% Socially-aware design documentSocially-aware design document. . ““It will briefly describe a game, make It will briefly describe a game, make

suggestions about how this content could be suggestions about how this content could be altered while maintaining strong gameplay altered while maintaining strong gameplay mechanics, and discuss the ramifications for mechanics, and discuss the ramifications for these alterations on the target audience, scope these alterations on the target audience, scope of the project, production costs, or other factors of the project, production costs, or other factors important to the game’s development.”important to the game’s development.”

Due 1pm (13:00), Thursday week 7.Due 1pm (13:00), Thursday week 7.

Small group discussion topics...Small group discussion topics...Go here:Go here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JX1v8BBXe5ANf7jKSHsAkBpZKZAoGYq93pPJmrJGVFU/viewform

You can enter topics to talk about in your You can enter topics to talk about in your small group discussions in a few weekssmall group discussions in a few weeks

Please do this! Please do this! (Otherwise I’ll think of things for us to talk about, and they might be (Otherwise I’ll think of things for us to talk about, and they might be

much harder!)much harder!)

Today...Today...

We will be looking at addiction to video gamesWe will be looking at addiction to video games What is addiction?What is addiction? What is the real-world impact of games addiction?What is the real-world impact of games addiction? How is addiction represented in the media and How is addiction represented in the media and

perceived by governments?perceived by governments? Can the addictive qualities of games be a good thing?Can the addictive qualities of games be a good thing? ... And we will decide on this week’s debate topic.... And we will decide on this week’s debate topic.

Before I start...Before I start... Several of my friends on Facebook are social workers Several of my friends on Facebook are social workers

working with drug addictsworking with drug addicts When I posted this topic on Facebook, all of them told When I posted this topic on Facebook, all of them told

me that they have seen examples where a games me that they have seen examples where a games addiction has helped a person avoid other addictionsaddiction has helped a person avoid other addictions

““I've seen the games keep addicts away from food I've seen the games keep addicts away from food and booze when little else would. Keeps them busy”and booze when little else would. Keeps them busy”

““I actually have a friend in my guild in WoW who's a 2 I actually have a friend in my guild in WoW who's a 2 or 3 years clean heroin addict. He said that playing or 3 years clean heroin addict. He said that playing WoW was a really big component in his staying clean.”WoW was a really big component in his staying clean.”

Firstly...Firstly...Who here thinks they have been addicted Who here thinks they have been addicted

to games or the internet at some time?to games or the internet at some time?Who thinks they might be addicted to a Who thinks they might be addicted to a

game or the internet now?game or the internet now?

What is addiction?What is addiction? ““Addiction is a condition that results when a Addiction is a condition that results when a

person ingests a substance (alcohol, cocaine, person ingests a substance (alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or engages in an activity (gambling) that nicotine) or engages in an activity (gambling) that can be pleasurable but the continued use of can be pleasurable but the continued use of which becomes compulsive and interferes with which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work or ordinary life responsibilities, such as work or relationships, even health. Users may not be relationships, even health. Users may not be aware that their behavior is out of control and aware that their behavior is out of control and causing problems for themselves and others.”causing problems for themselves and others.”

http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/addiction

Note that it is not just the action...Note that it is not just the action... There are two parts to the definition:There are two parts to the definition:

The action (taking drugs, performing an act)The action (taking drugs, performing an act)The negative consequences (“The negative consequences (“interferes with interferes with

ordinary life responsibilities”)ordinary life responsibilities”) By this definition, both of these parts must exist By this definition, both of these parts must exist

for the behavior to be an addictionfor the behavior to be an addiction An addictive game must also have negative An addictive game must also have negative

consequences elsewhere in your life – the fun consequences elsewhere in your life – the fun of the game is counteracted by suffering of the game is counteracted by suffering elsewhere.elsewhere.

So...So...

Using that definition, who still thinks that Using that definition, who still thinks that they were/are addicted to games or the they were/are addicted to games or the internet?internet?

