What to Do If You Know Your Kid Has An Online Game Addiction

Perhaps you have noticed that your child has spent a lot of time playing games recently. Maybe he has found some new, cool games online and he just can't seem to stop. At what point do you wonder if your child has an online game addiction?

Video games have become a major part in the lives of our youth. Since our children have more free time to spend playing games, they often find the virtual worlds easier to live in than the real thing. Some children are more than happy to isolate themselves from friends and family to get to the next level or meet some new challenge in a game.

At some point their gaming achievements may become more important to them than the things that are going on in the real world. With the arrival of massive multiplayer online role-playing games, the problem is becoming more acute. According to the Council on Science and Public Health in 2005, gamers that spend more than two hours per day are defined as gaming too much. This is citing the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines that no child should have more than two hours of screen time per day.

According to Dr. Maressa Hecht Orzack, around 40% of the players of World of Warcraft are suffering from some sort of online games addiction. In a 2006 lecture, 12% of online gamers that were polled reported they had some form of addictive behaviors.

While online gaming addiction is not recognized as a diagnosable disorder by the American Medical Association, there seems to be an alarming number of teens that are suffering from symptoms. As the games become more complex and detailed they are able to compel the player into their virtual worlds. These cool games online also use improved graphics and strategic challenges to entice the players to get more involved.

Not all gamers are addicted, a lot of teens, pre-teens and adults can play with no uncontrollable compulsion. However this is not true of everyone.

Since video games are designed to be addictive and to entice people to play more, it increases the likelihood that a person can become addicted. In some cases the person might be trying to beat a high score or discover some new way to beat the game while the enticement is still there.

Does it Ever End?

For games that are massive multiplayer, this problem can be even worse because the game is designed to never end. Some kids have friends that spend hours per day playing games to make higher results than they do. They therefore feel compelled by online peer pressure to play more to keep up with their peers.

For children that have poor relationship skills and are easily bored, video game addiction can become a serious concern. Some researchers at the Hammersmith Hospital in London found in 2005 that dopamine levels of players doubled while they were in the middle of a game. Since dopamine is a mood regulating hormone, it can enhance the body's feelings of pleasure. This can lead to a chemically addictive behavior.

Gaming Addiction Symptoms

If you think your child may be addicted to video games or the Internet there are certain things you can look out for. One of the most obvious behaviors is excessive time being spent playing games or in front of a computer. It doesn't matter whether it's a gaming console or a laptop the results are still the same. Other indicators can be moodiness and depression when not online. They can become preoccupied and often fantasize while being online.

You might see changes in sleeping patterns or sudden weight loss or weight gain. Be aware that some children lie about how much time they spend gaming or on the Internet to continue their activities.

If your child is showing these symptoms, it is highly recommended that you limit the amount of time they spend in front of a screen. In some cases it may be beneficial to take the computer gaming system out of their room so that they are required to play in a common area of the home. This can help you watch your child and track how much time they spend gaming.

If you feel that your child is unable to stay away from the screen without addictive behavior, they may need professional treatment. There are addiction centers that are available to help with this and in some cases it may need a therapeutic boarding school or a residential treatment center. The most important thing is to get your child some help as soon as possible.

Cool games online are normally trustworthy for pleasing free time necessities also can sharpen your mental senses and keep your brain cells in shape, If you feel that your child is unable to stay away from the screen without addictive behavior, they may require professional treatment.

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Mahjong Is One of the Oldest Games in the World

MaQue, which refers to sparrow, is the original name given for the mahjong game, a trendy game which originated in China. Most southern Chinese vernaculars still use the name MaQue when referring to the game. Nevertheless, in other parts of this rich country, the game is generally referred to as MaJiang.

Involving four key players, the game entails a lot of meticulous calculations, not to mention a concise level of expertise and a discreet strategy. Depending on the different game versions, each player transacts with thirteen to sixteen tiles at a time. The customary Chinese rules of the game have been modified depending on where the game is being played. Today, the game is being played in many different countries across the world.

Regardless of the rules applicable in the different countries, through the game, a player draws one tile while they castoff another. Winning will depend on the draw, which is taking the redundant tile or picking up a new tile. There have been a lot of mythical stories trying to explain the origin of this very popular game. A well-known story states that the game was invented around 500 BC by Confucius, a famous Chinese philosopher at the time. According to this allegory, the philosopher would travel to the different parts of the country teaching people about the game, thus explaining the dominance of the game.

