FFXI DISCLAIMER "Exploring Vana'diel is a thrilling experience. During your time here, you will be able to talk, join, and adventure with many other individuals in an experience that is unique to online games. That being said, we have no desire to see your real life suffer as a consequence. Don't forget your family, your friends, your school, or your work."
If they didn't want addicts ruining their lives they wouldn't have required 10 HOURS just to gain 1 level, 3 hours to find a party, 20 minutes just to find a camp etc
@@adamsasinowski7733 it's your choice how much time you put in. No one is holding a gun to your head. Take some responsibility. It's not the companies responsibility to monitor and regulate play time. Smfh, this is such a smooth brain argument.
I started playing this game when I was 13, my older brother and sister played it. They lived with my mom so I only got to play it on Wednesday nights and every other weekend. After I got to about level 10, which at 13 and only being able to play for such limited time frames took forever, I started skipping school to stay at my mom's house and play it. Then my dad got it for me and I was hooked. That summer I stayed home every single day playing it. When I was 15 I ended up dropping out of high school entirely and devoted most of my time to playing FFXI. I was also a devoted musician, and would spend a lot of time playing drums, but not nearly as much time as I'd spend on FFXI. I would wake up at some time in the afternoon and log on, without brushing my teeth, without taking a shower, without eating breakfast. I'd go at least 4-5 hours before doing anything else, finally I'd go out and make myself some breakfast and head straight back. I'd stay up all night until the sun came up, my dad would wake up and head off to work, and I'd stay up grinding levels in Valkurm Dunes, Qufim, Kazham, Garliage Citadel, Crawler's Nest, Quicksand Caves, etc. I'd stay up until I literally could not keep my eyes open for another second. I think a big issue was the fact that in a good party if you even left to get a drink or take a piss, you'd set back the party significantly. God forbid if you had to make a sandwich, take a shit, or answer the door, those were things you'd have to full on leave a party over just so you didn't upset people and get a bad reputation. Luckily I have extremely bad A.D.D, so I get bored very quickly. For most things, it'll take about a month. Like right now I've been playing Rainbow Six Siege since it launched around Thanksgiving and I'm already getting quite bored of it. FFXI was different, it would take me years to get bored of it, but then I'd easily be able to quit. I'd end up going back, though, I only just finally hung it up for good last year. 11 years of my life, off and on, that game was involved in. Looking back, I don't regret it. Listening to the Ronfaure music and picturing myself running around killing sheep, orc, beetles, and rabbits as a slew of different advanced jobs. Some of the most fun I had on that game was the joy and anticipation of unlocking a new advanced job that I was really excited about and leveling it up, learning the new abilities... People say endgame is the real game, but for me just leveling up in FFXI was some of the most fun I ever had in a game. I suppose I got lucky because at my most hardcore I was living with my father and I didn't have any responsibilities so my real life was hardly existent in the first place, nothing to really ruin there. I also got lucky in that those bad decisions I made in my teen years didn't ruin my young adult life, I'm 24 now and have managed to do well for myself despite wasting a few of my teen years on that game. Hell, maybe it even helped me in some weird way. There are a lot of lessons learned in that game, it was challenging, you had to be determined, you had to have work ethic and drive, you had to be good at your job and prepared (geared well). Some could say it provided a lot of great life lessons that helped me. Some could also say that it set me back quite a bit. Maybe a bit of both. Thanks for making this video man, I was going to some withdrawals, which is sort of depressing in and of itself considering this game really isn't there anymore, just a shell of it's former self, if it were still structured the way it was in 2009 I suppose I'd install it and play it for a few months. Anyway, I ended up on this video because I was missing the game, and hearing you talk about your time on it not only helped me out but it also warmed my heart to remember the game in the great way that you detailed it. Take care.
You just described me, except I was 20, had an incredible job and a great girlfriend, both of which I ultimately threw away to this mindfuckingly great game in the 2000s. It's still pretty great, hardly a shell of itself. It's just easier to get to endgame now. The old grind has been replaced with multiple enjoyable grind paths. The end of the path is still as difficult as ever. Probably the only MMO that doesn't drop an AoE hitbox to let you know where not to be when you shouldn't be there, still.
This is insane. I knew you! I remember Twolves, Soulzero, etc. as well. I was Kidagakash from Midgardsomr. I was totally addicted. I think I started in the fall of 2004 and played constantly to 2008, then was on and off from 2008 - 2010.
+Driftwood Gaming i listen the music of this game every day , i dont play it anymore cause i had a big big addiction , to it more than 2 years of real GAME PLAY TIME and not afk play time , so i can get the memories from the music but avoiding the adicction of playing it
I had a friend who got into WOW, and it LITERALLY became his life. All his time after work was WOW. Because of that all he could talk about was WOW, he had a mundane job, so conversations with him were awkward and weird since I didnt play the game. We eventually stopped being friends, and to this day he's still like that with either WOW, or other RPG's. I think for some people, those kind of games can be a "life substitute", time filling thing to do to take their minds off their real life. Nothing wrong with those games in moderation, but 6-8 hours a day is not healthy. Glad you overcame it dude!
Xyos212 i was the same i played it a lot maxed my character but then the realization hit me....the game was actually not that good i was addicted to the whole social aspect and grinding but if you took the gameplay and stuck it into a single player enviroment the gameplay was pretty poor
Xyos212 Wasn't there a story in Korea about a couple starving their newborn to death due to neglect that they were playing WOW? MMOs for whatever reason seems to illicit genuine addiction. In Korea it's also routine to see game addiction medical clinics and gameing in internet cafes are banned past 12 midnight nationwide.
delatroy I think it depends on your situation, and yes that did happen in Korea. If someone just lost their job or is depressed, or sad about something in their life/self, MMO's I think can act as a time filler to take their mind off life and responsibility. I think as humans, we need goals and to feel like were accomplishing something. When someone has no job, or no prospects in life, I assume MMO's can kind of fill that need in a small way.
Prime productive is the perfect word. Everyone wants that legit feeling, and MMO's can offer that feeling to someone who has nothing else going on in life.
You're goddamn right you loved it! XD FFXI isn't an MMO like WoW is. FFXI is an experience. One you will never have again, or will ever replicate with another game.
Yes Final Fantasy XI was life, and we were good at it. I stopped in 2012, I do not regret my time in XI. I play FFXIX now but I balanced my life and Gaming.
The early days memories with XI will never be forgotten, and can't be replicated. That first run to Jueno. Waiting hours for my katana to be forged. Spending weeks fighting all the summons with carbuncle. Seriously FFXI was one of a kind. So [gather together Burn down San D'oria]
Jay if you want to relive any of that... consider Nasomi server. look it up. I was so disappointed with newer MMOs and disgusted with how retail FFXI is today that I looked for other options. Best choice. captures the golden age of FFXI very well. look me up in game. Xionrasere on there.
I've watched this video like 20 times over the last couple years, you're such a great storyteller. I felt like I was living it lol, great video I had to finally comment.
There’s Something about his story that makes it sound like the most immersive and satisfying video game experience, while at the same time sounding like an inescapable nightmare.
You were on Midgardsormr!? I remember Twolves and Amara from your screenshots, they were in my guild for quite a while. I remember seeing your character, and Soulzero and Jspaceman as well, the community was so small you got to recognize characters.
HappyConsoleGamer Sorry to hear about your addiction issues with the game by the way. I think a lot of us (myself included) were addicted to 11 on some level, back then.
HappyConsoleGamer I was on Midgardsormr as well. o.o I thought the handle EvilSerge looked rather familiar. I probably saw you running around. I was Larq an Elvaan Paladin for awhile and then I rerolled as a Hume named Raruri, also a Paladin. Small world indeed. o.o
Prime How awesome!! I was Soulzero. Amara was an amazingly wonderful lady and Jspaceman was my number 1 fishing partner. What was your name on there Darma? And just to put it out there. Feel the Serge!
HappyConsoleGamer Johnny, thank you for this video. I work as a therapist with people with game-addictions (also drugs and alcohol-addictions). I can show this video to the (young) people with game-addictions so that they realise that they are not alone with these problems and you can retake your life. thank you!
It's amazing how close your story parallels my own. I destroyed my life for 3-1/2 years and loved every moment playing XI. XI's addiction is founded upon how difficult it was, the social bonds it demands, and the absolutely insane patience it required. Ultimately, its all about chasing the dragon. sometimes literaly. That dopamine response of accomplishment through all the long hardships. At one point, I waited 6 or 7 hours to get a party to level my samurai while I played on my handheld psp periodically checking on my pc screen for an invitation. When I quit, I was so incredibly depressed, I bought myself a xbox360 and 10 games just to keep my mind at bay. Dont let anyone tell you gaming isn't a real addiction. The brain's reward has no prejudice. I've since played WoW for 8 years and still struggle with addiction but at a reduced level. That mmo is much more casual and kinder; albeit the hook is still there. Still, I earned so many great memories and friends in both games.
I played FFXI from 2004 to 2010, most intensely between 2006-2010 where I was literally playing more than 16 hours a day most of the time. I would not talk to anyone outside the game and I would only break to eat or use the bathroom. When I was forced to quit in 2010 I had a playtime of 706 days and some change. I had 10 jobs to at least 75, as the cap had been recently raised to 80 and most of the best gear before the level cap was raised. I met some of my best friends in that game. After 5 years being away from it, not a day goes by that I don't reminisce of the life I had on FFXI and the only regret I have is that I don't still live in Vana'diel.
Ive been a drunk for about 12 years. I have quit off, and on over the past 4 years. The way you describe your XP with this game (no pun intended) makes so much sense to me. I lost a few jobs because of my issues with alcohol, and drugs as well. I find you to be an inspiration when it comes to something like this. I can see your passion for the game, and yet I can also see the hate for it which is something I am to familiar with. I am a gamer as well. Point is your story inspires me, and I can relate in a way. Thank you for that.
FFXI was a very unique beast. As successful as WoW is, and as good of a game FFXIV is, they are not what FFXI was. If you never played it, you would never understand the grind it was, how punishing yet rewarding the game was. Even people who quit with stories like these, still manage to look back with a fondness despite what damage it did to a part of their life. FFXI was a great time for 7 years of my life. I still keep in touch with people I played XI with, met up with some of them, and no other game ever has been able to make bonds like that.
It's nice knowing other people had/have this problem, my dad was very very addicted to this game, about the same or even worse so than you had it. It got so bad that he lost friendships and pretty much his family, job, money and other things. I wish he could've gotten help back then, and had people like you to talk to. My dad had other heavy addictions and it really does make sense that this was just one of them that he couldn't quit and a few years ago he lost his life due to alcoholism. Long story short, I feel that many other people had/have the same kind of addictions and really could need the right people to help them out of it. I still love this game so dearly, it was apart of my life mostly because thats how I was able to spend time with my dad and I loved playing as well, but I do get this bitter sweet feeling of the game being like a bad drug that tore his life apart. I just wanted to thank you for your story, and I hope other people can be as strong as you are to have the will power to stop and move on. :)
Got this game in 2011 after my parents divorced over this and a few other marraige-enders. This was the only way I'd bond with my dad before I quit in 2012, started again in 2017, quit, then started new again.
This is honestly one of the darkest videos I've ever seen on this channel, and one of my favourites. I love how honest Johnny is. I've never really been addicted to a game to that extent, however I did have this odd experience when I was playing Tetris. I was so concentrated on the game, and it was just satisfying to clear 4 rows of tetriminos with that one "long" block. So after shutting off the game, I'd still have the game playing in my head for some reason. While I was doing anything (eating, shitting, watching tv, etc), I'd imagine blocks falling in front of my view and I'd be clearing out lines in my head. It actually got me a bit freaked out. It lasted only a week, after that I guess I just gassed out on the game and I stopped imagining the blocks coming down
Same here, love how honest and transparent he is being here. I had a very similar experience. I almost failed my senior year of high school when FFXI released. Finished with a 2.3 GPA.
I'm dealing with this currently with FF14, I'm missing out on great games/friends/life because I just won't let go of 14. I'll probably re-watch this again sometime to try to motivate myself, thank you!
Oh My God!! You are telling my story... I was so addicted I almost lost my job, killed a relationship, gained almost 100lbs, and I still can't touch my old rig like you have it on the table. I still have a crate of folders I was just getting into blue mage and puppet master. I had to quit cold turkey. I immediately started to travel, study photography, and build my life back. It was real addiction. I also had to cut of my online friends in real life. I still get goosebumps when I see FF XI term like AFK and WC in real life. I'm so glad to find this video... And know it wasn't just me.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I got FFXI when I was 14 years old at 2004. I was going through this addiction as well. The problem was that I didn't know what was happening to me, and the game was just so much better then real life. I ended up playing the game for 5 years nearly everyday. I would finish school, and just rush home and play until I had to sleep. Sometimes I would farm NMs and stay up all night because of the spawning. My playtime was over a year. I finally managed to break the addiction by moving to different country and starting to study at university. Because of this game I missed most of my teenage years, but at the same time it was one of the best times of my life. This game was huge part of my life. I didn't know other people experienced this as well.
