It’s the quick thrill, the quicker victory: a virtual world is created with the touch of a screen; fantasy and truth become tangled; and villains are shattered by the slice of a blade (the pixels offering easy justice). You delight in the comforts of an online game, indulging in the control you can never find in your nine-to-five reality, the adventures that could never exist. It’s a pleasure you can’t deny.
And so you play throughout the night, journeying through the infinite Internet, questing for points and magical mastery. You don’t abandon your computer; you don’t close a browser. You merely enjoy the moments until eventually you become exhausted the following morning and unwilling to return to work (you have dragons still to slay).
Massively multi-player online role-playing games (more affectionately deemed MMORPGs) are fast addictions. Individuals seeking to escape the tedium of their cubicles and school corridors rely on these platforms – using them to forge connections, gain rewards and avoid the obligations of their daily lives. All thoughts become shaped to the excitement of computer generated battles; and all seconds become devoted to exploring the Internet.
This is understandable. It is also, however, dangerous.
An online gaming addiction is defined as any compulsory play that interferes with an individual and his life. Such abuse leads relationships, duties and health to be ignored. Sleep deprivation, sudden weight changes, illness and more can occur – simply because the body suffers from exhaustion. It is estimated that 12 percent of all players are burdened with addiction; and yet only 3 percent of these users are predicted to seek help each year. This can cause a wave of emotional and physical ailments.
It’s essential therefore that all be aware of the obsessions that can form through online gaming. Time must be measured carefully and routines must be maintained. Addiction can only be countered through good sense.