I’m hoping that some of these big game makers have more integrity than to buy off medical research - and for the most part the game makers I’ve met don’t seem the type. The Bioware guys and gals especially struck me as ultimately very involved in the health of their players. A very select small few other companies that I came across at the GDC did seem extremely heavy handed and cold - but then I can’t really be surprised when I put developers on the defensive.

As a game industry insider, especially with a woman’s perspective, I honestly hope that you drop by from time to time.

I viewed Ms. Scott’s videos on Youtube today and came around here perusing your sites. I am so impressed that she took the time to listen to her sons and play! Not enough love in families anymore…

As one of the relatively few female game designers, now gone ex-game designer in favor of having a life - I seem to have accumulated a gutful of recurring and multi-faceted thoughts on many of the issues that you are covering.

Regarding the topic above, IMHO it’s a symptom of something a bit more insidious - forgive me being blunt, as I am not generally one to buy into any conspiracy theories, but hell…money talks these days, doesn’t it?

Considering the game industry has overtaken the film industry…how hard could it be to pay the AMA a nice sum?
And what reason have we to assume that Associations of any sort - even the loftiest, have any sort of concern for ethical practices anymore?

At the same time, consider the flip side - I also do not agree with much that the pharmaceutical, medical, and psychotherapeutic industries has done in order to create a new disorder every other day!

Taken a step further - the AMA states that game addiction is NOT a real addiction, let sufferers degenerate over time, then simply reap the benefits of treating them for depression as opposed to game addiction, while not upsetting their game industry benefactors in any way. Not like anything like this hasn’t ever happened before…ahem.. It’s a disturbing slice of a much larger and more disturbing pie.

On the brighter side, there are still those with the sense to try to live “normal” even if considered “old-fashioned” lives. I myself have chosen this, and still struggle with keeping balance. If only I had the time and space to even describe what it feels like on the ‘inside’ of the ‘industry’…though perhaps you already know.
I myself am still coming to terms with who I am, my career, etc.

In any case, you both seem sincere in your approach, in offering practical, sensible help to those in need of it. I look forward to reading more. Don’t consider the book closed…remember the words, “May you live in interesting times.” We are cursed, my friends. ^^ But it ain’t over yet.

Mental health care providers,psychologists, “addiction specialists”, for-profit treatment programs, self-help groups and medical professionals of all kinds have been arguing about what “addiction” is forever. The point of the DSM is supposed to be to look at research about psychological struggles people are having and get a consensus on the definition in order to standardize what we are all talking about…

Ha, can we harness the energy from that attempt and light up the planet for the next million years?

People have their pet ideologies for all kinds of reasons, often self-serving. The real question is “Are people being harmed?” and if so, what will help them. I don’t really care what word we use.

A therapist asked me today “How can the games be addictive - you just put it on “save” right?

People who have never been immersed in an MMO themselves really do not get it.