2013-11-19, 12:33 AM
I think this is definitely a problem, to a greater or lesser extent, to every single person playing a MMORPG seriously. Maple is probably just amongst the worst on this spectrum. The game is designed to constantly have events which compel people to continue playing or be left behind. The daily log in a kill X monsters for X days are the worst because there's little wiggle room. Players are encouraged to participate and continue to participate every single day. This is not a reasonable or healthy situation.
I'm sure some would be quick to point out that if something is happening irl, we just need to make that the priority. But the compulsion, which I think is a great word to describe it, is a powerful pull. I know I found myself playing longer than I intended to try to "finish" the level or complete the quest. Then I'd suddenly find myself 3 hours later and hopelessly lost for time to finish things that actually matter.
This isn't something I've really shared with SP, but I kind of fucked up my life last year and flunked out of school. Gaming compulsion wasn't the main factor or possibly even a large factor (lots of family problems), but it was a factor. I can honestly say that the hours I spent on Maple trying to compete in my self constructed mission against the heavy NX spenders hurt my grades. The instant gratification of video games dulled my appreciation for academic achievements and contributed to my erratic sleep and eating habits which can't have been healthy.
The final straw for me wasn't flunking out of school. It wasn't my financial dysfunction. It wasn't my lack of motivation to find a job. It was my mother's genuine distress that really got to me. I was managing fairly well at home (fairly = attending classes and playing less than 6 hrs a day), but it really hurt her to see me fall so low.
I quit Maple nearly a month ago now and haven't been tempted to log on since. I do play LoL a couple times a week, but I can responsibly decide when I'm able to play because there are no deadlines for advancement. There are no "events" compelling me to log on daily. More than anything, I enjoy the social and competitive aspects to a well designed game that at least somewhat requires and promotes strategic thinking.
In summary, gaming compulsion has effected my life and I'm sure nearly everyone on this site. I will always have to be careful in how I budget my time and how much I let games control me, but I'm doing better. Since quitting, I feel better physically and mentally and I know that I will return to school (I'm at community college until they let me return) and finish (only 5 classes to graduation).
I'm sure some would be quick to point out that if something is happening irl, we just need to make that the priority. But the compulsion, which I think is a great word to describe it, is a powerful pull. I know I found myself playing longer than I intended to try to "finish" the level or complete the quest. Then I'd suddenly find myself 3 hours later and hopelessly lost for time to finish things that actually matter.
This isn't something I've really shared with SP, but I kind of fucked up my life last year and flunked out of school. Gaming compulsion wasn't the main factor or possibly even a large factor (lots of family problems), but it was a factor. I can honestly say that the hours I spent on Maple trying to compete in my self constructed mission against the heavy NX spenders hurt my grades. The instant gratification of video games dulled my appreciation for academic achievements and contributed to my erratic sleep and eating habits which can't have been healthy.
The final straw for me wasn't flunking out of school. It wasn't my financial dysfunction. It wasn't my lack of motivation to find a job. It was my mother's genuine distress that really got to me. I was managing fairly well at home (fairly = attending classes and playing less than 6 hrs a day), but it really hurt her to see me fall so low.
I quit Maple nearly a month ago now and haven't been tempted to log on since. I do play LoL a couple times a week, but I can responsibly decide when I'm able to play because there are no deadlines for advancement. There are no "events" compelling me to log on daily. More than anything, I enjoy the social and competitive aspects to a well designed game that at least somewhat requires and promotes strategic thinking.
In summary, gaming compulsion has effected my life and I'm sure nearly everyone on this site. I will always have to be careful in how I budget my time and how much I let games control me, but I'm doing better. Since quitting, I feel better physically and mentally and I know that I will return to school (I'm at community college until they let me return) and finish (only 5 classes to graduation).