Man gaming detox sucks. Been "sober" from gaming for almost 4 months. The temptations are no joke y'all. I gamed to escape from reality all of my life. I grew up in a dysfunctional household and Nintendo changed the course of my life forever, starting with Zelda and Ninja Gaiden. Man what a rabbit hole it has been. And all these years I thought my other addictions were the problem... Booze, porn, control, codependency. My wife gave me an ultimatum 4 months ago .. Video games or divorce. What a wake up.
temptations never really go away but you just need to keep expanding your life beyond them! this video on nostalgia might help: ruclips.net/video/JBJeuyo8p_s/видео.html
Go travel if you can afford it Spending days all-out to discover new places and see new things will help you tremendously to forget about games and enjoy life. Stay strong and good luck. You can do it.
Good luck to you man, my wife has not given me an ultimatum but I'm over 35 with wife, kid, dog, job and need to reduce or eliminate my gaming addiction. We spent 20+ years on gaming, we can spend 20+ more doing better things with our lives!
I believe this is an important distinction. If you do not identify which type of gamer you are, then it will be more difficult to quit or reduce usage because you do not understand WHY you game or what environments cause you to trigger the desire to game (you have gone over the latter extensively). Going through the process of the 90 day detox, I discovered that I was always a recreational gamer and a social gamer, however I would spend a large amount of time gaming instead of short amount of time as you laid out in your explanation of the types. I had to stop talking to my gaming friends in this detox. I had to enjoy other recreational activities such as reading and watching informative non-gaming RUclips videos. I believe each kind of gamer has a different reasons to quit and that it would also help to understand the motivation for gaming and which would help to solve the problem. I wanted to quit because I wanted to do other more beneficial activities and hobbies, such has reading. I thought that maybe I don't want to game, maybe I just play for the sake of playing and killing time. An example for a social gamer is they want to quit because the gaming community can be toxic and they need to stop playing. I think it would be cool Cam if you did a video of going through each type of gamer, identifying why they probably want to quit, and how to quit.
the type of gamer will inform what you should focus on first - so for e.g. if you're an escaper you need new coping strategies whereas if you're social you need to find new social outlets first. I will do more videos on gamer types for sure, we have big plans for this coming!
Just like drugs alcohol and other addictive things if you don't know how to deal with gaming and it's a negative thing in your life the best thing to do is quit.
I feel as if I am a combination of social and escaper. I know that I have a relatively low self esteem, and it often affects how I think about myself and my performance in classes. At the same time, from the social gamer aspect, I play video games to hang out with my friends, as we all have conflicting schedules. I know that I play video games too much, and have even seen shift in my day to day activities. I use to read more often than game, and talk with people more often, I don't hesitate to say I was a social butterfly. This was a very educational video, even if it was brief. I have been working to not game as much, and have been looking to find different outlets for my time, such as getting back into reading.
I honestly think that I'm a "Hardcore Gamer". Like 90+% of my time has been spent in gaming just to "Escape" from real life problems. Sometimes I even feel the need that I have to get really good at a game, like it isn't even an option, I HAVE TO BE GOOD AT THE GAME... Even if it means cheating, breaking the game (Probably with game bugs), hacking/modding game files, etc. The thing is that I need to win no matter what, in order to feel good about myself somehow I guess... I think that's gotta be my low self-esteem acting up. To be honest I sometimes wish that I just vanish from this world, only to be tranfer to the "Gaming World" and live there forever. I feel like I don't belong anywhere in life, and the only thing I'm "good" at is video games. Aside from games, I also have another addiction. When I first discover this "Online World" basically called the "Internet" I was obsessed with it. I have also spent a LOT of time in the web... I feel like I can spend the same or even more of the among of time I spend in playing video games, in the web (Internet). If ANYONE, and I mean ANYONE knows how can I recover from this addiction, just leave some suggestions/advices for how can I change my routine. I feel like I have a LOTTTTTT more to talk, but I'm just gonna leave it there... Any help will be appreciated.
I relate to it a lot back when my gaming was a big problem. Focusing on building more self/esteem helped a lot. Nathanial Branden has a good book The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem you might find helpful
I'm the escaper. When I install any of good RPG (it is my truly weakness, like Skyrim or Witcher or Mass Effect) I think I will play in moderation, couple hours during the weekend, but it never works. It always ends up me playing all the evenings and all the weekends and i just can't stop thinking about the game I currently play and try to deal as quickly as possible with all other tasks and play more. This cost me couple very promising opportunities in my life, I just lose them. The only way out from that for me is to uninstall the game and, for sure, delete your save and lose your progress, so you can't return easily. After about a week, I stop to recall good and fun moments (and there are a lot of them, those games are really the masterpieces) and become able to continue to work and live my usual life. So, I think, for the escaper like me, it is the only way: keep out from such immersive games and search fun in real life, outside of the computer.
Hello, your words have resonated in my soul! I feel like that too. When I have the desire to escape, something like World of Warcraft pops up in my head, I think about some locations, about how cool and good it is there, unlike mine is lol. that's why I was starting my characters over and over again so many times, just to feel the process, to be there and not here. That's why I like not to achieve some platinum rank in LOL but to have a lot of skins or mounts in wow to have a collection which I have no in real world. Wow
I am the happy gamer who enjoys it as a lifestyle and who loves gaming. I can enjoy any other fun activities, especially with friends, but I love gaming the most and it is always fun. I was never bored in my life when I got to my PC, there is always something fun to play and I am not an escaper or addict or something, I can be without gaming for weeks, like at the beach etc. Still, when I get back to my games, I am home :)
I have been an Escaper for over 15 years, quit playing video games about 3-4 days ago. I spent 2 years of my life without any internet or gaming consoles during the ages 18-20, those were great years, where I made a lot of progress with myself. I read countless books, detoxed from pornography (unintentionally) and lost over 70lbs of excess weight (I biked then ran and lifted weights/calisthentics). I am 27 now and have since sunken back down - worsening by the year as I have come back into the clutches of the internet. For the last 7 years of my life I have struggled with gaming addiction as well as PMO, and have gained basically all that weight back and to top it off have really bad issues with my posture due to prolonged periods in very bad positions while gaming. That is just the addiction and the physical aspects of the equation, my mental health has taken such a toll too as of this year. I have suffered numerous panic attacks so far in 2020, the worst of it around late January and early Febuary. I have good things in my life, but these things still plague me. I am most definitely an Escaper because I cannot, for the life of me, achieve a damned thing in games, lol. I just love character design and roleplay, and the IDEA of socializing - though I do not socialize very much within them. I have mostly enjoyed creating some form of character that I identify with and then attempt to reach some form of arbitrary goal that would see to it that the character is functioning within it's intended design, if that makes sense. Like creating an illusion of myself in a virtual world so that if others were to have seen it (IF they see it) it would be something that might look better than what I am currently offering in real life. Silly as hell, right? This is how I know I am an Escaper. Either way, I have quit games, and it makes other addictions so much more difficult to tackle, and I guess I just wanted to let this all out. This is weird. I am wondering, however...how might I successfully purge myself of these carnal desires if I suffer from hypochondria, and have postural issues that might incur injury if I am physically active? I hate the fact that this floats through my mind and is a fear, but not something that I know. Would I actually end up injured if I ran? Would it exacerbate what is wrong with me or alleviate it? No, I cannot afford any medical bills and I have no insurance. I am already in debt, lol. I just wish I could gain some clear insight into what approach would actually be beneficial and would result in a restoration of my health, because for all that is holy, I cannot actually commit to any course of action unless I fully believe in its potentiality for a positive result. Every step I take I end up giving up on because what might lay beyond it is unknown. That is my struggle, I suppose. Am I Sisyphus rolling a boulder up a hill? Will that boulder be my undoing or will it free me? Either way, does it have some inherent meaning attached to it? Will I ever be free of this prison? Lol whoever reads this, kudos. I am sure you are just as lost as I, but it's entertaining to write this all, and hopefully it is as equally entertaining to read. God bless.