Mystic Mata predicts...Mystic Mata predicts... ...That a few people ...That a few people

might have reconsidered might have reconsidered their ‘addiction’their ‘addiction’

(I could be wrong)(I could be wrong)

Video game addiction Video game addiction seems slightly different to seems slightly different to other types of addictionother types of addiction Gambling – tangible benefitGambling – tangible benefit Drugs – physical ‘reward’Drugs – physical ‘reward’

‘‘Arousal addiction’Arousal addiction’ ““Every compulsive gambler, alcoholic or drug addict will Every compulsive gambler, alcoholic or drug addict will

tell you that they want increasingly more of a game or tell you that they want increasingly more of a game or drink or drug in order to get the same quality of buzz.drink or drug in order to get the same quality of buzz.

““Video game and porn addictions are different. They Video game and porn addictions are different. They are ‘arousal addictions,’ where the attraction is in the are ‘arousal addictions,’ where the attraction is in the novelty, the variety or the surprise factor of the content. novelty, the variety or the surprise factor of the content. Sameness is soon habituated; newness heightens Sameness is soon habituated; newness heightens excitement. In traditional drug arousal, conversely, excitement. In traditional drug arousal, conversely, addicts want more of the same cocaine or heroin or addicts want more of the same cocaine or heroin or favorite food.”favorite food.”

Philip Zimbardo (creator of the famous Stanford Prison Experiment)Philip Zimbardo (creator of the famous Stanford Prison Experiment) http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/23/health/living-well/demise-of-guys/index.html http://www.ted.com/talks/zimchallenge.html

Although...Although... Zimbardo is a highly respected psychologist...Zimbardo is a highly respected psychologist... But a lot of what he is using to support his argument But a lot of what he is using to support his argument

is anecdotal and only correlatory is anecdotal and only correlatory i.e. he states two facts then suggests there is a causal link i.e. he states two facts then suggests there is a causal link

(one causes the other) without proving that this link exists.(one causes the other) without proving that this link exists. It’s fairly easy to take apart his argument: It’s fairly easy to take apart his argument:

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/05/the-anatomy-of-a-videogame-scare-story/257661/

(For more about correlation and causal links see these: (For more about correlation and causal links see these: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27537142 http://comic.matazone.co.uk/2012/04/20/i-think-therefore-i-am/ ) )

How is addiction to games How is addiction to games represented?represented?

http://www.wbir.com/news/article/219785/2/Video-game-addictions-on-the-rise

““Dalton's grades dropped and he was not Dalton's grades dropped and he was not getting enough physical activity. They say they getting enough physical activity. They say they didn't see the same son they once knew.”didn't see the same son they once knew.”

On a scale of addictions...On a scale of addictions... That’s not so badThat’s not so bad It’s definitely not greatIt’s definitely not great

‘‘grades dropped’ grades dropped’ ‘‘not getting enough not getting enough

physical activity’physical activity’

Both of these can have Both of these can have long term effects on long term effects on the life of the player...the life of the player...

... But still, it’s not ... But still, it’s not exactly Meth, is it?exactly Meth, is it?

The effects...The effects... “‘“‘It's usually affecting their relationships, It's usually affecting their relationships,

academic work, their jobs... or a combination of academic work, their jobs... or a combination of all of them,’ family counselor Dr. David Hall all of them,’ family counselor Dr. David Hall said. He is hearing more cases like Dalton's.said. He is hearing more cases like Dalton's.

“‘“‘We have kind of become ‘people blind’, and it We have kind of become ‘people blind’, and it could affect people in a lot of important places could affect people in a lot of important places in the world of dating or social interactions, in the world of dating or social interactions, interacting with co-workers,’ he said.”interacting with co-workers,’ he said.”

‘‘People blind’People blind’ It’s an odd term, but an interesting oneIt’s an odd term, but an interesting oneWhat do you think he means by it? Think for What do you think he means by it? Think for

30 seconds.30 seconds. “‘We have kind of become ‘people blind’, and it “‘We have kind of become ‘people blind’, and it could affect people in a lot of important places in the could affect people in a lot of important places in the world of dating or social interactions, interacting with world of dating or social interactions, interacting with co-workers,’ he said.”co-workers,’ he said.”

