GamerWidow.com

Advice from a former Video Game Addict

RazorJack — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:18:52 +0000

Hello Everyone,

I’ve been reading some of the posts on here, and was inspired to share my story.

Around six years ago, I found myself in the clutch of video game addiction. I was a young man, had an awesome girlfriend, had a mediocre job, and came from a close family. Nothing seemed to be out of place, and at the time I didn’t think that I had ANY problems. My thoughts concerning playing excessive amounts of video games were like the thoughts of most of the addicted husbands and boyfriends mentioned on this forum… “I’m escaping, I need time for myself, It relaxes me, it’s better than being at a bar… blah blah blah”. I know right?

The name of the beast was Playstation 2. It wasn’t necessarily an online game, and I wasn’t playing to the extent of some of the horror stories I’ve read here, but it was a problem in my relationship with my girlfriend and family nonetheless. One day my girlfriend spoke to me seriously about me playing games so much. She told me she was concerned about me playing so much, and felt neglected by me. I kind of brushed her off about it, and I excused myself from there being anything wrong with what I was doing. If anything it actually reinforced my reasons and determination for playing (I saw that my girlfriend was un-supportive and too needy)… but the contrary was true. A few days later my mother called me to come over. I went over and my girlfriend was there, and I guess we had a sort of a mini intervention. We all talked, I listened.

“My girlfriend had to go to the extreme of involving my mom”? (This was important)

This made me see that there’s consequences to everything you do, YES, even playing video games.

It was then I realized that I was replacing life itself with video games, I was spending more time with fake digital characters, and computerized violence than my girlfriend whom I (supposedly) loved. I saw the tears in her eyes and longing in her face to have me (the person who neglected her for so long) back. The very next morning I got up early and got rid everything video game related in my possession, and good riddance. It was a defining moment in my life. I was determined then to be a real man, and stop acting like a spoiled selfish teenager.

I thank GOD today that I went on to marry that wonderful woman. I can say that I am truly happy, and have a successful marriage and career. I’ve also gotten a REAL hobby.

I also thank my wife for not giving up on me, she makes me more than I really am.

My suggestions to you significant others in these video game triangle relationships is this…

- Love conquers all, share your feelings with your mate, be patient, be brave, and be strong (we need help).
- Get a third party involved if possible, to be a mediator in the discussion of the problem. let it be someone that you both respect and has an understanding of the situation.

- Present them a clear list of choices or consequences that they will experience if their behavior doesn’t change.
- Follow through.. If you present an “ultimatum” be ready to back up what you’ve said you will do. This is worst case scenario, but if the person chooses an imaginary life rather than a real one with you… what can you do but make sure can take care of yourself (and your children).

There is always hope.

Thanks for reading.

-Nelson Castro (RazorJack)

New NBC show is looking for couples!

GamerWidow — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:24:47 +0000

IS YOUR SPOUSE A VIDEO GAME ADDICT? ARE YOU?

JERRY SEINFELD IS CALLING ALL COUPLES!

Jerry Seinfeld, NBC, the Executive Producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show and the producers of “Super Nanny” now bring you…

“The Marriage Ref”

A comedy/reality series where celebrities and a relationship referee help squabbling married couples make peace. Created by Seinfeld, this relationship advice… with a comic twist.

“The Marriage Ref” casting team is searching the country for outgoing and opinionated married couples, willing to appear on national television, who have a long standing argument about video games. Does your spouse spend more time playing a game than with you? Do you think they live in a “fantasy world”? Does your other half not understand gaming and how important it is to you? Do you just want to be left alone? Want to make 1500 dollars?

Please include your contact info, city you live in, photos, and a paragraph about why you are the perfect couple for this show. Be sure to include a brief explanation about your arguments and tell us why you are RIGHT and your partner is WRONG!

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please

EMAIL JordanPetersonCasting@yahoo.com

To download and view original PDF click here

MTV’s True Life is looking for Gamers!

GamerWidow — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:02:56 +0000

TRUE LIFE: I’M ADDICTED TO VIDEOGAMES

Have video games totally taken over your life? Is your game play increasingly getting out of control? Have your friends or family confronted you about your gaming habit? How about your marriage or personal relationships – are they being affected? Is it difficult to balance work and gaming time? Do you sometimes skip doing homework or household responsibilities to play? Have you played video games as a way of escaping your problems? Has your game playing habit become so encompassing that you may need to go to rehab to kick it? If you can identify with any of the above, MTV wants to hear from you.