@@Justpassingby204 I am doing a thousand and one times better! I started gaming again and I still enjoy the roleplay aspects of it a lot, however I do not indulge in it as much as before and worship it over other aspects of my life (using it purely for escape). I married and moved outside the U.S. and have a job I actually enjoy and my body is no longer crippled by the lack of activity, I pushed myself beyond my confort zone - physically and found out that I am perfectly fine. I can run, lift weights, and be active without breaking anything, lol. My mind is no longer crippled by the anxiety and depression as well. I just had to put focus into other aspects of my life rather than into an unhealthy relationship with gaming. I find it hard to forever quit games, because they have such possibility for story and unique experiences that you cannot get any other way. For example, I'll never be able to colonize another planet and manage that colony under threat of alien invasion or something in real life, but it is super fun to experience that fantasy. You just can't make that be YOUR REALITY. Enjoy it in stride and let your outside life have priority when neccessary. Live in accordance to what you truly desire, and with me I must balance my reality and fantasies. If not video games it would be movies/shows, if not those it would be books. I find movies/shows and books actually fall short because they lack an interactice component, so to me they are actually less productive and stimulating, video games require input on your part to effect outcomes which turn into a mental exercise that can be healthy. unless of course non-fiction books/documentaries are what you watch, that information can be useful of course. All in all you can live a great life without video games at all. But with them you might not. You have to find whether quitting them entirely or only temporary and or controlling your usage of them is truly in your best interest. For now I enjoy work, and then coming home to some fantasy.
I'm exactly just like you. Quit playing for one week but every day now I looking for a reason to play. It's hard but hopefully now I'm stronger and wiser.
I want to thank you and the community real quick. Can’t remember if i read a comment or the quote came from a video but I remember very clearly “you aren’t bored, you are boring” since that day I don’t play long sessions because there’s nothing else to do. I used to play so much league it screwed up my grades real bad, and I felt depressed because life was so stale. Felt like I pressed fast forward and my life skipped 5 years. Now i put a lot of focus on my friends, family, volleyball team, and my band and this is the best I have felt in a long time. I never “stopped officially” playing but I don’t find it fun, i probably don’t play as much because I have better things to do. And that what I wanted to share, fill up your schedule with your real passions and you won’t have any time for these games. Good luck to anyone trying to cut this toxic relationship out of your life, this community is your support and you can be satisfied with real life its so much brighter. Thanks again Cam and game quitters!
Hey thanks for sharing. That concept of you’re not bored, you’re boring was so powerful in my life also. So glad to hear it’s been such in your life too. You’ve applied it and put in the work, so I hope you take a moment to be proud of yourself. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
100% achiever Like dude, when I think about making a big factory in Factorio (A game about making a factories) I feel warm in heart, I feel like I'm blushing and I want to cry out of happiness
I don’t want to really quit games, but I wanna moderate my time from basically pouring all my free time to games to a few hours per week. (But I lack self-control) Maybe you could recommend me some books on self-control? I have been free from games for like one months, however i’ve dumped more time on youtube watching games and other materials
I can give you some advice based on my own experience. We humans have a strong sense of community. I think that's a strong factor why people play so much: they feel part of the gaming community, specially if they play online (you make friends, belong to guilds, look up to other gamers, etc). I understand that it's thought to have self-control. But let's face it: sometimes it's just impossible. So you have to trick your own mind into playing less. One option is to use the human need of belonging to your advantage. The first step is to think about something you'd enjoy doing in your free time besides gaming. The second step is not only start doing it, but also looking for a community that enjoys that activity as well. Ideally you'd meet people in real life, but an online community might work as well (look for a forum, website, etc). It could be coding, drawing, reading science fiction, sports, anything. Do your research and find good RUclipsrs/bloggers/writers. Find People who are great at the activity so you have someone to look up to. Read about the history of the activity. Go to real life meetings when possible. Basically, get immersed in the community. That will help you a lot. It is much easier to start doing something when you know you are not alone. I hope it helps.
I haven't played games in 98 days; to be honest I would take a 90-day break and treat youtube and games as a reward for accomplishing an actual goal. I would read the book Atomic Habits by James Clear as it addresses your problem a bit. Also, I would not play multiplayer games without friends because that turns into a huge time sink.
"The Escaper" tends to be from some sort of trauma from childhood... I am "The Hardcore Gamer" (glad I continued the video before solidifying this comment). I hate that I am addicted to gaming, overall, even just to play "here and there." There is no real "play here and there" for me. Thank you for this video.
It’s a very interesting way to distinguish gamers ! I’ve found myself to move from the hardcore several years ago, to quickly adjust to just ‘the escaper’ and now really just as a ‘recreational’ with some times when the escape is tempting. Overall, I feel like the escape is fine too as long as it’s controlled / assumed : I am usually aware now that I need the immersion to set my mind on something else for instance.
Im something between social and achiever. I mostly play because I like speaking to people that have same interests as me but I also like to be better at game that we are playing.
I am heavily invest in Whiteout Survival as a social gamer. I was dumped thinking it was a gathering game lol. I dislike war games in general but the alliance collaborative play is particularly addictive for me. I am the alliance leader and feel obligated to helping my team to the point I spend excessive amount of time checking in, chatting, and teaching. I love creating a supportive community and getting to know everyone
Very helpful video. I'm not looking to quit making but I do want to have more control over how I spend my time. I'd identify myself as a recreational/social gamer but i it's scary how close I am to become an escaper.
Gaming for recreation vs. gaming to escape is how you will keep it from being a problem. Important to have other coping strategies for natural stress that occurs in life. 🙌🏼
Some months ago I was fine, focused on sports and studies and gaming was only a fun hobbie to do some few hours per week. The quarentine came out and all gyms are closed for a very long time, in home I just started to eat like hell and playing like there's no tomorrow. I think I've already got 10Kg on these months and hell there's no motivation to do something productive. So good to have people concerned about this problem that is so underrated
Being an escaper and an "aspirational social" gamer, I get frustrated with playing, and only do so because I think I "ought" to improve at it. The rationals are many: "you need to fit in," "you're improving your hand-eye coordination" "you actually like it (which I don't; it's just a habit. It's mind-numbingly boring)".
I am totally an achiever. The dopamine hit I get from winning and achieving in games (especially strategy games) is like a fix that my brain needs to function normally when I'm not playing. I've gotten to where, when my mind is working okay, I only have to play 1 in 3 days if I exercise a lot of self control, but when I'm clinically depressed, it is hard not to play every day for at least a couple hours.
I'd say i'm a combination of 2 and 4 in regards to wanting to improve in games i play without going too try hard about it as well as to chat with friends and just have fun and enjoyment.
Was a hardcore gamer back as a young just turned teenager but evolved into the recreational ever since i was hired for my first job and had more focus towards my ambitions than games and TV.
Blessings to you and what you do Cam & GQ team. I am a legal adult and Escaper Gamer type has been most dominant through my life for sanity escaping parents that yelled at each other multiple times a day, yelled at me, beat me, put me down, harass me - all which they still do except beatings yet he tries to be intimidating still. Went to a lot of counseling for all that, sad state of affairs I moved in with them again but had nowhere else to go. I evolved more and more into a hardcore gamer as time passed as I got bored of the same games. I am not a religious man but an old Hawaiian prayer I have been using as meditation called Ho'oponopono has been helping me to get by more and more without the games - it is very short and simple look it up. Basically it is shedding my reactions of ego and negativity, bringing me peace my mind has not known even numbing for decades as an Escapist Gamer. Before this I have detoxed 90 twice, Hoping to beat escapism soon and be game free for life. I think added meditations like this may serve to turn things around. - j3
Hey I am a medical student, struggling with gaming addiction for 5-6 years (world of warcraft, league of legends , teamfight tactics, hearthstone) . I never really knew why I got into medical school. I was "smart" and with little effort I managed to do so. All I was thinking was " I want to help other people" but till today I hadn't really found which is that way. I managed to quit games for good for 2 months, i was dedicated to that. Then a good friend of mine , also a med student, who is also struggling with gaming addiction, little by little got me back to gaming, not on purpose of course. That's because we had built our relationship around gaming, that was the main thing we had in common and me quitting gaming was just not right for him. So I was rewarding myself for not playing games anymore with little hours a week of gaming so that we spend some more time together.Of course I can't deny I liked playing, I will always like playing, but I just can't handle it. Slowly but surely I managed to return back to my old habits for another 2 months. I only recently realized that I had relapsed back to gaming so here I am, watching your videos! I really wanna thank you , cause besides helping me realise some things that I hadn't even thought of or even discussed with my psychotherapist you also helped me give a direction to my medical journey and something to long for while I study. Thanks again and keep up the great work! Love from Greece.
