Last week I posted a video by the Extra Credits team about video game addiction, or rather how the media blows things out of proportion. Tonight we take a look at the other side. Just because your paranoid, it doesn’t mean someone isn’t out to get you. Or in this case, just because they exaggerate it, it doesn’t mean there isn’t an issue.
If you haven’t seen the first part yet, do so now before watching the two-part video below! If you thought that the previous video I posted, from the guy who realized video games had taken over his life was emotional, James Portnow, game creator and the writer for this show ON video games, comes on camera to discuss his own battle with video game addiction compulsion.
I hope whomever gets this show on their site realizes what a good resource this show is. Really, anything can become an addiction, or compulsion, or whatever you want to call it. Video games may contain no chemical addictive elements like alcohol or drugs, the result is the same. That’s why the Game Overthinker and other gamers are trying to encourage their fellow gamers to have a more well-rounded life. It’s the same for anything, really; comics, sports, television–there can be a fine line between fandom and obsession.
Embracing what you love can be positive and bring you friends you wouldn’t have met otherwise. As James said, skills you learn with your fan experiences can be translated into real life experiences. Gone too far, you become the parody Hollywood, news, and other entertainment writers depicts us geeks as (happens in comics, too, and probably novels I haven’t read). It’s a harsh reality, but sometimes you have to make the step forward and sometime the sensationalists are right–just not as often as they think they are. While my life hasn’t gotten to the point that James and Brian went through, I’ve used my own ways to hide from life, and had to live with the consequences. Getting your life in order is the top priority. Games, comics, sports…they’re all for fun unless you have a career in it. (Creators, competition, etc.) Frankly, sometimes this site takes up too much time. I should be writing more comics, my stated goal, and you should see how full my DVR is.
I didn’t know that the second half would feature James coming forward with a heartfelt story like this. I don’t know any of the EC crew personally, but I think dropping the unbiased perspective for this one is the best way to go about it. That’s why it took so long to post this tonight. They were having some trouble uploading part one, but part two was up and when I saw it I knew I had to share it with the BW readership. My hats off to James for going this route and coming forward like this. Enjoy playing games, but don’t let game play you.
ADDITION: The fan-created “Extra Curricular” forum has a section for others to share their compulsion stories. Please note that I also love video games, but this is something that should be addressed, lest we become what we gamers are accused of.
Related articles
- Extra Credits on Game Addiction (part 1)
- Video Game Addicted Lawyer Suspended Three Years For Mishandling/Botching Cases (geekologie.com)
- The Only Thing I Know
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