Addiction and Games

I've just watched the Panorama episode dedicated to games addiction and am rather annoyed. Although the program doesn't portray games in a completely negative light, it definately swings further that way.

The program calls for games addiction to be a recognised medical condition, and for research to be undertaken to this end. The problem with this is that looking at the games is never going to give anyone any answers. A better study would be to look at addictive personalities and to try understand why certain people get addicted to just about anything, games included.

The way i see it, fun is addictive. If you are enjoying yourself, and feeling elated and happy you will obviously want to continue doing the activity in question. It drives everyone - who can honestly say that they don't like having fun? It's in our very nature to enjoy ourselves.

The problem arises when an individual has a lack of satisfaction in their life. Without a variety of things to immerse yourself in it is more likely you'll lock down on one specific thing. Gambling addiction is a good example as the people who participate obviously get their own personal high from the rare win. Presumably nothing else in their life gives them such satisfaction. It is rather sad to be honest but happens all too often.

I personally don't play games often. When i'm with friends i play utilising them as a bonding activity and if ever i genuinely have some free time ahead such as a holiday i'll probably try and kick back with a day of gaming. The important thing to note here is that i'm so busy i rarely see friends of have free time. I prioritise what is important to me in my life and i am fortunate that my chosen career as an artist is very rewarding and enjoyable to me. I am also lucky to participant in a wide variety of activities other than gaming and as such i am well aware that games are simply another means of entertainment. To this end, to get the most out of them i choose very carefully when i will play them.

I would say that pretty much all game addicts are not satisfied with their lives and use games as a means of escape and entertainment in one. Of course, the question remains as to why they simply don't seek out other entertainment or a better life. The simple answer to that is that we are not all the same, whilst it may be second nature for some of us to actively seek out new experiences it is not always the case.
Their life experiences have obviously cultivated the personality they have.

Obviously this requires a much greater in depth analysis which i may undertake over christmas but for now i just had to rant about the program.

Games should not be held accountable for addictive personalities. Games do not force people to play them. They encourage people to come back, but just how often an individual comes back has nothing to do with the game itself.