Gamers Getting Warped View Of Reality, Researchers Claim

[perihelion]

http://www.news.com.au/technology/gaming/earth-to-gamer-come-in-gamer-video-games-are-warping-your-view-of-reality/story-e6frfrt9-1226142341412

SOME video game players are so immersed in their virtual environment that when they stop playing they transfer their experiences into the real world, according to new research.

The study found evidence of Game Transfer Phenomena, which results in gamers doing things in the real world as if they were still playing.

The most extreme examples included reaching for a search button when looking for someone in a crowd and seeing energy boxes appear above people's heads.

Half of the gamers questioned said they often look to use something from a video game to resolve a real-life issue.

In some cases these thoughts were accompanied by reflexes such as reaching to click a button on the controller even when it is not in their hands.

One interviewee reported seeing a menu of topics that were available for him to think about, while another created a list of possible responses in their head after being insulted.

"We believe this is the first study to attempt to explore game transfer phenomena, and these initial findings have proved extremely interesting,” said Professor Mark Griffiths, one of the authors of the report.

"Almost all the players reported some type of GTP, but in different ways and with varying degrees of intensity. We are now following this up with a further study of a much larger number of gamers.

"A recurring trend suggests that intensive gaming may lead to negative psychological, emotional or behavioural consequences, with enormous implications for software developers, parents, policy makers and mental health professionals."

The research carried out by Nottingham Trent University and Stockholm University involved 42 interviews with frequent video game players aged between 15 and 21.

The study will be published in the next issue of the International Journal of Cyber Behaviour, Psychology and Learning.


In other news, scientists have discovered that water is wet and can be used to clean things.

[Robodl95]

In related news. http://www.industrygamers.com/news/gamers-help-in-fight-against-aids/
Gaming has yet again helped further scientific pursuit, this time helping to break down the mystery of AIDS. Working with the University of Washington, gamers playing FoldIt were able to put together a model of the retroviral protease M-PMV, an AIDS causing virus. Essentially, the gamers of FoldIt were able to do what researchers were unable to do for years: put together the molecular structure of the elusive protein.

"The critical role of Foldit players in the solution of the M-PMV [retroviral protease] structure shows the power of online games to channel human intuition and three-dimensional pattern-matching skills to solve challenging scientific problems," the study noted. "Although much attention has recently been given to the potential of crowdsourcing and game playing, this is the first instance that we are aware of in which online gamers solved a longstanding scientific problem."

FoldIt is actually the result of work from researchers from the University of Washington, released to the public in 2008. Gamers are asked to manipulate real-world protein structures, working towards better folding techniques for more points.

[123blissb]

In other news, scientists have discovered that water is wet and can be used to clean things.

Really? Water is wet? What a world we live in today!

:) Hmm... I do sometimes think about my sims during the day. Does that count?

~123blissb

[simgrl1934]

I'm still looking for the undo button. :P

[simbalena]

while another created a list of possible responses in their head after being insulted.

Don't all people do that?

Doesn't sound like very scientific research, how can they put using game experiences to help solve real life problems in the same category as hallucinating energy bars above peoples heads?

[singing_Noel]

This thread is hilarious!

Though seriously, you gotta realize these quote unquote researchers get paid every time they wipe their ass and realize how confounding it is to know how much we rely on toilet paper.

So yeah...what's new?

[missy harries]

Well I find it funny! It's a bit over the top and unbelievable. C'mon hallucinating..... Maybe they've been staring at their stats menu so much it starts to burn itself into their retinas!

[unalisaa]

You know, I once got up in the middle of the night because I was thirsty. I bent down to take a sip from the sink, and my first thought was "Yes! 24 HP!". My next thought was "Fuck! 6 rads!"

[lolapola]

Playing the sims has changed my view on life a bit...
What if were all sims and the player is god?
Think about it.
Maybe god thought it was ironic creating this game...
maybe its aliens.

[Shoosh Malooka]

42 interviews with frequent video game players aged between 15 and 21.

That is the root of those zany responses taken seriously. I'm sure the records show plenty of sarcastic quotes like 'My health went down 20 points as the dentist pulled my tooth.'

[Kathwynn]

Well that explains why I can not find the button to change my clothes.. Nor why my clothes either in a flash of light appear on me.. Though to be honest I don't think I could put with spinning as a means to changing my clothes..

On a related note that means I can stop looking for the one ring.. Or was that my daughters engagement ring that she accidentally dropped down the sink yesterday... I am soooo ~confuuusseed~ . Where is Gandalf and Elminster when I need themmm...

[Nissun]

Big deal. On my first day at art class, I kept reaching for the top left of the page every time I wanted to erase something.

T

[HarVee]

You're playing The Sims, suddenly you must use the toilet. Oh wait, now you're acting out what you saw in the game. It all makes sense.

[perihelion]

^ *signature love*

[paksetti]

Video James are new and scary- stealing away our precious youth. I think we should form a committee, something about concerned citizens and such.


