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Shooters, MMOGs linked to problem game playing - Study

A new study conducted by the Institute for Special Populations Research in New York reveals that some game genres are more prone to problem game-playing habits.

Video game addiction has become a widely debated public health issue both in the US and overseas in the past five years, despite the lack of a formal diagnosis. While the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recently rejected a proposal to include video game addiction in the next Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)--to be published in May 2013--researchers around the world continue to investigate methods of determining, treating, and preventing what has now become a recognized mental-health issue.

A recent study conducted by the National Development and Research Institutes' Special Populations Research branch in New York has discovered a link between problem game playing and particular types of game genres.

First-person shooters have been linked to problem game-playing habits.

First-person shooters have been linked to problem game-playing habits.

Luther Elliott, Andrew Golub, Eloise Dunlap, and Geoffrey Ream (the latter from the School of Social Work at Adelphi University in New York) surveyed 3,380 adult participants over the age of 18 who said they played video games for an hour or more during the last week.

The survey paid particular attention to characteristics of video game use, including time played, titles played in the past year, and problems associated with playing. The research team then used Gamefaqs.com to sort the 2,652 valid titles into 15 mutually exclusive genres: massively multiplayer online role-playing games, other role-playing games, action adventure, first-person shooter, other shooter, sports general, sports other, rhythm, driving, platformer, real-time strategy, other strategy, puzzle, board and card games, gambling, and other.

The results of the survey showed that only 5 percent of respondents reported moderate to extreme problem game playing; of that 5 percent, the most problems showed up among those who reported playing either first-person shooters, action adventure, role-playing games, and gambling games during the past year.

The most common titles reported by participants in the problem categories were: Call of Duty (first-person shooter category); Grand Theft Auto (action adventure category); World of Warcraft (MMORPG category); and poker (gambling games category).

This led the team to conclude that there is evidence to suggest that problem game playing is linked to particular kinds of game genres, but that future research into this area is needed, particularly research that pays attention to the game-design elements specific to the problem genres.

"Recent sales figures for blockbuster series such as Call of Duty and Halo indicate a huge audience for the FPS genre in America; our findings suggest that a considerable sub-population is experiencing at least moderate degrees of problem video game playing," the study says.

"Perhaps the immersion potential of a first-person perspective, commonly combined with online competition, largely accounts for the higher rates of problem game playing. For action adventure games, a trend toward nonlinear 'open-world' style environments in which extensive, time-consuming exploration is encouraged may create a context for more pervasive experiences of problem game playing."

"These interpretations are speculative at this point, but suggest important avenues of exploration for future research."

249 Comments

  • trivolution

    Posted Feb 5, 2012 6:37 am GMT

    Better be addicted in video games than drugs and cigarettes.

  • digi-demon

    Posted Feb 5, 2012 5:43 am GMT

    Games are addicting? Video games? Shocker ! Well! who would have predicted this outcome
    PS. Btw, so is watching TV, drinking beer and even trawling throu internet sites like GS

  • DarthJohnova

    Posted Feb 5, 2012 4:32 am GMT

    I swear people do these research things just to piss users here off, everyone gets so ridiculously defensive

  • NoirBadguy

    Posted Feb 5, 2012 12:51 am GMT

    @DuaneDog
    But in terms of addictiveness, few beers or little something something is not yet considered as being addict. Same for few hours spent playing video games. There is a question: is pulling all nighter in Skyrim compared to getting drunk until passout? Not the quantity, but the 'quality' of behaviour detrmines you are addict. If you play in your free time, why not. If you drink at work, you may have a problem.

  • weedman1985

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 11:55 pm GMT

    Problem? I think you have a problem understanding that we don't care. No gamer cares about this stupid research. It shouldn't even be posted on this website.

    Why am I reading this? Because I'm outraged. This data only serves to solidify the opinions of narrow minded people who have already condemned gaming as a form of entertainment. It serves no purpose for us other than to remind gamers that there are people in the world who will do everything in their power to bring this industry down. How about you do a research on how Television ruins today's youth, instead?

  • Agent-M

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 9:32 pm GMT

    First off "Problem game playing" is never defined in the article. Does problem game playing mean that players are having problems playing certain types of games (meaning they suck), or are they instead getting psychological and emotional problems from those games. Either way its never states, If the latter, then no symptoms from the researched are ever mentioned and there is no reason given as to why there is a problem in the first place. - Any game that has you fighting for your life, or constantly competing against other players will cause problems if played for too long due to the stress. Any game that has a financial investment involved, like gambling is also stressful. You don't need a research team to find that out. Best solution: Take a break from gaming once in a while, and learn to manage your time.

