Microsoft buys Minecraft

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Tommi
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Microsoft buys Minecraft

Big news in the gaming industry:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming/minecraf...

My first thought, honestly, was perhaps Microsoft might be more responsive or subject to public pressure.

I know I probably should not think this way but Minecraft in my opinion is close to evil incarnate - probably responsible for more children becoming media and gaming addicts than any other game out there today.

On second thought that is shooting the messenger! The real problem is that parents have absolutely no idea what they are allowing their children to get into when they allow them to play this seemingly benign form of electronic Leggo.

We need to ratchet up a campaign to make parents aware of the dangers of allowing children unlimited internet and games access. First on the list: Minecraft.

Olga/non member since Dec. 2008 Check out my latest video on Gaming Addiction and public awareness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-6JZLnQ29o

May Light
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Tommi wrote: We need to
Tommi wrote:

We need to ratchet up a campaign to make parents aware of the dangers of allowing children unlimited internet and games access.

Totally agreed!

"The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches." "The first step toward change is acceptance." "Once you accept yourself, you open the door to change. That's all you have to do." "Change is not something you do, it's something you allow."- Will Garcia

Reddog
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I completely agree. My son

I completely agree. My son plays it but he does so on a kindle and I can limit his game playing to 1 hour a day through the free time app. Honestly I do not get the fasination with this game at all it looks like something I played on my Atari lol. It does seem to be marketed to children though and all my sons friends seem to be in to it. Because of my addiction I really didnt want him to play any games at all to be honest still something I am thinking about but at least for now I can controll his time he plays.

I seriously doubt Microsoft buying the game will have any impact good or bad. They are in it for the monetary gain that is it.

Btw this is off topic but anyone with young children the kindle fire is by far the best device out there for limiting your childs time and content. The free time app that comes on the device is awesome. It completely locks down the device only allowing what you want the child to access and for how long and at what times of the day but also gives you the option to allow for unlimited reading like I have for my kids.

"Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, Thats why it's called the Present"

carols
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I totally agree about mine

I totally agree about mine crack, craft.. I responded to several posts yesterday about how there us a lack of support for being addicted to gaming for gamers and affected families also. If you read the press coverage about the m'ine craft / Microsoft deal it is all fluff describing some players as being passionate( aka addicted) etc. All so wonderfully mainstream and good NOT..no hint at all how many dailies have been decimated by the game- just another business deal in the news..

carols
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How many families , not

How many families , not dallies

mommy3
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Reddog wrote: Btw this is
Reddog wrote:

Btw this is off topic but anyone with young children the kindle fire is by far the best device out there for limiting your childs time and content. The free time app that comes on the device is awesome. It completely locks down the device only allowing what you want the child to access and for how long and at what times of the day but also gives you the option to allow for unlimited reading like I have for my kids.

This is great infomation. Parents are always looking for ways to manage media! Thank you and please keep it coming!

Reddog
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Oh one other feature with

Oh one other feature with the app I didn't mention. You can also set learning goals. So for instance they have to read for 30 minutes before they can play games. I currently have this set and what I've noticed is he doesn't watch the time he's been reading he will often read for around an hour to me before he even thinks about the games.

"Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, Thats why it's called the Present"

SheeshMode
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Tommi wrote: I know I
Tommi wrote:

I know I probably should not think this way but Minecraft in my opinion is close to evil incarnate - probably responsible for more children becoming media and gaming addicts than any other game out there today.

We need to ratchet up a campaign to make parents aware of the dangers of allowing children unlimited internet and games access. First on the list: Minecraft.

Why? Not everyone is a gaming addict Tommi and for some people videogames are actually beneficial. More importantly, why are you seeking to divert energy towards fighting others when there are addicts seeking help here?

I understand addiction is terribly damaging and has hurt hundreds of people, the cost of it is huge and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But we here who have, or have experienced it, do not have the right to force our ideals upon others. It does them no good, and furthermore it hurts us. Where we could help an addict instead we turn them away by appearing as crusaders and evangelists.

Is that really the image you want to portray to people seeking help?

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me to be realistic about the challenge I'm facing and to take good care of myself. If you need help PM me! I will gladly offer you whatever aid I can.

Tommi
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Dear SheeshMode, I will

Dear SheeshMode,

I will admit to a slight hyperbole in my statement 'evil incarnate'.

For the rest I stand by my original views. It is not so much about gaming addiction per se, but bringing up healthy and balanced children and avoiding potentially self-destructive behaviour.

As a parent I take a position of support for the guidelines stated here:

http://olganon.org/?q=node/47104

Specifically 3) No computer gaming for any children until they reach the age of 13

Given that Mine(crack)craft has a huge following with under 13s, I would recommend any and all parents ban its use in their homes (same goes for ToonTown, Sims, and a host of others).

I would NOT go so far as to advocate mandatory government enforcement. But not being American I likely have quite different views than most of my fellow members about the role of state/community in the lives of citizens. I would therefore be open to some form of regulation or at least a large hand for the state in public information. If that labels me socialist, so be it:)

PS In The Netherlands where I live, the public healthcare system includes support for a national network of clinics where treatment of addictions is provided (including gaming addiction - in some).

