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Video Games can help with addiction - Chris Jones Gaming

Video Games can Help with Addiction

Original Author: Micah Norris

Recovering from an addiction isn’t easy. But by leaning on hobbies and activities you already love as part of your path to recovery, you can make the most of this journey. For instance, video games can actually be a healthy part of your approach to addiction recovery! If you’re curious about trying new games or improving your skills, you can look to Chris Jones Gaming for tips. Furthermore, here’s how to find the right addiction treatment center and why video games can help you throughout your recovery process.

Seek Inpatient Rehab First

It should be noted that no matter which habits or hobbies you might want to incorporate into your recovery path, you need to seek professional help, too. Look up in-state addiction treatment options to find a treatment center in your area that suits your specific needs and budget.

There’s no denying that rehab can be expensive, but depending on your insurance coverage, you may not have to pay the sticker price to enroll in a program, as most centers do accept plans from major insurance providers. Just get in touch with your insurance provider to verify if you have coverage for addiction treatment. As you research potential facilities, consider details like the accommodations, the treatment approaches they offer, the location, and their accreditation. Of course, it’s also a good idea to look up reviews from previous patients.

Gaming With Friends

Many people who struggle with addiction feel isolated and lonely. Multiplayer games can help you combat this loneliness and stay connected with your friends. LevelSkip states that multiplayer video games create opportunities for collaboration and teamwork, which can ultimately help boost the players’ social skills in the long run.

Set Healthy Goals

When you’re dealing with an addiction, it can feel like your goal of achieving sobriety will always be out of reach. Video games provide you with an opportunity to set goals that you can achieve with consistent effort. This is an important lesson that you can carry over into other areas of your life, including the recovery process.

Gain a Sense of Control

Addiction can make you feel like you’re out of control. You may feel the substances you’ve been using took away your agency within your own life. Video games can help you regain a sense of control and autonomy over your decision-making. Well and Good states that while the world is chaotic and unpredictable, actions within video games lead to predictable outcomes, which can make you feel calm, grounded, and confident.

Enjoy a Temporary Distraction

Sometimes, escapism is necessary. When you’re in treatment for your addiction, you might spend lots of time thinking about your past, the mistakes you’ve made, and the challenges ahead of you. Thankfully, video games can immerse you in another world and pull you into an engaging story, which provides a welcome distraction from your addiction and the ups and downs of rehab.

The Comfort of Nostalgia

Finally, playing video games that you enjoyed as a child can bring you back in time. Nostalgia can provide relief from the struggles of addiction and treatment. Playing the video games that you loved when you were younger can help you connect with the person you were years ago and allow you to recapture that innocent feeling once again.

Video games aren’t just a source of fun and entertainment. As long as you maintain smart limits on your gaming time, they can also help you overcome challenges like addiction. With these tips, you’ll be prepared to find an in-patient treatment facility and integrate gaming into your new lifestyle.

Want to enhance your gaming experience? Turn to Chris Jones Gaming! Browse our website today for tips to improve your gaming skills.

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Family Video Gaming from Chris Jones Gaming

Creating a Healthy and Fun Family Video Gaming Experience


In today’s digital age, This doesn’t mean merely supervising screen time but actively engaging with the gaming world and providing guidance. Here are some tips from Chris Jones Gaming to get you started. 

Encourage Responsible Gaming

Setting clear guidelines for screen time and game content is essential to cultivate a responsible gaming environment. Not all games are suitable for all age groups, so review game ratings and content before they become part of your family’s library. Additionally, establish a balance between gaming and other activities like outdoor play, reading, and family time. This prevents excessive screen use and helps maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Encourage Communication

Open communication forms the backbone of a safe and enjoyable gaming environment. Encourage your children to share their gaming experiences, interests, and concerns. This open dialogue enables you to understand what they’re encountering in the virtual world and provides a platform to discuss the potential negative aspects, such as cyberbullying or inappropriate content.

Explore Diverse Game Genres

Video games are as diverse as books, movies, and music. Introduce your family to a wide array of game genres, from puzzles and adventures to educational and creative games. This broadens horizons, promotes diverse interests and skills, and ensures the gaming experience remains fresh and engaging.

