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[DEBATE] Are games more addictive than heroin?
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Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:29 am Reply and quote this post
Dr. Tanya Byron's brief dalliance withthe games industry appears to have ended, with her branding World ofWarcraft a "childish fantasy game" and comparing videogames to crack.

In last night's BBC show 'Am I Normal?', Dr. Byron asked a variety of'experts' and 'victims' as to whether games could comparable to drugs.

Unfortunately, all traces of the rational psychologist show in The Byron Report appeared to vanish.

In an introduction to a segment regarding an intensive World ofWarcraft player, Byron said: "Michelle Hart is not what you wouldimagine as a dedicated gamer. She's an intelligent, 39-year old womanwith a decent job and no history of psychological problems.

"Itmight seem ludicrous to compare a childish computer fantasy game withhard drug addiction. But addiction counsellors offering treatment togamers argue that there are key similarities in the way that theconsumer gets hooked into coming back for more."

Byron went onto interview Michelle, who apparently spends most of her time playingWorld of Warcraft when she's not working. She's even been known todecline offers of going down the pub!

"Other than work,Michelle rarely leaves the house," Byron said. "Her devotion to theonline game World of Warcraft has come to dominate her life. Sometimesshe plays for over 12 hours without a break." Which, incidentally, istame by some of our WoW marathons.

When questioned, Michellesaid that: "People have said to me come out for drink or something andthere's always that questions: do I want to go out and drink or stay inand play?"

You know what that's called, Michelle? That's called enjoyingyourself. You wouldn't think it was strange that a football fanwouldn't want to go out in the middle of a match, now would you?

Also in the program, Byron interviews the chaps behind the gamingaddiction in Amsterdam, who label gaming "the addiction for the 21stCentury." Though considering they make money off of 'helping' the'addicted', we're not entirely sure they're the most unbiased sourcefor the program.

Contributed by Editorial Team, Executive Management Team
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