As we lined up on the outside, one of the instructors cracked the entrance door and dropped a flash bang. I was point man, and I didn’t realize exactly what we were going to be doing until that flash bang hit the ground. I turned my head for a split second, and bang! This wasn’t my first time hearing/feeling a flash bang, but this was a first for me to be right next to the explosion and instantly moving inside a building ready for anything.

Nickname: Hërb
Addiction: Battlefield 1942 / Battlefield 2

Yes, I was addicted to video games, and it has affected my life and others around me in a very negative way, and took up time I will never be able to make up for. I am 17 years old, and a JR in high school. I had a very bright future in soccer and other areas in my life until I was introduced to the game Battlefield 1942 when I was in the 8th grade. My reputation as a Sweeper already guaranteed me a spot on the Varsity team when I was a freshman, and my Mom and Dad were very happy because I had a sure shot at getting a scholarship. But instead of playing soccer and hanging out with my friends and family, I stayed home all the time and played that game. I let myself down, my parents down, my friends, my coaches…it was absolutely terrible.

My life at home became rather unstable because I live in a house with high expectations. Whenever I was on the computer I would always get crap for it. If not by my parents nagging me all the time, it would be my brother, which really sucked. I would go over to my friends from time to time and they were obviously ticked about it, so they would always talk about how I am addicted and they would say "think about what things would be like if your brother in law never showed you this game", "your choosing a video game over your friends"…the list could go on. But you see, even though I was addicted to gaming, it was a release for me, of all the stress and the whole deal. I could log on, and all my worries would be gone. Even though I was addicted, I had a lot of fun doing it, and met some extremely cool people while playing the game that I will never forget.

I quit gaming after season 1 of Cal in BF2, a lot of the reason why I quit was just because I couldn't take the harassment of playing an online game anymore…through previous arguments with my parents I actually threw the game out, but later went and bought another copy. Although another part of the reason why I quit, was because I got a call from my soccer coach asking if I was interested in playing some seasons with them. I immediately started to work out, and the rest is history…I am in the best shape of my life right now and I have an extremely hot girl friend that's on a cheerleading team, and I plan on trying out for high school soccer… the old me is back…

My message isn't that gaming is bad, I have to admit I had a ton of fun while doing it, and when I am married and have a job and am settled down I see myself getting back into it because I've accomplished all the things I have by then. Even playing now wouldn't be a bad thing, but as the saying goes, too much of a good thing, can result into a very bad thing.

Nickname: Zatuzi
Addiction: America's Army

I have been addicted to this game for about three years now. I started playing back in October of 2002, or in version 1.2.1 of the game. I started out playing the game casually, picking it up via reference of a friend. I played Medal of Honor: Allied Assault prior to this, and loved the game, but it never caught my interest the way America's Army has. Plus, it was a free game, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

I started playing the game competitively in early 2003, and that's when it started to take up most of my time. At the time I was only 16 years old and in the second half of my sophomore year. I was playing for a team called [1st] Infantry Division...a no-name team that was active during the golden days of clans like 11th Wolverines and the original Red Dawn. I loved playing in matches, but my being 16 years old stood in the way of that, seeing as my parents didn't exactly approve of me being on the computer 3 to 4 hours a night. When summer came, I was on all day and as much as I could during the evening. This continued for the next two years of high school, and I probably missed a lot during those years, but gaming hadn't yet completely consumed my life.

In late 2003, [1st] had crashed and I joined a team called Death Squad, or {DS}. This was a top 5 team at the time, rivaling with teams like [2nd], Red Dawn, and .ten. I began to slowly grow better at the game as the players in the clan taught me the ropes if invite-level play and showed me how bad I truly was before. I got even more obsessed with gaming as I got better and was allowed to play more.

I don't know what it is, but the thrill of playing in a match environment is so...enrapturing that it's hard to stay away from. That's why so many people in the AA community who have said they've "quit" the game, come back a few months later just to start up playing again.

I graduated in 2005 and (ironically) joined the Army a couple months later...being in basic training for 4 months and coming back with everything changed so much kind of sucks - clans have disbanded, new clans have formed, and more meta teams have been created. However, the same base of invite-level players was still there, and there were many new players trying to knock the big dogs off of their thrones.
Jumping back into play after not being in the game for 4 months was frustrating; the rusty feeling that you get is hard to shake off. Living the real life of a Soldier and then returning to a video game to play one is obviously completely different. I figured that when in this lifestyle, I wouldn't be playing too many video games. I was wrong. I'm now stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington, and I spend about 4 hours a night online with my current team, practicing for matches or simply pubbing for fun.

I've played a LOT of games, and some of them hold my interest long enough to finish the game; but there is no game that I have yet played to keep my interest like America's Army has.

I am an addicted gamer.

