Computer games, whether played on a computer or console systems such as the Sony Playstation, possess the ability to captivate individuals for countless hours and can lead to addiction.
Computer gaming provides an opportunity for individuals to escape their daily routines, such as school and work, by immersing themselves in a virtual world. Within video games, players face challenges that they can overcome, leading to a sense of accomplishment. Furthermore, mistakes can be quickly corrected with the press of a few buttons and time can be reset. Ultimately, gaming enables people to live out fantasies that may not be achievable in real life.
In a world dominated by advancing technology and electronic entertainment, individuals develop an obsession with these games. Computer games possess addictive qualities as they permit individuals to disconnect from reality, present challenges, create a space where mistakes can be corrected, and enable people to fulfill their dreams which may be unattainable in real life. The ability of video games to serve as an escape from reality contributes to their addictive nature, providing a means for individuals to distance themselves from stressors like schoolwork.
“I prefer playing Half-Life or Goldeneye instead of doing my physics. School is routine and monotonous. Video games are enjoyable no matter the time of playing.” (Personal Interview) Often, students perceive school as a stress-inducing environment due to the overwhelming amount of work they encounter daily.
According to Doctor Cairn from the University of Texas, video games are causing distractions for individuals, especially young boys. These distractions prevent them from focusing on their education and spending quality time with their families. The article “Music, Television, Video Games and Their Effect on Children” (5) states that youngsters are dedicating excessive amounts of time to gaming instead of their schoolwork. Furthermore, it is noted in “The Fantasy World” (3) that computer game companies have acknowledged the frequent addiction of individuals under 18 to video games as a form of escape from societal pressures. This addiction stems from the perception that jobs and family life are monotonous and uninteresting.
Gaming provides players with a thrilling experience that helps them combat the monotony and tedium they encounter in their daily lives (Geggis 1). However, this desire to evade work or family responsibilities can result in negligence as individuals become more engrossed in gaming (Scheeres 7).
People become so engrossed in the game that they neglect their responsibilities towards their work and family. A personal interview highlighted an incident where a woman left her child unattended in a hot car for two hours because she was too eager to advance to the next level in The Sims. This news was both shocking and repulsive.
Computer game addiction results in the neglect of important matters as individuals seek refuge from daily routines in thrilling and captivating gaming experiences. These video games possess addictive qualities by enabling individuals to detach themselves from reality and offering various challenges that can be overcome.
People find satisfaction in overcoming challenges, including those presented by computer games. Regardless of the level of difficulty, successfully completing a game brings a sense of accomplishment. The thrill of the challenge is what drives users to keep playing.
According to a personal interview, winning against a friend in a game brings a satisfying feeling. Many games have the option to adjust the level of difficulty, allowing players to continuously challenge themselves even after completing the game once. Video games conveniently offer these challenges from the comfort of one’s own home.
The impact of video games on people is explored in a documentary. In computer games, individuals face obstacles that they can overcome and compete against their friends or people worldwide via the internet “Documentary Examines Impact of Video Games” 4. Well-known game companies like Nintendo and Sony aim to create addictive games by making the challenges enjoyable. Personally, I prefer attempting to find an exit from the water temple in Zelda rather than solving chemistry equations “Personal Interview”. The challenges in video games are more enticing compared to those encountered in daily life.
Many games involve a challenge where a secret agent or similar character travels through scenarios and shoots villains. Although these games can improve hand-eye coordination and focus, it is worth noting that many of the students involved in mass school shootings between 1997 and 1999 were heavily involved in video gaming (Geggis 2). A number of popular games, such as Goldeneye: 007, Perfect Dark, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, and Wolfenstein 3D, have a violent purpose that includes using firearms to kill villains in realistic settings. Teenagers often become addicted to the challenge of killing virtual enemies.
In “Music, Television, Video Games and Their Effect on Children” (5), it is stated that excessive exposure to realistic shooting challenges in video games can have negative effects on gamers. This can result in addiction as video games provide a simulated environment where errors can be easily rectified. In the realm of video games, authenticity is nonexistent.
Reality can be challenged, as demonstrated in the game where players have the option to restart and begin anew if their character is defeated. “Nobody is perfect. I always experience defeat in Diablo.”
According to a personal interview, the player can reset the game in order to avoid making the same mistake again. The player has the option to redo the same journey until they succeed, leading to addiction. Additionally, within a computer game, a character can experience injury or death without causing any harm to the user in reality.
Jameson 93 argues that in computer games, players have the ability to die and resurrect instantly with a simple button press, whereas being shot in the head would be fatal in real life. This feature of defying death and injury is appealing to gamers as it eliminates any physical harm. Furthermore, multiplayer games offer the option for users to receive help from others when uncertain about their errors.
“Do you recall our past habit of waking up at six o’clock in the morning during summer just to play Diablo? You always attempted to defeat Andariel by yourself, but it was impossible without my assistance. We were incredibly hooked on that game. Diablo completely took over half of August,” revealed a personal interview. Having a gaming companion can aid in recognizing and resolving one’s mistakes.
The addictive nature of video games stems from users’ obsession with improving their gaming skills and conquering challenges. Gamers are drawn to the freedom they have in the virtual world, where rules do not limit them, and they can explore until they reach their goals. The ability to undo mistakes also encourages repeated exploration, which fosters addiction. Additionally, computer games offer the allure of creating unattainable fantasies that further contribute to their addictive appeal.
Game companies cater to people’s desires and aspirations by creating fantasies where they can live out extraordinary lives as a knight, athlete, or secret agent. These dreams are typically unattainable in reality.
The possibility of living out dreams in a virtual world is offered by computer games, which attract people with the chance to pursue desired activities. Many individuals find their lives dull or uninteresting and are therefore drawn to the idea of embarking on an enticing adventure in a limitless fantasy realm. Although gaming addiction does exist, there are also those who can resist participating in these activities.
According to the International Video Gaming Federation, individuals play computer games as a form of entertainment and do not necessarily develop an addiction, regardless of their preference for the game. Many individuals also balance their time with sports or extracurricular activities. However, computer games with different virtual lifestyles can lead to addiction. This is particularly common in young people, who may aspire to become professional athletes in the future.
Video games, particularly in the sports genre, provide a digital setting that satisfies desires and fantasies. The attraction of assuming the role of a secret agent to save the world is also appealing and motivates individuals to play “The Fantasy World” 3. These virtual experiences are captivating and can lead to addiction. Additionally, video games have become an essential part of daily life for 65% of American households.
According to the “Documentary Examines Impact of Video Games” (4), about 85% of gamers are males because action and adventure games specifically cater to male players. The addictive quality of video games stems from their ability to provide a virtual realm for individuals to fully engage in and realize their desires. This addictive nature is rooted in the escapism, problem-solving, error-correction, and achievement opportunities that computer games offer, which may be unattainable in reality. As a result, video games frequently divert users’ attention away from obligations like homework.
People become addicted to electronic games due to the challenges these games provide, which can be overcome and give users a sense of accomplishment. In a virtual world, mistakes can be easily undone and corrected, allowing individuals to explore the game repeatedly, thus fueling their continuous engagement. Furthermore, computer games create captivating fantasies that individuals cannot experience in real life, ultimately leading to addiction.
Computer games create an addictive atmosphere for gamers who crave excitement and the opportunity to be someone different from who they are. Certain factors contribute to this addiction.