Now share your ideas with your neighbour for Now share your ideas with your neighbour for 60 seconds.60 seconds.

‘‘People blind’People blind’ What do you think?What do you think? It’s almost like we’re back It’s almost like we’re back

on the topic of violence on the topic of violence and becoming and becoming desensitised to the real desensitised to the real world through repeated in-world through repeated in-game transactionsgame transactions

‘‘Lost in the violent world of Lost in the violent world of video games’, is a typical video games’, is a typical comment about modern comment about modern anti-social behaviour. anti-social behaviour.

‘‘People blind’People blind’Back to Philip Zimbardo again:Back to Philip Zimbardo again: ““The excessive use of video games and The excessive use of video games and

online porn in pursuit of the next thing is online porn in pursuit of the next thing is creating a generation of risk-averse guys creating a generation of risk-averse guys who are unable (and unwilling) to navigate who are unable (and unwilling) to navigate the complexities and risks inherent to real-the complexities and risks inherent to real-life relationships, school and employment.”life relationships, school and employment.”

Note the word ‘excessive’.Note the word ‘excessive’.

‘‘People blind’People blind’Zimbardo is arguing that there is a problem with Zimbardo is arguing that there is a problem with

men of this generationmen of this generationHe believes that excessive use of video games He believes that excessive use of video games

and pornography makes men unwilling to and pornography makes men unwilling to engage in long-term challenges such as engage in long-term challenges such as romance and real-life friendship because of the romance and real-life friendship because of the lack of instant rewardlack of instant reward

‘‘You’ve made a friend!’You’ve made a friend!’

So far we’ve looked at fairly So far we’ve looked at fairly moderate examplesmoderate examples

These are behaviours whose long-term effects These are behaviours whose long-term effects are hard to traceare hard to trace

...And it could be that greater socialisation will ...And it could be that greater socialisation will be stimulated by games as the female market be stimulated by games as the female market for games is explored more thoroughlyfor games is explored more thoroughly

There seems to be a lot of conjecture There seems to be a lot of conjecture [guessing][guessing] in in Zimbardo’s current workZimbardo’s current work

So let’s look at some more extreme cases...So let’s look at some more extreme cases...

2005...2005... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4137782.stm

He was literally He was literally killed by his killed by his addictionaddiction

(Or so we assume: “It is not (Or so we assume: “It is not known whether he suffered known whether he suffered from any previous health from any previous health conditions.”)conditions.”)

2009...2009... So...So... Is the mother Is the mother

being rational?being rational? Did Everquest kill Did Everquest kill her son?her son?

Is it really rude of Is it really rude of me to question a me to question a grieving mother?grieving mother?

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18559_162-525965.html

Continued...Continued... ““Calling Calling

EverquestEverquest ‘addictive’ is ‘addictive’ is nonsense”nonsense”

Seriously?Seriously?

2007...2007... http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-02/28/conte

nt_815396.htm

‘‘Overwork and Overwork and obesity’obesity’

Is the excessive Is the excessive game playing game playing the cause or a the cause or a symptom of symptom of something something deeper?deeper?

Is this like violence in games?Is this like violence in games? Violent people might be Violent people might be

drawn to violent games, it drawn to violent games, it doesn’t mean the games doesn’t mean the games made them violentmade them violent

Perhaps depressed people Perhaps depressed people can become easily addicted can become easily addicted to video games?to video games?

Perhaps the addiction comes Perhaps the addiction comes from the depression, not the from the depression, not the other way around.other way around.

Again, there are worse things Again, there are worse things to be addicted to...to be addicted to...