Develop Problem-Solving Skills

In addition to being a source of entertainment, games can be fantastic tools for cognitive development. Choose games that challenge your children’s minds and promote problem-solving abilities. Puzzles, strategy, and adventure games not only provide fun but also contribute to improving critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Use Gaming as a Reward

To maintain a healthy relationship with gaming, use it as a treat or incentive for completing responsibilities. Whether homework, chores, or good behavior, gaming can be an effective motivational tool. This approach reinforces positive behavior while ensuring that gaming does not overshadow other essential aspects of life.

Highlight the Benefits of Gaming

While it’s easy to dwell on potential negatives, it’s equally important to recognize the benefits that gaming offers. Video games can improve decision-making skills, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination. They can even offer educational value, teaching everything from history and geography to complex scientific concepts, all in an engaging and interactive manner.

Design a Multi-Functional Gaming Room

Creating a dedicated gaming and entertainment space in your home is a fantastic way to enhance the gaming experience. This could be a multi-functional room that can also serve as a family movie theater or a chill-out zone. A dedicated gaming room also creates a specific place for electronics, making it easier to monitor usage and maintain a tidy home.

Track Home Improvements

If you do opt for a dedicated gaming room, keep a record of any enhancements you make. This not only helps in maintaining the room but can also add value to your home. Future potential buyers who are gaming enthusiasts will likely appreciate a well-designed entertainment space.

Creating a family-friendly video gaming environment can initially seem daunting, but following the above tips makes it much easier. Remember, moderation, open dialogue, and a wide variety of games can ensure that gaming becomes a positive, enriching part of your family’s life rather than a point of contention. So engage, guide, and enjoy the gaming world with your family, creating shared memories that will last a lifetime.

Chris Jones Gaming has all the gaming tips and information you’ve been looking for. Let us know if you have any questions!

Article by Micah Norris for Chris Jones Gaming

Image via Pexels

Get Paid - Chris Jones Gaming

Get Paid To Do What You Enjoy

Transforming Your Passion into a Thriving Business: Get Paid!

Authored by Micah Norris, for Chris Jones Gaming

Starting a business is an exciting prospect, but it can be even more rewarding when you’re able to turn a cherished hobby into a full-fledged enterprise. Not only do you get to spend your days doing something you truly love, but you also have the opportunity to share your passion with others and make a living from it. However, turning a hobby into a successful business requires careful planning, dedication, and hard work. Chris Jones Gaming explores several crucial steps to help you create a thriving business out of your favorite pastime.

A Comprehensive Business Plan

The first step in turning your hobby into a business is developing a detailed business plan. This document should outline your objectives, target market, pricing strategy, marketing tactics, and financial projections. A well-crafted business plan will not only help you stay organized and focused, but it will also serve as a valuable tool when seeking financing or attracting potential partners.

Your Business as an LLC

One of the most important aspects of starting a business is choosing the right legal structure. Registering as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can provide you with numerous benefits, such as personal asset protection, tax advantages, and increased credibility. To streamline the process, consider using a formation service to help you navigate the complexities of registering your business. Get Paid.

Thorough Market Research

Before diving into the world of entrepreneurship, it’s essential to research similar businesses in your niche. This will give you valuable insights into the competitive landscape and help you identify potential opportunities for growth. Additionally, understanding your competition will enable you to develop unique selling points that set your business apart from the rest.

Clear Goals and a Winning Strategy

Having a clear vision of what you want to achieve with your business is crucial for long-term success. Establish specific, measurable objectives and develop a strategic plan on how to reach them. This will provide you with a roadmap to follow, making it easier to track your progress and make necessary adjustments along the way.

The Art of Branding

A strong brand identity is essential for any successful business. When it comes to choosing colors as part of your branding strategy, consider the psychological effects they can have on your target audience. Different colors evoke different emotions, so carefully select a color palette that aligns with your brand’s personality and values. If you want to learn more about how color affects branding, then consider this option as a resource. Get Paid.

