The gaming becomes all-consuming, and other activities lose their value. The player seems indifferent to their surroundings and isolates themselves with the game. It’s common for the player to struggle with school or work performance. Hobbies, bills, social relationships, and other obligations are neglected. As everyday life deteriorates around the player, the intensity of gaming continues to increase.

Video games, also called TV- and computer games, provide players with a strong sense of mastery. This mastery creates an illusion that the game offers everything the player needs, and other tasks become difficult and insurmountable. Many games provide an opportunity to be someone completely different from who the player is in real life. This is perceived as genuine value by the player, and they will fight to maintain their gaming.

In-game gambling

There are increasingly more games introducing gambling elements and payment features in video games, and these features may not necessarily be regulated in a safe manner. These functions can be found almost anywhere payment information can be provided in the game or on the device, without necessarily affecting the game’s age rating or other information for parents.

Therefore, we encourage you to investigate this and have a discussion with the player about these features and how frequently they are used.

Video game addiction is a relatively new diagnosis in the ICD-11 diagnostic manual, meaning you have the right to help and treatment.