Cool-Beans said:
Can I go a wee bit OT?
I have a son who plays this game. Used to play Starcraft, now this. 3 other boys on the street play it. He is completely addicted and would play every waking minute if he could. I took his privledges away once (grades) and I thought he was going to explode. I liken it to withdrawl from uppers.
If I come in the room, he cuts the volume IMMEDIATELY. Now, my DH swears like a sailor, so what are they saying he fears I will be upset about????
I've heard that this game is like Dungeons & Dragons when I was a kid. I don't buy that kids will start killing others or themselves because of games...but the kids who played D&D when I was young WERE strange kids.
I'm worried about my son. This is the same kid who is doing poorly in school.
The fact that his friends play, too makes me think all isn't lost. But I REALLY worry about him and this stupid game.
Tell me he isn't doomed!
My brother was/is the same way. I am too but I have some self control
. I also didn't start playing until I was 22, so that may have something to do with it... I was also working a full time job, so I was paying my own way into the game.
It is hard to manage someone elses addiction and I agree it is a game that creates that dopamine release? something linked to having fun and a sense of satisfaction at the same time.
AS for the types of people..... this game is played by kids - adults and its just not for the uber-geek anymore. I consider myself fairly normal...the people that know me would say that... I think LoL. Actualy most people at work prbably woudn't believe I play this game, or know what it is. The main portion playing are probably young adult males, so I'm sure you can assume what may be said within the game. It might just be a privacy thing that kids can have, or maybe its just instinct to turn it down when you come in the room.. maybe he would be embarrased by you hearing what might be being said by his guildmates...
The only thing I can think that may help is either he needs to pay his own way to the game or you could use pre-paid game cards from the store. You mentioned grades, so maybe you could work something out with the grades thing... where you let him earn "game" money through good performance in school... it could be done by the month, or there are prepaid game cards for 60 days at a time. With the cards, if he doesn't do well then you can opt not to buy the next 60 day card for X number of days or months. If he learns that grades are important in being able to play then maybe he'll be able to learn to control himself better.
I have no clue if that plan will work, but its the best idea I have. I know of a lot of people who are incredibly addicted to this game, and other online games like it. I wonder how many have a real addiction problem, and how many are able to control themselves enough to function in life. I'm happy I have that ability to stop before it gets too late at night... I know that I need to be functional and coherent at work every day.
Some ppl... especially kids don't always have the ability, or self control. And its hard to control computer play...its not like a nintendo where u can just take it away...usually kids and the family still need to use the computer on a semi daily basis.
I wish you Good luck!
) that drugs do. It can become a real, physical addiction. We played EverQuest, the mother of all addictive games, for nearly five years. I watched people's lives get turned upside down because of it. I heard stories of people leaving their kids neglected and a few of them actually died. There was one person (can't remember the details) that killed themself over something that happened with their "in-game" significant other.
With all its bads, I still think it's slightly better than laying on the couch and drooling at the television. 