Nickname: [MC] Ferdell
Addiction: Call of Duty

I was a big computer gamer in high school. I spent my free time playing computer games and sports. In high school I had no problems keeping my grades up. I had a 92.8 GPA overall when I graduated high school. I got accepted to the University of Rhode Island and enrolled in the college of engineering.

However, I learned a lesson during my freshman year of college. I used the same game plan that year that I used through out high school. I played video games during my spare time and played sports. I did go to class but I didn't do my homework or study, cause I thought I could get away with it. That first semester I got a wake up call my GPA was 2.3, which is not good. The next semester I woke up a little bit but I still didn't do all that I should. My classes got harder. I ditched studying and homework for squad practice and clan matches. That semester I earned a 2.1. However, over that summer, I chose to cut off video games completely. Which I did, but I have created a pretty big hole to dig myself out of. Last semester, I was clan-less and I earned myself a 2.8 by doing nothing but school work. Looking back now, last year my whole life was video games. I played more then a hundred hours a week online, just to be better then the rest. I could have saved myself a lot of grief and misery if I had done the work instead of playing computer games.

This semester, my classes are just as hard, if not harder, and I realize that being in a clan is not a possibility if I want to succeed with my major. So, I have put off clans, leagues, and scrimming. I limit myself to two hours top of pubbing each day and that is only when my work is finished and I am set for the next day.

Nickname: NATO_BlueDragon
Addiction: Battlefield 2, Americas Army

Q: Are you preoccupied with gaming (thinking about it when offline, anticipating your next online session)?

A: Definitely yes. 4 years ago i found what i have been looking for all my life. Group off people who get together for some real Quality time, a time when we can get together and forget real world, real problems and struggles. I found a clan who's goal was make our gaming/online life even better. for some that involved to step up in some game, commit to it seriously, meaning few training days per week, matches and scrims. For others just enjoying games with a group of guys who are fun to hang with, yet for someone else to be part of something bigger then themselves.

Anyway i found myself 4 years ago staring to take my online life seriously, implementing it in my life like any other activity. Thinking about strategy for next match, who are best players for the team, how to train, how to move, How to attract people, guide and how to motivate them. helping friends with advice or sharing knowledge, jokes and experiences. We often share our real life problems, good and bad sides of it, prayers and critics. So definitely YES I am somewhat preoccupied with my gaming as I am with any other Offline activity I'm involved with or have as a hobby or sport.

Q: Do you feel restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop online gaming?

A: Yes, when i have some extra work at home or when my line is off for few days i miss my online friends and having fun and playing. I miss playing scrims or matches, committing to some goal or result, being part of the team.

Q: Do you use gaming as a way of escaping from problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression?

A: In a manner of speaking YES. Like people in real life when they feel down, or sad or lonely, tired or tense, they go doing things they like and thing they make them happy. Like going our with friends, out on drink, or eating Ice Cream or chocolate, Same way I, when i feel down, I go and do what helps me trough rough time, I go relax on my computer, playing my favorite games, or play with my buds, talk to my online friends..............and it always works

Q: Have you jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, or even risked your marriage because of your online gaming habit?

A: No, because I have a GF who understands (at least a bit) and respects, that its MY way. As long as I'm doing my job, don't neglect her or future kids, she understands that IT IS MY WAY, my time, same way her brothers or sisters go in gym or basketball trainings 3-4 times per week, playing scrims or matches, hanging out with friends on drink etc. And I WOULD jeopardize relationship where my partner wouldn't respect or understand that. (except maybe for Angelina)

I can say that my clan, is BIG part of my life now, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Its living prove that we can get over things as racism, different religions, language, backgrounds, genders, politics and intolerance, looks or wealth classes, AND HAVE FUN WITH ONLINE GAMING !!!! and I would recommend it to everyone, especially the "offline" people.

Nickname: TCO-Disturbed (AKA Dual1ty)
Addiction: Unreal Tournament 2004, Counter Strike: Source

Hello, I'm Dual1ty. I am 17 years old and I am addicted to video games. I had gotten over Starcraft: Brood War and Warcraft 3 Frozen Throne when I was around 13-14 years old. Later on when I turned 15, my cousin had gotten me the game Unreal Tournament 2003 (which started my FPS addiction). Later on I decided to buy Unreal Tournament 2004, and Counter Strike: Source.. Video game addiction is ruining my life as a teenager, I rarely go out anymore with friends because I do not have a job, my girlfriend dumped me pretty harshly and told me I was worthless. It's come to the point that I'm losing my social skills everywhere I go. This curse not only effects me, but the people around me also, they have to convince me to go out (I am in good shape though), encourage me to do things, etc. This addiction also made me very lazy to a point where I don't feel like going for my G1's (drivers permit) to take a small test that would permit me to go places a lot easier without wasting money on buses. Sometimes when I get home, I would conceal myself in my room and play games till 1:00 in the morning. I am seriously trying very hard to get over video game addiction because I want to go out and have fun in my teenage years, not sit around and think everything revolves around my computer and that everything will be done for me. I want to get a job, get a girlfriend and go out with friends as much as possible. But it's not easily done. Once you have an addiction it pretty much stays with you for the rest of your life. The only thing you can pretty much do is control it once it has started.

