What is a videogame addiction? I do not believe there is something us such as a video game addiction. Most videogames provide a new world, which a lot of people use to escape their reality; videogames are something people use to forget their problems for the moment. I also have been guilty of immersing myself in a fabricated reality to forget the real world.
As human beings we want to express ourselves, to create something new, and feed our competitive spirit. Most games have leaderboards and are an open world sandbox allowing the player to compete with others and create something new. Video games give people a chance to stand out as many have already created a name for themselves. People just crave the feeling of being different, the feeling of rising above by being on the leaderboard. In video games there is a plethora of ways one can stand out; there will always be something for everyone.
People have always overdone things in human history which shows that we have always wanted to leave a mark on this world. By overdoing everything people have called it an 'addiction' and in most cases it's true: illegal substances, gambling, and shopping. In videogames though, nobody has a gaming addiction; it is not a thing.
The addiction that people really have is feeling like they have control over their lives because they are living in a world where they otherwise feel helpless, bills are stacking up, they feel not as talented as their peers, they are not as smart as them, they are not as athletic. They have a skill that makes them feel like there is a reason they are better.
That is the addiction people have- feeling like they actually have something that can set them apart and having the opportunity to become someone who is set apart from everyone else. The obsession of being better than others at a certain game is exhilarating and a motivation to keep going, to widen the gap between you and others, and makes you be the person that others look at and say I want to reach this level someday.
While providing a sense of heightened worth, one should not forget that playing videogames also can cause severe damage to one's physical and mental health. The prolonged indulgence of videogames can cause one to lead a sedentary life increasing the risk of mortality, double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, etc.
Like everything else in life, videogames should also be enjoyed with moderation, as otherwise our health diminishes. The psychological issues that come with prolonged videogame usage is increased aggression, disrupted sleep, depression, social anxiety, etc. Some psychological issues that arise become a part of you for a long time, until you deal with them through therapy or other means of rehabilitation.
Videogames are truly a gift that we can use when real life gets too stressful, and we need some time to forget our problems and dive into a new world of wonder and adventure. Videogames allow us to create something new from our imagination, or just provide a new world for us to explore and play through a preset story.
They should not be excessively used, but there are people who do not have a life anymore; they are glued to a screen living the life of a nonexistent character and that is where the issues arise. Videogames have become an important part of the world. Competitions and Esports have become a big deal over the years, and this new rise of videogames has created a new kind of addiction.
About the Contributor
Merdardo Saravia Zelaya, Staff Writer
Medardo is someone who never knows what is going on due to sleeping for about 11 hours per week. It’s not all bad, Medardo’s favorite show is Infinity Train, with his favorite season being the very first one. He is a strange person keeping busy with school and the desire to be good at writing.