In an interview with GameIndustry.biz Panorama producer and director Emeka Onono, explains why the BBC news program decided to tackle the subject of game addiction. While Onono claims that the program is not "anti-gaming," his comments to GI.biz do not sound game industry friendly.
"What we've said is there's a potential for things in games to be addictive," he explains to GamesIndustry.biz. "There is a potential there. And that's something that the industry's always doggedly denied. The fact is it's there and however small or large that possibility is it needs to be researched and acknowledged."
Onono also accuses a segment of the games industry of being "very defensive" on the issue of addiction:
"There have been some scientific studies which are suggesting there could be a problem. A small problem, but given the ubiquity of games a small problem could be a big problem in that there could be a serious underlying issue that needs to be looked at. That's what started off the investigation."
While the program, which GI.biz caught an early screening of, does show the worst of the worst when it comes to gaming addiction, it also reveals that many of the subjects highlighted in the show have underlying issues or personalities prone to addictive behavior. It also reveals that some of the parents in the program had little or no idea just what their children were doing online. Viewers will have to decide if the Panorama episode is fair to both sides of the issue.
You can catch the full interview with Emeka Onono on GI.Biz. The Panorama program airs tonight at 8:30 PM UK time on BBC One in the UK.
Comments
Re: Panorama Producer Defends Game Addiction Episode
You can't compare a "behavioral" addiction to a "chemical" addiction. Comparing WoW to drugs is just desperately sensational. If you want to make a fair comparison, then compare gaming addiction to gambling addiction, or food, or sex, or exercise addictions. The context of the entire discussion changes then, from the false accusation that games are a dangerous substance, to a more relevant discusssion on the psychological problems that lead to a behavioral addiction.
You don't say, "This otherwise healthy food is so delicious, maybe it's TOO good. It's making people with no self control fat, we'd better do a study about the dangers of tasty food."
Re: Panorama Producer Defends Game Addiction Episode
"There is a potential there. And that's something that the industry's always doggedly denied. The fact is it's there and however small or large that possibility is it needs to be researched and acknowledged."
There may be potential for addiction there, or there may not. But there's no factual basis showing it's there - and Lord knows, people have been trying to find it. If it's there, trust me, people will find it. But until it is found, it doesn't need to be acknowledged, because as things stand, it's a mere fantasy. To suggest that it's fact shows than Mr. Onono is confusing fantasy with fact and engaging in wishful thinking and bias.
When I lived in England, Panorama used to be better than that.
Re: Panorama Producer Defends Game Addiction Episode
While there may or may not be some form of addiction to games that people develop it is unlike chemical/drug addiction. Without direct action there is only so much any pleasurable activity can do to change the behavior of the user.
This kind of show panders and presents opinions and hearsay as scientific fact. It should be derided and dismissed.
Re: Panorama Producer Defends Game Addiction Episode
Can anyone who's seen this share their thoughts with those of us not in the UK?
Re: Panorama Producer Defends Game Addiction Episode
Well the fact that the first time they showed someone playing games they showed a man playing in the dark and there were lots of dramatic close up of eyes should tell you pretty much everything you need to know about the show...
http://www.popularculturegaming.com
Re: Panorama Producer Defends Game Addiction Episode
"Onono also accuses a segment of the games industry of being "very defensive" on the issue of addiction"
I'm not sure about that. Sceptical, yes. Defensive? I've yet to see it. Personally, I'm open to the suggestion that video games can be addictive, and the need for proper research. What I object to is the suggestion that games are similar to alcohol or drugs, as has been suggested by numerous hacks.
The episode is on in 5 minutes, I'll be sure to catch it.
Re: Panorama Producer Defends Game Addiction Episode
I've also noticed when it comes to "addiction," they don't give it a very good definition. How about people who watch BBC religiously and endlessly. Does that make TV addicting? People tend to scoff at couch potatoes, and roll their eyes when the issue comes up. Is TV addiction a problem?
TV rots the brain, and Panorama's proof. But I don't see anyone freaking out about it...except Oompa Loompas...
Re: Panorama Producer Defends Game Addiction Episode
There's also a possibility that the world could end tomorrow but I don't think they will have an episode devoted to that any time soon.
Just because something is possible doesn't mean it is likely.
http://www.popularculturegaming.com
Re: Panorama Producer Defends Game Addiction Episode
the discovery/history channels have shows like that all the time now.