FFXI was my first MMO, and yep...I was hooked on this during my college years. I'm not even sure how I was able to pass my classes after being up until 4-5 AM in the morning camping or in a Exp PT. Good times though, I made some great friends that I still keep in touch with to this very day.
I started on ps2 as a teenager and I have to tell you this is the only game I've ever played that I actually smashed my keyboard, like pieces everywhere. It was so frustrating yet so fun at the same time. O hat, azuran fists, bcnm's, dynamis are all things that just bring back so many memories. I remember the Japanese players just being insane back in the day, I would do merit parties with them when I hit 75 rdm and they would let me join their JP only parties and I would always try to ask them in broken Japanese how they would party 8 hours straight with out restroom breaks. My husband and I started playing again last year, and the changes they made are amazing. I could never go back to the original game now as a wife and mother so i'm glad they have made it more user friendly.
I know this is an older video but I just came across it in 2022. Thank you for your testimony!!!! This is a serious topic that is not discussed and pushed under the rug. Addiction comes in many forms all are destructive! Peace to you Happy! And thanks again! From a recovering addict.
Aw man, I understood all of this way too well. I was also on MIdgardsomr (name was Gaddes) and think I remember seeing you on there back in the day... but yeah it was a really brutal game back then before the Abyssea expansion. Cruel drop rates, people fighting each other camping NMs. I was younger so I was able to allocate waaaay too much time to the game, to the point where my dad got pissed that I was constantly playing it. Around 2009 when the server merged into Quetzacotl, a lot of people in my LS had dropped off, so it was actually pretty lucky since that made it easier for me to spend less time on the game to the point where I was able to wean myself off it within a couple months. Then Abyssea and the 99 cap came out and when I realized how much work it would be to level up to 99 and all the gear that had taken me years to acquire would be obsolete, THAT was the thing that really helped make it easy for me to permanently stay away from the game. Once in a while, when the free-login weeks occur, I might log in just to wander around... but all the old zones are so dead and I never got up to speed about the new stuff, so I usually just visit my favorite spots briefly and then log out. I'll never fully return to it, but perhaps once a year during free-login I like to see what used to be. The music, the ambience, the art design... it was a really remarkable game.
I'm laughing my ass off at the pictures you took of the TV with the game installing! I've been waiting for this episode for so long, ever since you and Pete Dorr had your famous (and famously drawn out) conversation about your addictions on the AGG podcast. Thanks for telling your story, glad you overcame your addiction!
I love this story Johnny. You are such a gifted storyteller, and this makes me feel so nostalgic and caught up in the time even though I've never played the game.
Wow, it really does feel surreal watching a fellow old FFXI player talk about his experiences. I can relate so much to the addiction (the game was my LIFE for a long time), but none of the few real friends I had even knew about the game!
This is a serious chapter of my life. Some of my best friends are from this game. I have attended Weddings and Funerals. Still brings a tear to my eyes when I think back about it.
How would you compare quitting this addiction to quitting your old addition to smoking? I think that would be a very interesting comparison that you being a person who has been addicted and quit both could answer.
+HoldenReviews I have also quit both, for me, cigarettes was the hardest thing I ever did. The MMO I was addicted to (WoW) went shitty, which made it pretty easy to quit. Now, years later, I don't miss either, whatsoever.
+HoldenReviews you cant really compare a video game addiction to an actual drug addiction ...i have dealt with both ^^ it wasnt easy for me to quit ffxi and i went back like 3 times ^^ on 3 different characters ... but quitting drinking after 20 years was way harder :)
It's those Tarutaru... . They're pint sized cuteness ensnares you into the game.... Their little cutesy emotes, their panic dances.... It all gets you to stay...
Wow, it is some 10 years later from the time I quit playing, and just seeing these screen shots again...I feel it. There is something about that world that feels so good to be in, more so than any other MMORPG I played, from WoW to EQ to EQ2 to Vanguard, etc. Their worlds were all just backdrops for playing a game. But Vanadiel (FFXI's world) felt like a real world to live in.
This is a similar experience that I had with FFXIV ARR I would play that game all day and night and when I was offline and went somewhere I'd talk to my online friends on the phone about the game and what we're going to do with our clan and whenever I had friends over all I could ever talk about was that game and I was addicted to it for over 2 years and now I'm taking a step back from it, I still play it time to time but I try not to play it as often as I used to
+Apathy is there any possible way to play on a private server on a XboxOne or Ps4? Say putting the downloaded torrent on a usb drive and then opening it on the console?..
Will Echevarria there's a game called Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen that's more like Everquest than ffxi but it's specifically catering to the old skool mmorpgs games where u don't just quest thru all levels and fly to end game. Dying is going to end penalized, the world will be tough you need to group up. I think fast travel will be limited so as not to make the world seems small
I had a unhealthy addiction with a Ps2 game called Everquest Online adventures would spend nothing less than 10 hours a day then grind 48 hours to lvl up my ranger as fast as i could.
Played from 2004 to 2010 (very hard-core 2004-2009).....came back in July 2018 to March 2019. Loved it!!!! Started from scratch. While I didn't play nearly as much as first time, I was able to get a ton done. Recognized a name from when I used to play and joined his guild. Originally I was all melee first time around.. this time did smn, brd, sam and whm.....loved it! It scratched the serious itch I had had for years. Let it go about 2 years ago and happy I went back for 9 months!!
oh my god!! I HAD THE EXACT EVERYTHING YOU EXPLAINED IN THE VIDEO!! The addiction, the guild/linkshell, the friends, the job situation, ignoring girls, job went out of business, I was a drk, caveman like months indoors, the room setup, the beard, the withdraw, even the snacks! every detail in this video was done by me when i played 11 too. only differance was i was on a laptop instead. Your exp mirrored mine exactly
I started playing this game when it came out and left when 14 was out. I was so addicted and decided to finally just sell my character so I can get on with rl. I was able to sell my account for $1500 US. I even met my husband on there 11 yrs ago and we still to this day talk about ffxi and how amazing it was! We were in Bahamut server and took endgame serious with our LS. I had to buy the soundtrack not only because the music is amazing but when you listen to each song you remember the stuff you did in that zone. I tried to join 14 but it was not the same. I even went back to ffxi as a new character and it was not the same it was empty. Which is good or I would still be on there lol If they do make another game online I will be joining again. Hopefully I bump into old friends and make some new ones too! Thanks for the video! -Aree from Bahamut server
I miss Split Screens... :( Online gaming is Fun... But when the Servers or Connections have problems... Well you cant play them... Plus Split Screens or Multiplayer Local make it more Fun to play with Actual Friends in the same room as you are in... It Depresses me when i saw a PS4 Update that was saying... "Now you can play with Friends like if they were in the same room as you!"
gabriel montreuil jup i totally agree, back in the day every "racing game" (other games aswell) had a split screen mode, nowadays everything is online multiplayer only wich sucks if a friend comes over... what are you gonna do? bring a second console, tv and copy of the same game with you, just to play against each other over the internet? that is stupid =(
MetalTiger88 ***** Yeah Online Gaming is good for PC games. But on Console... It kind of Killing the Experience of gather around and play with Friends... Even if i dislike Nintendo nowadays... They are the only console that marketed to Both Online and Local Multiplayer...
markasscop Arev I never really played CTR but alot of people told me it was as Good as the Mario Kart on N64. :) Crash used to be awesome... RIP Bandicoot.. I wish they would bring him back in Smash or Playstation All-Star or something! lol
Thank you for sharing your experience, I don't see many people talking about their experience with this game, but there's an underlying theme with those who do that is very relatable
Had a brief experience with game addicition as a junior in HS when I got Breath of the Wild for Christmas. Started playing it that day, took some time in the evening to spend with my family, and then started playing again. And I didn't stop until 6 in the morning. Then I'd wake up at 3 PM, and play until 6 AM, rinse repeat for about two weeks. Thankfully, I was involved in a lot of music stuff at school so I never would've been able to let it become that big of a problem, but I was seriously addicted for a couple weeks. 16 hours a day, barely stopping to eat, when I'd finally go to bed I would dream about the game, wondering what new adventures awaited me. One of the greatest gaming experiences in my life, but definitely one of the scarier ones as well.
Amazing game, so many memories. My first MMORPG. With such time consuming gameplay, I can understand how it would be easy to get completely sucked in. I played for about six years all together, while maintaining full time employment and a social life. I was incredibly tired and sleep deprived for the first couple years, but I learned better time management and was able to keep it together. It was just a matter of self control for me. As much as I would have loved to resolve myself into Vanadiel, I still had real life goals and aspirations to work on. I no longer play any MMOs now, because I simply don't have the time to dedicate to them, and I have never found one that grabbed me the way FFXI did. I'm glad you were able to overcome your addiction to the game, and I hope you still have some fond memories of the experience, even though it lead to such a hardship for you.
I had many of the same experiences as you. A bunch of people from gaming forums (remember those?) as well as my live in girlfriend at the time all got the game for PS2 at the NA launch. I had never played an MMO before and it was amazing. The sense of feeling like an insignificant piece of a vast world was really something. I remember venturing out from the familiar and safe Ronfaure Forest into La Theine Plateau for the first time felt almost overwhelming and scary. I'll probably never get that feeling again from a game. The feeling of community and the sense of accomplishment from reaching modest goals is something that I don't think developers would even attempt again in this era of instant gratification. Really fond memories of this one.
so wait....you only played for 3 months? I was just as addicted as you, but for 4 years. It was all a blur. I had the best of the best equipment, I had all but like 2 jobs at 75 (this was back before they raised the level cap), I had like 3 sets of AF2 gear and every job had an AF1 set, and I spent every spare second playing/talking about/thinking about this game. I remember I had been literally depressed for a while because I had a hard time getting an optical hat (all my groups would either fall apart or screw me over once they got theirs) and my mom noticed I was really down for a while. I explained to her why, and one day I called her and she could tell by my voice that I was happy (extremely happy) and she said "did you finally get your optical hat!?" and she screamed with me for a second or two....granted I have a cool mom, but thats how much of my life this game took over.
FFXI is more than a game or an MMO. If you've played it, you already know, and between your vid and the great comments a lot of people have done it justice. Instead of adding my own nostalgia at great length, I'll address how addictive it is and a tip for anyone struggling with MMO addiction. One method to break it and avoid major withdrawal is to pick a non MMO game- any game. You're not going to want to play that instead of FFXI or the MMO, but that's normal. Start playing it, anyway. You'll eventually get into it, put the time into it, and lo and behold- that game has an ending. Once it ends, you'll feel a sense of closure and the urge for FFXI will be cut off by having gotten occupied by the other game. It's a great way to "wean" instead of struggling with cold turkey.
Mirrors on the ceiling. The pink champagne on ice. And she said: "We are all just prisoners here, of our own device." And in the Master's chambers, they gathered for the feast. They stab it with their steely knives, but they just _can't_ kill the beast. Last thing I remember... I was running for the door. I had to find a passage back to the place I was before. "Relax", said the Night Man, "We are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like - but you can _never_ leave."
You've had a few comments now regarding this, but watching this video really hit home for me. In retrospect, my addiction for this game was insane. And like your moment getting the bracelet, I too had my moments (I managed to pry Ochiudo's Kote from Mee Deggi's cold, dead hands). Hell, if I close my eyes right now, I can perfectly envision the game and can walk from Bastok to San d'Oria from memory alone. I still listen to the music on my phone because as you said it was beautiful. I finally said goodbye forever a couple years back after hopping in for a bit to complete some unfinished business. I completed the Rise of the Zilart and Chains of Promathia storylines in their entirety from help from a friend and the newly updated level caps. And it just. It was over, finally. No regrets. But it's scary how much that game took over my life for periods at a time. In any case, good for you for being able to sever the cord.
+Steve Weaboo Jones "Those who say they can, and those who say they can't, are usually correct." ~Quote from a guy I can't remember but those words stuck with me for life.
+Steve Weaboo Jones I started playing MMOs back in 1998 starting with a game called Mankind, Then to Anarchy Online and then to WoW. There were a few points where i played a lot around 99 to 2006ish but still nothing close to most people, I mostly played because i was stuck home taking care of my Dad who had cancer at the time among other things. Honestly though i don't regret any of the time i've spent in an MMO or games in general. I've made a ton of RL lasting friends from it and i still am to this day.
