bomjr

Hello everyone. This is my first time to ever particiate in the forums. I'm new to all this stuff really.

I'm 36 Married since 22 with a son who just turned 15 (thats what you get for not wearing protection) Work as an editor for a car magazine in Manila. Just started playing FM06 (or any other game in fact) 5 months ago. I must say, I'm pretty old to be playing games like these, but what do you expect when you have a teenager in the house :-)

Just would like to share a true story about me, and about my addiction with this game (which is probably the first ever computer game I've ever played) and almost ruined my family and got me killed. (I'm not boycotting FM just so you know)

It all began when my family would all snuggle up in the living room to watch football every saturday. I noticed my son would always complain about how teams should play, and my wife would just be busy feeding him with popcorn (I have a very close loving family of my own) So one day I decided to look for a football game that my son could actually relate to, and that his thoughts could acutally make a difference.

And so I found this game called FM06. Not knowing anything about VDO games, I got him one for his birthday. His happiness was cut short thought cuz the house only had a pentium2 windows ME. I didn't know anything about requirements until that day. So to keep him happy, I had to buy a whole new computer, just for him to be able to play that game. Grrrr.

After all the unexpected spending on a new pentium 4 windows XP (Don't know the difference really) my son was hooked right away. He would play 3 teams in one setting. Of course, home work first before playing. But he would play til 12AM which is very bad for a young teenager. He was so hooked to it, we had to make a time schedule when he could play and when not. And mind you, he plays til the last minute.

Curios as I was, why my son, a good student and obedient person, became a buig FM fan, I decided to give it a go for once. (Being over 30 and never played any other game on the computer exept for Solitare and Pinball, I tought it was time for a change).

So there I was. Choosing my team (Arsenal) and wow I was amazed. I could buy, sell, replace and make tactics! It was deeper than I thought. (When I first bought it for my son, I son it was as simple as tetris or marios, but that wasn't the case)

I could actually choose my line up. It gave me an imagination that the world looked so real. (Its my first time, so don't blame me) At first, I played it casually, asking my son for some coaching on things like "work permit" or "ineligable". But once I got the hang of things... I had to bring this stuff to my office. (Wouldn't want my wife to catch me slacking off, or else I'd turn her off in bed)

Since computers in the office couldn't meet the games requirements... I settled for the home computer (Which I could only play when everyone is asleep. My family probably thought I was working overtime) But my desire to play more grew. I wanted to know what would happen next, how will the young guns grow, who will win the world cup. I need to play more!

So I bought a new top of the line laptop. I'm not really a top earner in the world, so if my wife knew (Who's only an English teacher) that I spent a whole month's salary on a flat square like gadget, she would kill me.

I got my laptop. I played during office hours, lunch time, and even go on holiday while I was driving to work. I lost focus. My world became FM. I only had a few glimps of reality, and then back to FM. Season after to season I played. Lesser time was spent on my family. And my wife was starting to snoop around. (Actually, she has been snooping around ever since I would sneak down to the Pentium4 playing FM... she knows I play it often.)

One day, dinner, everyone on the table. My wife brought it up. She asked why did I bought a very expensive laptop with out telling her. I told her it was my personal choice (I can't believe I said that really) and she blew up by telling me that this is a family that deserves to know everything about me (and she was right acutally) but when mentioned about me playing that game day and night... I snapped.

We argued about me being hooked with this game, and not paying attention to my job and family. I needed to find a good excuse, but I didn't have any. So I threw the blame on my son. I told my wife that because my son played it, I became hooked as well. My son stood up and said "Well you shouldn't have bought me that game in the first place! I hate you! (I would never forget those words... and it still rings in my ear once in awhile.

My son ran up to his room. My wife could not believe I just did that. (So did I) She left the table and went after my son. I sat down at the dinner table... opened my laptop... and played FM just to shrugg it off. No one in the family bothered to talk to me everysince. But everytime those things came to my head, I would always open up FM to escape the bother.

One day I was off to work. Traffic was so heavy that time. So i decided to dive into FM once more. It was the champions league final. Arsenal year 2022. Wow, this is it. A chance to win one in the car. Plus I can start a new season when I get to the office. what a bargain! and so I was driving and playing at the same time. I got one eye on the laptop, and one eye on the road. (Its a matter of speaking. Techinically thats not possible) I was driving only 40Kph, and the next thing you know it, everything went black...

I woke up one day and I found myself on a bed with an annoying beep beside my ear. I had a tube stuck into my mouth, and couldn't twitch a muscle. I was in the ICU. Alejandria Memorial hospital. When the nurse found out I was awake, a whole team of people in while came at me, then everything was black again.

Again I woke up. This time, only the annoying beeb beside my ear. It was a heart beat machine or something like that. No more tube in my mouth, and I could finally move. My wife was sitting beside me reading me stories. Her eyes and cheeks were red, probably from crying. Damn I felt so bad not just physically, but emotionally. Guilt ran through my head (And a little bit of FM, wondering if I won the finals or not)

I moved my hand and touched her lap. My wife gasped like she saw a ghost. She jumped at me and hugged me like crazy. (I still coundn't speak, but if I could, I would have told her how painful it was when she did that). She told me I've been out for 3 days. I passed a red light when I was driving and slammed through on comming traffic.

3 cars ran in to me. I broke my jaw, my ribs, and both legs. Luckily my head was intact. I was in the hospital for a month, and when I started to talk, I told my wife everything. My addiction, my laptop in the car... everything. I never wanted my son to come to the hospital cuz I didn't want him to see me like that.

When I was able to get out of the hospital (Still in a wheel chair) Cops wre all over me. Insurance paid for some of the damage, but I had to pay a lot for the other cars, plus breaking the law. (No one else was hurt by the way). I made it up to my son and my wife. Thankfully, I still kept my job as an editor. Even if I would go to the office in a wheel chair, it was all cool.

