Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming

Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) have received considerable attention in news headlines describing gamers who have died while engaging in excessive play. However, more common physical and psychosocial effects attributed to online video gaming are social isolation, increased aggression, and...

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Main Authors: Sublette, V., Mullan, Barbara
Format: Journal Article
Published: Springer 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/35584
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author Sublette, V.
Mullan, Barbara
author_facet Sublette, V.
Mullan, Barbara
author_sort Sublette, V.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) have received considerable attention in news headlines describing gamers who have died while engaging in excessive play. However, more common physical and psychosocial effects attributed to online video gaming are social isolation, increased aggression, and negative academic and occupational consequences. In consideration of the bias in reporting negative consequences of video gaming, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate the evidence of the effects of MMOGs on those who play them. In the sixteen studies that met the inclusion criteria, analysis revealed that only those players who were classified as “addicted” or engaged in “problematic game play” experienced significant negative consequences, with many gamers finding positive aspects to video gaming such as enjoyment, feelings of achievement, friendship, and a sense of community. However, significant limitations in the studies point to the need for further research so that appropriate treatments and interventions can be developed for problematic game play.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-355842018-03-29T09:08:24Z Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming Sublette, V. Mullan, Barbara Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) have received considerable attention in news headlines describing gamers who have died while engaging in excessive play. However, more common physical and psychosocial effects attributed to online video gaming are social isolation, increased aggression, and negative academic and occupational consequences. In consideration of the bias in reporting negative consequences of video gaming, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate the evidence of the effects of MMOGs on those who play them. In the sixteen studies that met the inclusion criteria, analysis revealed that only those players who were classified as “addicted” or engaged in “problematic game play” experienced significant negative consequences, with many gamers finding positive aspects to video gaming such as enjoyment, feelings of achievement, friendship, and a sense of community. However, significant limitations in the studies point to the need for further research so that appropriate treatments and interventions can be developed for problematic game play. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/35584 10.1007/s11469-010-9304-3 Springer restricted
spellingShingle Sublette, V.
Mullan, Barbara
Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming
title Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming
title_full Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming
title_fullStr Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming
title_full_unstemmed Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming
title_short Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming
title_sort consequences of play: a systematic review of the effects of online gaming
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/35584