First off, that is an amazing t-shirt ;) Secondly, awesome work on this video. I get the impression it is even though for you to tell this story. I don't think I have ever gotten to that point with a game, but when I get a new FF game it tends to dominate all my free time until I finish and max it (I am still able to work, but I basically do nothing else but play it the moment I get home). Also Skyrim, which basically become my life for sooooo long! I have even recently started a 3rd playthrough for my UA-cam Channel. I guess I am lucky that MMOs just aren't my thing. I played FF14 but didn't get hooked. Again, great story and well done on getting over your addiction!!
This was almost exactly what happened to me. Played from 2004 (US launch) until about 2013. As my friends moved on it was easier to walk away as the community was a massive part of the appeal, but god damn I'll never get hooked on a game like that again. It was a period in my life where I had low responsibilities and lots of time. The perfect combo for FFXI.
A year late but thnx for sharing this amazing story, it got some of my own memories from those days back. I almost shared a tear of enjoyment or was it the feeling of missing some great adventures with friends?¿? Till this day i dont play any MMO because i'm not sure if i am able to escape the grasp again, it truly is like real-life drugs. . . sad but true. . . So again BIG thnx for doing this video, it did let me taste the sweet sweet flavour yet again though your and mine own memories. Best regards from a new subber.
+Mathieu de Grandpre yeah i think he's talking about the Archer's rings haha I remember then days... and I remember farming Goobues out in the Sanctuary of ZanTah for Tree cuttings >.> For my set of haubergeon armor XD them days were glorious
Don't have time to watch the entire video, but you are not alone. This game had me addicted so bad when I was 16-18 that I eventually had to quit because it started to feel weird as hell to be out in the sunlight. I'll comment back in more detail later.
i started this game in 2003, i ended it only recently, on and off for years. i spent thousands. i had 2 accounts. i loved everything about this game. i completely understand the addiction that had ahold of you and all of us. the music was amazing and i look back on it with extreme fondness. i would listen to it in the car still or on my iPad while doing work. the social interaction was easy, the mechanics were simple enough and the world was vast. its been a while and i still have the itch to play. i hate that i have an itch to play. i have a family of 3 kids and a wife. i want to play.... but i know all that time will take away from my life that i owe to them. its a depressing feeling when you can't fill your life with something that makes you so happy and you know means literally nothing in the real world... to anyone.... Those of you that have done the same and stuck around for way too long, that addiction is still there. its a haunting thought to think that the children growing up playing this and wow won't truly understand the impact this has on their lives. i love you all in that world, and the hole i fear will never truly close. i will always long for that game. but it is still an addiction, and as hard as it is, it needs to stop, and go away. S/N Dragonsmaster, friend: youngling, server: midgardsormr
Wow man what a story! I always wondered how people could get so addicted to games to the point of sickness but it makes sense hearing how all those circumstances stacked up. I think a big part of it these days is also feeling like you need to keep up with your crew in these games. It’s not just for your own enjoyment but also you’re kind of depended on to stick with it. Thanks for sharing and I’m really glad you got over it eventually!
+ItalianoMobzter7 I played it for about a year but eventually end game grind, among other things, just wore me out. It didn't have the same spark XI did to keep me hooked. I think I started getting burnt out around the time they implemented stuff like coils and a few of the earliest hard mode dungeons.
Dude.. I understand this prob more then anyone. I started this game at age 14 and didn't quit until 19. I dropped out of high school because of this game. I maxed out like 7 jobs @ 75. I totally understand bro. I'll always miss it... but I had to quit as well. Eventually got a GED and went to college and it all worked out.. but it's funny because when you start the game it tells you not to let it effect your work, school, or friends and I always laughed at that, but fuck me, it effected everything.
+Mike B I'm right there with ya, Mike. This game helped end my first marriage. I was working 10-12 hour days as the main bread winner of the house and my 1st husband started playing this game. He met some chick in Idaho online and started a "relationship". Ended up leaving me for her when I discovered emails between them and confronted him. I started playing myself. I wanted to learn everything about this game that had cost me my 7 year marriage (he was 27, I was 37) and I became addicted. I also ended up on the same server he was on just to be a thorn in his side. He is not living the happy life he lived with me NOW, 9 years later. He is on this 7th relationship, barely making a living, still playing on some server and no future security.......but me, different end story. Also funny thing was, I became a better player than him, with more maxed jobs and endgame gear. I ended up meeting my 2nd husband online, I did divorce him, but we got back together last year and will marry again this year. I retired from a job at the age of 44 on disability (the one that I was working 10-12 hours at each day - it was actually a 9 hour shift) that assures that I will not have to work again and not have to worry about money because I set up my future and my income in advance. I spend tons of time on the computer either watching TV or playing various games. WoW drove me freaking nuts, SWTOR was good, but I got bored...FFXI will always be my first love and with 13 level 99s I still have tons to do in the game. But I've been pacing myself since I've been confined to a bed for the last 9 months. I can't sit in my recliner and play on my 52" screen next to my ex-hubby's 52" screen right now. I can't sit for that long. My days of 48 hour Abyssea parties are limited right now LOL
Wow, crazy story.. I'm sorry you're confined to your bed at such a young age, that's horrible. I hope things turn around for you. At least you are set money wise. This game just hit me at such a young age that I had to quit and get my life together. I haven't been a "multiplayer" gamer ever since really. I game everyday after work for a couple hours but pretty much single player campaigns only.. which unfortunately gets old after awhile, so I own over 300 games heh. I actually tried getting into FFXIV ARR not long ago, but it just wasn't the same for me. FFXI required soo much work and was so difficult to do anything solo, you couldn't just go explore anywhere you wanted. Something about that created so much suspense for what was coming next. I remember being a new player and seeing artifact armor for the first time and I wanted nothing more in my entire life. I wanted to know what the higher level areas and mobs looked like soo bad. What's kind of funny is, the main thing for me that hooked me was getting a great EXP party of 6 that just worked perfectly in sync with each other. I remember leveling NIN and tanking with shadows and tools and it was just fucking amazing when done correctly. Also leveling RNG, I would pull mobs perfectly and SC with another DD and the exp would just come rolling in. I LOVED a good EXP party, and now that they are virtually gone, there's no way I come back. Screw those alliance party's in Gustav. Also the friendships created in game were just unbreakable. I remember the first time my linkshell decided to go to Sky and kill the Gods, probably one of the most exciting times of my life. I got to kite Kirin as a NIN and got an osode.. I felt like such a boss! I will never forget the time I spent in that game and honestly even still hum the music in my head to this day hehe... Fenrir server here too btw.
+Mike B Well, I'm seeing a Ortho surgeon next month for the first time, I'm hoping not surgery, but my pain mgnt doc and PCP keep saying that is the next step. Funny thing is, I really didn't have a trauma to my back. I've had muscle spasms since I was 18ish, had a really bad fall in 2011 not related to my retirement disability, but over the last year it has gotten to the point that I can't stand, walk or sit for long periods. Only place position I'm "comfortable" is in bed, propped with supporting pillows - and lots of pain meds :-( At least the reason why I retired is somewhat under control, massive, debilitating migraines. I worked as an accountant, so you can see how that could effect my work. I'm also on lots of control meds to keep those under control. I'd had migraines for years and the last few years of work became so stressful and no rest from computer use that I would have crippling migraines that would last for 2 weeks or more. So, this was the 3rd round of budget cuts...oh, I worked for the government...they said, Barb this is effecting your attendance and your work, you need to retire or we fire you. I got my union involved and it turned into a disability retirement since I had enough cause to support it. My accounts are on Cerberus, I started on Kujata, when it closed I went to Hades (LMAO! Finally went to hell) then it closed and we went to Cerberus. My character name is Kyka. Funny you mention the balanced 6 party system - that is the system that truly do miss the most too. I had a static party that I leveled my WHM in and I just remember how much fun it was to know that we were going to meet every night at a certain time and that I had these 5 friends that I had forged real friendships with.....LOL and my 1st exhusband was convinced I was cybering all of them (no way, the RDM was gay!) I do enjoy the alliance parties in Abyssea, but they can get pretty mind numbing. My 2nd husband and I had been know to get into an alliance and always end up as alliance leader and party lead, then we run the party for 48 straight hours (he is retired also, he is 55). But none of them will ever compare to the 6 party system and moving to all the different party spots....I even miss the freaking Imps! Oh yes, I know what you mean by the Sky runs....my favorite memory is the time my LS fought the Archangels with a planned party wipe during the middle of the battle. As one of the main heal WHMs, I'm like WTF DO YOU MEAN PLANNED PARTY WIPE!!!!!!! But at the level we were at it was a very good strategy, and the BCNM went off without a hitch. I almost got screwed because I had moved too far out onto the plate form to heal the melees, but I've always been a sneaky mage, I did a quick raise and run LOL. I still have tons I want to do in the game, but I've been taking a break. My ex-hubby has been doing my login for the login campaigns and he sometimes levels my character or my mules - yeah, I'm OCD - I have 2 accounts, 1 main that has 13 99s and 31 mules. All the mules are leveled up to 30 on 2 jobs and everyone has max rep. BLM on all of them and a variety of job for the 2nd one.....yep I'm OCD. But during my break, I'm still involved in FFXI. I'm the only Admin left to answer questions on FFXIanswers, not that I get very many any more LOL. Okay, I've rambled enough - you can tell this is one of my favorite subjects - why FFXI is so overlooked by the gaming community IDK. It kinda irks me that WoW is the most acknowledged MMORPG gaming module. I tried, I really, really tried to play WoW, but it's quest system drove me out my of freaking mind. Go to an NPC get your quest, run back get another, run back get another, rinse repeat 50 times. SWOTOR was better but relied on using a special gaming mouse too much when I liked using a keyboard for that one. Thanks for the kind words of encouragement and I'm glad that you were able to turn your life around. Just remember, gaming isn't bad as long as you don't allow it to take over your life. I did game from 2007-2011 while I was still working and it wasn't the game that interfered with my work...trust me, it was the work and work environment!
Just thought I'd mention.. due to this conversation I had re downloaded FFXI ARR and am currently downloading the required updates heh. You have sparked a dangerous fire within me! But I'm strangely excited again. Thanks for that :)
+Mike B Dude, I started when I was 14 and stopped at 18. I thankfully squeezed out my HS diploma but it same story! I miss this game, and don't miss it all at the same time. So many good memories! -Bronn from Alexander server :)
Skyrim was my only video game addiction from 2011-2012/13. I never played video games recreationally but i was at my cousins one day watching him play on his xbox and i went the next day and bought a brand new xbox and skyrim and got hooked. Its the only time i ever felt angry when not playing a game, like the nature and atmosphere of skyrim i was addicted to and didnt want to go back to my suburban ecosystem.
Omg I'm gonna make a video to this too! lol Okay I'm going to continue watching the video ^_^ FFXI was my life lol I would be in class drawing the characters pretending to be playing when I was away from it... D: sick!
*My addiction story is kinda different... still, is the same thing* I once had this kind of adiction but lasted 2 full years.... it was from a free online shooter for pc called Operation7, it was nuts because i played that much i got greater than 50 lvl players, and i was only lvl 12, i could take on "cashers" (its a term we used to give to players who spent meny on special weapons and bullets wich kill you instantly, yeah, microtransactions is not new) easily with my regular guns and tactics, i could get 60 kills and 5 deaths in a match... i was the best... but i hited rock bottom when the *school suspended me a full year* for not doing any homework whatsoever, at that time i knew i had a problem, but i did not quited, i kept playing because i wanted to be the best and being a proplayer who would win tournaments and grand prizes... i was so naive i was getting the best and was so frustrating becuase i reached lvl 20 (in months btw) and started to play with guys in lvl 100 and dealing with hackers, even tho i still was the best player in every match, but it stressed me the fuck out and scared me every time i played, but i couldn't quit, i was the best, and i wanted to keep it like it.... at some point i was tired (mentaly and phisicaly) and i was trying to do some other stuff, but i did not knew what, then my mom entered the room asking me to do simple chores and i ignored her, then she *tried to take the pc away from me and i got very very histerical*, my mom stared at me with horror, at that time i knew my problem was serious, how is even possible i kept playing for 2 years, how the hell i prefered to fuck my study and play instead, how the fuck i got to the point to get histerical for something so insignificant and pointless!!!..... That was it, i was done, i was addiceted to a competitive online multiplayer game that felt like punished me to get good at it. I started trying to feel that hole with other games, mostly singleplayer i had on my pc, i slowly started to get responsive for my study, family and life, then i started to see how great the feel of playing fun games were. i remember when i was freaking desesperated to leave that game but dont wanted, i told a friend of mine my account and password, and told him to change it, he never touched my account so i gave it another try, played a week or so, i tryed to remember the good times, but the most i played, the most i realized it was a piece of garbage that i conquered, the free weapons were weak and explensive in in-game cash, there was no way to keep a good fight on close combat unless you payed for a knife to use FOR DAYS, the customization system was broken, the pieces of the guns had were so unbalanced that every free gun felt like another class did not corresponded to it (an m16 felt like a submachinegun, and a sniper rifle like a pistol, for example).... in resume... it was fucking FREE2PLAY but PAY2WIN, i was so proud but so angry, and even paying to have the good stuff, the admins never NEVER banned cheaters, glitchers/buggers and hackers, so that was another problem. It was a piece of shit that i loved, finally, i could get easily away from it, never played it again... ever since then, i never got so attached to a game, and i allways aware that is a game and its not suppossed to get serious, even tho my actual friends take it serious Now im studying a career that i can specialyze in videogames development (wich is going really great btw), got a girlfriend and have the best friends ever.... man... thats freaking long, i wish i could post a potato for apologies....
