'Boozy Gamer' Researcher Questioned

Via GameSetWatch, a Gamespy interview with Sonya Brady, the person who ran the research study we reported on a while back. The one that claimed gamers enjoy getting high, drinking alcohol? From the article: "What kind of feedback have I received? My feedback from research colleagues and other older adults has generally been positive. What I find most interesting is the feedback I have received from adolescents and young adults. Some people are interested in learning more about the research, even if they are skeptical of the results. Other people have been very angry."

Re:We don't know enough about the study

[swv3752]

It also does not address whether the participants were likely to willingingly skew the results.

I mean, c'mon, we are talking about a bunch of immature males that just got asked to play games. I remember when I was in college, I would probably intentionally skew the results if I was in such a study.

Re:Explain to me...

[SoapDish]

From the summary that Sonya Brady gave (linked to from TFI): "We randomly assigned 100 male undergraduates aged 18-21 to play a game relatively high in violence, Grand Theft Auto III, or a game relatively low in violence, The Simpsons: Hit and Run." So, the sample population of the study was aged 18-21, which most people I know would consider as (young) adult. The study certainly didn't look at the average gamer.

Re:Booze and videogames is utterly stoopid.

[Anonymous Coward]

Haha, too funny.

For those curious, the effect of drugs on gaming depends largely on the drug(s) chosen. For example:

-Alcohol: Eventually you can't react for shit, and your ability level drops off rapidly. Losing was never so exciting. Neutral.
-Caffiene: Quickening of reaction time, however games can become frustrating because of load times and deaths from over-twitching. Recommended.
-Marijuana: Similar to alcohol, except without the bathroom breaks, and an insatiable hunger. Hide the cheez-its. Neutral.
-Cocaine: Similar to caffiene, except less frustration, and an increase in gaming confidence (similar to alcohol, only moreso). Highly recommended.
-Psilocybin (magic mushrooms): (or similar psychoactive substances): Game? What game? Wow, the colors. Not highly recommended.
-Amphetamines: Similar to cocaine, but with a greater sense of purpose. My own exposure has been limited to legal ones (adderall, etc.), so I can't speak for others. Recommended.
-Nitrous Oxide: Too much effort without elaborate setup. Also, reation time as if drunk, as well as extreme difficulty deciphering sounds (ringing and echoes present). Not recommended.
-Nicotine: Not much to say really. Cigarettes kill. Not recommended.

Certain combinations are also recommended. Alcohol and Marijuana will tank your ability level though, fyi. Not that I've ever done any illegal drugs myself, of course, but a friend of mine has a real habit.

Re:Her research is anecdotal at best.

[Anonymous Coward]

True, I should have sited that,

BTW, it's 'cited'[1], not 'sited'[2].

[1] "To quote as an authority or example." http://www.answers.com/cited [answers.com]
[2] "Having a site; situated. [Obs.]" http://www.answers.com/sited [answers.com]