I think I'm the achiever. I don't game to escape real life, I actually want to do more real life things. I have no control over my gaming habits and typically play to reach goals within the game. I recently improved myself a lot while keeping gaming around, so I have a high self esteem. I've tried quitting gaming a few times but end up telling myself that I just need to cut down. In the end I always end up going back to being addicted. I feel very strange inside, I would really like to play the new games coming out soon but I also want to improve my programming skills and work on myself. It's the hardest self conflict I've ever had. I still don't know if gaming is definitively good or bad, I wish there was a source that looked at it objectively so I could understand what to do with myself.
Game Quitters To get there I took for years an extreme approach: Allowing myself to play as much as I wanted, any game I wanted. That way, I would get to the root of it (and I ultimately did): Getting sick of it, cause it ultimately doesn’t satisfy me. It doesn’t give you purpose. It’s easy and empty pleasure, and it takes away any motivation to do other stuff in life. This approach may not be for everybody, but I thought it was better than just stop playing because of guilt, responsibilities, etc...That only builds frustration (a man has to Play), and you grow old still carrying that temptation. Now I know is better mastering myself than mastering a game. Just my 2 cents.
recreational gamer.. I do enjoy collecting video games.. I stop playing video games when I'm busy in a way that it will not ruin my daily life LOL!!! this is a great video thanks for sharing..
Its hard to identify myself with any of them, i guess recreational gamer is the closest, but when my life gets stressful i definitely use it as an escape... And while i have low self esteem, I'd attribute that to my autism rather than gaming.
@@GameQuitters it's a bit hard to answer that question, mostly because my situation is so different from most people, because of my autism i "shut down" when put under pressure, and i can't get a job because of it, so i have too much free time, and not enough money for most hobbies. gaming is relatively cheap, there isn't much in costs for extra materials, after getting a pc and games. and i need to stay busy to focus my mind, for autistic people it's common to never stop thinking, i literally can't meditate or do mindfulness, because my brain is overactive.
well...i think the achiever kinda matches me. i mean...i like to play games, but if i am not good at it i get frustrated and stop playing...and because i am the one who is the " i want to be the best at everything i do " kind of person, i continue playing...but when i think i am good at something, i stop playing it, because i feel like there is no challenge...so it is kinda like getting better at a game to stop playing it...
I wanted to share my story here: When I was 7 years, I play games and I did enjoy it and asking for my parent's permission to play my computer. When I reached 12 years, I played games more than I expected and then my father took away my desktop. I realised that I had a hard time to control myself. That is when my gaming disorder turned to contamination OCD after I was mentally weak. My parents threw harsh words for my illness and then I suffered a lots of depression. Now that I am actively good at fitness, I quitted computer gaming and sold my gaming laptop ☹️. My grandpa thought I was so obsessed at fitness and will study fitness medicine but I don't do this for that. I have been suffering with Contamination OCD for 3 years but my life is still fine as I get stronger.
I didn't really find my type of gamer in the list. I guess it's a type of immersion combined with recreational and escape? A lot of times I find myself craving a certain game to 'scratch an itch'. The form that itch takes in my mind is that of a specific, mostly aesthetic scene, for example a fight between two swordsmen with clanking armor. I often feel the need to game because I want to see and make certain things happen that I find interesting and cool to look at. It's similar to wanting to see a certain movie, like when you really crave a war movie or maybe a dark horror. The reason games have the edge over movies for me, is the interactivity that is absent in the former. I want to use these impulses which probably stem from a creative passion for meaningful aesthetics, to take up drawing and painting istead of the easy fulfillment from gaming. I don't have a low self esteem or social/family problems btw, so I really don't know where I could fit into the gaming list you showed us.
i am not a hard core gamer because i want to escape or anything like that i just like having a nice game community and being the very best at what i do in the game 😆
I identify myself as an "escaper". I don't play a lot but I feel the need to play to not thinking to much about my miserable social life. I sometime have the delusion that gaming can cure my depression. By playing game when I can be understanding. Game with a strong story or where I can identify myself to the character. Like life is strange, king's quest, catherine, breath of the wild. Now It's been 2 week without gaming but I don't know if I should stop defintitely because I grew up with that and I feel even more akward and depressing without any little sessions..
For me, it's a bit of a mix between recreational/casual gaming and escapism... I have low self-esteem aswell and just enjoys having a good time when I play a singleplayer game.
I think I'm a combination of all of these except the hardcore gamer. When ever I buy a game it's just because I want to play it with my friends or just for fun.
I think I'm a combination of a recreational/achiever. I enjoy the fun aspects of a game and used to enjoy cheats (which are almost non-existent now), but when I really like a game I tend to try to achieve everything I can until the game gets too difficult or the time investment doesn't feel worth it. I'm not enough of a role player to be a hardcore gamer. I enjoy being immersed in a world or with great gameplay, but I probably couldn't tell you a thing about the story of a game or what's been happening to my character.
Any help with 5) please? :) Interesting is the time development: 1) I was playing for fun and because everyone was doing it (recreation and social) 2) Wanted to become better than friends and be pro and succesfully achieved that (achiever) 3) Realized game achievements mean nothing in real life, you cant impress a girl with them :D. I was ashamed of playing and not achieving real goals, but couldnt stop. (escaper) 4) Quit for ~ 1,5 year 5) Recently my friends talk me round to download and play with them during Christmas. After that I can not get rid of urges to play more and try all the new things from updates, new meta... (curiosity gamer)
MrWnw 1-4 sounds like my story. Funny enough, being a female hardcore gamer those achievements never impressed even me. They are quite pointless long term. I would only play games again if I’m sure of my self-discipline, self-esteem, and having my life in balance, and also that it’s not gonna negatively influence any of the important things in my life. I suggest thinking once about all the consequences, but thoroughly, be honest about your behavior to yourself, weight pros and cons of that activity in your life. Every time you’re about to play remind yourself about the cons, and ask yourself if it’s really worth it to play, and listen to yourself, do as you think is right for you.
@@minntzu Thank you for sharing. It has extra value since you see it from both sides. And the tip is priceless too. I am happy, that you managed your life. have fun ;)
Thanks, Cam! This actually helps a lot. I think most people on GameQuitters are escapers/hardcore gamers and I've always felt like I was different, because their problems didn't resonate with mine. Now it makes sense, because I'm 100% an achiever gamer. The question is: how does addiction recovery differ for each type? Typical GameQuitters advice like "get a hobby" and "get away from your gamer friends" doesn't work for me because that's not what I'm struggling with.
I'll have more content on types -> strategies soon but the basics are depending on your type you should focus on that as your recovery plan, so for example if you game to escape find new coping strategies whereas if you game to socialize you need to find new social outlets first.
Great video Cam! I fall into the recreational gamer of the spectrum. I can give myself permission to play VG as an award or hobby after my work/goals are completed. I value reality more and don’t need games to satisfy all my needs. I’ve been in recovery from porn and alcohol addiction for 4.5 months, striving strong and sober. These addiction def were my form of escapism from reality. I’ve in the process of transitioning myself back into media I like to consume and conscious on it. Books have been my fav, as I find it trigger free for my subconscious and makes life a RPG for me. Keep up Cam and love the work you’re doing!
Hardcore gamer here... I want to get where I can just play casually and appreciate games as an art form, rather than sinking all my time into them going for achievements or completion.
I was/am a hardcore for 40 years, not joking. I can safely say that gaming cost me my future, in the form of lost opportunities. I still struggle with quitting to this day. My fingers are crossed in the hopes that I have quit for good. It sickens me to think of all the time I have wasted on playing video games.
@@GameQuitters I would like to but your API for Facebook signups is broken. I have tired to signup with my email, but your "security check to prevent automated programs" will not let me pass even though I have the correct answers.
I quit like 2 years ago but recently i fall back into playing its been a tough week starting to cut myself from gaming again...just wanted to say that somewhere without being judged anyways...