Márk Simán | thank you, i hope this will get people to understand that anything on excess is bad, even videogames, and can make you do the worst things sorry for bad english tho, im learning the idiom :v
Its a great game, if not one of my favorite of all time. I still play to this day, but on a private server. I play with about 100 other active members on the server and we are looking for new members. (LVL 75 cap for the old time feel) Check my last video if you are interested! And hope to see you around in game -Kenziak
The day after I quit this game I watched the sun rise that morning and couldn't believe how much this game took over my brain. 15+ years ago I still remember that sunrise.
When you said the actual amount of time you played and how far you got, I realized that you didn't have it nearly as bad as I thought you did from the start. I progressed about as far in a month of hard playtime while I did online classes. Is it healthy long-term? No. But honestly, this is like.. I hate to go there, but "smalltime" as far as MMO addiction goes
+So Soulsu Yeah, I do not understand why he is exaggerating it so much? Comparing it to drug addiction... like he had been injecting heroin daily for many months.
+So Soulsu Yea. I mean I know a guy who dropped out of college 3 separate times because of MMO addiction. Appreciate this dudes story but I would consider his "addiction" to be quite overstated.
I suspect if his addiction was worse, he wouldn't have been capable of making this video to begin with. Its sorta trying to find the right balance for someone who got just deep enough into it, but was still productive enough to do something with it afterwards.
All these dumb comments "oh it wasn't as bad as poor old me so it doesn't count" What the fuck are you twits on about Everyone is completely different, 3 months taken out of someones life where they are essentially depressed and unfeeling and the game is the only thing keeping you going, man, suffering is so fucking specific and personal, for all you know his addiction was shorter and less severe but he actually EXPERIENCED it deeper and worse than you due to his own unique way of dealing with trauma which is generally defined in childhood. Comparing suffering as if it's some sort of prize or as if other people's suffering doesn't count because yours was worse it truly the wrong approach. In fact, it's perverted
i get you. XI was the reason i quit university. but its ok, i still got a good job and eventually stoped playing cause i didnt have the time anymore. Still i dont really regret that lost 3 yrs. i kinda played XI full time and wasnt it the best MMO i ever tried before and after :D so good.... if you got the time for it haha. such great game, such great community. bf and i got christmas postcards from 2 continents. i guess the only way to get shit done in this game was to be dedicated to an unhealthy level. i know few people who were an exception to that. still i wouldnt even change it if i could travel back in time. omg haha i remember days getting up at 7 playing all day, eating only while waiting for pt or somethin, then realise its almost 8pm - run to the store asap to buy lunch - play till 3am, repeat. to be fair not all days were like this, but the weekends for sure. id sign everyhing you said. i eventually played as casualy game for another 2 yrs but of course u always feel like ur missing out somethin, once you did it full time. still i love this game so much. if i think about it i still get a lot of feelings. and i grin like a mad madman. it totaly agree even to the music thing. yesterday i watched some othe XI vid of some guy whith a char in Sandy and shortly b4 i left the city a huge fave and fondness and anticipation washed over me and i already head Ronfaures music playing in my head. like that moment ur at the concert and the band starts a new song and its so overwhelming caus in the first split second u realise its your favourite. geez this game still give me all sorts of feeling. i watched this vid with bf yesterday, we spend the rest of the eve telling old stories. about the people we met, whom we had so many memeories with and whom we knew so well. about crazy NM camping stories, our fav party spots, our fav missions. figures we remember so much.. and thats all 4 yrs ago now! haha good time man, totaly nuts good times i guess now with the changes to the game (being more solo firendly n stuff) it could be less time consuming. but it dont wanna return. back then the game was insane but there was so much to love about that madness that i want to keep it like that in my memories
lol at 11:49 youre talking about Stroper Chyme camping... I spent days upon days in Ordelle caves doing that, trying to outclaim the gilsellers. This game was so fun and addictive...
Thanks so much for making this video. It rang to me pretty hard as I too remember this strange addiction that in a way also saved my life. I moved out to the boonies when I was 13 around the time XI was coming out. I too was on PSO at the time however soon wanted to switch over to what would be this amazing open world, like stated. It was then that I spent years absorbed in this game that got me through highschool and made me feel less alone than I was, being a city kid in upstate NY. Thank you so much, this video really hit home.
There are some terrible misconceptions about what really goes on with "video game addiction", and i think it has a lot to do with how people perceive you for investing so much time on something that is digital or "not real". Its the sense of false achievement that caches you along the way, you just have to be aware of it when playing a video game. There are many people that play video games way more than you do, and more seriously, even professionally, and they don't have a problem with it. It all comes down to self awareness and confidence. Play games for fun and enjoy it for what it is. Just don't forget about eating and working, that's just dumb.
+Pedro Silva It''s not all bad like you said. It is important to have a life balance but playing games for hours on end shouldn't be perceived poorly if that is what you enjoy and are taking care of yourself, friends, and family. It only becomes a problem when important things suffer. But professional gamers do it for a living so how is that any different than a computer programmer mashing code for 10 hours? It's how he/she eats.
Final fantasy XI is better than real life. I played this on the ps2 back in 2004. One time i played for 36 hours straight without sleep. Real life is overated. Ffxi is better and unfortunately i will never live there lol Because i live on this shitty planet 😂 and yes vana'diel is out there in some way form..... 😭👁👄👁
RuneScape was my addiction. And I feel exactly how you do about Final Fantasy XI about it. Great memories, good friends, but something I just had to cut out of my life.
I played this game for years off and on and i smoked. And yes to me, quitting smoking was way easier than quitting this game... I rarely crave a cigarette and i been quit for 15 years. I still crave to play FFXI on almost a daily basis.
Hey thanks for sharing your story. I was just like you. I was setup on the floor, smoking, eating, hunched over playing on PS2. I started playing right after I got through some life crisis issues, and a broken heart and had nothing for me going on. It was an incredibly enjoyable game. I got Kraken Club from Lord of Onzozo the first time I killed it when I was lvl 70 RDM with no limit break. Everyone thought I bought the club from RMT! Lol! I also got depressed that it was taking up all my life for the 2 years I played it. However, I take away a lot from the game. I learned a lot of patience and determination from it. I was someone with no friends because I found it impossible to relate to almost everybody here in southern california who only cared about drugs cars money expensive clothes and being a celebrity. I thought there was something wrong with me until I played this game and discovered a different kind of people and connected with my kind of people. I learned a lot about myself and I try not to look at it as a sick addiction because it really wasn't. There was something in that game that was worth experiencing. Honestly, CoP was the last of it. Aght Urghan ruined the game and after that it was time to say goodbye.
And now millions are addicted to social media and youtube. I'm not having fun. I have no life. No hobbies. Persistent anxiety and depression the moment I'm not turning my brain off. Glad you were able to escape. Internet addiction is the same thing only there are no positive memories associated with it. Just a bunch of nothing.
I don’t know why but I’ve watched this video about 6 times in the past 4 years.
Same!!!
Ditto
I’ve watched it so many times as well
me rn lol
We're all still fighting the addiction...and prolly will be for as long as the game is active.
You aren't alone. I almost failed highschool because of this game.
uh.. i missed 158 out of 219 days in 10th grade cause of this game. before i quit i had close to 1200 days played
John Hopkins holy shit
I missed half of all highschool, and failed. So thats half of 9-10-11 and 12.
i failed university because of video games
so DUH !
Did u really?
my mom threatened to divorce my dad over this game. he had an in game wife lmao
Lol no way mama was serious ?? Lol
my mom did divorce my dad because of this game.
@@Sporkonafork1 I'm hoping this is a joke and I'm sorry if it isn't but that's hilarious
Lmao are you serious
lmao
FFXI DISCLAIMER
"Exploring Vana'diel is a thrilling experience.
During your time here, you will be able to talk, join, and adventure with many other individuals in an experience that is unique to online games.
That being said, we have no desire to see your real life suffer as a consequence.
Don't forget your family, your friends, your school, or your work."
My ass they had no desire. Their entire profit was built around feeding the addiction
If they didn't want addicts ruining their lives they wouldn't have required 10 HOURS just to gain 1 level, 3 hours to find a party, 20 minutes just to find a camp etc
@@adamsasinowski7733 it's your choice how much time you put in. No one is holding a gun to your head. Take some responsibility. It's not the companies responsibility to monitor and regulate play time. Smfh, this is such a smooth brain argument.
@@adamsasinowski7733 also, if it took you 10 hrs to get one level, you had no idea what you were doing or how to play the game to begin with...
@@adamsasinowski7733 Can we also remind you that this was one of the first MMOs released? Before WOW revolutionized MMOs as we knew it?
I started playing this game when I was 13, my older brother and sister played it. They lived with my mom so I only got to play it on Wednesday nights and every other weekend. After I got to about level 10, which at 13 and only being able to play for such limited time frames took forever, I started skipping school to stay at my mom's house and play it. Then my dad got it for me and I was hooked. That summer I stayed home every single day playing it. When I was 15 I ended up dropping out of high school entirely and devoted most of my time to playing FFXI. I was also a devoted musician, and would spend a lot of time playing drums, but not nearly as much time as I'd spend on FFXI. I would wake up at some time in the afternoon and log on, without brushing my teeth, without taking a shower, without eating breakfast. I'd go at least 4-5 hours before doing anything else, finally I'd go out and make myself some breakfast and head straight back. I'd stay up all night until the sun came up, my dad would wake up and head off to work, and I'd stay up grinding levels in Valkurm Dunes, Qufim, Kazham, Garliage Citadel, Crawler's Nest, Quicksand Caves, etc. I'd stay up until I literally could not keep my eyes open for another second.
I think a big issue was the fact that in a good party if you even left to get a drink or take a piss, you'd set back the party significantly. God forbid if you had to make a sandwich, take a shit, or answer the door, those were things you'd have to full on leave a party over just so you didn't upset people and get a bad reputation.
Luckily I have extremely bad A.D.D, so I get bored very quickly. For most things, it'll take about a month. Like right now I've been playing Rainbow Six Siege since it launched around Thanksgiving and I'm already getting quite bored of it. FFXI was different, it would take me years to get bored of it, but then I'd easily be able to quit. I'd end up going back, though, I only just finally hung it up for good last year. 11 years of my life, off and on, that game was involved in.
Looking back, I don't regret it. Listening to the Ronfaure music and picturing myself running around killing sheep, orc, beetles, and rabbits as a slew of different advanced jobs. Some of the most fun I had on that game was the joy and anticipation of unlocking a new advanced job that I was really excited about and leveling it up, learning the new abilities... People say endgame is the real game, but for me just leveling up in FFXI was some of the most fun I ever had in a game. I suppose I got lucky because at my most hardcore I was living with my father and I didn't have any responsibilities so my real life was hardly existent in the first place, nothing to really ruin there. I also got lucky in that those bad decisions I made in my teen years didn't ruin my young adult life, I'm 24 now and have managed to do well for myself despite wasting a few of my teen years on that game. Hell, maybe it even helped me in some weird way. There are a lot of lessons learned in that game, it was challenging, you had to be determined, you had to have work ethic and drive, you had to be good at your job and prepared (geared well). Some could say it provided a lot of great life lessons that helped me.
Some could also say that it set me back quite a bit. Maybe a bit of both.
Thanks for making this video man, I was going to some withdrawals, which is sort of depressing in and of itself considering this game really isn't there anymore, just a shell of it's former self, if it were still structured the way it was in 2009 I suppose I'd install it and play it for a few months. Anyway, I ended up on this video because I was missing the game, and hearing you talk about your time on it not only helped me out but it also warmed my heart to remember the game in the great way that you detailed it.
