This YouTube video found it’s way into my Inbox today.
I think it’s something a lot of people can relate to. I certainly can. And it’s all down to Metal Gear Solid.
It’s probably the most addictive game I’ve ever played. Call of Duty is a close second but it pales into insignificance compared to MGS. It should have a government health warning on the box or something. Either that or a free weekly pass to Gamers Anonymous.
Snakes
It all started out so innocently. A quick blast early doors getting to grips with Solid Snake and then out for a beer later in the evening …
But the hours just flew by. I figured out how to sneak up on guards without alerting them, became a crack shot with my rifle and had taken out a couple of end of level bosses within a couple of hours or so. I skipped lunch (it wasn’t that long till dinner anyway) and pushed on.
Some psychic dude called Psycho Mantis proved an obstacle, but only till I figured out that I had to switch the controller port over. Sniper Wolf was dispatched as was Revolver Ocelot.
Before I knew it, I’d wasted 8 hours and it was time to head out.
Guards
But when I got to the club we were going to, I found myself trying to stay out of the gaze of security cameras and making sure I walked directly underneath an overhead gangway when a guard punter walked above me.
I’d played too much. If there was a line to be crossed then I crossed it.
I can totally relate to the Duke Nukem guy in the video (yes, I do know it’s not actually real) -- but I don’t think I was that far from thinking I was actually Solid Snake.
Have you played a game too much and thought you were the main character? Leave a comment and let me know if you have -- I promise I won’t tell anyone!
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Tags: duke nukems disease, gamers anonymous, help i'm playing too much!, metal gear solid, solid snake
I can totally relate to MGS addiction – to some extent I dived into the game world – looking behind the monitor while trying to find the guards, feeling cold in some areas etc.
Another game that sucked me in was Chrono Trigger on SNES – I would recommend it only if you have one week of spare time.
Not really an addiction but kind of linked…….
After a particularly intense game of Halo 3 on Xbox live I had to pop out somewhere. It was night time so I jumped in the car and flicked on the headlights. As i drove slowly round a corner, the lights caught a neighbour standing (in the dark) on his drive way. I must have still been all wound up because my first instinct was to shoot him! I was properly on edge which can’t be good. Thank God i didn’t go for a splatter.
Does the disease count when you ARE the character in dreams?
I also used to dream of Tetris having played that for weeks on end on my Gameboy. The original chunky one! Yes, I am THAT old!
I was a whizz at Donkey Kong. And does anyone remember Boxer? Well it was on the Acorn Electron.
I fear I may also develop a “condition” from gaming. They said my eyes would go square, well that has not happened after 20 years of “dedication”. However, I fear one day my thumbs will fall off!
HELP!
Can thumbs fall off? Can they? Oh Christ what if that happened?!?!? I’d have to dig out something with a joystick
The most embarrassing addiction / guilty pleasure was with A Kingdom for Keflings downloaded on Xbox live. Utter rubbish but strangely hypnotic, even the looped (short) music. I lost a few days to that game and on reflection i’m not entirely sure why.
I did see you playing that A LOT. It nearly even prompted me to play it!
But at that time I was addicted to Tiger Woods Golf.. there’s definitely a pattern forming.
How can you be addicted to a golf game!! Hang your head in shame.
I am finding myself addicted to Stick Tennis at the moment! I’ve even registered with Stick Sports!!!
Something to do at work to waste away the hours.
Chris, as for the thumbs, I think there is some surgery you can get to repalce them if they did!!
Stick sports! oh my god, i forgot about those! They are really addictive but ultimately not as addictive as Tiger Woods Golf!