reply to "Gaming addiction"

I do find the video to be quite funny but what it does remind me of is my girlfriend when she gets angry during games. Violence does happen when you get frustrated regardless of the activity. In the reading this week the idea that games are not addicting but it is the players who cannot use their own self control applies in this case. A violent reaction in that youtube video does mirror the same desperation people have for drugs if they are cut off. However I do find it more similar to frustration that you cannot keep on playing. I found it odd that in the reading, video games were compared to substances like drugs and its very common in society for these comparisons but I think any emotional investments will likely create the same reactions.

Sort of off topic but on another note relating to my previous post about "Hedgehog Adventures HD". When I think about the addicting aspects to the game, it really is based on frustration that draws you in. The challenges are so difficult that you must try each possible step even if it is time consuming. I used to think frustrating or difficult games made players want to quit but in this case it is quite the opposite as you can't resist yelling out in anger and pressing the retry button. I think the cute graphics may have something to do with this. A player is still immersed even if the difficulty and the physics are structurally incoherent. I can't think of another game that is both so frustrating and yet tempts you to complete it at the same time.

Jacob Hui