I think there’s overlap between all 5 types, I kinda see myself as a hardcore escaper. I’ve quit gaming several times for long stretches of time, but always end up coming back. The pay2win permadeath real life grindfest just isn’t for me. Plus I got the severe depression + ADD hard mode enabled. I appreciate your channel though, it helps.
When im not doing something meaningful with my life its a 40-40-20 mix of escaper, hardcore and achiever. When i am doing something meaningful it is mostly recreational and borderline achiever.
None of these types match me, actually. Hardcore gamer is somewhat close, encompassing the social, competitive, discovery and achievement traits. However, I feel like I have a reasonably high self-esteem when it comes to games, and the part about defining my identity through games really doesn't do it for me. Like, I'd definitely put "gamer" in my bio, but that's where it ends unless you proceed to ask me about particular games.
I'm not really sure what category best describes me, I guess recreational but I do game rather heavily. I'm a low self-esteem low impulsive, and I have a fairly good life I'm working hard at with a solid career, friends and family life, a soon-to-be fiancee, so I'm by no means a prisoner to gaming. However, I am very easily bored by most other common forms of leisure and find a much better entertainment and relaxation value out of the interactivity of video games as well as it being a nice creative outlet when it features a lot of customization/creation/building elements.
Im 100% achiever xD would be cool it i could achieve a little bit more in the real life. Yeah the feeling of progression really does it for me. I think video games give you some purpose that the real life just doesnt provide that well. I mean i workout and im pretty good at guitar, thats pretty nice, but there is nothing that gives you a real purpose (because in the end there isnt anything with meaning). And video games are probably the best at giving you an illusion of purpose.
If I ever play a game with a really good story to it, I get hooked. If I'm ever hooked, I start missing out and focusing on other priorities much less. It honestly becomes hell. I hate video games and I wish they never existed.
@@GameQuitters He's not wrong either. I play like a hardcore gamer but in the end, I'm just a Social Recreational Gamer. There are other hobbies that I want do. So it's not a bad thing.
I'd say I'm semi-all. I play for all of these reasons at different points, but all ways make shur life comes first, and I've never tried to replace my life with gaming. But if I did have to pic a single category of probly say recreation as I do see gaming more as a hoby then anything else.
i definately fit into a mix of achiever and escapism however my case is more thing that can't be fixed and helps me feel a little better as a disabled person with Nueropathy below the age of 40. I grew up in the Nintendo Era I have never lived in a world that did not have video games so for me its just what I know and what I enjoy. and yes it helps me feel less depressed but thats not problematic this is nuerotypical points of views which are often ignorant of mental health and our needs.
I would be quite more miserable and depressed if i did not game to help boost my moods and joy in life as a disabled person. And when the problem that has you down is 1 there is litterally nothing you can do to fix escapism and cheering self up in an unfixable situation is the best possible option.
I am definitely the achiever, and I definitely have been the escaper especially when I had more problems in my life. I never liked multiplayers and I always loved those exciting worlds in those single player games. I still love that adrenaline, finding the perfect way to assassin the target, I watch and listen to every single dialogue. I like stories. Hitman, Modern Warfare..I am an anxious person like my mother. Now I ended up in Germany, abroad, away from family and friends, in a small reserved town, boring job and boring life. It’s been 3 months that I sold my ps4 pro, we are in quarantine and I am mindlessly watching RUclips videos and porn, playing chess and sudoku. I never relax my brain. Can’t calm, cant enjoy without some stimulant. Am I adrenaline addict?? I probably am. Did I do the right thing selling the PS? I have no idea.
@@GameQuitters thank you :) Is there a way to not to be afraid of dull activities without needing to be stimulated? How do you vacuum clean your apartment? Is it normal that I need to be listening to some documentary video about sharks when I am cleaning the apartment ? Is there a way to completely shut down the thoughts and be in the present and embrace the boredom?
How about the competition seeker, that's learning about progess and mind states to apply them somewhere else like sports or work? For me it's "The 'Achiever'" training Touch typing, dexterity and managing team play. Started out as a recreational gamer then changed to social gamer after that I became the Hardcore gamer. After I was the hardcore/escaper I found out about addiction and went back to be The Achiever that build skills not trophy's while doing more sports than gaming! If I do game more than 2 hours a week now that's alot, in the past 60 hours a week was normal..
@@GameQuitters The progress in games is tempoary since games die, progress irl is actually usefull especialy with sports and skills like typing. Also the understanding that instant good times brings hard times later, hard work now brings good times later.
If you use games to escape your problems you are going to become addicted. That goes for most addictions outside of drugs and alcohol. I play games a lot but I play because I like to. I played sports in highschool and I going with friends. If you get addicted to games you have a weak mindset. But honestly I would other have people get addicted to gaming than to something a lot more harmful
I am the wife of a hardcore gamer. :( I would share this with him, but he doesn't think it would apply to him. I have bugged him enough about his gaming that he wants to separate and plans to go meet some of his chat friends. Men and/or women.... Knowing I cannot change anyone's behavior but my own, I try to keep my mouth shut. I have even tried to learn to play so I can play with him, but I am not good enough so he doesn't like for me to join. lol sadly, we have two daughters, and one has the same tendencies, just with the computer instead of the PS4. :( I truly appreciate the information in this video. It helped me understand what my hubz gets out of this. Thank you.
I was a husband like you said and my wife and I fought a lot because this, then she started to accept me like I was but now I am not gaming anymore and now we are living better. I hope ur husband could see how bad gaming is for ur family. If I were you, I don't know if I could living whit him how you say what he has been doing.
When person plays video game, he will lose the ability to think and observe the surrounding or in other word extreme distraction. According to report of WH, if you read the report, It shows that our minds will think that game is real and will move in every step in the game, so after finish playing, you already consume all your intellectual power instead of using it in the real life especially with these high resolution games.
I was the hardcore gamer until I quit almost 2 years ago now
Great job :)
Congrats
Man gaming detox sucks. Been "sober" from gaming for almost 4 months. The temptations are no joke y'all. I gamed to escape from reality all of my life. I grew up in a dysfunctional household and Nintendo changed the course of my life forever, starting with Zelda and Ninja Gaiden. Man what a rabbit hole it has been. And all these years I thought my other addictions were the problem... Booze, porn, control, codependency. My wife gave me an ultimatum 4 months ago .. Video games or divorce. What a wake up.
temptations never really go away but you just need to keep expanding your life beyond them! this video on nostalgia might help: ruclips.net/video/JBJeuyo8p_s/видео.html
Go travel if you can afford it
Spending days all-out to discover new places and see new things will help you tremendously to forget about games and enjoy life.
Stay strong and good luck. You can do it.
Good luck to you man, my wife has not given me an ultimatum but I'm over 35 with wife, kid, dog, job and need to reduce or eliminate my gaming addiction.
We spent 20+ years on gaming, we can spend 20+ more doing better things with our lives!
I believe this is an important distinction. If you do not identify which type of gamer you are, then it will be more difficult to quit or reduce usage because you do not understand WHY you game or what environments cause you to trigger the desire to game (you have gone over the latter extensively). Going through the process of the 90 day detox, I discovered that I was always a recreational gamer and a social gamer, however I would spend a large amount of time gaming instead of short amount of time as you laid out in your explanation of the types. I had to stop talking to my gaming friends in this detox. I had to enjoy other recreational activities such as reading and watching informative non-gaming RUclips videos. I believe each kind of gamer has a different reasons to quit and that it would also help to understand the motivation for gaming and which would help to solve the problem. I wanted to quit because I wanted to do other more beneficial activities and hobbies, such has reading. I thought that maybe I don't want to game, maybe I just play for the sake of playing and killing time. An example for a social gamer is they want to quit because the gaming community can be toxic and they need to stop playing. I think it would be cool Cam if you did a video of going through each type of gamer, identifying why they probably want to quit, and how to quit.
the type of gamer will inform what you should focus on first - so for e.g. if you're an escaper you need new coping strategies whereas if you're social you need to find new social outlets first. I will do more videos on gamer types for sure, we have big plans for this coming!
Used to be a combination of a social and an escaper. I quit 4 years ago, best decision of my life. Thank you Cam! -Rem
Good to hear from you bro!
Boring
Wdym thats his opinion fandomsaddic
@@Fandomsaddict wtf bro
Just like drugs alcohol and other addictive things if you don't know how to deal with gaming and it's a negative thing in your life the best thing to do is quit.
