Taking it too far

[Logdotzip]

My clan is currently participating in a Skills Olympics. A couple of our more dedicated members have put aside some everyday necessities (Read: Sleep, Food), as well as some leisurely activities (Read: Friends, Family) in order to maximize their experience output. Luckily, I am lazy, and I don't even join the Olympics.

 

 

 

My questions are:

 

 

 

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

 

 

I also mean in general, not just a Skills Olympics or some variant.

 

________________

 

 

 

To start, I will answer my own.

 

 

 

First off, I don't know the answer to the first question lol.

 

Secondly, I think it becomes a problem when it gets in the way of things like food and sleep, although some things can be spared in terms of other activities

 

Finally, I have once gone about 19 hours straight playing RuneScape a couple summers ago, logging off only to eat, or use the bathroom, or by auto-log. This of course is one of my extremes.

 

 

 

 

 

Please discuss.

[jonni]

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

Maybe. It varies from person to person

 

 

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

When they don't realise it's a problem

 

 

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

Dropped out of school as an indirect but direct result of me playing runescape.

 

 

 

I personally have never gone as far as skipping food/drink/sleep/other necessities, but I know of people who have, and of course you hear the stories of WoW addicts skipping bathroom breaks..... MMORPG addiction/over-playing is far from pleasant.

[topman]

1) perhaps a little more than the slightly-above-average-gamer.

 

 

 

2) when you begin to realise you haven't felt direct sunlight in about a week :D

 

 

 

3) can't remember but as family will be leaving for a month and it'll be just me and rs....

[walka92]

hell, id probbly be doing the same thing as they are if i had any equipment for said olympics, and no school. and hadnt canceled my members. i did it with last years slayer week and came third, lol.

[wab]

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

I hope it isn't....but who knows, when today everyone is hiding what they're playing.

 

 

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

When you find out you canceled things way more important for playing a game for couple of minutes.

 

 

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

Luckily I don't let runescape destroy my social life or anything else...I think the worst case i ever had was being 5-6 hours straight. Apparently it's nothing for other players here :P

[SomeWelshGuy]

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

Unfortunately, it's quite common. People feel that they must be active in these type of events, so much so that they will skip school, stay up extremely late, neglect everyday activities and revision.

 

 

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

When you value a game more than everyday life.

 

 

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

I've never been highly addicted to any game, I've played for quite a few hours a day but nothing extreme.

[Dire_Wolf]

They are taking it to far...

 

 

 

It's really not so hard to see that. But it's hard to deal with it.

[nerdboyxxx]

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

Ummm, depends. If you are a hardcore gamer and focus on stuff non-stop (like me, see below) then yeah its normal.

 

 

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

When you don't go out with friends, break daily routines like eating and sleeping, and neglect family members.

 

 

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

Playing for about 30-hours non-stop (yes, I went to the bathroom and ate, no sleep, So about 29 hours overall). I was horribly addicted then. I'm getting better now, going out with friends, riding bike/scooter/etc etc etc. only playing about 6 hours a day on the holidays, but I still play till about 2 in the morning. But I stay up later anyways. If I did another 30-hour session like I did before, I'd probably go from 82 woodcutting to 86-87 at the rate that I train and the speed at which I bank. And my focus is legendary amongst my friends. Got level 92-99 Fletching in about 1 and 1/2 weeks (think less) just because I focused and didn't do anything but fletch. Had a lot of fun though :thumbsup:

[Earth_Poet]

This is a new example of a worn topic: Is Runescape addictive? Yes, I believe it can be for some.

 

 

 

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

 

 

In this case, I think it depends. Is this behavior exclusive to the Olympics, or is it an every day occurrence? If their playing time is for the purpose of the competition, then it can't be "normal behavior" as it is more relevant to winning. I don't think you can really judge someone for wanting to have fun for a few days. I wouldn't begin my concerns until it becomes routine.

 

 

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

 

 

It becomes a problem when real life responsibilities are sacrificed for the sake of Runescape. Withdrawing from friends and family, slacking on schoolwork, missing school and/or work, etc. When it becomes the center of your life with no care outside of the game, then it becomes a problem. Of course, sometimes this caliber of player grows up and lands a job in QA testing. :)

 

 

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

 

 

I couldn't give you a specific example, but I have been known to go through periods of excessive playing. My ADHD keeps me from getting too attached though. :D

[Blingkachi50]

1) Depends on what you consider above average. There's definitely that group of people where this is the norm, but in my categories of gaming, I wouldn't say this quite fits into Above-average.

 

 

 

2) When skipping these necessities becomes a habbit that you start to perform regularly.

 

 

 

3) Summer of '08. I was one week from the new school year starting, and I'd left like I hadn't accomplished much in RS. So I stayed up ~36 or so hours straight with only food/bathroom breaks, and spent that whole time smithing.

[3hitm4g3u]

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

Not so much the skipping Food part but not spending as much time with family and friends? yeah i'd say so tbh.

 

 

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

When it affects either your academic progress or your income if you're past school.

 

 

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

Well, just last week I did 22 hours of straight fishing without logging out once (went AFK for grabbing snacks, quick dashes to the bathroom etc). I was home alone and there was nothing social going on so the only thing I really skipped was sleep.

[unkn0wnwarrior]

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

No... slightly above-average would mean playing for a few hours and not skipping food and socializing.