Confucius taught that the story behind the legend was about an isolated lady in the emperor's palace that used ivory and bamboo to carve the tiles for the game. She would call her three maids once she was done, to come and play the game with her. Later in life, Confucius developed the game. Since he was very fond of birds, as indicated in the myth, the game came to be known as Mahjong, which means a sparrow.

Paradoxically, there is no indication whatsoever of the existence of this game before the nineteenth century. Historians suppose that, the game was founded on "MaDiao", a typical Chinese game, and that forty paper cards were used to play the game. The paper cards were numbered one to ten, in four different suits alongside four other additional flower cards. This can easily be compared to the Mahjong game played presently in different parts of the world. Mahjong is now considered a classic game by all rights, and can easily be found online. Over the years, many different variations have been created, with each having their own sets of rules.

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Free Minecraft Hosting: What Should You Know?

Minecraft, a game which had been there for long has undergone numerous revisions. However, with all these changes, the game continues to be the favorite of our time. If you wish to start a small Minecraft server in your home computer to play with one or two of your friends, you just have to configure the Minecraft in Linux or Putty. If yours is a Windows operating system, you can start a free Minecraft hosting service by following the instructions given below:

Download the Minecraft software from the official game website. Keep it saved in a specific folder which in future would contain all your Minecraft files. Before going further, make sure that Java version 6 or later is installed on your PC. This is a must because all the other previous versions produce errors which may make the installation of the downloaded software something next to impossible. Done this, proceed with the executable file, open it. This starts the automatic configuration of the Minecraft host server on your computer. Ignore the error messages which may pop up in between. Upon its completion, you are required to increase the memory of your Minecraft server. To achieve this task, just open a notepad file and paste the following code:

"C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\javaw.exe" -Xmx2048M -Xms2048M -jar "Minecraft_Server.exe". This file fetches the file which you are using to configure the Minecraft server. Done this, you are required to rename the file as "run.bat." Save it in your Minecraft folder. By doing this, you increased the memory of your Minecraft server from 100MB to 2GB which is generally regarded as satisfactory to play the game for some time.

However, when the game starts gaining momentum with more and more of your friends joining the excitement, your computer may face a tough time to cope up with the extra pressure it is forced to handle. This may become quite annoying with the game getting disrupted at times. And it can be regarded as a warning signal alerting you on the requirement of a paid server for the same. A paid server offers greater stability and improved performance allowing you to enjoy the maximum excitement the game offers. Opting for a paid service for your Minecraft game would never create a situation where you are made to regret your decision. Minecraft is a game which allows the free flow of one's creativity and spirit of adventure. The treasure hunting in the game is made dangerous with the presence of angry monsters which are waiting for you to reach there. And if you go too close to them, you get killed. And when you revive the game with renewed freshness, you are required to find out all the treasure which you had hunt previously because when you die, all these get scattered.

Go ahead, boost your creativity and the spirit of exploration while having the time of your life enjoying the game of Minecraft.

Ishana Luthra, writer and CEO at SEO writing company Pattraco, is adored for her writing skills.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Multiplayer Premier Initial Thoughts!

We told you it was coming, today at Gamescom Activision and Treyarch demoed live streaming to the world through Xbox Live, the first views of Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

The highly anticipated next iteration of the Call of Duty franchise, Black Ops 2 we demoed today at Gamescom in Germany, and streamed live over the internet and Xbox Live to the world. Not only did Treyarch and team show off what looks to be an awesome addition to an addicting franchise, but they introduced multiple new features and game play modes that will be available in Black Ops 2.

A great update to the game is that now up to 18 players can play all the time instead of just in ground war!

First Impressions of Gameplay Footage:

Fluid, that's the first thing that comes to mind. The game play looks smooth and seamless, from the main user interaction to the surrounding elements everything seems very polished and ready to go. The environments look familiar, which is to be expected, but the maps are what make the multiplayer, and these new maps are different and look awesome.

This game will certainly scratch the itch that fans of the franchise have. It keeps the familiar feel and elements that make the game successful and loved by players. Because it's a Black Ops 2 game, it brings back diving, which we've all missed! They've added new weapons, new perks, new attachments and updated character models and movements. These all add to the updated and refreshed feeling of the game that will get you hooked back in to the franchise if you've drifted away to say, Battlefield 3?

Newly Announced Features:

Multi-Team Team Death Match - six teams increases the level of carnage within Call of Duty. Players can pick six different factions to play as and team up against up to 18 players in these mosh pit style games. Communication is important here, with this level of mayhem you have to stick together and call out enemies or else your team is going to lose.

