video game console, multiplayer gamesDr. Douglas Gentile may have just become the face of reason for parents concerned about how much time their kids spend on video game console play. Dr. Gentile, director of research for the National Institute on Media and Family recently released a study on addiction to video games. I ran into the article on gamespot.com, which stated that 8.5 percent of American gamers are addicted.

Well if this is true, it looks like we have a new epidemic on our hands. Forget about meth, ladies and gentlemen, the video game console has become the new face of addiction. Dr. Gentile surveyed “1,178 US gamers between the ages of 8 and 18, asking them questions about games modeled after other addiction tests(gamespot.com/news/).” During the survey, he asked gamers several questions about their gaming habits. If over 6 of the questions were answered positively then Dr. Gentile placed that person in the addicted category.

All I know is that addiction to multiplayer games is an awesome club to be part of. I will be the first one to admit my addiction now starts the road to video game console recovery.