SheeshMode wrote:

Why? Not everyone is a gaming addict Tommi and for some people videogames are actually beneficial. More importantly, why are you seeking to divert energy towards fighting others when there are addicts seeking help here?

I understand addiction is terribly damaging and has hurt hundreds of people, the cost of it is huge and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But we here who have, or have experienced it, do not have the right to force our ideals upon others. It does them no good, and furthermore it hurts us. Where we could help an addict instead we turn them away by appearing as crusaders and evangelists.

Is that really the image you want to portray to people seeking help?

Olga/non member since Dec. 2008 Check out my latest video on Gaming Addiction and public awareness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-6JZLnQ29o

SheeshMode
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I'm not certain you fully

I'm not certain you fully understand where I am coming from.

This is entirely about addiction and the dangers behind it. We wouldn't be having this debate if addiction was a non-issue -- infact the site wouldn't exist. Yet, it is, and we here we are. So, based off of that we must approach this issue with consideration to original cause: addiction. We would not be concerned with Minecraft, or any other game for that matter, if addiction did not exist or was not as dangerous as it is.

Thus, in order for us to do lasting good, and simultaneously avoid the quagmire of public controversy we must refrain from attempting to 'promote' any particular view on gaming. Certainly it is reasonable to discuss with adults and groups the nature and danger of abusive use of games and well within anyones right to involve themselves with other groups whose purpose is to promote the above, but Olganon - if it is going to addicts - cannot do this.

It will simply do more harm than good. Even parents who are not addicted who are seeking a rational, balanced, and straightforward view may be turned away if the site maintains an aggressive stance against gaming. Funding a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of the disease is just such a thing. It is not neutral or cooperative, it is competitive, that's not our place if we are to help others recover.

Prayer for the Day: Higher Power, help me to be realistic about the challenge I'm facing and to take good care of myself. If you need help PM me! I will gladly offer you whatever aid I can.

Reddog
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* Edit I decided to delete

* Edit I decided to delete my previous post since it did lend to a debate.

"Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, Thats why it's called the Present"

Tommi
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First I apologize for

First I apologize for Sheeshmode's post missing. It was reported for 'debating' and before admins had a chance to review, it got deleted by mistake. Blame the clunky software this site is cobbled together with, but will soon be replaced.

Here is his post in its entirety:

SheeshMode wrote:

I'm not certain you fully understand where I am coming from.

This is entirely about addiction and the dangers behind it. We wouldn't be having this debate if addiction was a non-issue -- infact the site wouldn't exist. Yet, it is, and we here we are. So, based off of that we must approach this issue with consideration to original cause: addiction. We would not be concerned with Minecraft, or any other game for that matter, if addiction did not exist or was not as dangerous as it is.

Thus, in order for us to do lasting good, and simultaneously avoid the quagmire of public controversy we must refrain from attempting to 'promote' any particular view on gaming. Certainly it is reasonable to discuss with adults and groups the nature and danger of abusive use of games and well within anyones right to involve themselves with other groups whose purpose is to promote the above, but Olganon - if it is going to addicts - cannot do this.

It will simply do more harm than good. Even parents who are not addicted who are seeking a rational, balanced, and straightforward view may be turned away if the site maintains an aggressive stance against gaming. Funding a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of the disease is just such a thing. It is not neutral or cooperative, it is competitive, that's not our place if we are to help others recover.

Second, the analogy best suited is alcohol, which I refer to in my video:

http://youtu.be/zTZP8jbrn_8

We aknowledge that alcohol is 'especially harmful' to children. That is why we have drinking age limites in nearly every country in the world. Some countries have, in addition, sought to ban alco-pops because they are particularly attractive to children.

Olga/non member since Dec. 2008 Check out my latest video on Gaming Addiction and public awareness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-6JZLnQ29o

Patria
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Yes, Tommi, but AA which

Yes, Tommi, but AA which deals with alcoholism and alcohol addiction does NOT go out telling the world about the evils of excessive drinking.

So why should we? we ought to be dealing with the addict who comes here for help. Yes, families and parents of gamers need more information about the possible addiction in their children, and the world needs more awareness about the genuine concerns over addictive gaming, but is this site the venue for that? And since the website has decided that it does want to do it all, which could also be instrumental in losing potential recovering gamers who do not like the view of intolerance over games.

Reading articles about how bad, how violent, and awful we are (us addicted gamers) doesn't feel very inviting.

Sheesh's post was a genuine comment about the issues of mixing up recovery for addicts and/or families of addicts, and your need to advertise the harm early gaming causes in children. Sheesh's post was valid. The only debate here, is when we bring this issue up.

Jorey
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While there is a need to

While there is a need to help parents with healthy gaming limits, OLGA should have no part of it.

Quote:

10. Online Gamers Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the OLGA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.

Jorey

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