I have referred to my gaming activities in the past as an obsession. In reality that term is probably a little strong for the actual situation. As my collection has grown I have seen myself become far more particular about which games I will buy or which projects in Kickstarter I will back. Even with that in mind, I realize that I own and play far more games that the average person and from that vantage point I could be seen as addicted to the hobby.
The terms that are often used seem to come with a level of negative baggage that is unwarranted. Can one be addicted to a particular activity if there are no, or minimal negative side effects of the activity? Can one be obsessed if one is still able to function as a regular member of society? One might use the term dedicated, but even that does not seem to fit in my mind. Probably the best term that I can come up with right now is committed. It describes the level of attention to the activity and has just enough historical connotation to justify the level of insanity to which some non-gamers think I must suffer.
Game report day 16: Can't Stop
Today's musings were not exactly random. When games and entertainment are involved, some people predictably lose all sense of probability and statistics. This phenomenon is the only reason that institutions like Powerball remain financially viable. On a smaller (and more responsible) scale there is the class of board games termed "press your luck" games.
One of the oldest of these (setting casino games aside) is a game called Can't Stop, formerly of Parker Brothers. In this game you roll dice in an effort to claim spots atop columns representing possible outcomes on those dice. On every roll, you must advance at least one marker. If you cannot, you bust and lose all progress made that turn. You can, of course, always stop voluntarily. Some time ago I purchased an additional add-on to the game called Rollin down the Highway. This complicates the game slightly, making the path up each column unknown and potentially not straight. I quite like the additional material. It makes the game ever so slightly less than just an exercise in probability and taunting of the opponents. I try not to taunt my wife too much when we play. She won this round, 3-2.
Now should I stop?
Nah.
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