  • starduke

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 8:37 pm GMT

    What exactly constitutes "problem game playing" to them? I'm an avid gamer, and have been known to spend multiple hours in game. Hey, they're called weekends. I don't have a girlfriend, or much of a social life, or a job, so I don't have much else to spend multiple hours with. Soon, I may be getting all of those things, so I won't have multiple hours to spend gaming. I'm not worried about that, since games have save features! Hmm, sometimes I wish life did as well.

  • ZeroX91

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 8:31 pm GMT

    So the point of this study was? yea games are "addictive" but not everyone is an addict most people can exhibit self control and the ones who cant more than likely would have ended up addicted to something else. What would you rather them be doing something where they could potentially hurt others or just something minorly damaging to themselves?

  • DuaneDog

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 5:28 pm GMT

    I I'll admit that gaming has often killed my productivity practially more than any substance. If I have some beers I could still do my homework if I hadn't done too much. If I had smoked a little somethin something... I could still create music, art, and work on business projects which has allowed me to live quite well. But with gaming... when you game while you are doing it your attention cannot be on anything else. I'll admit that I can look back at entire months where pretty much all I did was play games. I'm not saying it is so much addiction as indulgence... just like anything you can't really stop doing in moderation until you really decide it is time to quit.

  • hannify

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 5:18 pm GMT

    This just in, food related to obesity

  • GreenReuben

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 4:19 pm GMT

    The results would be worse if the real gaming addicts were willing to stop playing cod for long enough to participate in the study.

  • BloodFatality

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 1:47 pm GMT

    I'm addicted to cigarettes not video games. Although sometimes I wish it was the other way around..

  • 666Rich666

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 12:44 pm GMT

    I have clocked over 200 hours into Dark Souls alone, but hold 2 jobs and have a social life. Yeah I'm an avid gamer, but that does not make me an addict. While it is true that many people do become addicted to games to the point that their professional and social life suffer, thus percentage is small. I often find myself playing video games on my days off for hours on end, but does that make me an addict, or someone who simply enjoys the medium of video games?

  • wyan_

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 11:53 am GMT

    At least one big hole in their research is about shooters. They should have determined if the gamers were playing online multiplayer. I would bet money that nearly all the addicted shooter gamers were playing online.

  • blackmetalwar

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 10:20 am GMT

    @ Henninger

    Agreed, "problem game play" sounds like some sort of drama class activity. They should really define it--although I'm thinking maybe they didn't bother in order to implicate a greater subject group.

  • Ultimate39

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 10:00 am GMT

    @FullmetalFreak7 People who are addicted to games, though addiction could lead to some of the things you mentioned.

  • Henninger

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 9:56 am GMT

    @ Unfallen_Satan

    I was wondering what that was myself. How do you have an article about "problem game play" & not describe exactly what that is??? FAIL!!!

  • Unfallen_Satan

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 9:51 am GMT

    What exactly is "problem game play"? The study, or maybe just this news report, is difficult to understand without that critical piece of information. On top of that, I don't think gambling can be included among other games since gambling addiction is a widely established separate mental condition. However, there may be commonalities between gambling addiction to gaming addiction.

  • gamerboy100

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 8:21 am GMT

    "The results of the survey showed that only 5 percent of respondents reported moderate to extreme problem game playing." If only 5% are affected, then what's the big deal? I know a lot of gamers (this is an understatement, by the way), and not one of them has problems linked to video games, so this probably only applies to a miniscule amount of gamers. This 5% could be people who had problems to begin with.

  • Wormkid_64

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 6:29 am GMT

    They want to call it an actual disease? How pathetic! That's like people who eat at McDonald's everyday and then try to sue them because they got fat. No dip,Sherlock! Get a little self control and responsibility,put down the cheeseburger or controller,turn off the TV,and get another hobby. Not that you can't play games and eat fast food,but it requires your own intelligent balance. If you live in a free country that lets you eat and play as much as you want whenever you want,the only person to blame for the side effects due to lack of control is yourself.

    And this comes from an avid gamer,but even I know that when my eyes start to glaze over,it's time to put the games away and go to bed.

  • Crimson_Erskine

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 6:06 am GMT

    @zenverak

    Good point. It's true, there must be a distinction made between addicts and casual players. SImply playing a game of those genres does not immediately group you as an addict.