Your Skillset

While your expertise in your hobby is undoubtedly important, it’s equally crucial to develop skills in other areas to ensure your business thrives. These may include sales, marketing, customer service, and financial management. Invest time in learning these skills, or consider partnering with experts who can complement your talents and help drive your business forward. Get Paid.

Further Education in Business

Going back to school for a business degree can be an excellent way to sharpen your entrepreneurial skills and gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of running a successful enterprise. Studying business administration, finance, or marketing can provide you with invaluable knowledge and resources that can be directly applied to your new venture.

Professional Industry Advice

Lastly, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice related to your specific industry. Reach out to mentors, attend workshops or conferences, and join industry-specific forums to learn from the experiences of others who have successfully turned their hobbies into thriving businesses.

In conclusion, transforming your hobby into a full-fledged business is an exciting and rewarding journey, but it requires careful planning, dedication, and hard work. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can build a solid foundation for your new venture and set yourself up for long-term success. Happy Entrepreneuring, and Get Paid!

This article was NOT helped by ChatGPT.

Chris Jones Gaming - The Ultimate Universe - and Chris Jones Media

Gaming Evolution

15 years ago we delivered a downloadable product that went viral, the beginning of our Gaming Evolution.

I was interviewed recently regarding that successful undertaking. A link to the interview follows..

It was dream for a long time to launch a digital marketing agency.

As early as 1993, before ‘Chris Jones Media’ existed, I was building websites for real estate agents, and had a side business with on-site computer consulting, taking care of software issues for customers in their own home.

This continued while I was involved in PC Gaming, modifying existing games, in the science fiction genre, with improved graphics, sound effects, and gameplay.

This evolved into leading a team of about 20 people on a mission to completely transform a particular PC Game into something much better than it was.

I was interviewed in March 2023 about this game modification by some fans of our ‘mod’. In this interview I talk about organizing teams, accomplishing goals and becoming sought after.

See it here:  https://lnkd.in/g5nWJf2Z

Our modification of a #startrek pc game garnered many thousands of downloads and is still downloaded to this day.

I mention my gaming days because of the challenges involved in coordinating people from around the world in different time zones and with conflicting personalities.

Along the way I developed a deep understanding of what consumers need and want, and how to communicate with them effectively.

This, coupled with being in Radio Broadcasting and Face to Face sales in various industries, led to a deep understanding of consumer pain points, and the methods to take care of them.

This is my Gaming Evolution.

Because of that, I formed Chris Jones Media. Initially I was building Websites – and later added Voice and Video Creation services, along with business advice.

Over the past year, with a few collaborations and work hiccups I came to understand true teamwork and it became apparent that my long held dream can be done: I have built a digital agency at chrisjonesmedia.com. That is my ‘Gaming Evolution’.

My experiences in the gaming industry set me up for what is happening today. As Sir Patrick Stewart said more than once, “Make It So”!

Chris Jones Gaming

Make A Game

At one point Chris Jones Gaming was considering making a game. This was about 15 years ago when we were modifying Star Trek games.

It hasn’t happened, but who is to say it won’t happen. If we were to do that, here’s a bit of what’s involved.

Making a science fiction game involves a lot of stuff, as you might know, including:

  1. Concept development: Developing the game concept, which involves creating the storyline, characters and their interaction with each other, and the setting. This is the foundation upon which the game will be built, where it starts.
  2. Game engine selection: The game engine is the software framework that is used to create the game. Popular game engines used for science fiction games include Unreal Engine, Unity, and CryEngine.
  3. Art and design: Once the game engine is selected, the next step is to create the game’s art and design elements, including 3D models, textures, animations, and user interface.
  4. Programming: The game’s mechanics, features, and interactions are created through programming, using languages such as C++, C#, and Python. I have a few people in mind for this.
  5. Sound and music: Sound and music play a crucial role in immersing players in the game’s world. Game developers must create or license appropriate sound effects and music tracks that fit the game’s theme and mood. I have someone in mind for this.
  6. Testing and debugging: As the game is being developed, it must be tested and debugged to ensure that it is functioning as intended. This involves identifying and fixing bugs, balancing gameplay mechanics, and optimizing performance. This is one of my favorite parts of the process.
  7. Distribution and marketing: Once the game is complete, it must be brought to the gamers of the world. This involves distribution channels, like digital storefronts or physical distribution, and marketing the game through various channels to attract players and fans.

