Interview: Dr Guy Porter on violence and addiction in games

Atomic: What studies are you currently involved in, and how are you carrying them out?

Dr Porter: We are now turning our attention to the issue of video game ‘addiction’ – however we are avoiding that word and using the term ‘problem use’. Various media reports and websites such as WoW Detox suggest that there are some gamers for whom gaming represents a ‘problem’ – specifically related to excessive use. As mental health clinicians this is very interesting to us. I have also had several patients who use video games excessively with various negative consequences.

Atomic: Tell us a bit about your current project.

Dr Porter: We are running an anonymous online survey for video gamers from all backgrounds to take part in. The survey is divided into 2 parts. The first part focuses on demographics, types of games played, patterns of use, and any negative consequences noticed by the gamer due to the amount of time spent playing. This includes relationship problems, reduced work / study performance, and others. The second part of the survey asks you how you have felt over the last 7 days and is not necessarily related to video game use.

The response so far has been excellent and very positive. Some gamers have been concerned that we are trying to portray the gaming community in a negative light – but this is not the case. We are trying to generate data about patterns of use in order to understand what exactly is ‘problem use’ and what can be done about it. The study is not funded / sponsored by anyone and is for academic purposes. Our senior investigator is Associate Professor Vladan Starcevic from the University of Sydney and has full ethics committee approval.

Atomic: Have there been any others like it conducted, and if so, what were their findings?

Dr Porter: Yes there have been similar studies previously using the online survey methodology. Nicholas Yee from the US has done some excellent work on MMORPGs. As a media researcher Yee focuses on the societal aspects of these games. The strongest motivational factor for playing MMORPGs appears to be the ability to socialise. Other researchers have looked at the consequences of excessive use and have tried to define it. Results suggest that a minority of gamers may have difficulty controlling the amount of time they spend playing with resultant negative impact on their capacity to function in the ‘real’ world. Debate currently rages in medical circles about whether such ‘problem use’ should be classified as a mental disorder. Recognising the problem may enable us to help certain individuals but could have medicolegal implications. Part of our study is to determine exactly what is meant by ‘problem use’.

Atomic: What would be classified as addiction?

Dr Porter: The term ‘addiction’ has historically been used in medicine to describe drug dependence and other so-called ‘behavoural addictions’ such as pathological gambling. It basically refers to a situation in which the individual loses the ability to control or moderate their use of a particular substance or activity. There must also be some detrimental effect on their social / occupational / academic function as a consequence. However, the word ‘addiction’ has many negative connotations and in many ways is going out of vogue in medicine. In our video game use research project we are avoiding the word altogether – instead we are using the concept of ‘problem use’. Once again we are aware from the current literature that this term likely applies to only a small minority of video game users.

Atomic: Is gaming addiction a chemical-based addiction?

Dr Porter: More research is needed in this area. The brain is a complex organ! I would speculate that video game use activates dopaminergic reward pathways in the brain, although the play of neurotransmitters is undoubtedly more complex than this. Certainly video gamers report feeling relaxed and content when they play. However it is probably not reasonable to compare video game use to the direct physiological effects of a drug such as heroin or alcohol.

Atomic: Would you like to reveal any preliminary results?

Dr Porter: We are not releasing any preliminary results at this stage. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal once the survey is complete.

Atomic: Are you a gamer yourself? Pwn much?

Dr Porter: I don’t mind flight simulators. When I was a teenager I used to play Ultima 4. My fiancée is an avid gamer so I’m familiar with all the recent games – I am certainly not an outsider. I can sense that the gaming community is looking to find someone to counteract Jack Thompson. I may not be that person but I am someone who is trying to take a more balanced approach.


To be a part of Dr Porter’s research study into video game addiction, hit the link on this research page.