2013-11-19, 02:16 AM
It's odd because I can't relate to this video at all. My biggest addictions were definitely C&C zero hour and maplestory at one point. I loved CC because I talked with people that gave interesting perspectives, who gave me conversations I could really, enjoy. I had a huge social life outside of it though, but, I wasn't as entertained during those times. Most people wanted to drink, maybe smoke a little pot, and they were respectful of my decision not to do either, and it wasn't like we were sitting around doing nothing, but they just didn't give me the conversations I craved.
Sure the hours I spent just sitting in my friends basement playing perfect dark, melee, and all sorts of games were beyond fun, but after awhile, a kind of predictable tier system between all of us formed and lost its lust. When I had to move and half my closest friends also moved/gotexpelled the only friends that I always had a belonging to, were my online ones. After awhile, I ended up talking to people in their mid 30's/40's and learning things well before my own age. I grew up way to fast and my medium was in fact these games I played. After awhile everyone moved on, I got a girlfriend, we moved to maplestory and it just went downhill. At first it was fun, it kept a contact with my real life friends who were gone, and gave a more engaging chat system, but my girlfriend was much more enthralled about it then I was, but the growth was seen, and I enjoyed it.
After awhile, I decided I wanted to be the best, put a big chunk of change down, and went for it. I wanted to set an example for players, that these condescending hackers throughout the servers corrupted. I accomplished it, I didn't work for 3 months because I went through an internship and they were being d`icks about, so I applied to another position and got in instantly. By the time I got to working full time, I just maintained my title, but the game got progressively more expensive, with less and less responsibility towards the safety of your character. After realizing the the developer was more of a threat to me than these guys who want to throw me under a bus, I left.
It was hard at first, not necessarily because I missed the game, although everyone would miss the accolades to being popular, even if online, but just because real life bored me so much. I'm naturally adventurous, but the idea of a bar or a club, which people in my age gap pretty much live their lifes around, just gives me a headache. It lacks any type of appeal, I did date a girl for 3 years, but she missed that party life, on top of other things including immigration policy being ridiculous that broke us up. To be honest without her, I probably would have gone back eventually, but she was a necessary distraction, and I owe her a lot for it.
To be honest, for a lot of games, going simply cold turkey won't work, but maplestory is probably one of the few that does. You're offline for a month or two, your character loses all it's appeal, the changes are so drastic that youre easily overwhelmed, which makes getting back into it so much harder, yet making you attached so much easier. It's a double edge sword.
I just don't see this problem solely as a "I'm lost and I feel worthless in this on going hamster wheel which is life", nor do I see this an addiction. I see someone that is bored and doesn't have enough resources to explore and find those things that give you the same entertainment value. The best thing you can do is explore, take risks, don't be afraid to make mistakes, and don't be ashamed at the things you do find enjoyable. My aunt is probably the prime example of this. She's constantly looking for things to engage her, she plays piano, violin, got into interior design, gardens, and just shops for artistic things. Engage yourself in things that stimulate you, somethng to make you interesting, you're going to be living with yourself your entire life, might as well not be a bore!
Sure the hours I spent just sitting in my friends basement playing perfect dark, melee, and all sorts of games were beyond fun, but after awhile, a kind of predictable tier system between all of us formed and lost its lust. When I had to move and half my closest friends also moved/gotexpelled the only friends that I always had a belonging to, were my online ones. After awhile, I ended up talking to people in their mid 30's/40's and learning things well before my own age. I grew up way to fast and my medium was in fact these games I played. After awhile everyone moved on, I got a girlfriend, we moved to maplestory and it just went downhill. At first it was fun, it kept a contact with my real life friends who were gone, and gave a more engaging chat system, but my girlfriend was much more enthralled about it then I was, but the growth was seen, and I enjoyed it.
After awhile, I decided I wanted to be the best, put a big chunk of change down, and went for it. I wanted to set an example for players, that these condescending hackers throughout the servers corrupted. I accomplished it, I didn't work for 3 months because I went through an internship and they were being d`icks about, so I applied to another position and got in instantly. By the time I got to working full time, I just maintained my title, but the game got progressively more expensive, with less and less responsibility towards the safety of your character. After realizing the the developer was more of a threat to me than these guys who want to throw me under a bus, I left.
It was hard at first, not necessarily because I missed the game, although everyone would miss the accolades to being popular, even if online, but just because real life bored me so much. I'm naturally adventurous, but the idea of a bar or a club, which people in my age gap pretty much live their lifes around, just gives me a headache. It lacks any type of appeal, I did date a girl for 3 years, but she missed that party life, on top of other things including immigration policy being ridiculous that broke us up. To be honest without her, I probably would have gone back eventually, but she was a necessary distraction, and I owe her a lot for it.
To be honest, for a lot of games, going simply cold turkey won't work, but maplestory is probably one of the few that does. You're offline for a month or two, your character loses all it's appeal, the changes are so drastic that youre easily overwhelmed, which makes getting back into it so much harder, yet making you attached so much easier. It's a double edge sword.
I just don't see this problem solely as a "I'm lost and I feel worthless in this on going hamster wheel which is life", nor do I see this an addiction. I see someone that is bored and doesn't have enough resources to explore and find those things that give you the same entertainment value. The best thing you can do is explore, take risks, don't be afraid to make mistakes, and don't be ashamed at the things you do find enjoyable. My aunt is probably the prime example of this. She's constantly looking for things to engage her, she plays piano, violin, got into interior design, gardens, and just shops for artistic things. Engage yourself in things that stimulate you, somethng to make you interesting, you're going to be living with yourself your entire life, might as well not be a bore!