Hard Point - Similar to king of the hill or headquarters, teams have to defend specific areas within a map to earn points. The location changes and teams have to move to recover the position.

COD-casting - a way to share your game with viewers, adding to the entertainment level of the game. One of the things that Treyarch has said that they want to do is increase the competition and "sport" of playing COD. COD casting adds a way to save games and share them out into the world along with adding in color commentary. This is something that is certainly going to make a big push on YouTube because one large source of videos is gameplay tips and tricks, this will certainly make these types of videos easier to put together.

Live Streaming - Yes live streaming, it's exactly what you think it is, you can stream gameplay live to other viewers.

Target Finder - A weapon attachment that helps you identify targets at a distance. Cheap yes, useful of course!

League Play - A new gameplay type that pits you against equally skilled players to level the field and increase the competition level. You're playing against people who are as good or as bad as you.

Perk Combinations - not exactly new but they are enhanced now and the combination system is improved.

Ryan Carroll is a technology enthusiast interested who shares his opinions and insights of technology through his blog http://www.techstify.com/. He founded his blog after seeing other technology blogs and feeling that they did not provide the insight that he was looking for when it came to technology, video games and phones.

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How to Bluff Online

What about the opposite? Just how do you bluff your opponents online? For a similar reasons outlined above, I rarely recommend a flat-out bluff online against greater than a few opponents. Many players like to take a draw with bottom pair, hoping to catch two pair or a set for the turn. In the event you haven't even made a couple, they'll beat you each time inside a showdown. In a passive pot with quite a bit of callers, disregard bluffing. However, I highly recommend the semi-bluff online, especially every time you're in position. What exactly is a semi-bluff? Merely put, it is a gamble or raise with a hand which has outs to enhance, except probably is not the very best hand at the moment. Let's take a look at an example hand let's consider a move that have been highly successful for me playing online.

We're inside a $1/2 no-limit ring game and I'm one over button. There are a couple of callers in advance of me and I actually have Ad-Jd. I now flat call, the button folds, and the big blind stays in. The flop comes with 10d-4d-8c. The primary two players check, as well as the third player bets $6. Once i'm up, I happily toss in $20 to head into the $15 pot. Why? To begin with, there's a good chance that I'll win the pot right there. Although I get known as, I'm still in just right shape. I even have the nut flush draw and two over cards towards the board. A lot of cards will aid me over the turn, and if I hit the flush my hand is quite well-disguised. This can be a semi-bluff, as I don't have a full trash hand, save for it also isn't worth anything along at the moment. I enjoy betting into draws when I've position as it puts me in control. Many timid players will fold to me on this situation, and if I run into a tremendous reraise I won't be an immense underdog if I commit to call. This move is leading played from last position relative to one other player, since you'll regularly get to look at a free card for those who don't improve within the turn.

I've heard from many online players who could shield their blinds unnecessarily or call their opponents down very soon to keep them honest. They hate the indisputable fact that someone has to be running over them without a hand. Why get so upset about it? If you happen to would not have a hand yourself, you wouldn't have any business calling their raise. Must you're at the big blind and acquire raised by a notorious bluffer, the worst thing that you would be able to do is just call to peer the flop. Most of some time, the flop goes to overlook both of you. Because you're from position, you'll only like to check the hand. He, correctly, bets and also you would like to fold your hand. All you've done is wasted a few larger chips because you did not want to be bluffed. Toss in a big re-race in the event you ought to, other than have a very hand if you happen you're going to go into conflict which includes a bluffer. Do not get keen on confidential revenge or try that they are the table sheriff - you will only be hurting your individually our bankroll. Don't be concerned, somebody else will be at liberty to position to the badge on the table.

Frequently, you're going to run into such a lot of bluffing online. Rather a lot of any time, you will not be able to know for distinct that your opponent doesn't have you beat. I like to recommend ignoring betting and time patterns and instead taking inventory of past hands using your opponents. While you want to choose up one more pot, I like to recommend the semi-bluff much more frequently online than a straight-bluff. In case you're intending to make an out-of-line steal attempt, guarantee to have some outs to a possible winning hand. Every time you hit your hand, you'll just come across such as you got fortunate for a steal attempt. This also succeeds in securing you future action to your monster hands. Oh, and next time you visit the local poker room, try putting the cards for your mouth and rolling your eyes back inside your head.

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Endangered Species: One Player Games

For the purposes of this article, I will not be acknowledging games for young children. The one player games and gaming discussed here will refer to games for ages 13 and up.