I feel as if I am a combination of social and escaper. I know that I have a relatively low self esteem, and it often affects how I think about myself and my performance in classes. At the same time, from the social gamer aspect, I play video games to hang out with my friends, as we all have conflicting schedules. I know that I play video games too much, and have even seen shift in my day to day activities. I use to read more often than game, and talk with people more often, I don't hesitate to say I was a social butterfly.
This was a very educational video, even if it was brief. I have been working to not game as much, and have been looking to find different outlets for my time, such as getting back into reading.
Will do more videos to expand on this one soon! Thanks for the feedback 🙏🏼
I honestly think that I'm a "Hardcore Gamer". Like 90+% of my time has been spent in gaming just to "Escape" from real life problems. Sometimes I even feel the need that I have to get really good at a game, like it isn't even an option, I HAVE TO BE GOOD AT THE GAME... Even if it means cheating, breaking the game (Probably with game bugs), hacking/modding game files, etc. The thing is that I need to win no matter what, in order to feel good about myself somehow I guess... I think that's gotta be my low self-esteem acting up. To be honest I sometimes wish that I just vanish from this world, only to be tranfer to the "Gaming World" and live there forever. I feel like I don't belong anywhere in life, and the only thing I'm "good" at is video games. Aside from games, I also have another addiction. When I first discover this "Online World" basically called the "Internet" I was obsessed with it. I have also spent a LOT of time in the web... I feel like I can spend the same or even more of the among of time I spend in playing video games, in the web (Internet). If ANYONE, and I mean ANYONE knows how can I recover from this addiction, just leave some suggestions/advices for how can I change my routine. I feel like I have a LOTTTTTT more to talk, but I'm just gonna leave it there... Any help will be appreciated.
I relate to it a lot back when my gaming was a big problem. Focusing on building more self/esteem helped a lot. Nathanial Branden has a good book The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem you might find helpful
I am a recreational and social. used to kinda be escapist but my impulse to do it kinda went away over time and now I do it because it is fun
I'm the escaper. When I install any of good RPG (it is my truly weakness, like Skyrim or Witcher or Mass Effect) I think I will play in moderation, couple hours during the weekend, but it never works. It always ends up me playing all the evenings and all the weekends and i just can't stop thinking about the game I currently play and try to deal as quickly as possible with all other tasks and play more. This cost me couple very promising opportunities in my life, I just lose them. The only way out from that for me is to uninstall the game and, for sure, delete your save and lose your progress, so you can't return easily. After about a week, I stop to recall good and fun moments (and there are a lot of them, those games are really the masterpieces) and become able to continue to work and live my usual life.
So, I think, for the escaper like me, it is the only way: keep out from such immersive games and search fun in real life, outside of the computer.
absolutely
Hello, your words have resonated in my soul! I feel like that too. When I have the desire to escape, something like World of Warcraft pops up in my head, I think about some locations, about how cool and good it is there, unlike mine is lol. that's why I was starting my characters over and over again so many times, just to feel the process, to be there and not here. That's why I like not to achieve some platinum rank in LOL but to have a lot of skins or mounts in wow to have a collection which I have no in real world. Wow
@@oxanazhukova6474 привет) и как ты справляешься с этим?
I am the happy gamer who enjoys it as a lifestyle and who loves gaming. I can enjoy any other fun activities, especially with friends, but I love gaming the most and it is always fun. I was never bored in my life when I got to my PC, there is always something fun to play and I am not an escaper or addict or something, I can be without gaming for weeks, like at the beach etc. Still, when I get back to my games, I am home :)
I have been an Escaper for over 15 years, quit playing video games about 3-4 days ago. I spent 2 years of my life without any internet or gaming consoles during the ages 18-20, those were great years, where I made a lot of progress with myself. I read countless books, detoxed from pornography (unintentionally) and lost over 70lbs of excess weight (I biked then ran and lifted weights/calisthentics). I am 27 now and have since sunken back down - worsening by the year as I have come back into the clutches of the internet. For the last 7 years of my life I have struggled with gaming addiction as well as PMO, and have gained basically all that weight back and to top it off have really bad issues with my posture due to prolonged periods in very bad positions while gaming. That is just the addiction and the physical aspects of the equation, my mental health has taken such a toll too as of this year. I have suffered numerous panic attacks so far in 2020, the worst of it around late January and early Febuary. I have good things in my life, but these things still plague me.
I am most definitely an Escaper because I cannot, for the life of me, achieve a damned thing in games, lol. I just love character design and roleplay, and the IDEA of socializing - though I do not socialize very much within them. I have mostly enjoyed creating some form of character that I identify with and then attempt to reach some form of arbitrary goal that would see to it that the character is functioning within it's intended design, if that makes sense. Like creating an illusion of myself in a virtual world so that if others were to have seen it (IF they see it) it would be something that might look better than what I am currently offering in real life. Silly as hell, right? This is how I know I am an Escaper. Either way, I have quit games, and it makes other addictions so much more difficult to tackle, and I guess I just wanted to let this all out. This is weird.
I am wondering, however...how might I successfully purge myself of these carnal desires if I suffer from hypochondria, and have postural issues that might incur injury if I am physically active? I hate the fact that this floats through my mind and is a fear, but not something that I know. Would I actually end up injured if I ran? Would it exacerbate what is wrong with me or alleviate it? No, I cannot afford any medical bills and I have no insurance. I am already in debt, lol. I just wish I could gain some clear insight into what approach would actually be beneficial and would result in a restoration of my health, because for all that is holy, I cannot actually commit to any course of action unless I fully believe in its potentiality for a positive result. Every step I take I end up giving up on because what might lay beyond it is unknown. That is my struggle, I suppose. Am I Sisyphus rolling a boulder up a hill? Will that boulder be my undoing or will it free me? Either way, does it have some inherent meaning attached to it? Will I ever be free of this prison? Lol whoever reads this, kudos. I am sure you are just as lost as I, but it's entertaining to write this all, and hopefully it is as equally entertaining to read. God bless.
Mad respect for the effort you put to write this
How are you now?
@@Justpassingby204 I am doing a thousand and one times better!
I started gaming again and I still enjoy the roleplay aspects of it a lot, however I do not indulge in it as much as before and worship it over other aspects of my life (using it purely for escape). I married and moved outside the U.S. and have a job I actually enjoy and my body is no longer crippled by the lack of activity, I pushed myself beyond my confort zone - physically and found out that I am perfectly fine. I can run, lift weights, and be active without breaking anything, lol. My mind is no longer crippled by the anxiety and depression as well.
I just had to put focus into other aspects of my life rather than into an unhealthy relationship with gaming.
I find it hard to forever quit games, because they have such possibility for story and unique experiences that you cannot get any other way. For example, I'll never be able to colonize another planet and manage that colony under threat of alien invasion or something in real life, but it is super fun to experience that fantasy.
You just can't make that be YOUR REALITY. Enjoy it in stride and let your outside life have priority when neccessary. Live in accordance to what you truly desire, and with me I must balance my reality and fantasies. If not video games it would be movies/shows, if not those it would be books.
I find movies/shows and books actually fall short because they lack an interactice component, so to me they are actually less productive and stimulating, video games require input on your part to effect outcomes which turn into a mental exercise that can be healthy. unless of course non-fiction books/documentaries are what you watch, that information can be useful of course.
All in all you can live a great life without video games at all. But with them you might not. You have to find whether quitting them entirely or only temporary and or controlling your usage of them is truly in your best interest.
For now I enjoy work, and then coming home to some fantasy.
I'm exactly just like you. Quit playing for one week but every day now I looking for a reason to play. It's hard but hopefully now I'm stronger and wiser.
I want to thank you and the community real quick. Can’t remember if i read a comment or the quote came from a video but I remember very clearly “you aren’t bored, you are boring” since that day I don’t play long sessions because there’s nothing else to do. I used to play so much league it screwed up my grades real bad, and I felt depressed because life was so stale. Felt like I pressed fast forward and my life skipped 5 years. Now i put a lot of focus on my friends, family, volleyball team, and my band and this is the best I have felt in a long time. I never “stopped officially” playing but I don’t find it fun, i probably don’t play as much because I have better things to do. And that what I wanted to share, fill up your schedule with your real passions and you won’t have any time for these games. Good luck to anyone trying to cut this toxic relationship out of your life, this community is your support and you can be satisfied with real life its so much brighter. Thanks again Cam and game quitters!