For you people who are thinking about playing a video game, think twice before getting into a game, try to only play it when u have free time and don't ever waste money to play a game online. Control your time playing on it, don't play more than 2-3 hours a day or even try to play less than 10 hours a week.

Nickname: karnifex
Addiction Americas Army, Medal of Honor

I started playing online in 2003. Online is really where the addiction started. I never cared much until I knew I was playing against other people. Add headphones, Teamspeak, Forums, and a team... and I was hooked. I would skip college classes to just listen in or be in team meetings... not even matches. I lied to my friends when I sat at home on Saturday nights to play online matches. After 3 years, it became a part of my life. I couldn't shake it. One day, I just up and sold my gaming PC. Since then, I have only been working from a laptop, which doesn’t have the video card to run the games. That’s the only way I could stop, and I still play Xbox live online just to feed the competition hunger. I can't wait for the day I graduate college, so I can just go to some job, and come home and play Americas Army. I know, isn’t it great!

Nickname: TAW_GIJane
Addiction: Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield

I will admit I’m hooked on Raven Shield, It’s has become an everyday thing. Mostly because of the people who make the game what it is. It’s not often you sit down with 10 or more people and do something that involves them all at the same time. My in game name is GIJane, both on Raven Shield and TWL ladder matches. I play mostly for relaxation and to hang out with friends I have never met. Some I have met, and they are just as nice in person. As far as my personal life, the most important things come first, work, family, but I try not to let the game interfere with real life situations. Let’s just say that if something happened, I would survive, but I would miss my friends the most.

Nickname: Anonymous
Addiction: Americas Army

I was addicted to gaming at one time... people would call ask "hey you wanna go bowling?" I would say "no I cant, I’m with family" or any lame excuse, just to play in a match or pub with people on vent... I mean, what kind of excuse is "no, I’m playing online right now in a match"

I probably use to play 5-6 hrs a day.... when I died, I would get an urge to bang my keyboard on the desk... but once 2.5 was released, I quit AA all together for a long time... just because I wasn’t good at it anymore... the jump and accuracy changes I couldn’t adapt to and it did make me mad.... I can honestly say I still don’t like the new version as much as 2.3- 2.4, I found 2.4 had the play style just right...for me...

Once 2.5 was released, I started going out more, I became more social, more friends, more parties, ladies, the only down fall was the amount of gasoline I used. Soon friends became a replacement of AA, and i will still honestly say its fun as hell.

But later down the road, I got in trouble with the law. I got put on 6 months probation, and a curfew..... I couldn’t do anything anymore, because of curfews and probation, so I'd play AA... I have to say, I became rather good at it (lol)… the addiction began again.... but not as bad as before, maybe and hour or two a day… some days non at all... Later I was put under two week house arrest... with no phone, car, or internet for two weeks... I have to say, I thought about AA a lot...heck I even played it offline a lot.

But eventually, offline play wasn’t cutting it, when I mastered taking out over 50 spawn dummies with no cross hair and a mos sniper in cqb (all in same place) it became old.

I started reading books. Watching DVDs and old TV shows paid a lot more attention to the dog... even fixing my kitchen sink became entertainment.

After the two weeks, I jumped back online, and it appeared as everybody missed me... my phone rang for the next 3 days of people wondering "wtf, where were you?.. why was your phone disconnect? Why'd you leave work for two weeks?"

At that point, I decided to take life a little more seriously. I play AA a few times a week.... AA still brings me out of reality for a brief moment in time, but its no longer "oh man, after a day like today, I need play AA"...its more like:

friend: "hey lets pub"
me: "okay"

That’s my story

Nickname: -=ODG=- Leper Messiah
Addiction: Counter Strike: Source

I have been gaming for along time, I have been hooked since pong. I have a good job, a loving wife and 5 kids, but I still make time to game 10-12 hours a week. I think about getting headshots all the time at work, on the way to work, after work. I am always looking for opportunities to sit down and play. I always thought it helped relieve stress, allow me to chill after a tough day. It's hard to beat a cold beer and couple rounds of dust2 to finish out a day. So be it I am an addict and I guess glad to be. There are worse things to be addicted to.

Nickname: [AoA]-Ghost
Addiction: Americas Army

I think about Americas Army all the time when I'm not playing. I think up game plans, ways to make the clan I'm in more popular and a bunch of other stuff. I often lie to friends about my "plans" for the night so I can get some AA in. I also tend to schedule my day around gaming. Gaming is the central focus, my life. I'm totally addicted but only 14 so it's all good!

