bradwall
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 423
Registered: 02-12-2003
IP: Logged

SmiteMastersAnonymous

My name is Brad, and I have a problem.

I do freely admit and take responsibility for my addiction. It all started many years ago with Webfoot DROD. I simply watched over someone's shoulder at work as they hacked away. It started as an interest. I simply asked what it was and he said... oh, I don't think you really want to know. It is a very addicting game. I knew that one try of the game would not addict me to it. I played it on his computer… once; only once. And that is all it took. Next thing I knew, I was getting Webfoot DROD. I knew that I could make it though a few games without an addiction. I could never be addicted to a game!

Well, for the longest time, I was in complete denial. My wife mentioned that I had an obsession… I totally denied it. I just liked playing it. Next thing I knew, I was engulfed in the game. I even contacted Erik and helped with testing coordination for Caravel DROD AE. As if playing wasn’t enough… no, I had to have more; testing, helping, posting on the forum. I had issues. I about had a heart attack when JtRH was coming out.

Well, many years later, it has not gotten any better. I have late nights playing DROD. I go without much sleep sometimes. And when I do go to bed, I think of puzzles that I can create and features that could be added. It has gotten so bad that now that door knobs look like orbs, once I thought that my kid was a roach , I even jumped when putting on my shoes because I thought that my laces were serpents. I carry a letter opener that is shaped like a sword. I have the forum up at work most of the day and read all of the posts. I have even looked into what it would take to have my last name changed to Budkin (well not really, but it is a good part of my story, ok?).

I have been trying to work out this addiction, but it seems that it is helpless. I have totally succumbed to my addiction and it seems that there is no turning back. I talked to a therapist named Mike Rimer and he assured me that this is very normal. This epidemic is sweeping across the 8th in great force. I then noticed that he said that it was sweeping across the 8th… not the world. It was true, even my therapist is addicted. I have come to this conclusion… once addicted, there is no turning back. You are stuck. So sit and enjoy your addiction. If you can’t beat it, join it!

What is this world coming to?

stigant
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 1182
Registered: 08-19-2004
IP: Logged

Thanks Brad!

____________________________
Progress Quest Progress

jamie
Level: Smiter
Rank Points: 365
Registered: 04-15-2005
IP: Logged

Good one! I'd give you loads of MOD points, but I have none

____________________________
#f3i2g# Disclaimer: I'm Welsh, left-handed, and stupid. #f3i2g#

bradwall
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 423
Registered: 02-12-2003
IP: Logged

You guys are kind. Thanks for supporting me... even if you are supporting my addiction.

Syntax
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1218
Registered: 05-12-2005
IP: Logged

Now now...

You have realised your addiction, and for that we should all be proud.

For Brad everybody...

           [Clap]
[Clap]
                    [Clap]
      [Whistle]
                [Clap]
    [Applauds]
                         [Clap]
   [Clap]
             [Whistle]

Thankyou Brad...

As we all know it is important for us all to talk... realise we are not alone. To unify is to understand, to trust is to believe, to meet is to conquer, to see is to experience, to talk is to listen... and everything else in between.

Which brings me to the next subject.

For ONLY 1000 units of your LOCAL CURRENCY, you too could be FREE of the PAIN you feel when your WIFE KICKS you OUT...

AGAIN.

So please make CHEQUES payable to ME, and I'll SAVE YOUR MARRIAGE.
All IT takes is a pair of SECATEURS, some LEATHER GLOVES, and you will NEVER PLAY drod AGAIN!!

(and although your computer will no longer work, everything else electrical in your lovely, expensive home will still work)*



*That's not true however as I'll have cut through your mains

Thanks everyone... see you all NEXT WEEK...

