Holy dark UI patterns Batman.
They run the “Dark Patterns” website which is quite famous.
(I got 4/9 if you're curious)
And the encounter was fairly short, maybe a few hours. I remember going to the Black Temple raid with a random group and also spending time in the area where the Sunwell raid was. Looking back, it's quite surreal to think that this little 'chance' encounter planted a seed that made me fall in love with the game.
But a few years down the line I knew I had to cut ties with the game, as I would sometimes go on a binge playing spree and not stop for many months. I say interesting because the game has been turned into an absolute garbage-can that I never want to touch again.
Playstyle became lifeless, classes got obliterated, and there are more cosmetic features being added than there are actual class improvements.
I'm kinda relieved that this is the case but I feel for the players who have literally invested their lives into their characters. Getting out of that cycle is really hard.
Fortunately, I never collected any psychologically-valuable items and simply played the game for the 'action' aspect of it.
Was there anything particular that helped you quit when you decided to?
I think for the most part -- other than the game turning into crap -- it was the feeling of degradation, and I think this comes with age. And it helped that during my breaks from the game I actually got to live life, and have meaningful experiences that further fueled my decision.*
*: I don't like the word decision here as it implies forms of hatred/anger, which I don't believe is the case in my situation. Since it happened naturally, I don't have feelings of guilt or regret.
Pretty easy cut to make when everything is lost and you have to start over. I tried it again a year or two ago and it just wasn't fun anymore.
We have hundreds of resources, inspiring stories, free tools to find new hobbies, and community support. 99% of the website is free with a few reasonable paid programs with structured step-by-step guides and additional bonuses.
Happy to answer any questions you may have. :)
According to HN guideline, you shouldn't comment about flagging a submission.
>"Have you lost interests in, or reduced participation in other recreational activities (hobbies, meetings with friends) due to gaming?"
>"Do you game to escape from or forget about personal problems, or to relieve uncomfortable feelings such as guilt, anxiety, helplessness or depression? *"
I never used Game Quitters myself, but I wish I had. I wish that I had found Game Quitters when I was younger, as Video Games were essentially the only thing I was living for. Video Games prevented me from getting outside and experiencing the world when I needed it most - when I was a deeply unhealthy kid who couldn't walk and who had been hospitalised and away from people his own age for a few years. Some things, like social interaction, I still struggle with today, and I wonder if that would have been the case if I quit video games.
I'm lucky that my path in life moved me away from Video Games, but I know others aren't so lucky. This is why I think the world needs Game Quitters to raise awareness of these issues.
I met Cam two months ago, and just by my interactions with him, I realised that even after a year since I last played a video game, it still has a big effect on my lifestyle and thought patterns. I've found Cam's Game Quitters YouTube channel helpful in indentifying those problems.
I think it says a lot that when I wanted to learn web development, the first thing I made was from a video game. And even now, I still find myself watching videos and streams of gaming from time to time, and Cam's work has helped me to realise my actions are having a negative impact on my life.