I'm in a dilemma. I need help!

Singapore
November 2, 2010 7:39am CST
Hi Mylotters, good day. Argh, lately, I'm in a really difficult situation. Not because of money or love or whatsoever, but because of games. Let me tell you what happened. About 1 year ago, I was introduced to a game called GTA 4. It was a very nice and addictive game. When I was in high school, I longed for a game which had an 'open world' concept, in which we can explore the world/city in free roam mode and driving in-game real cars. GTA 4 was very close to this. It had an 'open world' concept and was fun to explore, except that the cars were not similar to what we have in real life. They were just about there, that's all. Well, the problem is this. The moment I installed this game, I started playing day and night and I was somehow addicted to it. As a result, needless to say, my results dropped. That was not in high school. I had already graduated and had entered a polytechnic. I couldn't stop for a year. Everytime when I got my bad results back, I vowed never to indulge in late-night playing and being addicted to it again. But then I never once kept to my promises. Then, starting from this year, first semester, I played for half a semester and stopped it completely. I knew that if I continue on like this, I will ruin myself. Alright, so far, I've stopped playing and it has been successful up till now. However, I still have recurring thoughts of it, such as the gameplay, how I play the game, how I have fun and so on. Right now, I feel like reinstalling the game but I fear that I'll get addicted to it once again. I can't control. I need help.
2 people like this
9 responses
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
2 Nov 10
That is quite a problem there but, its good that you recognize this as a problem, with that, you still somehow have some control on the situation. Perhaps, you can get rid of the installer. Give it to a friend that you can trust and tell that friend to only give it back to you on vacation, that way, you can really focus on your performance elsewhere. Or maybe, use a laptop or desktop with minimal specs that cannot play the game. With that, you can only surf the net to do some studies or typing work in case you need to compose something for submission. Make that game your reward after..
• Singapore
3 Nov 10
I can't really play that game anymore man. I really will get addicted to it once I play and the old story comes back again.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
3 Nov 10
Well, seems like you already know the solution to your problem after all (^_^")
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Nov 10
hi judgeironfist do not install that until after school is over as you are so addicted you will ruin your grades. Your courses will I imagine help you get the job you want and you must keep that in mind first and foremost.You know yourself better than we do and you must ace 'those classes.I know you can do that as You make intelligent discussions and so go make those As and Bs then come vacation time you can play those games you love.First things first, your education can change your life for the best,your game playing is just for recreation and letting it ruin your educatin makes no sense, get that college degree then play.
• Singapore
6 Nov 10
Yea, absolutely. I'm trying not to think of that game. That's why it's best not to install it as I still have recurring thoughts about it. If I install it, the consequences will be dire and history's gonna repeat itself again.
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
3 Nov 10
Hi, You should ask yourself, is playing games more important or study is more important for yourself. By getting the answer,then only you will know which path to choose. Playing games is kinda of entertainment for your life and of course, you can play game during your leisure time,but you need to limit your time spending for the games. Don't forget that you are still studying and you need to concentrate more on your study in order to get best result and that 's determine your future. Playing games won't give you a good future at all. As long as you have strong determine to stop this habit of playing games and not make yourself addicted to it,I believe you sure can do it. Trust yourself and always think positively..and then only you will have better future in hand.
• Singapore
3 Nov 10
Thanks. I guess I was really addicted to it last time but ever since I changed my OS, I also deleted the game at the same time and now I'm not that addicted.
• Pamplona, Spain
8 Dec 10
Hiya Judge, You can get addicted to so many things really without realizing it even. I would put the game away out of sight where you don´t usually find it and concentrate on something else. It´s nice to have fun with Games of course it is but there has to be a line which you can draw and say up to here and that´s it. You can do it it only takes a bit of willpower and you will lose your interest in it by setting your mind on something else. Set your mind on your results now and in the future and know that you can recover your Marks in the Exams. Good luck now and in the future when you are graduated you can look back on it and smile.
@hotsht2 (71)
• United States
10 Nov 10
video games are fun and all, but to me it just sounds like you need something other then that to keep you busy, try finding a girl to take your mind off the games
• United States
3 Nov 10
I play an MMRPG game right now, enjoy the heck out of it, and sometimes am frustrated by my stats within the game, and do all the stuff that other people do that enjoy playing online games, including spending way to much time playing them. When I stood back and took a look at things I realized that one of the reasons I play the games is that it allows me to have control. At least more control over my situation than what I actually have control over in real life. I get to define what ever kind of personality or character without any criticism from anyone. I definitely have more money in the game in real life, and that is very comforting even it it's not real. And because of some of my perspective of myself within the game I can now control myself more by consciously asking myself do I want to accomplish real things in real life, or spend all my time accomplishing something that in the long run has no real meaning in life except to me alone. So, when I have the fee time, and want to relax and feel like at least there is something that I have control over, I can get a lot accomplished and don't have to worry about anything going wrong, etc, etc, then I sit down kick back, and enjoy some online game time. But when it's time to get stuff done then I get my stuff done. That's my take on things. Really, is it all worth allowing yourself to be tortured over? Take some time to think it all over and don't be to hard on yourself. You are already getting to the place where you know you have to do what you have to do, so have confidence in yourself, and don't let yourself talk yourself into shooting yourself in the foot. Don't regret, and don't look back. :)
• Singapore
4 Nov 10
Hi there stardrifter. After reading your advice, I feel a lot better. Thanks!
• India
3 Nov 10
If you are able to completely stop the gaming, you are definitely able to control the game play also, everything is needed in your life, you should play the game, but keep a schedule for that and don't get addicted. this is how you will be successful in your life. You will be proud of yourself playing the game at the same time scoring good marks.
@mhypie03 (683)
• Philippines
3 Nov 10
I can surely feel for you. 5 years ago I was an addicted online RPG gamer who plays day and night plus uses bot players for loots. My computer runs 24/7. Considering I am a girl who's been hooked to play computer games, I have found myself one of the boys since all of my guildmates are men. Money is much involved here, I need to top up every month and even buy other several expensive items to make my characters strong and competitive during matches. Then I shifted my game to an online shooting game called Special Force. LOL! Until I became an active member of a group that I voluntarily fasted for it to be stopped. I have not bee playing for almost 2 years now. I did some boring but cute farmvilling on Facebook but lasted a couple of months only. Now that I am working, I am more focused on business ventures and other money sites such as this. I guess as you grow older, your priorities really change.
• Philippines
3 Nov 10
you should learn to discipline yourself