Today, I spend every minute I could spare with my family. I'm even closer to my son now, and my marriage coudn't be any stronger. Still paying off the debt for the damage I made. But coping with it well. I quite playing FM eventhough my son still plays it like crazy. I guess games are just not for me. Still in a wheel chair, but recovering well. Doc says I'll be back on my feet by next year. Still an editor as usual, although people in the office would tease me everytime I visit the comfort room.

I hope this story can serve as a reminder to great FM fans that Family must always come first. The important things must always be put infront... FM can wait. There are a lot of players addicted with FM today and neglect the loving world around them. FM is a great game, but thats what it will always be... a great game. Its just a game. It can be replaced. But life cannot. All is said in the name of good will.

This is my story. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it.

bomjr

Oh by the way... I think I'm gonna try out 07, just to see the difference. hehehe.

Raptor

Well, it IS an FM story, but not your usual stuff

So we're in agreement FM should come with a health & safety warning then? :p

Jack South

already does, not concerning the fact you actually shouldn't play it the car, but that it ruins your sex life

by the way bomjr, did you win?

bomjr

Woah, you actually read my long story? Wow, thank you. I never thought people would be interested in a long boring essay with a moral lesson.

Well, now that you mentioned it. Yes maybe a health and safety warning would be nice. I just wanted to share a moral lesson that I've learned the hard way.

Games like these are great, but kids should do something else as well. After all, games are just games. They won't go away. Although I love FM, but still... its just a game. (I bet some FM fans will kill me for saying this) hehehe.

I heard people play for hours non-stop. Their social life deteriorates, they neglect the bodies needs, all for the sake of mental satifaction... which is playing FM. Am I right?

bomjr

Yes Jack South, it does ruin your sex life. Especially now that I'm still in a wheel chair, I can't even have my wife do all the work in bed for me! hehehe. (don't tell her I said that though).

Did I win the Champion's league final in 2022? Hmmm... I guess I'll never know. It was still 0-0 against Chelsea before the black out. But I assume we beat them 3-0! hehehe, My laptop was totalled as well, and the warrantee won't cover it. Grrrr.

HD

I found that story somewhat disturbing.

Saxonator

Wow, read all of that story. Very gripping actually, nice to hear the family problems are sorted out now :thup:. Btw, FM07 should definitely come with a safety warning

bomjr

What's so disturbing about my story HD?

Oh, and Saxonator, thank you for reading my story. Never thought people would bother acutally.

Yeah, family problems have been stable. The only big problem is not being able to do any action in bed with my wife til next month. hehehe. Doctor's warnings.

And the health and safety warning should be in huge big letters before that start of the game, not tucked away in a nice cozy corner. But really, its up to the people who play the game. I heard in Korea and Japan, people have shut off from the real world. Games like Ragnarok, World of Warcraft, and all that. Scary...

bomjr

This is my update after the traumatic experience. Since people would always ask me what happens next, I'll just write down abit more after popular demands.

Ok, so I quit playing FM06 after getting out of the hospital. But my son still plays it. My wife keeps scolding my son for playing it infront of me, but I told her I'm ok. I'm not suffering any mental issues with the game. I just simply got addicted. (Can't blame me, its my first ever game).

My son still plays FM and always talks about it with his friends. My wife is even getting the hang of the game. Although she keeps complaining why there aren't any women leagues around, and any female names at all in the game.

Now I'm facing a real test to myself. Since FM07 is about to come out, I felt very curious on what the difference may be. I'm as excited as my son, but I fear that my addiction might comeback again.

Is it wrong for me to play a game I so love? I'm an adult now. I should know how to controll my habits. I tell my wife openly that yes, I will try playing FM07. She is concerned. But I told her in a moral fasion that I must face my fears. I can't keep running away. I don't want my son to stop playing when I'm around. I'm not mentally sick!!!

But as for now, I won't get the demo. I'll hold myself til the last minute. I'll get 07 for my son, and maybe watch him play it first. My relatives think I'm insane. But reality is... I just so love the game and the way it works.

I'm on a wheel chair, scrolling around the internet cafes watching kids play FM like it was their lifestyle... no longer a hobbie.

I can still remember how it felt being addicted. Your entire surrounding becomes dark and non existent... your mind, focused on the screen. Everything around you just isn't happening. You world is in the game... that was how it felt. I fear that it may come back again... But I want to face my fear. I want to go for it and see if I can still play the game.

Its like drinking beer. Once your liver is totalled, it means no more beer for you... for life... and thats what I wanna know. Can I still play the game with out being "too" hooked? Can I spend time with my family, and keep my job while I play the game?

Can I controll my gaming hours?

I patiently await for FM07... and see if I can really do it. If ever I noticed myself being too hooked... then that just means I can no longer play the game that has brought me so much joy. But hey... they are better things to do right? Playing ping pong, watching TV, seeing the movies... there are other things to do other than FM07.

As I continue to pay off the depts from the crash, and struggle with life in the chair, I keep regreting the day I ever played the game. But I'm not making sense. I regret playing it, and yet I still want to play it. Am I really mentally sick? should I really quit playing this stuff? For now... I just want to know if I can take 07.

My wife has her eyes on me. I love my wife so much. She understands me. She has taken everything in with out a fuss. And my son has been very accomodating of his father. You know how life is on a wheel chair don't you? Its not easy.

This is it. When FM07 comes out, I will try it, and my wife will be watching. I'm in a dillema... should I just shove this game right up, and put my wife's worries at ease? Or face my fears and get this over with? Its really not a big thing. And I keep promising her that nothing will happen. If something does happen, then I will forever quit.

Wish me luck.