Take care.
Nasomi is a free server set to the 2005 era... I got hooked again :(
Jonjey Comms youre gay
I would rather eat a tennisball!
lmao tf are these comments
You just described me, except I was 20, had an incredible job and a great girlfriend, both of which I ultimately threw away to this mindfuckingly great game in the 2000s.
It's still pretty great, hardly a shell of itself. It's just easier to get to endgame now. The old grind has been replaced with multiple enjoyable grind paths. The end of the path is still as difficult as ever. Probably the only MMO that doesn't drop an AoE hitbox to let you know where not to be when you shouldn't be there, still.
This is insane. I knew you! I remember Twolves, Soulzero, etc. as well. I was Kidagakash from Midgardsomr. I was totally addicted. I think I started in the fall of 2004 and played constantly to 2008, then was on and off from 2008 - 2010.
amazing, just all being on the same server and recognizing each other
HappyConsoleGamer: “online addiction is a destroyer of worlds”
Mark Zuckerburg: “welcome to the metaverse”
I still have withdraws from this game... in fact that's how I got to this video...
You and me both. Especially after a shitty day at work
+Driftwood Gaming i listen the music of this game every day , i dont play it anymore cause i had a big big addiction , to it more than 2 years of real GAME PLAY TIME and not afk play time , so i can get the memories from the music but avoiding the adicction of playing it
+Driftwood Gaming Same.
withdrawals ? come on dude , you don't ...have you ever been through a drug withdrawal ? not nice
steven tipton mental health issues can affect your body in harmful ways, too, you know
I used to get response from japanese players "No Thanks" "Japanese Only" when I was looking for parties.
i thought this said panties and i was like 'no way thats true'
"meat" "shield"
I was lucky to be an honorary member of a JP only linkshell on Lakshmi server. One of my highest achievements.
My account getting hacked saved me from this game.... thank you whoever you are!
Whiplash?
You're welcome
I had a friend who got into WOW, and it LITERALLY became his life. All his time after work was WOW. Because of that all he could talk about was WOW, he had a mundane job, so conversations with him were awkward and weird since I didnt play the game. We eventually stopped being friends, and to this day he's still like that with either WOW, or other RPG's.
I think for some people, those kind of games can be a "life substitute", time filling thing to do to take their minds off their real life. Nothing wrong with those games in moderation, but 6-8 hours a day is not healthy. Glad you overcame it dude!
Xyos212 i was the same i played it a lot maxed my character but then the realization hit me....the game was actually not that good i was addicted to the whole social aspect and grinding but if you took the gameplay and stuck it into a single player enviroment the gameplay was pretty poor
Xyos212 Wasn't there a story in Korea about a couple starving their newborn to death due to neglect that they were playing WOW? MMOs for whatever reason seems to illicit genuine addiction. In Korea it's also routine to see game addiction medical clinics and gameing in internet cafes are banned past 12 midnight nationwide.
delatroy I think it depends on your situation, and yes that did happen in Korea. If someone just lost their job or is depressed, or sad about something in their life/self, MMO's I think can act as a time filler to take their mind off life and responsibility.
I think as humans, we need goals and to feel like were accomplishing something. When someone has no job, or no prospects in life, I assume MMO's can kind of fill that need in a small way.
Xyos212 This is very true, it helps you feel like you're being productive even if the opposite is true.
Prime productive is the perfect word. Everyone wants that legit feeling, and MMO's can offer that feeling to someone who has nothing else going on in life.
FF XI was the greatest MMO ever. I know your feeling.
word!
yes it was
so sad we all had to move on one day :(
I miss my old linkshell
It still is.
you know ffxi still has a big community right? im still playing and the biggest servers have 2000 to 5000 players every day
You're goddamn right you loved it! XD
FFXI isn't an MMO like WoW is.
FFXI is an experience. One you will never have again, or will ever replicate with another game.
Yes Final Fantasy XI was life, and we were good at it. I stopped in 2012, I do not regret my time in XI. I play FFXIX now but I balanced my life and Gaming.
The early days memories with XI will never be forgotten, and can't be replicated. That first run to Jueno. Waiting hours for my katana to be forged. Spending weeks fighting all the summons with carbuncle. Seriously FFXI was one of a kind.
So [gather together Burn down San D'oria]
Jay CFC awe man so true, just getting to Juno was such great reward and exciting.
Jay if you want to relive any of that... consider Nasomi server. look it up. I was so disappointed with newer MMOs and disgusted with how retail FFXI is today that I looked for other options. Best choice. captures the golden age of FFXI very well. look me up in game. Xionrasere on there.
Nick T Can i transfer my current character to that server or is it private?
Running to Jeuno from San doria and getting raped by a tiger in Batalliq downs lol
Yup thought you could be sneaky by hiding from the sight of the tigers but too bad they aggro sound :(
I've watched this video like 20 times over the last couple years, you're such a great storyteller. I felt like I was living it lol, great video I had to finally comment.
I've done the same! It's just such a fun story and I love listening to people talk about FFXI. It's just perfect.
@@lesbianmareep Right? It's like I'm feeling the nostalgia through him haha.
There’s Something about his story that makes it sound like the most immersive and satisfying video game experience, while at the same time sounding like an inescapable nightmare.
You were on Midgardsormr!? I remember Twolves and Amara from your screenshots, they were in my guild for quite a while. I remember seeing your character, and Soulzero and Jspaceman as well, the community was so small you got to recognize characters.
Darmalarm777 Whoa small world!!
HappyConsoleGamer Sorry to hear about your addiction issues with the game by the way. I think a lot of us (myself included) were addicted to 11 on some level, back then.
HappyConsoleGamer I was on Midgardsormr as well. o.o I thought the handle EvilSerge looked rather familiar. I probably saw you running around. I was Larq an Elvaan Paladin for awhile and then I rerolled as a Hume named Raruri, also a Paladin. Small world indeed. o.o
Prime How awesome!! I was Soulzero. Amara was an amazingly wonderful lady and Jspaceman was my number 1 fishing partner. What was your name on there Darma? And just to put it out there. Feel the Serge!
HappyConsoleGamer Johnny, thank you for this video. I work as a therapist with people with game-addictions (also drugs and alcohol-addictions). I can show this video to the (young) people with game-addictions so that they realise that they are not alone with these problems and you can retake your life. thank you!
It's amazing how close your story parallels my own. I destroyed my life for 3-1/2 years and loved every moment playing XI. XI's addiction is founded upon how difficult it was, the social bonds it demands, and the absolutely insane patience it required.
Ultimately, its all about chasing the dragon. sometimes literaly. That dopamine response of accomplishment through all the long hardships. At one point, I waited 6 or 7 hours to get a party to level my samurai while I played on my handheld psp periodically checking on my pc screen for an invitation. When I quit, I was so incredibly depressed, I bought myself a xbox360 and 10 games just to keep my mind at bay.
Dont let anyone tell you gaming isn't a real addiction. The brain's reward has no prejudice. I've since played WoW for 8 years and still struggle with addiction but at a reduced level. That mmo is much more casual and kinder; albeit the hook is still there. Still, I earned so many great memories and friends in both games.
I played FFXI from 2004 to 2010, most intensely between 2006-2010 where I was literally playing more than 16 hours a day most of the time. I would not talk to anyone outside the game and I would only break to eat or use the bathroom. When I was forced to quit in 2010 I had a playtime of 706 days and some change. I had 10 jobs to at least 75, as the cap had been recently raised to 80 and most of the best gear before the level cap was raised. I met some of my best friends in that game. After 5 years being away from it, not a day goes by that I don't reminisce of the life I had on FFXI and the only regret I have is that I don't still live in Vana'diel.
Holy sh$t you put almost 2 years of your life in a game?? That's insane haha, games are cool, but also other things. Hope you doing well man!
How are you doing these days?
Ive been a drunk for about 12 years. I have quit off, and on over the past 4 years. The way you describe your XP with this game (no pun intended) makes so much sense to me. I lost a few jobs because of my issues with alcohol, and drugs as well. I find you to be an inspiration when it comes to something like this. I can see your passion for the game, and yet I can also see the hate for it which is something I am to familiar with. I am a gamer as well. Point is your story inspires me, and I can relate in a way. Thank you for that.
Video game addiction is quite real. But trust me, it's alot better than booze and drugs.
nice Alex Grey profile pic : )
And I agree!
MMO addiction also taught me how to read because I would have to read quests, menus and write to other players.
mixing them is lethal 😢
Keep rewatching this from time to time, what a great story on game addiction. Thank you John, you are wonderful guy.
FFXI was a very unique beast. As successful as WoW is, and as good of a game FFXIV is, they are not what FFXI was. If you never played it, you would never understand the grind it was, how punishing yet rewarding the game was. Even people who quit with stories like these, still manage to look back with a fondness despite what damage it did to a part of their life. FFXI was a great time for 7 years of my life. I still keep in touch with people I played XI with, met up with some of them, and no other game ever has been able to make bonds like that.
look into ffxi nasomi
somehow from your story, make me really want to play the game lol
+Alvian Farrel The PS2 servers shut down a couple weeks ago.
susubeardehart Yes, it will continue on PC as usual and is still fairly popular.
+susubeardehart Yes the game is still up. The server named Asura has the highest population now a days.
+GamerPett i play ffxiv because of this vids XD
+Alvian Farrel I've been playing FFXIV off and on since it originally launched. ARR is a lot better than the original.
This was my experience in WoW, only I was addicted for 10 years straight...
It's nice knowing other people had/have this problem, my dad was very very addicted to this game, about the same or even worse so than you had it. It got so bad that he lost friendships and pretty much his family, job, money and other things. I wish he could've gotten help back then, and had people like you to talk to. My dad had other heavy addictions and it really does make sense that this was just one of them that he couldn't quit and a few years ago he lost his life due to alcoholism. Long story short, I feel that many other people had/have the same kind of addictions and really could need the right people to help them out of it. I still love this game so dearly, it was apart of my life mostly because thats how I was able to spend time with my dad and I loved playing as well, but I do get this bitter sweet feeling of the game being like a bad drug that tore his life apart. I just wanted to thank you for your story, and I hope other people can be as strong as you are to have the will power to stop and move on. :)
+AmbeyPhantom
Thanks for sharing hey
Got this game in 2011 after my parents divorced over this and a few other marraige-enders. This was the only way I'd bond with my dad before I quit in 2012, started again in 2017, quit, then started new again.
This is honestly one of the darkest videos I've ever seen on this channel, and one of my favourites. I love how honest Johnny is.
I've never really been addicted to a game to that extent, however I did have this odd experience when I was playing Tetris. I was so concentrated on the game, and it was just satisfying to clear 4 rows of tetriminos with that one "long" block. So after shutting off the game, I'd still have the game playing in my head for some reason. While I was doing anything (eating, shitting, watching tv, etc), I'd imagine blocks falling in front of my view and I'd be clearing out lines in my head. It actually got me a bit freaked out. It lasted only a week, after that I guess I just gassed out on the game and I stopped imagining the blocks coming down
Same here, love how honest and transparent he is being here. I had a very similar experience. I almost failed my senior year of high school when FFXI released. Finished with a 2.3 GPA.
I think any tetris-head has that experience with tetris. ;P
I'm dealing with this currently with FF14, I'm missing out on great games/friends/life because I just won't let go of 14. I'll probably re-watch this again sometime to try to motivate myself, thank you!
Why??? 14 is a pos WoW clone...
Tataru, namano, Kyile, Mannilia, Alasiae all soooo adorable goofs. Ff14 has a lot of good story. But my heart is always In vanadiel
@@obZen327 WoW shot itself in the foot, whilst FFXIV has elements of many classic MMOs (including osrs)
Oh My God!! You are telling my story... I was so addicted I almost lost my job, killed a relationship, gained almost 100lbs, and I still can't touch my old rig like you have it on the table. I still have a crate of folders I was just getting into blue mage and puppet master. I had to quit cold turkey. I immediately started to travel, study photography, and build my life back. It was real addiction. I also had to cut of my online friends in real life. I still get goosebumps when I see FF XI term like AFK and WC in real life. I'm so glad to find this video... And know it wasn't just me.
play online was a pain but you gota admit the background music was lit
Am I a Sadist for coming back to this video a lot ( ._.) ?
