Online Gaming on Jeremy Vine (Radio2)

[Zenith]

There's going to be a feature on Jeremy Vine's show on Radio2 today (12.00pm-2.00pm). He's talking about people who take online gaming to extremes.
The example being used is that chinese girl who died after spending 3 days straight playing WoW. Later after that, there was a virtual funeral in the game world for her.

They're inviting people to call into the show, but I reckon the lines will be chockablock solid engaged. From the tone of the teaser, there is the usual "who are these geeks?" mentality coming through.

What do other people think?

[Red Plague]

LOL

My girlfriend just rang me up (who knows I game but not which games) and asked do I play World of Warcraft?

Obviously her office is listening to Radio 2....

[RocketKnight]

It annoys me that they've mentioned the idea of restricting the amount of time people are allowed to play games. Just because a handful of people can't find the right balance between gaming and real world things like eating and attending work doesn't mean the rest of us need babysitting. The industry is predicted to be worth over $20 billion by 2007, millions of people the world over play these games and lead normal lives. And yet when one girl dies in an extreme example they're making it out to be dangerous? Its bordering on alarmist tabloid mentality.

What about alcohol? There are many more deaths each year related directly or indirectly to alcohol. Addiction to alcohol affects families and can prevent people going to work. And yet theres nothing to stop you going into Tesco and spending thousands of pounds on booze.

Also, for the millionth time on these forums, if kids are playing too much then obviously the parents are to blame. Any parent who doesn't know their child is playing games for over 50 hours a week needs a kick up the arse. I've yet to hear anyone mention the parents responsibility on this programme however.

[RocketKnight]

ROFL!! This woman is moaning because her kids are addicted to it and she can't get near the computer. She said something along the lines of:

"I wish there was some way of monitoring it, or limiting the time they are allowed to play."

Yes, if only there was some magical way of controlling children. OMG, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, ITS CALLED DISCIPLINE!!!

[wucan]

very annoyed by this programme !!!

But hay what do u expect its like that show with Richard & Judy
not researched anuff and people only putting one point of veiw across, nice bit at the end there with mr vine saying two negative comments from people phoing in Nice !!! got to love his style

[Boffykins]

I've just had a debate about it in the office too. FFS, WHY does society feel the need to try and force THEIR beliefs of what is the "correct" way to spend time on everyone else. It's stupid, we're big enough and ugly enough to look after ourselves, it's MY life not yours.

[Steadders]

You're right Alex, no body cares how many people die from smoking, it's socially accepted, but because your average Joe who watches the news and listens to BBC2 DOESN'T play computers, and hears of one death, suddenly it's the worst thing in the world.

If kids play to much, you say “right, no using the computer <parent takes power cord>”
“aww but mum”
“go play outside”

and after 3 minutes the kid has forgotten about the computer.

[King-Kodiak]

or

Kid plays outside for 3 minutes til mum has made a cup of tea

Kid pinches kettle power lead as it fits his machine

See? taking the power cord encourages stealing. Just let nature run its course, and the PC player to frag its enemy. Simple

[Andy^]

Its all about context I'd say. They're using the example of the girl who died from 3 days straight playing, but my bet is that they don't say anything about the countless hours of fun you get from ganking people on WoW ;)

Or the hardwork that goes into a sucessful MC hunt and the pride that comes with it.

They're probably just after bashing at MMORPG's not having a decent discussion.

-Andy

[Murray-Mint]

It's now available on BBCi. Click here to listen (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/networks/radio2/aod.shtml?radio2/r2_vine_wed). It starts at 38 minutes in.

[Flufball]

Tried to listen to it, but gave up when some woman decided WoW is a devil game started talking about it without even checking facts and making comments such as "I belive that WoW is the new version in the everquest series" (albeit with slightly differant wording, but that was the image I got from it).

I'm personaly not to keen on WoW myself, but I do find it annoying when something as harmless as WoW can be made out to be the work of the devil. I'm sure Jack Thompson will be making an appearance about it sometime soon.

[Jobabob]

She worded it more to say it was the latest in the genre of mmorpgs

The best bit is when someone phones in fighting dinos in ungoro, with speakers turned up for comedy effect :D

[Flufball]

Realy? Must've been the impression I got then....

[Er00]

Tbh, if people are stupid enough to sit constantly playing a game for 3 hours straight then they deserve to die.

Evolution in action!

[Ch3m1c4L]

Originally posted by Er00
Tbh, if people are stupid enough to sit constantly playing a game for 3 hours straight then they deserve to die.

Evolution in action!

you meant days didnt you?

i remember when i was much younger and my mum wouldnt let me sit playing all day on the megadrive, shed also not let me put it in my room as then id stay up all night playing and then be too tired for school, i disliked it but i accepted it as i knew that it was actually true.

ive managed to game for like 70 hours over 2 weeks, but is till had time to go out at the wkends and eat and sleep etc on those weeks BUT thats because i didnt have work on those weeks.

normally i game like 20 hours a week, and this is with a part time job and a social life, once my new full time job comes through ill have to cut down my gaming, not just stay up all wkend and cut out food/water/sleep for the benefit of my bf2 account :/

[HalOS]

Just wait until you can put a 'tax' on online gaming... then there'll be no restrictions

[pen]

Originally posted by King-Kodiak
or

Kid plays outside for 3 minutes til mum has made a cup of tea

Kid pinches kettle power lead as it fits his machine

See? taking the power cord encourages stealing. Just let nature run its course, and the PC player to frag its enemy. Simple

Or you could say it encourages problem solving thinking. ;)

[Cypher]

Originally posted by Er00
Tbh, if people are stupid enough to sit constantly playing a game for 3 hours straight then they deserve to die.


You mean days, right?

and I still think 3 days solid causing death isnt right... seeing as one weekish I played nonstop, on only 4 hours of sleep over 10 days... asides being seriously messed up at the end, I'm pretty sure im still alive. Stupid thing to do, probably, but who dosent have a time when they try to set themselves a record time at this or that :P

(Not much else to do when between jobs and all your pals are on holidays :S)

I'm sure 3 days without food, drink or sleep would make you ill..but not die :S
Imo, its just using games as the scape goat for yet another thing wrong.

(Like Manhunt was 'the reason' why some kid attacked and robbed another)

[Jobabob]

I get seriously bored after a few hours playing the same game, MC runs can get so tedious when they drag on longer than 3.

[t!mo]

Where was the virtual funeral held, scarlet monastery?

[Jobabob]

hopefully somewhere more appropriate, like lights hope chapel, on a pvp server

[Er00]

lol, yes, I meant days, if 3 hours could kill you then we'd all be in trouble!