But games don’t help…But games don’t help…

Games don’t help…Games don’t help… ““The upside of moving to the apartment was that my mother acquired high The upside of moving to the apartment was that my mother acquired high

speed internet. I was able to play speed internet. I was able to play World of Warcraft World of Warcraft on her computer, along on her computer, along with with Halo 2Halo 2 on Xbox Live. on Xbox Live.

““This was the point when my social life ended completely. I would never This was the point when my social life ended completely. I would never have a satisfying social life ever again. […]have a satisfying social life ever again. […]

““I got caught up in it, and was too young and naïve to realize the severity of I got caught up in it, and was too young and naïve to realize the severity of how far I had fallen.”how far I had fallen.”

From Elliot Rodger’s ‘Manifesto’. Three days ago, on May 23rd 2014 he murdered: Cheng Yuan Hong, aged 20 George Chen, aged 19 Weihan Wang, aged 20 Katie Cooper, aged 22 Christopher Martinez, aged 20 And Veronica Weiss, aged 19.

Games don’t help…Games don’t help… “I have been forced to endure a life of loneliness, rejection,

and unfulfilled desires.” (from his final video) “I hid myself away in the online World of Warcraft, a place

where I felt comfortable and secure.” (Manifesto) Did his addiction to WoW and Halo contribute to the

loneliness? No-one is blaming his violence on games (yet) … But it’s hard to think that they helped … And yet, to only blame games would be to ignore the

misogynistic ideologies where he found comfort for his sociopathy

… But it’s hard to believe that the addiction to games helped.

Games don’t help…Games don’t help…Cheng Yuan Hong, aged 20

George Chen, aged 19Weihan Wang, aged 20Katie Cooper, aged 22

Christopher Martinez, aged 20Veronica Weiss, aged 19.

China, 2008China, 2008 http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2008/nov/11/c

hina-internet

In response to In response to this new this new addiction, addiction, treatment treatment clinics appear clinics appear all across the all across the country...country...

Lots of text ahead...Lots of text ahead...

(I’ll read it out)(I’ll read it out)

Deng SenshanDeng Senshan ““The Qihang camp promised to cure children of so-The Qihang camp promised to cure children of so-

called Internet addiction, an ailment that has grown called Internet addiction, an ailment that has grown into one of China’s into one of China’s most feared public health hazards. The camp’s . The camp’s brochure claimed that an estimated 80 percent of brochure claimed that an estimated 80 percent of Chinese youth suffered from it. Fifteen-year-old Chinese youth suffered from it. Fifteen-year-old Deng Senshan seemed to be among them. He was Deng Senshan seemed to be among them. He was once a top student, but his grades had plummeted once a top student, but his grades had plummeted over the past couple of years, and he had stopped over the past couple of years, and he had stopped exercising almost completely. He spent most of his exercising almost completely. He spent most of his time playing games like time playing games like World of WarcraftWorld of Warcraft at at Internet cafés or on his desktop computer. The Internet cafés or on his desktop computer. The Chinese news media was filled with terrifying Chinese news media was filled with terrifying stories of stories of WOWWOW-crazed kids dropping dead or -crazed kids dropping dead or killing their parents, and Deng Fei and Zhou Juan killing their parents, and Deng Fei and Zhou Juan worried that they might lose their only son to a worried that they might lose their only son to a technological demon they barely understood.”technological demon they barely understood.”

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/01/ff_internetaddiction/

Deng SenshanDeng Senshan ““Parents have always worried about the pernicious Parents have always worried about the pernicious

impact of youth culture, whether from comic books, impact of youth culture, whether from comic books, rock and roll, or videogames. But in China’s rigid, rock and roll, or videogames. But in China’s rigid, hypercompetitive society, the Internet explosion hypercompetitive society, the Internet explosion represents more than a disciplinary annoyance. It is represents more than a disciplinary annoyance. It is seen as an existential threat. And that helps explain seen as an existential threat. And that helps explain why treating kids with supposed Internet addiction why treating kids with supposed Internet addiction has become a national obsession.”has become a national obsession.”