To Make a Game, that is popular, involves quite a lot – and the talent needed isn’t going to work for free. Getting it done involves many different skills and areas of expertise. The author, Chris Jones, is working on all of that. I have talent in mind.

Stay tuned.

I have talked about this before -the fact that I’m bringing it up again means I have not, and will not, drop the idea. Full transparency – I’ve done nothing but think about making a game since I wrote the last article about making a game.

Make a Game - Chris Jones Gaming
Chris Jones Gaming SciFi
Eve Online

Eve Online 20th Anniversary

CCP Games Ignites EVE Online’s 20th Anniversary by Teasing New Expansion

Capsuleers can also celebrate EVE’s monumental milestone with in-game events, a special Twitch stream, and the chance to become legend as part of the EVE Monument

REYKJAVÍK, Iceland – May 2, 2023 – In honor of its landmark 20th anniversary on Saturday 6 May, 2023 CCP Games has revealed EVE Online: Viridian, the next content expansion for spacefaring MMO EVE Online. The first of two major expansions in this year of 2023, Viridian will empower players with new tools, personalization options and social-driven content to manifest the glory of their corporation. The expansion launches free for all players in June 2023, real soon!

“With Viridian, players will be given more power to shape and color New Eden,” said Bergur Finnbogason, EVE Online‘s Creative Director. “Viridian builds upon last year’s pivotal Uprising expansion by giving corporation leaders more means and methods to help their group flourish. There is no better time than the present for reconnecting with your corporation members to plan your next venture – you never know what’s on the horizon.”

EVE Online: Viridian will empower player-run corporations in more ways than ever before. From strengthening and growing their numbers to new personalisation options and an expanded toolset, corporation leaders will be able to create meaningful content, manage and efficiently train new recruits, and lead their corporation to collective glory.    

Ahead of the expansion, Capsuleers will find a wealth of activities to enjoy in and outside of the game in May, including Capsuleer Day celebrations, a dazzling in-game cosmic fireworks extravaganza at Jita 4-4, and a momentous opportunity to be inscribed onto the updated and expanded Worlds Within A World monument. CCP Games also shared the completed Fabric of New Eden mosaic, a celebratory digital artwork featuring over 80,000 EVE players.    

“The EVE universe has grown exponentially over the past 20 years thanks to the devoted, unshakable explorers of New Eden,” said Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games. “From breaking world records to selflessly rallying around those in need, EVE Online’s players continue to prove why it is an MMO unlike any other. Join us in New Eden for live events and in-game activities observing this incredible 20-year milestone throughout the summer.”

For the first time in 10 years, players can have their EVE character’s name engraved on the Worlds Within A World monument in Reykjavík, Iceland, solidifying their mark on EVE Online’s storied history. To be eligible to stand alongside the legends of New Eden, players must have an active Omega account on May 6, 2023.

Igniting the birthday month of May, players can warp into EVE Online’s celebratory CCP TV stream on Twitch this Saturday, May 6 (17:00-19:00 UTC), which includes developer interviews, prizes and a live in-game (Jita 4-4) fireworks display of cosmic proportions.

Stay tuned for more information about Viridian later in May. Details for the Capsuleer Day event can be found here. EVE Online can be downloaded for free by visiting www.eveonline.com. For all the latest information about the game, please visit EVE News.

 

About EVE Online®
EVE Online (PC/Mac) is a compelling, community-driven sci-fi MMO game where players can build and pilot a wide variety of spaceships, traversing vast solar systems for free and choosing their own path from countless options, experiencing space exploration, immense PvP and PvE battles, mining, industry and a sophisticated player economy in an ever-expanding sandbox. EVE is a captivating game in which hundreds of thousands of players compete for riches, power, glory and adventure, forging their own destinies in a single thriving universe.

Gaming News and the Ultimate Universe