[DracoTarot]

Gaming is a form of entertainment, and there is nothing wrong with paying an affordable amount for it. Yet, excessive in-game purchases may affect your financial situation, and may even become an addiction.

It's shown in studies done around the world a few signs may include:

• Thinking about gaming all or a lot of the time.
• Feeling bad when you can't play.
• Needing to spend more and more time playing to feel good.
• Not being able to quit or even play less.
• Not wanting to do other things that you used to like.
• Having problems at work, school, or home because of your gaming.

How long does a game addiction last?

Research shows it will take up to 90 days for our brain chemistry to rewire back to normal dopamine sensitivity levels. And during these 90 days, we may experience any of the following: Compulsions, cravings and/or urges to the game. Withdrawals, mood swings and/or irritability.

For example, many players were already banned on certain platforms for excessive spending.



Do you think these studies are based on facts or just to encourage gamers to spend less time in front of their gaming gear?

[Saka]

Many activities can become an addiction. It's all about establishing a healthy relationship. Spending money on games can be quite innocuous too, it all depends on the context, in which it happens. But if you spend on purely virtual goods before making sure your housing and food matters are sorted out, then it becomes a sign of addition.

[DracoTarot]

@Saka It's just astonishing how far some people would go to fuel their addiction and the vast amounts they would spend to find virtual happiness.

[Saka]

Originally Posted by DracoTarot

@Saka It's just astonishing how far some people would go to fuel their addiction and the vast amounts they would spend to find virtual happiness.

Studies show that most of the "whales", i.e. people who spend exorbitant sums on microtransactions, are not actually rich. That's the depressing part. Outside of gaming, too, you see people doing expensive purchases that are not necessary, while struggling to pay the bills.

If a billionaire spends on a game rather than buying another car to their garage, it doesn't make a practical difference to anyone.

[Saka]

Some article on a similar topic that I stumbled upon today: https://premortem.games/2022/10/21/y...oney-on-games/ 🤔

[DracoTarot]

@Saka Thank you! 😊 The article does make sense and it's an interesting read. I would recon the 13-27 age group would spend more money on games and also other things. I can relate and also did the same for a while but never went overboard and spend thousands or millions LOL! 😮

[Saka]

Microtransactions weren't a thing when I was in that age bracket, so I probably evaded the danger. 😂 I have spent some small amounts on cosmetics in a couple of games later on, but that's it. Generally I prefer to earn stuff rather than buy it.

[DracoTarot]

@Saka Earning is much more fun and makes the game more exciting for me. It really doesn't bother me if my buddies have better armour or what have you than me. They will in the end just finish a game quicker and be bored afterwards while I'm still fiddling along trying to find what they've purchased.

Sometimes they will just pass on the gear to me they've bought for the character and it will cost me nothing. 😂

[DoomGuy]

I think yeah it can be addictive at a certain level of playing you can't stop or reduce the amount of time spent in games so we need to establish a healthy relationship like @Saka mentioned hence it's considered an entertainment not Addiction

[Saka]

Originally Posted by DracoTarot

@Saka Earning is much more fun and makes the game more exciting for me. It really doesn't bother me if my buddies have better armour or what have you than me. They will in the end just finish a game quicker and be bored afterwards while I'm still fiddling along trying to find what they've purchased.

Sometimes they will just pass on the gear to me they've bought for the character and it will cost me nothing. 😂

Yep, earning something through own gameplay gives me a sense of accomplishment. Money can't buy that. And I have never been the type to speedrun through games, just not my cup of tea. I like to play at my own pace AND read ALL the quest text. 😂