Actions were taken by the government to curb Actions were taken by the government to curb [control [control

the growth of]the growth of] this new, and mostly Western, threat. this new, and mostly Western, threat. The treatment camps were the most visible The treatment camps were the most visible

responseresponse


Deng SenshanDeng Senshan ““At age 13, [Senshan] plunged into At age 13, [Senshan] plunged into World of World of

WarcraftWarcraft and other multiplayer online games. and other multiplayer online games. Whenever he wasn’t in school, he played at the Whenever he wasn’t in school, he played at the desktop computer in his room or at one of the desktop computer in his room or at one of the dozen or so Web cafés throughout the city. dozen or so Web cafés throughout the city. Sometimes he skipped meals and didn’t sleep. He Sometimes he skipped meals and didn’t sleep. He would even disappear without explanation. ‘I’d go would even disappear without explanation. ‘I’d go out at night looking for him,’ Deng Fei [Senshan’s out at night looking for him,’ Deng Fei [Senshan’s father] says. ‘It took hours to find him at one of the father] says. ‘It took hours to find him at one of the cafés.’”cafés.’”

In the incredibly competitive social order of China, In the incredibly competitive social order of China, you can see why this would be considered a you can see why this would be considered a serious problem.serious problem.


Deng SenshanDeng Senshan

““The rhetoric around Internet addiction grew even The rhetoric around Internet addiction grew even more hysterical: The Net was not just a public-more hysterical: The Net was not just a public-health hazard but a national-security risk. In 2006, health hazard but a national-security risk. In 2006, the Central Committee of the the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League openly fretted about a about a ‘severe social problem that could threaten the ‘severe social problem that could threaten the nation’s future’ and called Internet cafés ‘hotbeds of nation’s future’ and called Internet cafés ‘hotbeds of juvenile crime and depravity.’ Official figures juvenile crime and depravity.’ Official figures claimed that the Internet was responsible for up to claimed that the Internet was responsible for up to 80 percent of high school and college dropouts and 80 percent of high school and college dropouts and most juvenile crimes.”most juvenile crimes.”


Deng SenshanDeng Senshan ““Even Tao Ran, the father of the boot camp, began Even Tao Ran, the father of the boot camp, began

worrying that people were overreacting. “I get calls worrying that people were overreacting. “I get calls from parents who think their kids are addicted to from parents who think their kids are addicted to the Internet just because they’re in front of the the Internet just because they’re in front of the computer,” he says. “There is a hypersensitivity to computer,” he says. “There is a hypersensitivity to addiction now, and the climate is getting worse.” He addiction now, and the climate is getting worse.” He isn’t alone in his concern: “I told the government, isn’t alone in his concern: “I told the government, ‘You have to stop this,’” says Tao Hongkai, an ‘You have to stop this,’” says Tao Hongkai, an education researcher at Huazhong Normal education researcher at Huazhong Normal University. […] “Parents are spending a lot of University. […] “Parents are spending a lot of money to send their kids to these camps,” he says. money to send their kids to these camps,” he says. “I told the government, “It’s going to get out of “I told the government, “It’s going to get out of control.” But they didn’t do anything.””control.” But they didn’t do anything.””


Deng SenshanDeng Senshan On Senshan’s first day at the camp, he was told On Senshan’s first day at the camp, he was told

to stand facing the wall in a small room. When to stand facing the wall in a small room. When he refused, he was beaten.he refused, he was beaten.

At 9pm, he was forced to run 30 laps around a At 9pm, he was forced to run 30 laps around a basketball court.basketball court.

When he collapsed, he was beaten.When he collapsed, he was beaten.

““After the beating, Deng Senshan was carried After the beating, Deng Senshan was carried trembling to his bunk, shouting, ‘They’re killing trembling to his bunk, shouting, ‘They’re killing me,’ and bleeding from his mouth, ears, eyes, me,’ and bleeding from his mouth, ears, eyes, and nose. The counselors left him there for and nose. The counselors left him there for hours before dispatching a car to take him to the hours before dispatching a car to take him to the hospital. hospital.