Hey thanks for sharing. That concept of you’re not bored, you’re boring was so powerful in my life also. So glad to hear it’s been such in your life too. You’ve applied it and put in the work, so I hope you take a moment to be proud of yourself. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
100% achiever
Like dude, when I think about making a big factory in Factorio (A game about making a factories) I feel warm in heart, I feel like I'm blushing and I want to cry out of happiness
I don’t want to really quit games, but I wanna moderate my time from basically pouring all my free time to games to a few hours per week. (But I lack self-control) Maybe you could recommend me some books on self-control? I have been free from games for like one months, however i’ve dumped more time on youtube watching games and other materials
Start by first doing something productive, and later, incorporate gaming.
read Atomic Habits by James Clear
I can give you some advice based on my own experience.
We humans have a strong sense of community. I think that's a strong factor why people play so much: they feel part of the gaming community, specially if they play online (you make friends, belong to guilds, look up to other gamers, etc).
I understand that it's thought to have self-control. But let's face it: sometimes it's just impossible. So you have to trick your own mind into playing less. One option is to use the human need of belonging to your advantage. The first step is to think about something you'd enjoy doing in your free time besides gaming. The second step is not only start doing it, but also looking for a community that enjoys that activity as well. Ideally you'd meet people in real life, but an online community might work as well (look for a forum, website, etc). It could be coding, drawing, reading science fiction, sports, anything. Do your research and find good RUclipsrs/bloggers/writers. Find People who are great at the activity so you have someone to look up to. Read about the history of the activity. Go to real life meetings when possible. Basically, get immersed in the community. That will help you a lot. It is much easier to start doing something when you know you are not alone. I hope it helps.
I haven't played games in 98 days; to be honest I would take a 90-day break and treat youtube and games as a reward for accomplishing an actual goal. I would read the book Atomic Habits by James Clear as it addresses your problem a bit. Also, I would not play multiplayer games without friends because that turns into a huge time sink.
Thanks for the reply guys :), i’ll put all the tips into action
Thanks for this. I'm a social gamer, but my other compulsions (TV, Wikipedia, Reddit) are escapism.
"The Escaper" tends to be from some sort of trauma from childhood... I am "The Hardcore Gamer" (glad I continued the video before solidifying this comment). I hate that I am addicted to gaming, overall, even just to play "here and there." There is no real "play here and there" for me. Thank you for this video.
It’s a very interesting way to distinguish gamers ! I’ve found myself to move from the hardcore several years ago, to quickly adjust to just ‘the escaper’ and now really just as a ‘recreational’ with some times when the escape is tempting. Overall, I feel like the escape is fine too as long as it’s controlled / assumed : I am usually aware now that I need the immersion to set my mind on something else for instance.
Escape can be normal if it’s not excessive yes 🙌🏼
hello Thank you for an informative video
Im something between social and achiever. I mostly play because I like speaking to people that have same interests as me but I also like to be better at game that we are playing.
I am heavily invest in Whiteout Survival as a social gamer. I was dumped thinking it was a gathering game lol. I dislike war games in general but the alliance collaborative play is particularly addictive for me. I am the alliance leader and feel obligated to helping my team to the point I spend excessive amount of time checking in, chatting, and teaching. I love creating a supportive community and getting to know everyone
Very helpful video. I'm not looking to quit making but I do want to have more control over how I spend my time. I'd identify myself as a recreational/social gamer but i it's scary how close I am to become an escaper.
Gaming for recreation vs. gaming to escape is how you will keep it from being a problem. Important to have other coping strategies for natural stress that occurs in life. 🙌🏼
Some months ago I was fine, focused on sports and studies and gaming was only a fun hobbie to do some few hours per week. The quarentine came out and all gyms are closed for a very long time, in home I just started to eat like hell and playing like there's no tomorrow. I think I've already got 10Kg on these months and hell there's no motivation to do something productive. So good to have people concerned about this problem that is so underrated
bounce back
I am STILL mix of Achiever and Social gamer
thanks for watching
Being an escaper and an "aspirational social" gamer, I get frustrated with playing, and only do so because I think I "ought" to improve at it. The rationals are many: "you need to fit in," "you're improving your hand-eye coordination" "you actually like it (which I don't; it's just a habit. It's mind-numbingly boring)".
I'm researching about video game addiction so this is a good video for me!
I am totally an achiever. The dopamine hit I get from winning and achieving in games (especially strategy games) is like a fix that my brain needs to function normally when I'm not playing. I've gotten to where, when my mind is working okay, I only have to play 1 in 3 days if I exercise a lot of self control, but when I'm clinically depressed, it is hard not to play every day for at least a couple hours.
thanks for sharing
I’m more as a mix of social and recreational gamer but I tend to visit the gamer graveyard here and there
I'd say i'm a combination of 2 and 4 in regards to wanting to improve in games i play without going too try hard about it as well as to chat with friends and just have fun and enjoyment.
im a gamer that plays all day with my friends no sleep and having fun
Was a hardcore gamer back as a young just turned teenager but evolved into the recreational ever since i was hired for my first job and had more focus towards my ambitions than games and TV.
glad you're doing better
Blessings to you and what you do Cam & GQ team. I am a legal adult and Escaper Gamer type has been most dominant through my life for sanity escaping parents that yelled at each other multiple times a day, yelled at me, beat me, put me down, harass me - all which they still do except beatings yet he tries to be intimidating still. Went to a lot of counseling for all that, sad state of affairs I moved in with them again but had nowhere else to go. I evolved more and more into a hardcore gamer as time passed as I got bored of the same games. I am not a religious man but an old Hawaiian prayer I have been using as meditation called Ho'oponopono has been helping me to get by more and more without the games - it is very short and simple look it up. Basically it is shedding my reactions of ego and negativity, bringing me peace my mind has not known even numbing for decades as an Escapist Gamer. Before this I have detoxed 90 twice, Hoping to beat escapism soon and be game free for life. I think added meditations like this may serve to turn things around. - j3
Hey thanks for sharing and sorry to hear about your challenges growing up. Wishing you the best on your journey.
Mainly a achiever, but definitely have some escape as well, I’m pretty sure I’m a hardcore gamer
Hey I am a medical student, struggling with gaming addiction for 5-6 years (world of warcraft, league of legends , teamfight tactics, hearthstone) . I never really knew why I got into medical school. I was "smart" and with little effort I managed to do so. All I was thinking was " I want to help other people" but till today I hadn't really found which is that way. I managed to quit games for good for 2 months, i was dedicated to that. Then a good friend of mine , also a med student, who is also struggling with gaming addiction, little by little got me back to gaming, not on purpose of course. That's because we had built our relationship around gaming, that was the main thing we had in common and me quitting gaming was just not right for him. So I was rewarding myself for not playing games anymore with little hours a week of gaming so that we spend some more time together.Of course I can't deny I liked playing, I will always like playing, but I just can't handle it. Slowly but surely I managed to return back to my old habits for another 2 months. I only recently realized that I had relapsed back to gaming so here I am, watching your videos! I really wanna thank you , cause besides helping me realise some things that I hadn't even thought of or even discussed with my psychotherapist you also helped me give a direction to my medical journey and something to long for while I study. Thanks again and keep up the great work! Love from Greece.
hi George, thanks for sharing. hope to visit Greece someday!
I think I'm the achiever. I don't game to escape real life, I actually want to do more real life things. I have no control over my gaming habits and typically play to reach goals within the game. I recently improved myself a lot while keeping gaming around, so I have a high self esteem. I've tried quitting gaming a few times but end up telling myself that I just need to cut down. In the end I always end up going back to being addicted. I feel very strange inside, I would really like to play the new games coming out soon but I also want to improve my programming skills and work on myself. It's the hardest self conflict I've ever had. I still don't know if gaming is definitively good or bad, I wish there was a source that looked at it objectively so I could understand what to do with myself.
I'd say I'm mostly casual, achiever and hardcore gamer with a sprinkle of escaper.