Its facinating how could you not
Thank you for sharing your experience. I got FFXI when I was 14 years old at 2004. I was going through this addiction as well. The problem was that I didn't know what was happening to me, and the game was just so much better then real life. I ended up playing the game for 5 years nearly everyday. I would finish school, and just rush home and play until I had to sleep. Sometimes I would farm NMs and stay up all night because of the spawning. My playtime was over a year. I finally managed to break the addiction by moving to different country and starting to study at university. Because of this game I missed most of my teenage years, but at the same time it was one of the best times of my life. This game was huge part of my life. I didn't know other people experienced this as well.
FFXI was my first MMO, and yep...I was hooked on this during my college years. I'm not even sure how I was able to pass my classes after being up until 4-5 AM in the morning camping or in a Exp PT. Good times though, I made some great friends that I still keep in touch with to this very day.
I started on ps2 as a teenager and I have to tell you this is the only game I've ever played that I actually smashed my keyboard, like pieces everywhere. It was so frustrating yet so fun at the same time. O hat, azuran fists, bcnm's, dynamis are all things that just bring back so many memories. I remember the Japanese players just being insane back in the day, I would do merit parties with them when I hit 75 rdm and they would let me join their JP only parties and I would always try to ask them in broken Japanese how they would party 8 hours straight with out restroom breaks. My husband and I started playing again last year, and the changes they made are amazing. I could never go back to the original game now as a wife and mother so i'm glad they have made it more user friendly.
JP ONRY
@@calypsohandjack9278 the best ones were "sorry i dont speak english" in english lol
I know this is an older video but I just came across it in 2022.
Thank you for your testimony!!!!
This is a serious topic that is not discussed and pushed under the rug.
Addiction comes in many forms all are destructive! Peace to you Happy! And thanks again!
From a recovering addict.
Aw man, I understood all of this way too well. I was also on MIdgardsomr (name was Gaddes) and think I remember seeing you on there back in the day... but yeah it was a really brutal game back then before the Abyssea expansion. Cruel drop rates, people fighting each other camping NMs. I was younger so I was able to allocate waaaay too much time to the game, to the point where my dad got pissed that I was constantly playing it. Around 2009 when the server merged into Quetzacotl, a lot of people in my LS had dropped off, so it was actually pretty lucky since that made it easier for me to spend less time on the game to the point where I was able to wean myself off it within a couple months. Then Abyssea and the 99 cap came out and when I realized how much work it would be to level up to 99 and all the gear that had taken me years to acquire would be obsolete, THAT was the thing that really helped make it easy for me to permanently stay away from the game.
Once in a while, when the free-login weeks occur, I might log in just to wander around... but all the old zones are so dead and I never got up to speed about the new stuff, so I usually just visit my favorite spots briefly and then log out. I'll never fully return to it, but perhaps once a year during free-login I like to see what used to be. The music, the ambience, the art design... it was a really remarkable game.
+Eji :o I might've seen you what's your chara's name? I play on Quetz.
+Arcanua the Red Mage It was Gaddes, I was an elvaan, used to be part of the smallish LS called Mattet
Eji I'm an Elvaan :3 But my type are going extinct we now say most are male...if it's female it's most likely someone's alt x'D
Then don't start on Nasomi. Free, private server set to the year 2005... it hooked me again :(
I was wondering is this was Midgar. I remember a taru named Woogark!
I lost my life playing this too... best 3 years ever.
I'm laughing my ass off at the pictures you took of the TV with the game installing!
I've been waiting for this episode for so long, ever since you and Pete Dorr had your famous (and famously drawn out) conversation about your addictions on the AGG podcast. Thanks for telling your story, glad you overcame your addiction!
I love this story Johnny. You are such a gifted storyteller, and this makes me feel so nostalgic and caught up in the time even though I've never played the game.
Wow, it really does feel surreal watching a fellow old FFXI player talk about his experiences. I can relate so much to the addiction (the game was my LIFE for a long time), but none of the few real friends I had even knew about the game!
This is a serious chapter of my life. Some of my best friends are from this game. I have attended Weddings and Funerals. Still brings a tear to my eyes when I think back about it.
How would you compare quitting this addiction to quitting your old addition to smoking? I think that would be a very interesting comparison that you being a person who has been addicted and quit both could answer.
That would be a very interesting thing to hear, indeed!
+HoldenReviews I have also quit both, for me, cigarettes was the hardest thing I ever did. The MMO I was addicted to (WoW) went shitty, which made it pretty easy to quit. Now, years later, I don't miss either, whatsoever.
Vacuumscam Thank you for your personal insight on the matter.
He has tons of addictions. Smoking. Collecting old games. His place has a hoarder kind of look. It's the personality
+HoldenReviews you cant really compare a video game addiction to an actual drug addiction ...i have dealt with both ^^ it wasnt easy for me to quit ffxi and i went back like 3 times ^^ on 3 different characters ... but quitting drinking after 20 years was way harder :)
It's those Tarutaru... . They're pint sized cuteness ensnares you into the game.... Their little cutesy emotes, their panic dances.... It all gets you to stay...
+Skeptical Chris That and our Tarutaru
>> punts the tarutaur football.
Taru!!!
FFXI was truly legendary. I don't blame you for having this addiction.
Every year or so I watch this video, such nostalgia for the 00s
Wow, it is some 10 years later from the time I quit playing, and just seeing these screen shots again...I feel it. There is something about that world that feels so good to be in, more so than any other MMORPG I played, from WoW to EQ to EQ2 to Vanguard, etc. Their worlds were all just backdrops for playing a game. But Vanadiel (FFXI's world) felt like a real world to live in.
I had a Dragon Quest IX addiction for 15 days. I played it 6 hours everyday
This is a similar experience that I had with FFXIV ARR I would play that game all day and night and when I was offline and went somewhere I'd talk to my online friends on the phone about the game and what we're going to do with our clan and whenever I had friends over all I could ever talk about was that game and I was addicted to it for over 2 years and now I'm taking a step back from it, I still play it time to time but I try not to play it as often as I used to
Man.... Final fantasy xiv sucksssssss compared to 11
Sounds bad but I wish I could could find a MMO that could give me this addiction feeling again like ffxi did when I was 14.
look up nasomi private server.
+Apathy is there any possible way to play on a private server on a XboxOne or Ps4? Say putting the downloaded torrent on a usb drive and then opening it on the console?..
Will Echevarria there's a game called Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen that's more like Everquest than ffxi but it's specifically catering to the old skool mmorpgs games where u don't just quest thru all levels and fly to end game. Dying is going to end penalized, the world will be tough you need to group up. I think fast travel will be limited so as not to make the world seems small
Nah it doesn't sound bad. All hardcore MMO players are hurting for that next fix
I had a unhealthy addiction with a Ps2 game called Everquest Online adventures would spend nothing less than 10 hours a day then grind 48 hours to lvl up my ranger as fast as i could.
Played from 2004 to 2010 (very hard-core 2004-2009).....came back in July 2018 to March 2019. Loved it!!!! Started from scratch. While I didn't play nearly as much as first time, I was able to get a ton done. Recognized a name from when I used to play and joined his guild. Originally I was all melee first time around.. this time did smn, brd, sam and whm.....loved it! It scratched the serious itch I had had for years. Let it go about 2 years ago and happy I went back for 9 months!!
oh my god!! I HAD THE EXACT EVERYTHING YOU EXPLAINED IN THE VIDEO!! The addiction, the guild/linkshell, the friends, the job situation, ignoring girls, job went out of business, I was a drk, caveman like months indoors, the room setup, the beard, the withdraw, even the snacks! every detail in this video was done by me when i played 11 too. only differance was i was on a laptop instead. Your exp mirrored mine exactly
I started playing this game when it came out and left when 14 was out. I was so addicted and decided to finally just sell my character so I can get on with rl. I was able to sell my account for $1500 US. I even met my husband on there 11 yrs ago and we still to this day talk about ffxi and how amazing it was! We were in Bahamut server and took endgame serious with our LS. I had to buy the soundtrack not only because the music is amazing but when you listen to each song you remember the stuff you did in that zone. I tried to join 14 but it was not the same. I even went back to ffxi as a new character and it was not the same it was empty. Which is good or I would still be on there lol If they do make another game online I will be joining again. Hopefully I bump into old friends and make some new ones too! Thanks for the video! -Aree from Bahamut server
I miss Split Screens... :(
Online gaming is Fun... But when the Servers or Connections have problems... Well you cant play them...
Plus Split Screens or Multiplayer Local make it more Fun to play with Actual Friends in the same room as you are in...
It Depresses me when i saw a PS4 Update that was saying... "Now you can play with Friends like if they were in the same room as you!"
gabriel montreuil jup i totally agree, back in the day every "racing game" (other games aswell) had a split screen mode, nowadays everything is online multiplayer only wich sucks if a friend comes over... what are you gonna do? bring a second console, tv and copy of the same game with you, just to play against each other over the internet? that is stupid =(
MetalTiger88 *****
Yeah Online Gaming is good for PC games. But on Console... It kind of Killing the Experience of gather around and play with Friends...
Even if i dislike Nintendo nowadays... They are the only console that marketed to Both Online and Local Multiplayer...
***** i actually played ctr w/ some friends not too long ago
markasscop Arev
I never really played CTR but alot of people told me it was as Good as the Mario Kart on N64. :)
Crash used to be awesome... RIP Bandicoot.. I wish they would bring him back in Smash or Playstation All-Star or something! lol
*****
DIDDY KONG RACING..... press start... lol
Also wowwww, taking flash photos of a CRT TV with a digital camera next to a display of Jill Valentine. Now THAT'S early 'aughts.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I don't see many people talking about their experience with this game, but there's an underlying theme with those who do that is very relatable
Had a brief experience with game addicition as a junior in HS when I got Breath of the Wild for Christmas. Started playing it that day, took some time in the evening to spend with my family, and then started playing again. And I didn't stop until 6 in the morning. Then I'd wake up at 3 PM, and play until 6 AM, rinse repeat for about two weeks. Thankfully, I was involved in a lot of music stuff at school so I never would've been able to let it become that big of a problem, but I was seriously addicted for a couple weeks. 16 hours a day, barely stopping to eat, when I'd finally go to bed I would dream about the game, wondering what new adventures awaited me. One of the greatest gaming experiences in my life, but definitely one of the scarier ones as well.
Welcome to the NHK, MMO addiction. That was you 110% haha omg.
Scary stuff though.
Bliced Hikikomori-Power
Bliced Fucking love NHK, one of my favourite anime/manga ever.
Amazing game, so many memories. My first MMORPG. With such time consuming gameplay, I can understand how it would be easy to get completely sucked in. I played for about six years all together, while maintaining full time employment and a social life. I was incredibly tired and sleep deprived for the first couple years, but I learned better time management and was able to keep it together. It was just a matter of self control for me. As much as I would have loved to resolve myself into Vanadiel, I still had real life goals and aspirations to work on. I no longer play any MMOs now, because I simply don't have the time to dedicate to them, and I have never found one that grabbed me the way FFXI did. I'm glad you were able to overcome your addiction to the game, and I hope you still have some fond memories of the experience, even though it lead to such a hardship for you.
I remember spending my entire summer break no lifing my RDM from 1-75 when i was 15. It was so worth it.
I had many of the same experiences as you. A bunch of people from gaming forums (remember those?) as well as my live in girlfriend at the time all got the game for PS2 at the NA launch. I had never played an MMO before and it was amazing. The sense of feeling like an insignificant piece of a vast world was really something. I remember venturing out from the familiar and safe Ronfaure Forest into La Theine Plateau for the first time felt almost overwhelming and scary. I'll probably never get that feeling again from a game. The feeling of community and the sense of accomplishment from reaching modest goals is something that I don't think developers would even attempt again in this era of instant gratification. Really fond memories of this one.
That's the best story I've heard about game addiction so far. That's so crazy! Thank you for sharing!
so wait....you only played for 3 months? I was just as addicted as you, but for 4 years. It was all a blur. I had the best of the best equipment, I had all but like 2 jobs at 75 (this was back before they raised the level cap), I had like 3 sets of AF2 gear and every job had an AF1 set, and I spent every spare second playing/talking about/thinking about this game. I remember I had been literally depressed for a while because I had a hard time getting an optical hat (all my groups would either fall apart or screw me over once they got theirs) and my mom noticed I was really down for a while. I explained to her why, and one day I called her and she could tell by my voice that I was happy (extremely happy) and she said "did you finally get your optical hat!?" and she screamed with me for a second or two....granted I have a cool mom, but thats how much of my life this game took over.
This game also ruined my life. I love it, don't get me wrong. But I can't ever go back for the same reason.
