How to Know When Someone Has a Gaming Addiction
Video games are a fun way to spend time, whether with friends or alone. The graphics are often high quality and the comradery felt when beating another group of gamers online is intoxicating. But some people have preconceived notions about gaming. They may think that it makes people antisocial or toxic and that young men are wasting their lives playing in someone’s basement. But these stereotypes are based on a limited view of the gaming community. The truth is that a gamer is a hobbyist who plays interactive games, including video games, tabletop role-playing games and skill-based card games. It requires dedication and commitment to become a good gamer. A good gamer will always be seeking to improve and learn new skills. This is why gamers are able to multitask and can make decisions 25% faster than non-gamers without sacrificing accuracy.
Gamers are also able to process information much more quickly than other people, allowing them to perform better at school and work. In fact, some researchers have found that gaming can help improve students’ grades by enhancing their problem-solving skills. It’s not just children who reap these benefits, as adult gamers can also benefit from this brain training.
But despite these positive aspects, gaming can have negative effects on players’ health and well-being. A lot of gamers can get addicted to their favorite games and spend more time than they should playing them. In addition, they can spend more money on gaming-related items like consoles and headsets than the average person.
Thankfully, there are ways to know when you or someone else has a gaming addiction. If you notice that your friend or family member is spending too much time gaming and is not putting in enough effort at school or work, it’s best to talk about it with them. Be empathetic and nonjudgmental and try to understand why they enjoy it so much.
The Bartle Player Taxonomy divides gamers into four main groups based on their preferences and play styles: Achievers, who strive to gain rewards and complete levels within the parameters of the game; Explorers, who love exploring every inch of the game world and its mechanics; Socializers, who enjoy playing with friends and online communities; and Beaters, who thrive on competitive gaming.
Another popular method for separating gamers into categories is by their primary type of game. This allows developers to create games that cater to different types of gamers. Achievers and Enthusiast gamers tend to prefer MMORPGs, action and adventure games while Solo Gamers favor casual titles and puzzle games.
Lastly, Backseat Viewers are gamers who primarily consume content and watch gameplay videos of their favorite games rather than play them. They have the lowest percentage of gaming participation, but they are likely the most prolific consumers of gaming content. In this category, you’ll find most of the people who comment on gaming articles, stream and watch esports competitions on Twitch, and participate in gaming community forums.