 

 

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

I would say it is a problem when the person gets hungry and ignores it. That just isn't good for a person.

 

 

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

I've never really played hours straight, but my extreme was 12 hours in a day one weekend a couple of years ago.

[n64jive]

First, I love your sig..even if it's hypocritical.

 

 

 

Next, I would say that sadly the community is full of these hard-core gamers. (not just the RS community)... I pulled a few of these back when I was 12-14 years old. At that time, your young and you can do things like that during the summer.

 

 

 

However, my freshman year of college, I always remembered coming home from parties and seeing kids up going to the bathroom, later to find out these kids played games like WoW religiously. At the time it was funny, but it really is sad. What kind of college experience is doing the things you did when you were 10-14?

 

 

 

However, just remember it's they're life, not yours. We're all going to die someday, some of us will have lived our lives in more fullfilling ways then others.

[Gribbzldinho]

 

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

 

 

 

1) I play around 30-40 hours of games a week - from FPS to MMORPG..not sure if you consider that "above average gamer" (I think it is)...but imo I think it is well beyond normal behaviour. It is extreme no lifing and is not a healthy lifestyle.

 

 

 

2) It becomes a problem if you go more than two days in a row with this mentality. I dont see much of a problem if someone plays a game for ~15 hours in a day as a one-off, but when you start to sacrifice sleep and, more importantly, food then it can become a physical problem as well as a mental problem.

 

 

 

3) I played runescape for 9 hours in a day once. So, either that or once declining an invitation to go out into town so I could attend a community god wars event.

 

 

 

I think people need to remember that it is a game and you should play it casually for your enjoyment, not as a lifestyle.

[J35u5_M4]

1) Depends on what you consider above average. There's definitely that group of people where this is the norm, but in my categories of gaming, I wouldn't say this quite fits into Above-average.

 

 

 

2) When skipping these necessities becomes a habbit that you start to perform regularly.

 

 

 

3) Summer of '08. I was one week from the new school year starting, and I'd left like I hadn't accomplished much in RS. So I stayed up ~36 or so hours straight with only food/bathroom breaks, and spent that whole time smithing.

 

 

 

Go blingeh!

 

~~~

 

1) I think for the average hardcore gamer this is pretty common, but for the average of every gamer, these is a bit excessive

 

2) When you stop doing your primary necessities, you definitely have a problem (Like that girl who played 3 days straight WoW without rests, who ended up dying of dehydration)

 

3) Well, every time I have spare time (And believe me, I do have a lot of spare time) I play RuneScape unless I find something else to do. Can't get out of my house a lot considering we have a lot of security issues here in Venezuela

[Master_Smither]

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

When they want to get something done I'd say yes it's average.

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

When it starts becoming an everyday thing and stuff like eating at the table with your family or doing your chores stop happening. Basically when it becomes an obsession.

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

The day before I was planned to get 91 RC I played for around 18 hours and made sure I would get it the next day. But then again that was right after x-mas break started and we were snowed in.

[Sir_Kurity]

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

 

 

Could just be dedicated, but not play long.

 

 

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

 

 

When you fail that first exam.

 

 

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

 

 

From 8 in the morning to 3 o clock the in afternoon... Nasty stuff.

[Howlin0001]

3) Summer of '08. I was one week from the new school year starting, and I'd left like I hadn't accomplished much in RS. So I stayed up ~36 or so hours straight with only food/bathroom breaks, and spent that whole time smithing.

 

 

 

:shock: :shock: :shock: How many level's did you go up?

[Me_Hate_Libs]

3) Summer of '08. I was one week from the new school year starting, and I'd left like I hadn't accomplished much in RS. So I stayed up ~36 or so hours straight with only food/bathroom breaks, and spent that whole time smithing.

 

 

 

:shock: :shock: :shock: How many level's did you go up?

 

 

 

Well, it's smithing, so I imagine 2.

[la la la]

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

Yes. It's not weird at all if you go play poker at a friend's all night, so why should Runescape be?

 

 

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

When you do it so often that it has a long-term effect on your other activities (getting fired, dropping out, getting dumped, etc)

 

 

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

I'm not a very serious gamer. I guess the worst would be Runescaping from 8 am to 12 am one day last summer when my parents were out.

[Lielac]

1) Is this normal behavior for the slightly above-average gamer?

 

Not 'ticularly, no. Friends/family, sleep, maybe, but food? NO.

 

2) When does this start to become a problem?

 

When they start slipping in school/skiving off their job.

 

3) What's the worst example of this you yourself have done?

 

Staying up past dawn SORTING. MY. BANK. Was almost worth it though :twisted:

[Mecakoto]

1) Marathon gaming is rather common. As long as they don't do it over and over on a weekly basis then it isn't to big an issue.

 

 

 

2) You lose your job, friends, future (schooling), etc. When this happens, only then will they themselves realize it. Only a small amount of hope for them remains.

 

 

 

3) 46 hours of fishing lobsters 2 years ago. I fished 10k+ of them at 70ish fishing. I also go on binges when I'm 1-10 levels from a 99. Hp right now. I didn't sleep last night.

 

 

 

Not that I had anything else to do, though. I had a nice snack at around 1 AM and my friends are getting back from Evolution. (Big gaming tournament in Las Vegas) I'd of gone, but it'd of cost me around $140 in gas/place to sleep/food/entrance fee and with college just around the corner I don't think I can spare the money. =p