I am a hardcore gaming I game everyday for about 5 hours but I'm not depressed:)
Almost 1 year free. Not looking back
Boom!
Game Quitters To get there I took for years an extreme approach: Allowing myself to play as much as I wanted, any game I wanted. That way, I would get to the root of it (and I ultimately did): Getting sick of it, cause it ultimately doesn’t satisfy me. It doesn’t give you purpose. It’s easy and empty pleasure, and it takes away any motivation to do other stuff in life. This approach may not be for everybody, but I thought it was better than just stop playing because of guilt, responsibilities, etc...That only builds frustration (a man has to Play), and you grow old still carrying that temptation. Now I know is better mastering myself than mastering a game. Just my 2 cents.
recreational gamer.. I do enjoy collecting video games.. I stop playing video games when I'm busy in a way that it will not ruin my daily life LOL!!! this is a great video thanks for sharing..
thanks for watching
Hardcore gamer, more intense on the escapism spectrum than the achievement spectrum. Day 38 without gaming.
Thanks for watching
Its hard to identify myself with any of them, i guess recreational gamer is the closest, but when my life gets stressful i definitely use it as an escape... And while i have low self esteem, I'd attribute that to my autism rather than gaming.
curious if you have something else you identify with?
@@GameQuitters it's a bit hard to answer that question, mostly because my situation is so different from most people, because of my autism i "shut down" when put under pressure, and i can't get a job because of it, so i have too much free time, and not enough money for most hobbies. gaming is relatively cheap, there isn't much in costs for extra materials, after getting a pc and games.
and i need to stay busy to focus my mind, for autistic people it's common to never stop thinking, i literally can't meditate or do mindfulness, because my brain is overactive.
well...i think the achiever kinda matches me. i mean...i like to play games, but if i am not good at it i get frustrated and stop playing...and because i am the one who is the " i want to be the best at everything i do " kind of person, i continue playing...but when i think i am good at something, i stop playing it, because i feel like there is no challenge...so it is kinda like getting better at a game to stop playing it...
I wanted to share my story here:
When I was 7 years, I play games and I did enjoy it and asking for my parent's permission to play my computer.
When I reached 12 years, I played games more than I expected and then my father took away my desktop. I realised that I had a hard time to control myself. That is when my gaming disorder turned to contamination OCD after I was mentally weak. My parents threw harsh words for my illness and then I suffered a lots of depression.
Now that I am actively good at fitness, I quitted computer gaming and sold my gaming laptop ☹️.
My grandpa thought I was so obsessed at fitness and will study fitness medicine but I don't do this for that.
I have been suffering with Contamination OCD for 3 years but my life is still fine as I get stronger.
glad it sounds like you are doing better. OCD can be a comorbid condition with gaming problems for sure.
I didn't really find my type of gamer in the list. I guess it's a type of immersion combined with recreational and escape? A lot of times I find myself craving a certain game to 'scratch an itch'. The form that itch takes in my mind is that of a specific, mostly aesthetic scene, for example a fight between two swordsmen with clanking armor. I often feel the need to game because I want to see and make certain things happen that I find interesting and cool to look at. It's similar to wanting to see a certain movie, like when you really crave a war movie or maybe a dark horror. The reason games have the edge over movies for me, is the interactivity that is absent in the former. I want to use these impulses which probably stem from a creative passion for meaningful aesthetics, to take up drawing and painting istead of the easy fulfillment from gaming. I don't have a low self esteem or social/family problems btw, so I really don't know where I could fit into the gaming list you showed us.
fair enough
@@GameQuitters I just quit and your videos have been really helping me, thanks man.
I think I am probably the hardcore gamer but my gaming and self control and self esteem are not good.
i am not a hard core gamer because i want to escape or anything like that i just like having a nice game community and being the very best at what i do in the game 😆
I identify myself as an "escaper". I don't play a lot but I feel the need to play to not thinking to much about my miserable social life. I sometime have the delusion that gaming can cure my depression. By playing game when I can be understanding. Game with a strong story or where I can identify myself to the character. Like life is strange, king's quest, catherine, breath of the wild. Now It's been 2 week without gaming but I don't know if I should stop defintitely because I grew up with that and I feel even more akward and depressing without any little sessions..
thanks for watching
For me, it's a bit of a mix between recreational/casual gaming and escapism... I have low self-esteem aswell and just enjoys having a good time when I play a singleplayer game.
thanks for watching
I think I'm a combination of all of these except the hardcore gamer. When ever I buy a game it's just because I want to play it with my friends or just for fun.
🙌🏼
I think I'm a combination of a recreational/achiever. I enjoy the fun aspects of a game and used to enjoy cheats (which are almost non-existent now), but when I really like a game I tend to try to achieve everything I can until the game gets too difficult or the time investment doesn't feel worth it. I'm not enough of a role player to be a hardcore gamer. I enjoy being immersed in a world or with great gameplay, but I probably couldn't tell you a thing about the story of a game or what's been happening to my character.
I'm the gamer thinking he's always bad at every game because I doubt myself too much
Any help with 5) please? :)
Interesting is the time development:
1) I was playing for fun and because everyone was doing it (recreation and social)
2) Wanted to become better than friends and be pro and succesfully achieved that (achiever)
3) Realized game achievements mean nothing in real life, you cant impress a girl with them :D. I was ashamed of playing and not achieving real goals, but couldnt stop. (escaper)
4) Quit for ~ 1,5 year
5) Recently my friends talk me round to download and play with them during Christmas. After that I can not get rid of urges to play more and try all the new things from updates, new meta... (curiosity gamer)
MrWnw 1-4 sounds like my story. Funny enough, being a female hardcore gamer those achievements never impressed even me. They are quite pointless long term. I would only play games again if I’m sure of my self-discipline, self-esteem, and having my life in balance, and also that it’s not gonna negatively influence any of the important things in my life. I suggest thinking once about all the consequences, but thoroughly, be honest about your behavior to yourself, weight pros and cons of that activity in your life. Every time you’re about to play remind yourself about the cons, and ask yourself if it’s really worth it to play, and listen to yourself, do as you think is right for you.
@@minntzu Thank you for sharing. It has extra value since you see it from both sides. And the tip is priceless too. I am happy, that you managed your life. have fun ;)
this video on cravings can help: ruclips.net/video/PjLmwn_0GWM/видео.html
What type of gamer are (or were) you?
Escaper
Escaper
thanks for sharing everyone
Achiever
recreational im satisfied
Thanks, Cam! This actually helps a lot. I think most people on GameQuitters are escapers/hardcore gamers and I've always felt like I was different, because their problems didn't resonate with mine. Now it makes sense, because I'm 100% an achiever gamer. The question is: how does addiction recovery differ for each type? Typical GameQuitters advice like "get a hobby" and "get away from your gamer friends" doesn't work for me because that's not what I'm struggling with.
I'll have more content on types -> strategies soon but the basics are depending on your type you should focus on that as your recovery plan, so for example if you game to escape find new coping strategies whereas if you game to socialize you need to find new social outlets first.
Mostly escaper. A little Hardcore! I would create my own challenges in games.
Thanks for sharing Ben
I'm the recreational gamer who does gaming as a hobby and spends more time in real life and with my family :)
Great video Cam! I fall into the recreational gamer of the spectrum. I can give myself permission to play VG as an award or hobby after my work/goals are completed. I value reality more and don’t need games to satisfy all my needs.
I’ve been in recovery from porn and alcohol addiction for 4.5 months, striving strong and sober. These addiction def were my form of escapism from reality. I’ve in the process of transitioning myself back into media I like to consume and conscious on it. Books have been my fav, as I find it trigger free for my subconscious and makes life a RPG for me.
Keep up Cam and love the work you’re doing!
"I value reality more and don’t need games to satisfy all my needs." boom
I’m definitely a hardcore gamer but i have a high esteem.
thx for watching
I like single player most,and only play specific game for fun like watching a movie which usually have higher reviews what type gamer I’m?
I am a hardcore gamer but from now I am trying to quit gaming
I think im the escaper archiver and hardcore gamer
Hardcore gamer here... I want to get where I can just play casually and appreciate games as an art form, rather than sinking all my time into them going for achievements or completion.