““At around 3 am, 14 hours after arriving at the At around 3 am, 14 hours after arriving at the camp, he was pronounced dead.”camp, he was pronounced dead.”


Deng SenshanDeng Senshan ‘‘Recently, Deng Fei came to a conclusion: His Recently, Deng Fei came to a conclusion: His

son was never addicted. “He didn’t smoke, he son was never addicted. “He didn’t smoke, he didn’t drink. The Internet was probably his way didn’t drink. The Internet was probably his way to vent the pressure on him,” he says, staring at to vent the pressure on him,” he says, staring at his feet. “We didn’t know that then. But we know his feet. “We didn’t know that then. But we know that now. It wasn’t really an addiction. It was his that now. It wasn’t really an addiction. It was his way out of the pressure of being a student.” way out of the pressure of being a student.” Zhou Juan [Senshan’s mother] raises her head. Zhou Juan [Senshan’s mother] raises her head. “He didn’t even play that much,” she says.’“He didn’t even play that much,” she says.’


Deng SenshanDeng Senshan Is the fear of new media worse than the Is the fear of new media worse than the

‘addiction’ it can cause?‘addiction’ it can cause? Is the demonisation of new media likely to Is the demonisation of new media likely to

continue to cause this kind of over-reaction in continue to cause this kind of over-reaction in the future?the future?

While this continues, are we likely to get While this continues, are we likely to get sensible debate, clear information, or effective sensible debate, clear information, or effective treatment for real addiction to games and the treatment for real addiction to games and the internet?internet?

““There are thought to be between 300 and 400 There are thought to be between 300 and 400 [internet addiction] camps in China.”[internet addiction] camps in China.”


So…So…

Yeah.Yeah.

Can addiction to new media be Can addiction to new media be a good thing? a good thing?

There’s got to be a way to take advantage There’s got to be a way to take advantage of this... Hasn’t there?of this... Hasn’t there?

ItIt’s good for business’s good for business!! :/:/We’ve seen a lot of the bad side today…We’ve seen a lot of the bad side today…But can we make it good for society and But can we make it good for society and

the planet?the planet?

Jane McGonigal ‘Reality is Broken’ Colbert Report 3 February 2011http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/373360/february-03-2011/jane-mcgonigal

More hours of gameplay will have a positive effect on players’ lives and benefit society.

Jane McGonigal thinks so...Jane McGonigal thinks so...

Jesse Schell ‘When games invade real life/Think out of the box’ DICE talk Feb 2010http://www.ted.com/talks/jesse_schell_when_games_invade_real_life.html

Jesse Schell thinks so too...Jesse Schell thinks so too...

GamificationGamification ““While some people dismiss gamification as a fad, neuroscientists While some people dismiss gamification as a fad, neuroscientists

are discovering more and more about the ways in which humans are discovering more and more about the ways in which humans react to such interactive design elements. They say such elements react to such interactive design elements. They say such elements can cause feel-good chemical reactions, alter human responses to can cause feel-good chemical reactions, alter human responses to stimuli—increasing reaction times, for instance—and in certain stimuli—increasing reaction times, for instance—and in certain situations can improve learning, participation, and motivation.”situations can improve learning, participation, and motivation.”

(Which is why we do things like mildly competitive debates)(Which is why we do things like mildly competitive debates) “‘“‘It’s a modern-day form of manipulation. And like all cognitive It’s a modern-day form of manipulation. And like all cognitive

manipulation, it can help people and it can hurt people. And we will manipulation, it can help people and it can hurt people. And we will see both.”see both.”

danah boyd, researcher, Microsoft and Harvard’s Berkman Center’danah boyd, researcher, Microsoft and Harvard’s Berkman Center’ The Future of Gamification, May 18, 2012, by Janna Anderson, Lee Rainie The Future of Gamification, May 18, 2012, by Janna Anderson, Lee Rainie

http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Future-of-Gamification/Overview.aspx http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Future-of-Gamification/Overview.aspx And yes, ‘danah boyd’ does always write her name with lowercase initials.And yes, ‘danah boyd’ does always write her name with lowercase initials.