While there are a large number of high-quality video games hitting the market every year, there is one 'genre' that is on its way to being forgotten. One Player Games. Or even, for that matter, non-PvP (Player vs Player) games.

Lately, the vast majority of new games have one purpose, and one purpose only, Player vs Player combat. While these games do have their place, there is more to gaming than simply running around shooting at each other. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the violence, far from it. But the fact is that the bulk of these games all share a number of common problems.

For starters, the unofficial (and often hidden) "teams", which are really more like gangs. Groups of friends that band together in-game to hunt down and harass new players. Often to the point where the new players have no chance of progressing and simply quit playing out of frustration. If the people doing this stopped and thought about it for a moment, they would see how they are ruining these games for themselves as much as anyone.

Another problem is the lack of originality. The majority of these gamea the weapons, does not make it an original game.

The third major problem with the flood of PvP games, is the real-world affects of them. These games create an enormous amount of competitive behavior. We are all aware of the 'gaming addictions' that can affect people. Competition is an addiction in its own right. The combination creates something akin to digital crack. I would be willing to bet good money that if a survey was ever done, it would reveal that the vast majority of gaming addicts are hooked on multiplayer FPS games. I personally know many people that spend nearly every waking minute glued to the screen trying to climb from #375 to #374 on some leader board.

So why not some one player games? Take the newer Fallout games for example, great graphics, cool environment, and intense game play (at higher difficulty levels). And you get it all without being chased by packs of teenagers you've never heard of, or the constant flood of infantile remarks in the chat. Just straight up gameplay without the garbage. Games such as Fallout, Skyrim, Anno, Civilization, Final Fantasy, they all prove that there can be great, innovative, one player games.

Many people are only interested in these games. Myself, I have spent many hours playing many multiplayer games. But after a time I found that the garbage out weighed the play. I've since sworn off multiplayer. I know a number of people personally that have done the same, or had no interest in multiplayer to begin with.

But there is a problem for us lovers of solo games. Each year there seems to be less and less good games made for us. It doesn't have to be that way though. There are a couple things that we can, and should do. First, don't pirate your games. If you're a lover of one player games, buy them! Show the game creators that there is still a market there. And if you're really passionate, do what I do. Whenever a new multiplayer-only game gets released, I email the company that made it and say something like,

"Can you please, please please make this playable in single-player?"

Try it! You likely won't get a response. If you do it will be a brush off. But if enough people do it, for enough games, it just might get these companies to reconsider releasing these games as multiplayer only. So take a few minutes and do your part. No one else will.

Happy Gaming!

You can find more info and game suggestions at http://www.bestoneplayergames.com/

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Different Types of Gaming Chairs for Adults and Kids

If you buy a PlayStation® or an Xbox for your kid, remember to buy him a gaming chair also. Only then you will let your child enjoy the video games in full. When he sits on one of these beautiful high-tech chairs, he will be more comfortable and safe. Among these chairs you get ones made out of memory foam. They are able to provide ultimate comfort to your kids.

Gaming chairs are not only fit for kids. As there are lots of adults who play games with game consoles; they also could use these chairs. It is really comforting to play a video game sitting on one of these comfortable chairs to relax at home after work. There are different types of chairs which are suitable for adults. Some of them have arm rests and caster wheels also. The wheels allow you to move around the room without getting up from your chair.

One of the best gaming chairs for adults is the home style chair that has comfortable cushions. They will provide you with all the necessary comforts. This chair could also be used as an average chair suitable for your living room. In case you don't need to use it that way, you have the option to fold it into a bundle and leave it elsewhere. When it is in expanded position, there is storage space also under the chair.

Bean bag gaming chair is one that is more suitable for kids. Since it is a simple chair stuffed with polystyrene beads and is covered with vinyl upholstery, it provides ultimate in comfort. With its L shape, it provides ample comfort when a kid sits on it. Normally, they have storage pockets on either side as well. One good thing with bean bag type of chairs is that they are suitable for adults and children alike. Ease of cleaning is a special advantage they offer.

It is not only your kids who will enjoy sitting on gaming chairs to get the best out of their gaming pleasure but also adults could enjoy playing from one of them. For a serious gamer, the comfort provided with gaming chairs will be helpful to enhance his gaming skills. There is no need to think of aches and pains caused due to sitting in awkward positions like with ordinary chairs. Instead, you could sit comfortably and concentrate on your game. You never need to break a bank to buy one of these chairs either.

Knowing about different types of Gaming Chair for Adults will enable you to choose the right chair for you. You can find more info here.

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