FFXI is more than a game or an MMO. If you've played it, you already know, and between your vid and the great comments a lot of people have done it justice. Instead of adding my own nostalgia at great length, I'll address how addictive it is and a tip for anyone struggling with MMO addiction. One method to break it and avoid major withdrawal is to pick a non MMO game- any game. You're not going to want to play that instead of FFXI or the MMO, but that's normal. Start playing it, anyway. You'll eventually get into it, put the time into it, and lo and behold- that game has an ending. Once it ends, you'll feel a sense of closure and the urge for FFXI will be cut off by having gotten occupied by the other game. It's a great way to "wean" instead of struggling with cold turkey.
Mirrors on the ceiling.
The pink champagne on ice.
And she said: "We are all just prisoners here, of our own device."
And in the Master's chambers, they gathered for the feast.
They stab it with their steely knives, but they just _can't_ kill the beast.
Last thing I remember...
I was running for the door.
I had to find a passage back to the place I was before.
"Relax", said the Night Man,
"We are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like - but you can _never_ leave."
You've had a few comments now regarding this, but watching this video really hit home for me. In retrospect, my addiction for this game was insane. And like your moment getting the bracelet, I too had my moments (I managed to pry Ochiudo's Kote from Mee Deggi's cold, dead hands). Hell, if I close my eyes right now, I can perfectly envision the game and can walk from Bastok to San d'Oria from memory alone. I still listen to the music on my phone because as you said it was beautiful.
I finally said goodbye forever a couple years back after hopping in for a bit to complete some unfinished business. I completed the Rise of the Zilart and Chains of Promathia storylines in their entirety from help from a friend and the newly updated level caps. And it just. It was over, finally. No regrets. But it's scary how much that game took over my life for periods at a time. In any case, good for you for being able to sever the cord.
Your one of the lucky ones. Been playing mmorpgs since I was around 9 or 10. Still am. Basically 24/7 these past 6 years. It's gross.
+Steve Weaboo Jones So, how will you escape?
Tiger74147 I won't.
+Steve Weaboo Jones Why not?
+Steve Weaboo Jones "Those who say they can, and those who say they can't, are usually correct."
~Quote from a guy I can't remember but those words stuck with me for life.
+Steve Weaboo Jones I started playing MMOs back in 1998 starting with a game called Mankind, Then to Anarchy Online and then to WoW. There were a few points where i played a lot around 99 to 2006ish but still nothing close to most people, I mostly played because i was stuck home taking care of my Dad who had cancer at the time among other things.
Honestly though i don't regret any of the time i've spent in an MMO or games in general. I've made a ton of RL lasting friends from it and i still am to this day.
First off, that is an amazing t-shirt ;)
Secondly, awesome work on this video. I get the impression it is even though for you to tell this story. I don't think I have ever gotten to that point with a game, but when I get a new FF game it tends to dominate all my free time until I finish and max it (I am still able to work, but I basically do nothing else but play it the moment I get home). Also Skyrim, which basically become my life for sooooo long! I have even recently started a 3rd playthrough for my UA-cam Channel. I guess I am lucky that MMOs just aren't my thing. I played FF14 but didn't get hooked.
Again, great story and well done on getting over your addiction!!
Great story, I went thru something similar. Almost lost my wife. Glad I was able to quit too. By the way you look like a young Diamond Dallas Paige.
This was almost exactly what happened to me. Played from 2004 (US launch) until about 2013. As my friends moved on it was easier to walk away as the community was a massive part of the appeal, but god damn I'll never get hooked on a game like that again. It was a period in my life where I had low responsibilities and lots of time. The perfect combo for FFXI.
A year late but thnx for sharing this amazing story, it got some of my own memories from those days back. I almost shared a tear of enjoyment or was it the feeling of missing some great adventures with friends?¿? Till this day i dont play any MMO because i'm not sure if i am able to escape the grasp again, it truly is like real-life drugs. . . sad but true. . . So again BIG thnx for doing this video, it did let me taste the sweet sweet flavour yet again though your and mine own memories. Best regards from a new subber.
Your 1st big loot was an Archer's ring from Stroper Chyme in ordelles cave ;]
I loved ffxi also needless to say haha
It's what he's talking about at around 12min.
+Mathieu de Grandpre yeah i think he's talking about the Archer's rings haha I remember then days... and I remember farming Goobues out in the Sanctuary of ZanTah for Tree cuttings >.> For my set of haubergeon armor XD them days were glorious
+Roy Grinnell Plant tree cuttings and make sapplings...right?xD
Thank you! I kept yelling ARCHERS RING hoping that he'd hear me.lol
Don't have time to watch the entire video, but you are not alone. This game had me addicted so bad when I was 16-18 that I eventually had to quit because it started to feel weird as hell to be out in the sunlight. I'll comment back in more detail later.
I'm playing an MMORPG as I watch this. Lol :p
i started this game in 2003, i ended it only recently, on and off for years. i spent thousands. i had 2 accounts. i loved everything about this game. i completely understand the addiction that had ahold of you and all of us. the music was amazing and i look back on it with extreme fondness. i would listen to it in the car still or on my iPad while doing work. the social interaction was easy, the mechanics were simple enough and the world was vast. its been a while and i still have the itch to play. i hate that i have an itch to play. i have a family of 3 kids and a wife. i want to play.... but i know all that time will take away from my life that i owe to them. its a depressing feeling when you can't fill your life with something that makes you so happy and you know means literally nothing in the real world... to anyone.... Those of you that have done the same and stuck around for way too long, that addiction is still there. its a haunting thought to think that the children growing up playing this and wow won't truly understand the impact this has on their lives. i love you all in that world, and the hole i fear will never truly close. i will always long for that game. but it is still an addiction, and as hard as it is, it needs to stop, and go away. S/N Dragonsmaster, friend: youngling, server: midgardsormr
Wow man what a story! I always wondered how people could get so addicted to games to the point of sickness but it makes sense hearing how all those circumstances stacked up. I think a big part of it these days is also feeling like you need to keep up with your crew in these games. It’s not just for your own enjoyment but also you’re kind of depended on to stick with it. Thanks for sharing and I’m really glad you got over it eventually!
Best game if its' time. Nothing can ever compare.
Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn hooked me for awhile, but I haven't played it for quite a few months.
ItalianoMobzter7 Same I played 14 for a 2 years or so? but haven't played for a long time... Since I started school that's a good thing though ;)
ItalianoMobzter7 Get the xpac its amazing
Actually WoW is stealing from ff with the pvp talents and getting ancient weapons.
+ItalianoMobzter7 I played it for about a year but eventually end game grind, among other things, just wore me out. It didn't have the same spark XI did to keep me hooked. I think I started getting burnt out around the time they implemented stuff like coils and a few of the earliest hard mode dungeons.
What got me was all the mandatory memorization of tactics, and as a tank it got pretty ridiculous.
Dude.. I understand this prob more then anyone. I started this game at age 14 and didn't quit until 19. I dropped out of high school because of this game. I maxed out like 7 jobs @ 75. I totally understand bro. I'll always miss it... but I had to quit as well. Eventually got a GED and went to college and it all worked out.. but it's funny because when you start the game it tells you not to let it effect your work, school, or friends and I always laughed at that, but fuck me, it effected everything.
+Mike B I'm right there with ya, Mike. This game helped end my first marriage. I was working 10-12 hour days as the main bread winner of the house and my 1st husband started playing this game. He met some chick in Idaho online and started a "relationship". Ended up leaving me for her when I discovered emails between them and confronted him. I started playing myself. I wanted to learn everything about this game that had cost me my 7 year marriage (he was 27, I was 37) and I became addicted. I also ended up on the same server he was on just to be a thorn in his side. He is not living the happy life he lived with me NOW, 9 years later. He is on this 7th relationship, barely making a living, still playing on some server and no future security.......but me, different end story. Also funny thing was, I became a better player than him, with more maxed jobs and endgame gear.
I ended up meeting my 2nd husband online, I did divorce him, but we got back together last year and will marry again this year. I retired from a job at the age of 44 on disability (the one that I was working 10-12 hours at each day - it was actually a 9 hour shift) that assures that I will not have to work again and not have to worry about money because I set up my future and my income in advance. I spend tons of time on the computer either watching TV or playing various games. WoW drove me freaking nuts, SWTOR was good, but I got bored...FFXI will always be my first love and with 13 level 99s I still have tons to do in the game. But I've been pacing myself since I've been confined to a bed for the last 9 months. I can't sit in my recliner and play on my 52" screen next to my ex-hubby's 52" screen right now. I can't sit for that long. My days of 48 hour Abyssea parties are limited right now LOL
Wow, crazy story.. I'm sorry you're confined to your bed at such a young age, that's horrible. I hope things turn around for you. At least you are set money wise. This game just hit me at such a young age that I had to quit and get my life together. I haven't been a "multiplayer" gamer ever since really. I game everyday after work for a couple hours but pretty much single player campaigns only.. which unfortunately gets old after awhile, so I own over 300 games heh. I actually tried getting into FFXIV ARR not long ago, but it just wasn't the same for me. FFXI required soo much work and was so difficult to do anything solo, you couldn't just go explore anywhere you wanted. Something about that created so much suspense for what was coming next. I remember being a new player and seeing artifact armor for the first time and I wanted nothing more in my entire life. I wanted to know what the higher level areas and mobs looked like soo bad.
What's kind of funny is, the main thing for me that hooked me was getting a great EXP party of 6 that just worked perfectly in sync with each other. I remember leveling NIN and tanking with shadows and tools and it was just fucking amazing when done correctly. Also leveling RNG, I would pull mobs perfectly and SC with another DD and the exp would just come rolling in. I LOVED a good EXP party, and now that they are virtually gone, there's no way I come back. Screw those alliance party's in Gustav.
Also the friendships created in game were just unbreakable. I remember the first time my linkshell decided to go to Sky and kill the Gods, probably one of the most exciting times of my life. I got to kite Kirin as a NIN and got an osode.. I felt like such a boss! I will never forget the time I spent in that game and honestly even still hum the music in my head to this day hehe... Fenrir server here too btw.
+Mike B Well, I'm seeing a Ortho surgeon next month for the first time, I'm hoping not surgery, but my pain mgnt doc and PCP keep saying that is the next step. Funny thing is, I really didn't have a trauma to my back. I've had muscle spasms since I was 18ish, had a really bad fall in 2011 not related to my retirement disability, but over the last year it has gotten to the point that I can't stand, walk or sit for long periods. Only place position I'm "comfortable" is in bed, propped with supporting pillows - and lots of pain meds :-(
At least the reason why I retired is somewhat under control, massive, debilitating migraines. I worked as an accountant, so you can see how that could effect my work. I'm also on lots of control meds to keep those under control. I'd had migraines for years and the last few years of work became so stressful and no rest from computer use that I would have crippling migraines that would last for 2 weeks or more. So, this was the 3rd round of budget cuts...oh, I worked for the government...they said, Barb this is effecting your attendance and your work, you need to retire or we fire you. I got my union involved and it turned into a disability retirement since I had enough cause to support it.
My accounts are on Cerberus, I started on Kujata, when it closed I went to Hades (LMAO! Finally went to hell) then it closed and we went to Cerberus. My character name is Kyka. Funny you mention the balanced 6 party system - that is the system that truly do miss the most too. I had a static party that I leveled my WHM in and I just remember how much fun it was to know that we were going to meet every night at a certain time and that I had these 5 friends that I had forged real friendships with.....LOL and my 1st exhusband was convinced I was cybering all of them (no way, the RDM was gay!)
I do enjoy the alliance parties in Abyssea, but they can get pretty mind numbing. My 2nd husband and I had been know to get into an alliance and always end up as alliance leader and party lead, then we run the party for 48 straight hours (he is retired also, he is 55). But none of them will ever compare to the 6 party system and moving to all the different party spots....I even miss the freaking Imps!
Oh yes, I know what you mean by the Sky runs....my favorite memory is the time my LS fought the Archangels with a planned party wipe during the middle of the battle. As one of the main heal WHMs, I'm like WTF DO YOU MEAN PLANNED PARTY WIPE!!!!!!! But at the level we were at it was a very good strategy, and the BCNM went off without a hitch. I almost got screwed because I had moved too far out onto the plate form to heal the melees, but I've always been a sneaky mage, I did a quick raise and run LOL.
I still have tons I want to do in the game, but I've been taking a break. My ex-hubby has been doing my login for the login campaigns and he sometimes levels my character or my mules - yeah, I'm OCD - I have 2 accounts, 1 main that has 13 99s and 31 mules. All the mules are leveled up to 30 on 2 jobs and everyone has max rep. BLM on all of them and a variety of job for the 2nd one.....yep I'm OCD. But during my break, I'm still involved in FFXI. I'm the only Admin left to answer questions on FFXIanswers, not that I get very many any more LOL.
Okay, I've rambled enough - you can tell this is one of my favorite subjects - why FFXI is so overlooked by the gaming community IDK. It kinda irks me that WoW is the most acknowledged MMORPG gaming module. I tried, I really, really tried to play WoW, but it's quest system drove me out my of freaking mind. Go to an NPC get your quest, run back get another, run back get another, rinse repeat 50 times. SWOTOR was better but relied on using a special gaming mouse too much when I liked using a keyboard for that one.
Thanks for the kind words of encouragement and I'm glad that you were able to turn your life around. Just remember, gaming isn't bad as long as you don't allow it to take over your life. I did game from 2007-2011 while I was still working and it wasn't the game that interfered with my work...trust me, it was the work and work environment!
Just thought I'd mention.. due to this conversation I had re downloaded FFXI ARR and am currently downloading the required updates heh. You have sparked a dangerous fire within me! But I'm strangely excited again.
Thanks for that :)
+Mike B Dude, I started when I was 14 and stopped at 18. I thankfully squeezed out my HS diploma but it same story! I miss this game, and don't miss it all at the same time. So many good memories!
-Bronn from Alexander server :)
Skyrim was my only video game addiction from 2011-2012/13. I never played video games recreationally but i was at my cousins one day watching him play on his xbox and i went the next day and bought a brand new xbox and skyrim and got hooked. Its the only time i ever felt angry when not playing a game, like the nature and atmosphere of skyrim i was addicted to and didnt want to go back to my suburban ecosystem.
Yeah I got into it back at the PS2 launch and played off and on for 10 years. Really miss it, it's that good.
Omg I'm gonna make a video to this too! lol Okay I'm going to continue watching the video ^_^ FFXI was my life lol I would be in class drawing the characters pretending to be playing when I was away from it... D: sick!
Ma'Salya Conway did you ever make the video, Id be interested (also long time FFXI player)
*My addiction story is kinda different... still, is the same thing*
I once had this kind of adiction but lasted 2 full years.... it was from a free online shooter for pc called Operation7, it was nuts because i played that much i got greater than 50 lvl players, and i was only lvl 12, i could take on "cashers" (its a term we used to give to players who spent meny on special weapons and bullets wich kill you instantly, yeah, microtransactions is not new) easily with my regular guns and tactics, i could get 60 kills and 5 deaths in a match... i was the best...
but i hited rock bottom when the *school suspended me a full year* for not doing any homework whatsoever, at that time i knew i had a problem, but i did not quited, i kept playing because i wanted to be the best and being a proplayer who would win tournaments and grand prizes... i was so naive
i was getting the best and was so frustrating becuase i reached lvl 20 (in months btw) and started to play with guys in lvl 100 and dealing with hackers, even tho i still was the best player in every match, but it stressed me the fuck out and scared me every time i played, but i couldn't quit, i was the best, and i wanted to keep it like it....
at some point i was tired (mentaly and phisicaly) and i was trying to do some other stuff, but i did not knew what, then my mom entered the room asking me to do simple chores and i ignored her, then she *tried to take the pc away from me and i got very very histerical*, my mom stared at me with horror, at that time i knew my problem was serious, how is even possible i kept playing for 2 years, how the hell i prefered to fuck my study and play instead, how the fuck i got to the point to get histerical for something so insignificant and pointless!!!.....
That was it, i was done, i was addiceted to a competitive online multiplayer game that felt like punished me to get good at it. I started trying to feel that hole with other games, mostly singleplayer i had on my pc, i slowly started to get responsive for my study, family and life, then i started to see how great the feel of playing fun games were.
i remember when i was freaking desesperated to leave that game but dont wanted, i told a friend of mine my account and password, and told him to change it, he never touched my account so i gave it another try, played a week or so, i tryed to remember the good times, but the most i played, the most i realized it was a piece of garbage that i conquered, the free weapons were weak and explensive in in-game cash, there was no way to keep a good fight on close combat unless you payed for a knife to use FOR DAYS, the customization system was broken, the pieces of the guns had were so unbalanced that every free gun felt like another class did not corresponded to it (an m16 felt like a submachinegun, and a sniper rifle like a pistol, for example)....
in resume... it was fucking FREE2PLAY but PAY2WIN, i was so proud but so angry, and even paying to have the good stuff, the admins never NEVER banned cheaters, glitchers/buggers and hackers, so that was another problem.
It was a piece of shit that i loved, finally, i could get easily away from it, never played it again...
ever since then, i never got so attached to a game, and i allways aware that is a game and its not suppossed to get serious, even tho my actual friends take it serious
Now im studying a career that i can specialyze in videogames development (wich is going really great btw), got a girlfriend and have the best friends ever....
man... thats freaking long, i wish i could post a potato for apologies....
i read it,cool story thou.
Márk Simán
| thank you, i hope this will get people to understand that anything on excess is bad, even videogames, and can make you do the worst things
sorry for bad english tho, im learning the idiom :v
Edwardo Franco no man your English is great
Had the best gaming time ever with this game ... and i played a lot... really ...
Its a great game, if not one of my favorite of all time. I still play to this day, but on a private server. I play with about 100 other active members on the server and we are looking for new members. (LVL 75 cap for the old time feel) Check my last video if you are interested! And hope to see you around in game -Kenziak
Saving this so I can send it to my friends every time they don't understand
The day after I quit this game I watched the sun rise that morning and couldn't believe how much this game took over my brain. 15+ years ago I still remember that sunrise.
When you said the actual amount of time you played and how far you got, I realized that you didn't have it nearly as bad as I thought you did from the start.
I progressed about as far in a month of hard playtime while I did online classes.
Is it healthy long-term? No. But honestly, this is like.. I hate to go there, but "smalltime" as far as MMO addiction goes
+So Soulsu Yeah, I do not understand why he is exaggerating it so much? Comparing it to drug addiction... like he had been injecting heroin daily for many months.
+So Soulsu Yea. I mean I know a guy who dropped out of college 3 separate times because of MMO addiction. Appreciate this dudes story but I would consider his "addiction" to be quite overstated.
I kinda agree...I had many years of playtime 😁
I suspect if his addiction was worse, he wouldn't have been capable of making this video to begin with.
Its sorta trying to find the right balance for someone who got just deep enough into it, but was still productive enough to do something with it afterwards.
All these dumb comments "oh it wasn't as bad as poor old me so it doesn't count" What the fuck are you twits on about
Everyone is completely different, 3 months taken out of someones life where they are essentially depressed and unfeeling and the game is the only thing keeping you going, man, suffering is so fucking specific and personal, for all you know his addiction was shorter and less severe but he actually EXPERIENCED it deeper and worse than you due to his own unique way of dealing with trauma which is generally defined in childhood.
Comparing suffering as if it's some sort of prize or as if other people's suffering doesn't count because yours was worse it truly the wrong approach. In fact, it's perverted
i get you. XI was the reason i quit university. but its ok, i still got a good job and eventually stoped playing cause i didnt have the time anymore. Still i dont really regret that lost 3 yrs. i kinda played XI full time and wasnt it the best MMO i ever tried before and after :D so good.... if you got the time for it haha. such great game, such great community. bf and i got christmas postcards from 2 continents. i guess the only way to get shit done in this game was to be dedicated to an unhealthy level. i know few people who were an exception to that. still i wouldnt even change it if i could travel back in time.
omg haha i remember days getting up at 7 playing all day, eating only while waiting for pt or somethin, then realise its almost 8pm - run to the store asap to buy lunch - play till 3am, repeat. to be fair not all days were like this, but the weekends for sure. id sign everyhing you said. i eventually played as casualy game for another 2 yrs but of course u always feel like ur missing out somethin, once you did it full time. still i love this game so much. if i think about it i still get a lot of feelings. and i grin like a mad madman. it totaly agree even to the music thing. yesterday i watched some othe XI vid of some guy whith a char in Sandy and shortly b4 i left the city a huge fave and fondness and anticipation washed over me and i already head Ronfaures music playing in my head. like that moment ur at the concert and the band starts a new song and its so overwhelming caus in the first split second u realise its your favourite. geez this game still give me all sorts of feeling.
i watched this vid with bf yesterday, we spend the rest of the eve telling old stories. about the people we met, whom we had so many memeories with and whom we knew so well. about crazy NM camping stories, our fav party spots, our fav missions. figures we remember so much.. and thats all 4 yrs ago now! haha good time man, totaly nuts good times
i guess now with the changes to the game (being more solo firendly n stuff) it could be less time consuming. but it dont wanna return. back then the game was insane but there was so much to love about that madness that i want to keep it like that in my memories
if only rl is as exciting as mmo rpgs haha...
lol at 11:49 youre talking about Stroper Chyme camping... I spent days upon days in Ordelle caves doing that, trying to outclaim the gilsellers. This game was so fun and addictive...
Thanks so much for making this video. It rang to me pretty hard as I too remember this strange addiction that in a way also saved my life. I moved out to the boonies when I was 13 around the time XI was coming out. I too was on PSO at the time however soon wanted to switch over to what would be this amazing open world, like stated. It was then that I spent years absorbed in this game that got me through highschool and made me feel less alone than I was, being a city kid in upstate NY. Thank you so much, this video really hit home.
There are some terrible misconceptions about what really goes on with "video game addiction", and i think it has a lot to do with how people perceive you for investing so much time on something that is digital or "not real". Its the sense of false achievement that caches you along the way, you just have to be aware of it when playing a video game. There are many people that play video games way more than you do, and more seriously, even professionally, and they don't have a problem with it. It all comes down to self awareness and confidence. Play games for fun and enjoy it for what it is. Just don't forget about eating and working, that's just dumb.
+Pedro Silva Ya and the main problem is worrying about how other people perceive you.
+Pedro Silva It''s not all bad like you said. It is important to have a life balance but playing games for hours on end shouldn't be perceived poorly if that is what you enjoy and are taking care of yourself, friends, and family. It only becomes a problem when important things suffer. But professional gamers do it for a living so how is that any different than a computer programmer mashing code for 10 hours? It's how he/she eats.
Final fantasy XI is better than real life. I played this on the ps2 back in 2004. One time i played for 36 hours straight without sleep.
Real life is overated. Ffxi is better and unfortunately i will never live there lol
Because i live on this shitty planet 😂 and yes vana'diel is out there in some way form.....
😭👁👄👁
Dude how did you fucking pay for rent if you were playing while unemployed
If I had to guess, he had some kind of savings from his job
Unemployment benefits?
You should have 3-6 months living expenses saved up,also damn near all jobs have unemployment insurance
I did it for 4 months while unemployed. I lost everything, all my savings, my apartment, and was put into collections for medical bills.
The economy in general from unemployment benefits, cost of living and government assistance was a hell of a lot better 14 years ago.
To anyone who is about to hesitate to watch this, please don’t! One of the best experiences of online game addiction I’ve ever heard!
RuneScape was my addiction.
And I feel exactly how you do about Final Fantasy XI about it. Great memories, good friends, but something I just had to cut out of my life.
Dude, Runescape's fucking Meth in game form lmao
Dude, Leaping Lizzy... fucking Leaping Lizzy
TheHypno15 those boots with like +3 dex on them were amazing the amount of ppl camping bastok starting zone to kill Lizzie lol
Was quitting this game harder than quitting smoking? lol
I played this game for years off and on and i smoked. And yes to me, quitting smoking was way easier than quitting this game... I rarely crave a cigarette and i been quit for 15 years. I still crave to play FFXI on almost a daily basis.
MMORPGS are another way to diet
Hey thanks for sharing your story. I was just like you. I was setup on the floor, smoking, eating, hunched over playing on PS2. I started playing right after I got through some life crisis issues, and a broken heart and had nothing for me going on. It was an incredibly enjoyable game. I got Kraken Club from Lord of Onzozo the first time I killed it when I was lvl 70 RDM with no limit break. Everyone thought I bought the club from RMT! Lol! I also got depressed that it was taking up all my life for the 2 years I played it. However, I take away a lot from the game. I learned a lot of patience and determination from it. I was someone with no friends because I found it impossible to relate to almost everybody here in southern california who only cared about drugs cars money expensive clothes and being a celebrity. I thought there was something wrong with me until I played this game and discovered a different kind of people and connected with my kind of people. I learned a lot about myself and I try not to look at it as a sick addiction because it really wasn't. There was something in that game that was worth experiencing. Honestly, CoP was the last of it. Aght Urghan ruined the game and after that it was time to say goodbye.
And now millions are addicted to social media and youtube. I'm not having fun. I have no life. No hobbies. Persistent anxiety and depression the moment I'm not turning my brain off.
Glad you were able to escape. Internet addiction is the same thing only there are no positive memories associated with it. Just a bunch of nothing.