  • nousername66

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 5:53 am GMT

    I definitely agree with shooters seeing a lot of video game addicts, especially with the COD series. Why else would people conitue to play the same game over and over again for hundreds of hours on end, AND, then keep spending tons of money on dozens of map packs?

    Activision knows most of their customers are addicts and will spend every cent they have on DLC, hence the 20 maps being released for MW3.

  • BLKCrystilMage

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 5:02 am GMT

    I think the issue is more with specific games than genres. Case in point: I bought Skyrim on launch day for PC, and my total play time so far is 346 hours.

  • ZOD777

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 1:37 am GMT

    @FullmetalFreak7 They are calling excessive playtime "problem game playing". The biggest clue is the 1st sentence (addiction), and the second to last paragraph (immersion potential,extensive, time-consuming). I don't think that it carries much weight because most gamers will sit for 5-8 hours to bust through a shooter campaign when it is brand new. I think they are referring to the people that cannot seem to stop playing to the point that their health, relationships, and other obligations take a back seat. Otherwise, I guess I fall into the problem area since I played Skyrim for 6 hours day one, and MW3 for 5 or 6 hours day one. I would think that is pretty normal though.

  • FullmetalFreak7

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 1:27 am GMT

    When they say problem game playing, what exactly do they mean? Are they talking about players' reactions (such as verbal outbursts or hitting something in real life like a pillow) while they play the game? Their actions after playing the game (like being more aggressive)? Or is it that they constantly pause and reset the game because they are losing? Maybe I'm being dense, but what defines problem game playing?

  • ZOD777

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 11:16 pm GMT

    @Flint247 Amen dude. People don't buy consoles or build gaming PCs to have them collect dust. So if 3,380 people were surveyed, and they have to have played 1 hr or more in a week (i guess Tetris on a cell phone counts?) and only 5% reported moderate to extreme "problem game playing", that means that only 169 out of 3380 have an issue of some sort. I bet that well over 50% of the people surveyed own an RPG or an FPS or both. That being said would mean that 1690 (@ 50%) of the people surveyed have such games, and 169/1690 or 10% have an issue with those types of games (assuming they are all shooter and RPG related). That is a low enough number to where I see no fault in the games or types of games, rather that 10% of the people that own those games (of those surveyed) are just compulsive individuals. If the number were closer to say 25-30%, I think you could make a stronger argument toward the game being at the root of the problem.

  • Flint247

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 8:40 pm GMT

    With games costing a lot of money, best believe I will spend a lot of time playing them.

  • AuronAXE

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 7:53 pm GMT

    Little kids have ADD, they love zomg explosions, they love casual games with massive worlds. There I just explained it. Back to my RPG's I go.

  • deathstream

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 7:18 pm GMT

    @Landsharkk

    But your point doesn't negate theirs. "Are there certain elements in certain genres of games that contribute to addiction behavior in that 5%?" is a perfectly valid question. WoW is designed with the psychology of addiction firmly in mind. I've said that for years.

    The point isn't that gaming is evil but that a better understanding of how and why people become addicted to gaming can help that 5% for whom "One more turn and then I'll go to bed" becomes "When was the last time I bathed/ate/moved or saw the sun?".

  • BATTOSAI76

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 4:31 pm GMT

    "Problem game playing?" I know the study is bogus but they could have come up with a better name at least.

  • Clockout1

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 3:41 pm GMT

    ...what?

  • Landsharkk

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 3:24 pm GMT

    I wonder, I just have to wonder, could it be...could it really be that out of a random 3,380 adults there will always be 5% that have addictive personalities? This obviously has nothing to do with games and everything to do with people who have addiction problems period.

  • PlatinumPaladin

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 3:21 pm GMT

    @NightFox313

    I would agree with you, but the article clearly states the study was of gamers over the age of 18.

  • PlatinumPaladin

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 3:20 pm GMT

    @toddx77

    Dude, I can't see mention of a single console in the whole article. Put your tinfoil hat away.

  • toddx77

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 3:12 pm GMT

    Notice how gamespot always uses the 360 box when taling about COD but now when something negative is being mentioned they use the PS3 box lol.

  • NightFox313

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 3:03 pm GMT

    It's not addiction. It's simply some youngsters that are over-privileged. The problem with this generation of kids is that they're being allowed to do so many things by the parent, and that the constant flow of new changes in technology only expand that sense of being over-privileged.