Nickname: [medIC]
Addiction: Americas Army
I am 16 years old and for the last three years, I have been addicted to gaming. It’s like a drug, I guess, I just can’t stop using it. Gaming has affected my life in many ways, good and bad. Being addicted to a video game has killed any social life I could have had. I don't go out with friends a lot or go to many parties. I started gaming in 2003 and I was a freshman in High School then, and prior to my gaming addiction, I was an A + student. From that point on, my grades suffered. I would skip doing homework and stay up late so I could play my game. I would come to school tired and grouchy and I had a huge personality change. Teachers and friends believed I started drugs. A positive side to me being Addicted to gaming is that I was too busy playing my game to do drugs or get drunk. In my entire high school life, I have never gotten high or drunk. Gaming has also affected the lives of people around me. I ruined any relationship I could have had with my family members. They refer to my room as "a cave" and that I am a "zombie". They are right. I sit in my room from the minute I get home to the minute I go to bed. Girls I have dated tell me I spend way too much time on the damn computer, and they are also right. To overcome my addiction I have done a couple things. I got a job and worked 30 hours a week and that limited my time to my game immensely.

Nickname: KB Dakata
Addiction: Battlefield 2

I personally have been gaming since the early 90's. Way back in the days of Sierra Online (anyone remember Red Baron online?) You would have found me there.

Going forward I got married, started a family and found time to play during "free time". Let me warn you about the so called "Free Time". You justify that you don't have anything else to do, nothings on TV, and I've seen every movie that's out... why not play a quick round? Next thing you know, you're staying up late to play that one last round. Suddenly you realize the people that were close to you aren't that close anymore, you've changed. Still you justify that you're OK and that it's just a game. "I can quit whenever I want to." BS

Follow my lead. I just quit a team that made it to the Divisional Championship (BF2 8v8 Open League). That's the top 4 teams out of 56. They are ranked 2nd 5v5 Special Forces, and 16th 8v8 Open Ladder. So, it's not that I sucked and decided gaming just isn't for me, I just decided tonight that I have poured myself into gaming for the last time. It's time to get back to the real world.

I hate the fact that I won't have the close contact with my online friends, but in the end it's the family and friends around you that are going to pick your butt up when you need help the most.

For those of you that decide to ignore the warning signs be aware that gaming takes a real toll on you physical health. Sleep deprivation can and will begin to chip away at your ability to fight off sickness and disease. Laugh if you want to, but these words will echo in your mind the next time you don't feel so good.

If you decide to continue playing, play responsibly. Limit yourself to a maximum of 2 hours a day, and don't play on the weekends. Re-establish friendships that have either faded or started to fade before it's too late.

Nickname: RonBaCardi
Addiction: Soldier of Fortune II
Gaming has been a thorn in my wife’s side for years, it all started back in 1994 when I got back into computers after a 10 year break. The first game for me, not really hardcore but just for fun, was Wolfenstein 3D. Then we got a newer computer (133 MHz 16 MB Ram, 8 MB Video, 1 GB HD) and got started on the Duke Nukem series. Duke was never really all that hardcore for me but then Diablo 2 came along. I was playing that game all the time.

Then I discovered online play for Diablo 2, that’s when the little arguments started, I stayed up late almost every night, didn’t want to watch TV anymore or go out much. Played that for 4 years and discovered SOF2. Got online with SOF2 and that’s when the hardcore addiction really started, joined a clan, practiced and played every day stayed up late all the time, interrupted dinner almost every night, argued with the wife (nothing bad or serious but more than with D2) about it all the time. Did that for about a 1.5 years and that’s when the bulb went off and I decided I’d better cut back on the game play because all the arguing and disappointing my daughter just wasn’t worth it. That was about 2.5 years ago when my daughter about 3 and old enough to start doing all kinds of things with. Since then I’ve still been buying games here and there, very very picky about what games I buy now, and playing games like COD/ COD-UO / Joint Ops & Escalation / COD 2 / and even SOF2. I’m heading back to console gaming since there isn’t a lot out there for PC anymore (IMO) plus my daughter is getting into the PS2 with me and we have a blast. So basically Diablo 2 got me started fairly regular and SOF2 got me hooked hardcore. Wanting to do more with my family is what got me off the addiction. However, gaming to some degree will always be a part of my life because I grew up in a house where there were always electronic and electrical gadgets around with my Dad having his job at a major power company and him always bringing home new things to play with. Not to mention Atari 2600 / Colecovision / TRS-80 / Commodore 64 / Commodore VIC-20 / Atari 800 (I think) / Apple II e computers and game systems around me at all times either at home or friends houses.