The Growing Problem of Videogame Addiction!
Okay, this may sound very strange especially from someone who is running a video-gaming website on a console that focuses on bugs and glitches in games, but this is urgent.I have been touring multiple forums recently, of gaming websites that have millions of visitors a day and are supposed to be about discussing videogames.And what I have seen is horrifying addiction to some games and fads, and this is more than normal.
So are some people too addicted to playing videogames? Well, I have to admit this before I begin, that I probably spend more time building this website than actually playing the games it is supposed to be about.
I will have to start with the very first videogames that were released.Whether this is normal or not, some fans are still playing the games for hours that came out in the 1990s.This sounds a bit strange, quite simply because times have changed since then, and most of the games have had practically all the code mapped out by gameshark hackers.Yet there still seems to be a search for unfound things deep within the game, even though it has been deemed an impossibility time and time again.
I shall not go into great detail about the fan sites on the internet that take the games and the characters in them way too far with horrific stories that would never happen because of mature content and such things.I know they exist and all, but showing anyone them would be promoting the behaviour I want not to happen.
Some communities, like those for adventure games, are still relatively sticking to the topic, which is good in a way, as the posts are actual game related content such as helping others play the game.But on the other hand, some of them have gone too far.I've seen topics where characters from the game are meant to battle each other, topics where things in the game get flamed and worse besides.I am probably not allowed to mention the worse, but go on some online video-gaming forums and you will understand what I am on about soon enough. One good example involves a supposed hidden message in a game called Warioware Touched.You may recognise the name, and yes, that is one game this site gives help and guides on.But the supposed theory is, if you fast forward the song on the Turntable (toy unlockable in that game), you hear a satanic message which says 'Granting kids to hell'.Well, whoever thought of this being hidden seriously needs to take a break from that game, as I can almost tell this for certain; no official Nintendo source I have read has confirmed this message to be subtly put into the song.And even though the game has been out for like 1 and a half years, this same discussion has been going on.Will people ever let this just die already?I may also warn that there is said to be an altered version on the internet where the 'message' is really clear.This is not the original version and is an altered version designed to make you believe this message is there.
Other examples involve the constant 'snaking' arguments going on the Mario Kart DS community.Even with an official article at the official Nintendo website, magazines saying it's legal, official topics saying it's legal and millions of arguments, some people still can't take it.This has made them obsessed with trying to ban the tactic, with little to no original arguments being raised.
The moral here is, don't become too obsessed with videogames. While there's nothing wrong with playing them (regardless of what some media sources say), there is a limit to how much you can play the game, and a level where you are looking too deeply into the game.For the last time already, It's just a game!Take a break and play something else if you become obsessed.Play multiple videogames!Just don't try and get too addicted to the game, characters or story.