““Nomophobia”Nomophobia”

““No-mobile-phobia” – the fear of being No-mobile-phobia” – the fear of being away from your mobile phoneaway from your mobile phone

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2141169/The-biggest-phobia-world-Nomophobia--fear-mobile--http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2141169/The-biggest-phobia-world-Nomophobia--fear-mobile--affects-66-cent-us.html affects-66-cent-us.html

We are more connected, and more able to We are more connected, and more able to play games constantly, than ever before.play games constantly, than ever before.

We are making it easier to play We are making it easier to play all the time...all the time...

But equally, that play has become But equally, that play has become more social, and more involving of more social, and more involving of our real-life friendsour real-life friends

Social networks are linking us to Social networks are linking us to physical people we really know much physical people we really know much more than more than EverQuestEverQuest ever did ever did

Can a social game be ‘addictive’ (i.e. Can a social game be ‘addictive’ (i.e. have bad consequences for us have bad consequences for us playing it a lot)?playing it a lot)?

So...So...

What is the future for new What is the future for new media addiction?media addiction?

Most of the tragic examples have been the result of social circumstances colliding Most of the tragic examples have been the result of social circumstances colliding with games:with games:

““It would be easy for me to pin my problems on It would be easy for me to pin my problems on EverQuestEverQuest, and society in general , and society in general would accept it without question. I could say I fell prey to an addictive video game would accept it without question. I could say I fell prey to an addictive video game that nearly ruined my life, but I would know that wasn't the case.that nearly ruined my life, but I would know that wasn't the case.

““I hid. I ran from my problems, hiding away in a virtual fantasy world instead of I hid. I ran from my problems, hiding away in a virtual fantasy world instead of confronting the issues that might have been easily resolved if I had addressed confronting the issues that might have been easily resolved if I had addressed them directly. them directly. As far as I am concerned, the only thing Sony Online Entertainment As far as I am concerned, the only thing Sony Online Entertainment is guilty of is creating a damn good hiding placeis guilty of is creating a damn good hiding place.”.”

Mike Fahey, editor at KotakuMike Fahey, editor at Kotaku http://kotaku.com/5384643/i-kept-playing--the-costs-of-my-gaming-addiction http://kotaku.com/5384643/i-kept-playing--the-costs-of-my-gaming-addiction

“I hid myself away in the online World of Warcraft, a place where I felt comfortable and secure.”

…

This week’s debate topic:This week’s debate topic: You have two options to vote on:You have two options to vote on:

Proposition 1: That video game developers bear no Proposition 1: That video game developers bear no responsibility for harmful addiction to their games.responsibility for harmful addiction to their games.

Proposition 2: That gamification of important topics Proposition 2: That gamification of important topics undermines their seriousness and may thereby cause undermines their seriousness and may thereby cause long-term social damage.long-term social damage.

In conclusion...In conclusion...Addiction to video games and interactive media Addiction to video games and interactive media

is still a controversial topic in the medical worldis still a controversial topic in the medical worldThere are unhealthy ways of interacting with There are unhealthy ways of interacting with

games, but these are usually highly games, but these are usually highly exacerbated exacerbated [made worse][made worse] by normal real-world by normal real-world problemsproblems

If we are smart enough perhaps games, and If we are smart enough perhaps games, and their addictive nature, can be used in positive their addictive nature, can be used in positive ways.ways.

Thank you!Thank you!See you in the See you in the

debates!debates!

Proposition 1: That video game Proposition 1: That video game developers bear no responsibility for developers bear no responsibility for harmful addiction to their games. harmful addiction to their games.

Proposition 2: That gamification of Proposition 2: That gamification of important topics undermines their important topics undermines their seriousness and may thereby cause seriousness and may thereby cause long-term social damage.long-term social damage.

Documents

CD4 Lecture 5 Addiction: All play and no work makes Jack a dull boy