Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Julius]

I wonder what Koreans would make of this latest report. Especially the guy I saw slumped asleep over his computer 2 hours ago while the game was still playing endlessly

Video game addiction: A new diagnosis?
June 21, 2007 02:58:00 PM PST

The telltale signs are ominous: (addicts) ignoring friends, family, even food and a shower, while grades plummet and belligerence soars. The culprit isn't alcohol or drugs. It's video games, which can be as powerfully addictive as heroin, some doctors contend.

A leading council of the nation's largest doctors' group wants to have this behavior officially classified as a psychiatric disorder, to raise awareness and enable sufferers to get insurance coverage for treatment.


"I saw somebody this week who hasn't been to bed, hasn't showered ... because of video games," she said. "He is really a mess."

Postings also come from adults, mostly men, who say video game addiction cost them jobs, family lives and self-esteem.

http://health.yahoo.com/news/176635

[whatever]

I have been clean for going on four years now. Golden Tee was the final straw.

[cangel]

[buffygrrl1]

it is an addiction just like alcohol and drugs. I've done so many research papers on it for school...Things like WoW and Everquest (massive mulitplayer games) are especially addicting because people escape into a fake world and forget about the real one.

[Tokki1]

I once sold 2 WOW characters for $200.

[Young FRANKenstein]

I have no problem with it being written up in the next version of DSM. It belongs with all the other addictive personality disorders. Addicitve personality is addictive personality, regardless of the actual addiction.

[buffygrrl1]

[Tokki1]

[buffygrrl1]

yeah for some reason i played it and got bored...i liked Guild Wars better

[Rock]

Yes, it's called IAD(Internet Addiction Disorder)and was designated a mental illness by the NHA or psychologisits/psyciatrists about a year ago.

[Guri Guy]

I think this is a growing problem in Korea. I do like playing strategy games and games like Civilization or Europa Universalis but I don't care much for the online games. I suppose I played Diablo 2 back in the day.

Mind you, with the prospect of actually getting a decent wage out of it (Pro Gamer) I can see why it is attractive to some Koreans. Just wait till Starcraft 2 comes out.

[Tokki1]

Starcraft 2 is going to bring the country to a standstill. Don't expect to have any students the day of its release. Hmm...unless, of course, Blizzard pulls a fast one and creates a short supply--in which case expect to see tramplings and general maimings throughout the ROK. Two words: ajoshi fury.

[sojourner1]

I used to be addicted to Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior, Faxanadu, and other RPG's, but now that I am getting older, I don't do that so much. I think addiction to games has to do with the desire for adventure and living life in your own unique unconventional way. Once you get your life going into adult life, then you're too busy and tired to do computer games that require lots of time. I spend lots of time on computers today, but don't so much do games like I did when I was young, but instead I am studying about real life on websites.

[Oreovictim]

[Treefarmer]

interesting article about the money in WOW here

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/17/magazine/17lootfarmers-t.html?ei=5088&en=a6282d1ddf608fc1&ex=1339732800&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

note how the guys who work in WoW go and play it in their time off