Let's all go to city hall and shout nonsensically whist holding picket signs with llamas on them. Don't worry, I came prepared. I've got an uncovered platter of spaghetti in my backpack and some spray cans of water for showering.
Ew, whats with that guy's face? ...Where's the edit in CAS button?

[hello2u08]

i wanna be a vampire now
*pokes self*
why did no menu appear? Oh yeah i forgot I have to hold shift while doing it.
*pokes self while saying shift really slowly*
MENU, Y U NO APPEAR?

[Digitalchaos]

How can they put using game experiences to help solve real life problems in the same category as hallucinating energy bars above peoples heads?Sounds to me like, playing games wasn't only thing those people were doing... :Pint: --> :mod:

[SimsLover50]

I do think many modern people are too immersed in VR games to develop proper social skills.

I do think it is only a mater of time before VR callouts are available in real life, so you can see people's names and who they are without asking.

[AnnaIME]

I remember when my grandma taught me to knit. I was obsessed with it for days. I saw the loops everywhere and I imagined the lines my pencil made when I wrote in class were yarn to be knitted. This knitting thing is powerful stuff. I think there should be an age limit or something.

Joking aside, I do believe that you can over-do the gaming, and that this can have negative consequences. I know a certain teenager who flees into WoW instead of facing his real life. In his case, the problems came first. The excessive gaming is his way of coping, but it isn't helping him in the long run.

[Sparklycookie]

You mean I can't gain health in real life just by picking up a medkit? :(

[Elyasis]

I can't become young again by drinking a suspiciously colored liquid directly from a beaker?!

[lenglel]

I can't clean my house by clicking on the floor and selecting "clean entire house"?

[vhanster]

I do think many modern people are too immersed in VR games to develop proper social skills.

I do think it is only a mater of time before VR callouts are available in real life, so you can see people's names and who they are without asking.

Ironically, social networking sites also hinders people from developing proper social skills. Like, how many times have I been in the same room with a whole bunch of people, yet not chatting with a single one of them because everyone is busy checking out updates in Facebook?

[paksetti]

People tend to run from their problems using whatever it is they find to be fun atm = news.


That's not to say everyone doing any sort of fun thing ever is just being irresponsible, because that would be stupid to say. But I'd be lying if I said I never played a video game to procrastinate. If you didn't play video games, you'd do whatever it is you do to procrastinate.

[123blissb]

I'm sure the records show plenty of sarcastic quotes like 'My health went down 20 points as the dentist pulled my tooth.'

Oh, yeah. I really want to see that transcript... :lol: And I do hit the "P" button sometimes out of the Sims when something happens on the computer, and then I'm like, noooooooo. Don't glitch up...noooo... I didn't save!

Also I was in English one day and I randomly hit Control-Shift-C and started typing "kaching" to get more money. :faceslap:

~123blissb

[mustluvcatz]

:wtf: So. Does this mean that shouldn't count on Don picking me up for our hot date on Saturday?

[SuicidiaParasidia]

what?! a "warped" view of reality??

http://www.beingpeachy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/large-Hypnotoad_animated.gif


i'm a gamer, and that's ridiculous.

[hello2u08]

MUST...............OBEY..................HYPNOTOAD!
Wait, what was I thinking about again?
Oh yeah, It reminds me of how one time I punched this guy and thought "Yeah! 50 damage!"

[kampffenhoff]

I have been known to play the Sims 3 while feeding a baby. I wonder if researchers would be interested.

[Kathwynn]

When I was really in to the WoD.. I would look at some one and think yea he or she would make a good werewolf.... Probably a Philodox.. Naw an Galliard..

Or when I played vampire I would try to figure out if a stranger was a ghoul or one of the vampire clans..

Then White wolf went and changed everything. Kind of lost interest after that.. Though on a related note.. My now wife was thankful that I quit howling at the moon.. Though I sometimes still bury bones in the backyard.. :rofl: :jest: :D

[Lavaster]

LOL that happens with TV and movies too. Watching too many episodes of BONES at a time is bad; trust me, it became my life for three days until I got back to normal. Same with Harry Potter and CSI.

[Yammas91]

If you spend long enough on a game then eventually you wont be able to seperate the game from real life.

Also if i used an insult from a game its because it was a damn good one!!! :p

[vhanster]

Also if i used an insult from a game its because it was a damn good one!!! :p

Oh? And I thought insults you find in games are based on real-life insults.

[blakegriplingph]

And I'm constantly looking for that tilde key so that I can access the developer console.

[Sparklycookie]

And I'm constantly looking for that tilde key so that I can access the developer console.

Same :( I want to activate god mode so I can be invincible.

Also, I've tried to press the fast forward key so I don't have to spend long on boring tasks XD

[Kathwynn]

I guess that explains the cntrl alt delete button is missing......

[Kathwynn]

Oh? And I thought insults you find in games are based on real-life insults.

Try insulting some one with you n'wah. Yeah, the look alone will be priceless... :lol:

[PharaohHound]

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/1/19/129084463856778594.jpg

Jokes aside, anything can give you a warped view of reality if you it too seriously. Religion, gaming, a particular celebrity, etc.