Are online games making us sad?
February 16th, 2011
Online gaming is the next best thing to gaming with friends in the same room. But a new report suggests that online networking may be making us miserable.
Although the report focuses on excessive Facebooking, it made me wonder: Am I a happier gamer than I was before Steam and Xbox Live existed? Have we inadvertently made online gaming the priority, rather than the next best thing when it comes to seeking out and gaming with friends in the same room; LAN parties, etc?
It seems to me online gaming may be making us lazier in terms of meeting up with friends to game, which is a heck of a lot more fun using a headset.
What do you think? Do the advantages of online gaming far outweigh the cons? In an online gaming world, do you game with "live" friends as much as you used to? What's more, is there even cause for concern? Or is this one of those "to each his own" or "moderation in all things" sort of debate?





Comments
Level 6
1143 ARP
Overall I don't feel much different about single and multi, they are both fun for me.
Level 4
506 ARP
A. Yes.
Q. In an online gaming world, do you game with "live" friends as much as you used to?
A. I definitely do not game as much with people in the same room than I used to. Now my friends get together around once a month and play random games on split screen/LAN. Otherwise, it's my comfy chair, my pc/xbox, and my headset and it's all online.
Q. What's more, is there even cause for concern?
A. I don't think so.
Q. Or is this one of those "to each his own" or "moderation in all things" sort of debate?
A. Definitely! I try to keep up with some in-person gaming while still gaming heavily online.
If actions speak louder than words, why is the pen mightier than the sword?
Level 7
1885 ARP
I definitely don't think online gaming is making people sadder. In fact, since more and more people are connecting online, people would become more social with people and have friendships that they would never possibly have with before online gaming. But yes, gaming moderation must be exercised. You can only game so much before you ruin your life.
New forums... Soon™
Level 7
8059 ARP
I see your point, but don't necessarily agree with the more social part. This is the internet after all, there are many people who are far more rude and annoying because of the anonymity. I think this is part of the reason one might not be "happy" because of online gaming.
Level 6
1143 ARP
Its just like playing bord games, but only waaaay more fun to do.
MMORPG are a good way to get to know new people from all over and meet them in real life.
So..
- Play games
- learn other languages
- socialize
- Meet new people
- learn about other cultures
- etc. etc. etc.
Level 4
683 ARP
Level 4
727 ARP
@.@
Level 7
1845 ARP
Of course this is true. Trolls will always exist but not everyone online are far more rude and annoying because of anonymity. In fact, there are people who are even nicer and friendlier. Now of course the good people on the Internet are a small percentage compared to the terrible people but that doesn't mean you won't meet any. I'm just going with the assumption that people are genuinely good.
New forums... Soon™
Level 7
8059 ARP
I have been playing online games since Starcraft and that was the game that introduced me into the world of online gaming. I met many interesting people online, though I only keep in online contact with a select few. Also with social networking sites this has only made people more connected and knowable about the world. While I agree that technology has made us somewhat lazier it also makes tasks significantly easier complete to compensate.
The world was also introduced to LoL Cats and that cannot possibly be a bad thing.
Level 7
2506 ARP
Set your profile picture as a Creepy Clown. Why? Progress is impossible without change.
Level 7
1767 ARP
But more fun if you play with your real friends
Level 2
107 ARP
Outai Ookami
Level 3
412 ARP
Level 2
106 ARP
dont make fun of the wayz i type.
Level 7
1614 ARP
Playing with friends in the same room is fun, but sometimes it's easier to just switch off the game and go to bed then to kick out those friends to get a good night of sleep :-)
I've had better conversations in online games then using ICQ/MSN and you can do some other stuff as well while waiting till the other side replies :-D
Level 2
142 ARP
xXNoobtubedXx
Level 7
7643 ARP
Thanks To Online And It's Not Making Me Sad.
Level 3
353 ARP
{
rage = 1
for everygameplayed
(
rage= (rage + 1)
);
if rage >= 9000 (
have heart attack
)
}
+1 to awesome for sad cat picture.
Level 3
436 ARP
Level 3
272 ARP
Level 4
528 ARP
Alienware M11x R1 SU7300 @1.6Ghz Gt 335 @stock clocks 2Gb DDR3 250 Gb HDD @7200 RPM
Level 7
3095 ARP
Level 2
126 ARP
Level 2
142 ARP
CoD player: There is a camper behind that wall! Battlefield player: BOOM!!! What wall?
Level 4
594 ARP
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