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Interesting. I can tell you that gamification is being used extensively by governments and corporations all over the world. A dull factory job can easily be made fun for a worker if they think they're playing a game for 8 hours a day. Btw, here's an example of gambling addiction leading to dishonesty from our own Steemit. Sadly this time it's the 'bookmaker'... https://steemit.com/steemsports/@nikflossus/alert-betting-account-run-by-a-trusted-member-of-steemit-found-to-be-a-scam

I can tell you that gamification is being used extensively by governments and corporations all over the world.

I suppose in that way it is a positive use in some ways.

Btw, here's an example of gambling addiction leading to dishonesty from our own Steemit.

Thanks I will take a look:)

I lost my home to "Travian", not me playing it but my wife. I lost everything, because she took it to keep me from complaining about her online addiction. Women can do that still. This was like 8 years ago when most people still didn't get online addictions. She was spending a lot of money on "gold" and we were getting calls from bills we couldn't pay. When I tried to talk to her about it once, the first and only time, she went to work (she was playing at work) typed up a raft of false complaints against me and a short time later I was divorced with only what I could pack in my car.

I could have taken the house and probably more, but she got custody of my son and I didn't want to upset that for him. Fortunately he was almost ready for college and is now out of there. According to him she is still playing and spending up to half her monthly salary on it.

The real power of these things is that the game keeps moving when you are offline, calling you back to it so you won't get left behind

I lost my home to "Travian", not me playing it but my wife. I lost everything, because she took it to keep me from complaining about her online addiction. Women can do that still. This was like 8 years ago when most people still didn't get online addictions.

Wow thanks for sharing your experience.

The real power of these things is that the game keeps moving when you are offline, calling you back to it so you won't get left behind

Yes for sure. The drive to not miss out is in itself quite powerful.

When I first read your article i was assuming that the money "spent" on the game was being laundered...there is a technique of money laundering which uses the virtual currency or markets in MMO's to move the illegal assets.

But "Game of War"?

As a former gamer (7 years wasted on WOW), I can understand the dopamine rushes, but a million bucks on a tablet game? WOW!

Some additional reading on money laundering via online games (including online gambling):
http://ro.ecu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=icr

http://lawofthegame.blogspot.com/2007/09/mmog-massive-moneylaundering-online.html

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=987056

http://www.mcafee.com/in/resources/white-papers/wp-jackpot-money-laundering-gambling-summary.pdf

Cool. Thanks I hadn't even considered the money laundering angle. In this case it sounds like a case of addiction but thanks for the links I will take a look:)

I don't think there is even an aftermaket for Game of War, so I think it's addiction, too. In these articles they discuss terror financing via this method of laundering, but the terrorists actually use an exchange method called hawala.

Yes. Interesting. I will put these things on my list to read (which is crazy long right now). May be a good subject for a future post (unless you want to cover it). Thanks for the links:)

Actually, gambling has already be referred to as gaming in some news I've seen.
So, I think in gaming which involves some exchange of something or some currency, it's pretty much some kind of gambling.

Yes I know some people call it gaming.

I feel like writing a new video game.

Power it with Steem if you do.

As a big gamer myself, I've kept a close ear to all the problems regarding "free-to-play" models like Candy Crush for the past few years, especially since it has begun to heavily affect premium console game development. I've always seen it as worse than gambling as these companies are making a bulk of their profits from children who use their parents' credit cards. These games are highly engineered to be addictive and profitable. I think there has to be a lot of public discourse and new legislation on this part of the tech industry.

Great article, would love to see more in the future! Followed

I've kept a close ear to all the problems regarding "free-to-play" models like Candy Crush for the past few years, especially since it has begun to heavily affect premium console game development. I've always seen it as worse than gambling as these companies are making a bulk of their profits from children who use their parents' credit cards.

Yes it is unethical to sell what is pretty much like gambling to kids. I think we have all heard those horror stories on the news where a parent receives a huge bill for something they didn't buy.

Great article, would love to see more in the future! Followed

Thanks:)

RS for you.

Ha, I am not a gamer and never have been. I am not the target market here LOL.

I would like some STEEM today, I know that! Down to 16¢ USD as I am typing.

Thanks! I've put down an order at 10 cents. Hopefully it gets met:)

I would love to hear your thoughts on all this today/this week --- oooooo -- BLOG POST!! Boom.

Lol. I did discuss it in yesterday's post. Let's see what happens. It would be nice to get at least a small dip so I could buy some cheap.

That's crazy... I think I have spent like $10 on Marvel Champions...lol

If I was gong to piss away $1M I'd be living like a Rockstar!

Upvoted.

Yes me too. Thanks:)

As a part time gamer I found your post very very interesting, thank you.

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it:)

@thecryptofiend

Why do some people seem to develop problems with addiction to gaming, gambling, alcohol etc. yet others can do these activities without them getting out of hand?

  • those who have this in control probably don't have emotional issues. In fact there are people who made it big and a millionaire doing this.

  • is it gambling - if there's betting involved yes,

  • though I have never played this I know someone who has this for a job - yes, a job and he is making bread out of this.

I had a few ex students who got so addicted to gaming they don't go to school or classes and even sleep in front of the comp for the sake of playing - something like that Game of War.

Still it's just a game, like money, it has no power to mess someone up unless that someone starts playing it and loose control. And you're right about the influence of genetics and the outer factors to that person has something to do with messing him up or not, too.

Should it be avoided ... if it makes one dough - no :)
If it makes one loose much dough - he who loses much dough better stay away from it and go get help to kick off.

Thanks. Good points.

These games are addictive. I know someone whose son was downloading games using his parents bank card.

Yes I have heard of many stories like that.

More often, it's something the parents cant afford. Like gambling,these gaming are addictive.

Yes exactly and it is big business.