    Look at Facebook. I'm not hating on it or anything but there are probably thousands of users that are on it non-stop - some of them are kids that have parents that pretty much LET the computer and video games dominate the steering wheel of their lives.

  • PlatinumPaladin

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 3:01 pm GMT

    I'm not entirely sure how this study is meant to be helpful. If it had been carried out in Japan then they'd be looking for ways to combat Dynasty Warriors, Monster Hunter and the latest dating sim. You might as well have just emailed the head-docs a list of the top 10 best selling game series'.

    But breaking it down into problem genres was very useful. They've correctly identified that the most addictive gaming genres are ALL OF THEM!

    Idiots. Someone get them a couple of magazine subscriptions. That'll contain all the research they need.

  • JamesX007

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:35 pm GMT

    The study is just a correlation study. People should not read it as experimental study. Correlation Study only establish correlations, experimental study tries to eliminate the confounds and find causal relationships.

    All the study just says is that people with addictive personalities are more attracted to certain type of games - which is a "duh!" result.

  • x_hunter00

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:25 pm GMT

    The results seem reasonable, i highly doubt Dance Dance revolution would cause more problems than say CoD of Skyrim.

  • TrueProphecy22

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:22 pm GMT

    Sounds like they don't play many games themselves... This research is about problems that are rather obvious and well known within the gaming community.

    The question is when is too much too much, and is gaming the source of the problem or a symptom? My friend who goes home after work every night and plays WoW till the early hours of the morning, now weighs over 280 pounds. He has a problem. However, is it the game that has him hooked, or is it something in his life that's pushing him towards the game?

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:05 pm GMT

    @josephreynii

    Then I assume the only correct type of comment is one that either admits addiction, or one that praises the study?

    It's a study with no conclusive findings on a subject no one's convinced even exists. As much as people are readily willing to give diagnosis to people they see in passing, or admit to it themselves, there is no evidence that videogame addiction is even real, let alone something the average person is capable of diagnosing.

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 1:49 pm GMT

    @oflow

    Well, except that exposure to sunlight isn't some sort of panacea. Like absolutely everything else in life, it's much more complicated than that. As far as I can tell from this article, there is no strict definition for "problem game playing". So just deciding that saying "no, go outside" is the answer is a bit odd.

    You don't even know it's stupid behavior, since you don't even know what exactly the behavior is, save "problematic" in someone's opinion.

  • kuda001

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 1:18 pm GMT

    Firstly, I don't think this is a problem or addiction, it's just another form of entertainment like watching TV. Gambling on the other hand can cause addiction but it should not be lumped together with gaming. Secondly, the categories they have listed require the gamer to invest a lot of time into them especially RPGs like Skyrim or action adventure games like GTA. Just because they take a while to complete is not an indication of addiction in my opinion.

    Lastly, they are always exceptions to the case and other factors to be considered such pre-existing mental health problems that are yet undiagnosed. I just play game because they are fun to play, it is not 'problem game playing'.

  • edant79

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 1:07 pm GMT

    Actually, according to Einstein's theory of relativity....

    If you eat spicy food...chances are greater that it would taste spicy.

  • oflow

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 1:02 pm GMT

    So tired of this generation making excuses and justifying stupid behavior. Out of fear and pussifying a generation of youngsters.l

    Parents need to stop letting video games and tv raise their kids. Its as stupid as the ppl in SF complaining about happy meal toys making kids eat happy meals and kids being fat. Last time i checked kids dont have any money, if your kid is fat or addicted to video games its because their parents let them be that way.

    Tell your kids 'no' or 'turn off the tv and go outside' once in a while. It works wonders.

  • ghoward79

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 12:17 pm GMT

    Parents watch over your children carefully. Garbage in = garbage out.

  • Nugger69

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 12:09 pm GMT

    Just another reason to give out drugs....A**holes

  • Killthesheep

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 11:58 am GMT

    Need more quantitative research....Double blind peer reviewed studies than points can be made...Sample size is way to small plus over 18? When I was a kid I was videogame addict for sure (I also read a large amount of books and tv). Is it possible that the correlation between addiciton and gaming is that addictive personalities are drawn towards specfic game genres (or rather grinding for gear [or in the case of COD wep attachments and paint].

  • startazz

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 11:44 am GMT

    I personally don't think of gaming as a habit but more of a hobby ;-) i also make and fly remote controlled planes and i would say i have a bigger problem with that compared to gaming LOL,i spend about the same time and effort on both hobbies but if you ask my missus she would say i have a problem with my RC hobby :-) Or are we/me in denial ;-)

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