Leus
Level: Master Delver

Rank Points: 204
Registered: 05-16-2005
IP: Logged

I would totally say I'm addicted, as I drove 170 miles to meet Erik at a convention, among other things (such as playing it constantly, creating my own holds, reading things on this site, participating in contests, etc...) But I've only known about the game for half a year, so I feel inferior to all you DRODiacs who have wasted thick, juicy, delicious, tender, sexy...portions of their lifes playing the game. I hope I reach that level some day.

____________________________
Hi.

Syntax
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1218
Registered: 05-12-2005
IP: Logged

Trust me... the addiction will make you an elite *if* you let it take over.
After all I only joind the clan 4 days before you and have somehow managed to reach 13th... though, yeah, the wife leaving cost me a few days of playing. Not to mention all the agro from her mum.

Golden rule is to ignore anything that isn't on the screen and you'll do well...

DeamonMonkey
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 27
Registered: 05-19-2005
IP: Logged

You've come to the wrong place for help, but I feel I should share a story of my own now...

I was standing looking out into space, obviously thinking hard. A (female) friend walks up and asks something like, "Wow, what are you thinking so hard about? I've never seen that look on your face before."

Startled I reply, "Nothing" (obviously I'm thinking about DROD, and don't want to admit it. Yes, I keep my addiction a secret. And Yes, I am ashamed.)

"Are you sure?"

"Ummm, Yup, pretty sure."

"You wouldn't be thinking of anyone in particular, would you?"

"Nope" ( I didn't think she'd know Beethro, or any of the Budkins for that matter.)

"Well that's, unfortunate. I'm leaving."

I was pretty sure I missed something important in that exchange, but didn't get it till about 10 minutes later. And the worst part is, I'm still stuck on the same room in Lv 23.

Oneiromancer
Level: Legendary Smitemaster

Rank Points: 2936
Registered: 03-29-2003
IP: Logged

Oh, man. I've been there.

Game on,

____________________________
"He who is certain he knows the ending of things when he is only beginning them is either extremely wise or extremely foolish; no matter which is true, he is certainly an unhappy man, for he has put a knife in the heart of wonder." -- Tad Williams

mrimer
Level: Legendary Smitemaster

Rank Points: 5152
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged

It's something you wanna hide, afraid people might learn your dirty secret. But trust me -- there are those who will accept you. My relationship with my wife has progressed to the point where, when she asks me, "What are you thinking about?" instead of saying, "Oh, nothing..." I can answer "DROD" looking her right in the eyes and she's OK with that. I'm so lucky

____________________________
Gandalf? Yes... That's what they used to call me.
Gandalf the Grey. That was my name.
I am Gandalf the White.
And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.

DeamonMonkey
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 27
Registered: 05-19-2005
IP: Logged

mrimer wrote:
It's something you wanna hide, afraid people might learn your dirty secret. But trust me -- there are those who will accept you. My relationship with my wife has progressed to the point where, when she asks me, "What are you thinking about?" instead of saying, "Oh, nothing..." I can answer "DROD" looking her right in the eyes and she's OK with that. I'm so lucky

I can always dream...

MeckMeck GRE
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 594
Registered: 01-03-2005
IP: Logged

I can cure you ! I have the power to help you ! Just transfer 200€ to my bank account and Ill ship you a tape (or CD if you like). Get some recorder which has a repeat function and then hear the tape all day at home, all night in bed.... Soon youll be cured of Drod.

Product details :

Tape Duration : almost a minute
Text : (/Repeat) Drod is evil, Erik is evil, I am obsessed and that is evil. Evil evil evil, but I will not stay evil. Ill uninstall Drod, put the CD back in the wrapper and send it to Meckmeck GRE. That´s good, not evil. GIVE ME YOUR CDs(Next/)
Languages : German / English / l33t / Drodic
Positive Results : about 0,0010451318 %

Security Notes : Dont expose Tape ; profanity ; Not recommended to children under 1 year ; Dont eat tape ; Dont feed tape ; Dont drink tape ; Dont put tape in microwave ; Warning ! Could contain nuts !

================================================================

Ok, I cant cure you... