Runescape - does the obsession with it ever end?

[PrimulaVeris]

My ds age 8 has recently discovered Runescape and is obsessed with it.

When he discovers a new computer game, website etc there is usually a week or so of obsession and then it goes down to a sensible level.

Runescape is something different and I've had to introduce rationing which gives me as much grief as him.

Anyone got any words of comfort and advice? Will it miraculously stop on his 9th birthday?

Or should I just keep reaching for the g&t for the next few years?

[southeastastra]

no mine started on it at about 11 and is still obsessed. (at 14)

[southeastastra]

g & t probably best option

[Threadworm]

Both my sons discovered this about two years ago, at age 7 and 10.

DS2 has completely grown out of it, but DS1 is hooked, really hooked. So much so that we have arguments about rationing.

It is very difficult. Up to a point I think that playing it is valuable, but he is too fixated. On the other hand, his playing time tends to replace television time and PS2 time, rather than adding to it.

TTell me if you find any answers!

[PrimulaVeris]

Oh good grief SEA ... sounds as though I need to build a large gin vat in my house

I actually like the game. He's doing quite a few quests ... once he's done those, is that it ..? [deluded living-in-hope emoticon]

[Monkeybird]

can you tell me about it - my 9 year old is desperate to do it but we have banned it cos don't know enough about it...

Not happy with all the interacting with strangers online stuff (and looked at the site's details and was worried by all their disclaimers etc)

Can you describe what they do, whether it is suitable/safe etc? How you monitor/police what they're up to?

Thanks!

[annemarie29]

if he's playing the free version he'll only have a few quests but will still be able do non-quest stuff so this could last a while yet! my ds1(10yo) is obsessed too. he's been playing since christmas and uses it as a way of talikng to his school friends onine

[PrimulaVeris]

Monkeybird - I was very concerned at first and sat with him (well pretended I had stuff to do right next to the computer) and feel OK about it. His dad has had a geek-to-geek chat with him from time to time. He has used the 'report' button a few times when others have used 'bad words like F* off'.

He seems to be using it quite responsibly. It's a very good strategy game. Also because his friends all do it it's quite difficult to think of reason why not. (And of course, myself using MN - ahem!)

He's on free version. I refuse to subscribe but would not put it past DH to cave in ...

... in which case I'll treble size of that g&t vat

[annemarie29]

i'm refusing to pay too and luckily dh agrees but only because he wants to pay for world of warcraft instead unfortunately ds and dh want to play all of these sort of games so i've put my foot down..ds can play runescape and then they can have 1 other that they can both play.

[PrimulaVeris]

Oh annemarie ... I've heard world of warcraft - can't remember if from DH or Ds - and have just visited the site.

Oh dear. It's more of the same isn't it?!! Arrrggghhhhhhhhhh

[annemarie29]

exactly. they love them tho and tbh it's something they bond over so don't really mind (ds1 is my ds but dh's ss)

[annemarie29]

the other one is guild wars. again..more of the same! i live in a house of geeks lol

[Troutpout]

ds played it a lot at about 8. He rarely plays it now (10)