I was/am a hardcore for 40 years, not joking. I can safely say that gaming cost me my future, in the form of lost opportunities. I still struggle with quitting to this day. My fingers are crossed in the hopes that I have quit for good. It sickens me to think of all the time I have wasted on playing video games.
Hey Mark, come join us on the forums, the extra support will help a lot: forum.gamequitters.com
@@GameQuitters I would like to but your API for Facebook signups is broken. I have tired to signup with my email, but your "security check to prevent automated programs" will not let me pass even though I have the correct answers.
Which one would building builds and statues for fun be in minecraft?
I quit like 2 years ago but recently i fall back into playing its been a tough week starting to cut myself from gaming again...just wanted to say that somewhere without being judged anyways...
no judgement here 🙏🏼
I think there’s overlap between all 5 types, I kinda see myself as a hardcore escaper. I’ve quit gaming several times for long stretches of time, but always end up coming back. The pay2win permadeath real life grindfest just isn’t for me. Plus I got the severe depression + ADD hard mode enabled. I appreciate your channel though, it helps.
yes there is a lot of overlap. glad the channel helps.
When im not doing something meaningful with my life its a 40-40-20 mix of escaper, hardcore and achiever. When i am doing something meaningful it is mostly recreational and borderline achiever.
interesting insight!
I’m definitely a recreational gamer
Homie I just pirate sh*t, mod, escape, and sometimes socialize
Ok high five
Combination of Escaper and Achiever. I love getting all achievements in a game. It needs to stop.
thanks for sharing
😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😚😚😚😚😚😙😙😗😗😗😗
I'm the achiever and the recreational gamer
Gaming is my happiness 🙂as an esports player
Enjoy
None of these types match me, actually. Hardcore gamer is somewhat close, encompassing the social, competitive, discovery and achievement traits. However, I feel like I have a reasonably high self-esteem when it comes to games, and the part about defining my identity through games really doesn't do it for me. Like, I'd definitely put "gamer" in my bio, but that's where it ends unless you proceed to ask me about particular games.
there's always a rich gamer
I'm not really sure what category best describes me, I guess recreational but I do game rather heavily. I'm a low self-esteem low impulsive, and I have a fairly good life I'm working hard at with a solid career, friends and family life, a soon-to-be fiancee, so I'm by no means a prisoner to gaming. However, I am very easily bored by most other common forms of leisure and find a much better entertainment and relaxation value out of the interactivity of video games as well as it being a nice creative outlet when it features a lot of customization/creation/building elements.
Im 100% achiever xD would be cool it i could achieve a little bit more in the real life. Yeah the feeling of progression really does it for me. I think video games give you some purpose that the real life just doesnt provide that well. I mean i workout and im pretty good at guitar, thats pretty nice, but there is nothing that gives you a real purpose (because in the end there isnt anything with meaning). And video games are probably the best at giving you an illusion of purpose.
For me i cant pass a day without gaming i feel very wrong when i pass a day without playing, but thats just me i think.
Nice video. I was formerly a Hardcore Gamer. Eventually I became a casual.These days Im retired.
Thanks for sharing
Cam, awesome video. Keep going!
Thanks!
I'm A Social Gamer and Hardcore Gamer
If I ever play a game with a really good story to it, I get hooked. If I'm ever hooked, I start missing out and focusing on other priorities much less. It honestly becomes hell. I hate video games and I wish they never existed.
I'm a recreational gamer until i start playing grind-fest MMORGPs, then i am the achiever lol. Gotta choose my games carefully.
interesting - thanks for sharing
My brother had told me once that I'm not a hardcore gamer. I'm more of a Recreational and Social Gamer
interesting - what did you think of that?
@@GameQuitters He's not wrong either. I play like a hardcore gamer but in the end, I'm just a Social Recreational Gamer. There are other hobbies that I want do. So it's not a bad thing.
I'd say I'm semi-all. I play for all of these reasons at different points, but all ways make shur life comes first, and I've never tried to replace my life with gaming. But if I did have to pic a single category of probly say recreation as I do see gaming more as a hoby then anything else.
i definately fit into a mix of achiever and escapism however my case is more thing that can't be fixed and helps me feel a little better as a disabled person with Nueropathy below the age of 40. I grew up in the Nintendo Era I have never lived in a world that did not have video games so for me its just what I know and what I enjoy. and yes it helps me feel less depressed but thats not problematic this is nuerotypical points of views which are often ignorant of mental health and our needs.
I would be quite more miserable and depressed if i did not game to help boost my moods and joy in life as a disabled person. And when the problem that has you down is 1 there is litterally nothing you can do to fix escapism and cheering self up in an unfixable situation is the best possible option.
Im an equal mix of all but number 3 lol
I think I am recreational and escapist gamer
I am definitely the achiever, and I definitely have been the escaper especially when I had more problems in my life. I never liked multiplayers and I always loved those exciting worlds in those single player games. I still love that adrenaline, finding the perfect way to assassin the target, I watch and listen to every single dialogue. I like stories. Hitman, Modern Warfare..I am an anxious person like my mother. Now I ended up in Germany, abroad, away from family and friends, in a small reserved town, boring job and boring life. It’s been 3 months that I sold my ps4 pro, we are in quarantine and I am mindlessly watching RUclips videos and porn, playing chess and sudoku. I never relax my brain. Can’t calm, cant enjoy without some stimulant. Am I adrenaline addict?? I probably am. Did I do the right thing selling the PS? I have no idea.
hyper-stimulation. this might be helpful: www.sparringmind.com/supernormal-stimuli/
@@GameQuitters thank you :) Is there a way to not to be afraid of dull activities without needing to be stimulated? How do you vacuum clean your apartment? Is it normal that I need to be listening to some documentary video about sharks when I am cleaning the apartment ? Is there a way to completely shut down the thoughts and be in the present and embrace the boredom?
What about the speedrunner?
How about the competition seeker, that's learning about progess and mind states to apply them somewhere else like sports or work? For me it's "The 'Achiever'" training Touch typing, dexterity and managing team play. Started out as a recreational gamer then changed to social gamer after that I became the Hardcore gamer. After I was the hardcore/escaper I found out about addiction and went back to be The Achiever that build skills not trophy's while doing more sports than gaming! If I do game more than 2 hours a week now that's alot, in the past 60 hours a week was normal..
Great to hear you have been able to manage your gaming back to normal levels - what do you think has helped you the most to do that?
@@GameQuitters The progress in games is tempoary since games die, progress irl is actually usefull especialy with sports and skills like typing. Also the understanding that instant good times brings hard times later, hard work now brings good times later.
If you use games to escape your problems you are going to become addicted. That goes for most addictions outside of drugs and alcohol. I play games a lot but I play because I like to. I played sports in highschool and I going with friends. If you get addicted to games you have a weak mindset. But honestly I would other have people get addicted to gaming than to something a lot more harmful
I’m the one who plays to supplement my brain training for martial arts
ok
I am the wife of a hardcore gamer. :( I would share this with him, but he doesn't think it would apply to him. I have bugged him enough about his gaming that he wants to separate and plans to go meet some of his chat friends. Men and/or women.... Knowing I cannot change anyone's behavior but my own, I try to keep my mouth shut. I have even tried to learn to play so I can play with him, but I am not good enough so he doesn't like for me to join. lol sadly, we have two daughters, and one has the same tendencies, just with the computer instead of the PS4. :( I truly appreciate the information in this video. It helped me understand what my hubz gets out of this. Thank you.
Sorry to hear that but glad it was helpful at least somewhat
I was a husband like you said and my wife and I fought a lot because this, then she started to accept me like I was but now I am not gaming anymore and now we are living better. I hope ur husband could see how bad gaming is for ur family. If I were you, I don't know if I could living whit him how you say what he has been doing.
I just want to make it in esports
I’m a hardcore gamer
I’m a recreational gamer.
Good to see you here as always :)
I am a achiever I quit games 2 days ago
good luck!
IM A HARDCORE GAMER
When person plays video game, he will lose the ability to think and observe the surrounding or in other word extreme distraction. According to report of WH, if you read the report, It shows that our minds will think that game is real and will move in every step in the game, so after finish playing, you already consume all your intellectual power instead of using it in the real life especially with these high resolution games.
3 and 4
I'm a social gamer
hi