If you appear to be between the ages of 17 and 29 please email us at truelifecasting@banditofilms.com and tell us ALL of the following: Your age, your city and state, why you feel you’re addicted to gaming, and how its affecting your life. Be sure to include a recent picture or two and a current phone number.

Note from GamerWidow.com: Gamers out there who are addicted, please consider participating in this show, there are a lot of people out there who don’t really believe that it’s possible to be addicted to video games…..help spread the word about what is really going on. Thanks!

Twitter is coming to GamerWidow.com!

Lyoness — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:18:46 +0000

Well sort of. I’m going to be using a Twitter-like application that is open source called Laconica to create a customized GamerWidow.com Twitter. Members who use the GW Twitter-like app (name to be determined) can also post directly to their Twitter accounts but have the option of keeping their GW Tweets private only to this community.

I’m still working on it and will be asking select members to beta test for me so stay tuned!

Follow me on Twitter: @Lyoness

DOCUMENTARY SERIES WANTS YOU!

GamerWidow — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:10:07 +0000

An award winning Vancouver based production company has created a documentary series about women with addictions or bad habits they are trying to kick. We are specifically looking to “cast” a 35 – 55 year old woman with technical or gaming addictions. Candidates need to be based in the Metro Vancouver area. The series is for a major Canadian broadcaster so if you are selected you will need to be comfortable with national broadcast of your journey. The series focuses on women who are smokers, shopaholics and gamblers but gaming or technical addictions is a niche we still haven’t filled. Experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with experts and go on a documented journey with 3 other brave women looking to kick their habits.

We are seeking participants immediately so contact me, Gillian Hrankowski directly at: Gillian_hrankowski@shaw.ca for more details about the company and the show and tell me your story!

NOTE: This post was approved by Lyoness.

Take a 10 minute survey, and help a University student get a sample of gamer widows and their spouses.

Lyoness — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:47:06 +0000

Do you or your spouse play an online game (MMORPG)? We need you both to

each take a separate 10 minute University survey. Several chances to win $500!

Please click on the link below and tell your friends! Thank you!

https://byu.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_ezJnKMd2T8CZoZS&SVID=Prod

Note by Lyoness: The above post is from a student who is doing some really great research — please take the survey, it will go a long way for our community!

The Fifth Estate documentary airs

Lyoness — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:17:31 +0000

Remember my post about being interviewed for a documentary for the Fifth Estate? Well the documentary is on tonight at 9:00 p.m. EST on CBC. It airs again on Friday at 10:00 p.m. EST. It’s called Strangers in Paradise and focuses on two couples who’ve had their marriage seriously tested because of Second Life (an MMORPG).

Find out more about the episode here:

http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2008-2009/strangers_in_paradise/

I wonder how my segment(s) will turn out? I’ll try and get a clip of the pieces and post them here. I’m sure the documentary will open many eyes. Definitely a must watch tonight!! And if you can’t watch tonight be sure to TiVo/PVR it or watch on Friday.

I’ll post my thoughts on the documentary after I watch it and I’m interested in hearing feedback from you guys too so come back and post your comments.

EDIT: I watched the documentary — it was really great!! My interview ended up being an online feature and you can watch it here: http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2008-2009/strangers_in_paradise/gamer_widow.html

Test

Faeril — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:29:18 +0000

testing

Canadian couples wanted for documentary

Lyoness — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:15:08 +0000

Hi Everyone,

The following request comes from a reliable contact. Please consider contacting them to participate in the documentary.

~Lyoness

———-

The CBC’s investigative documentary program the fifth estate is looking for Canadian couples whose relationships have been affected by Second Life. Does your partner spend hours in Second Life? Is your partner having a Second Life affair? Has your partner gotten married in Second Life? Are you a Second Life widow? We would like to hear from
you. Please contact me at Lynette.fortune@cbc.ca

Irish Couple wanted for Interview

Lyoness — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:06:33 +0000

The Irish Daily Star Sunday newspaper, based in Dublin, is interested in doing a feature on an Irish couple who’s relationship has been affected by addictions to virtual computer games.

If there is a couple willing to tell their story, they can contact journalist Keith Falkiner on (01) 4993482 or 0863468263 or by email keith.falkiner@thestar.ie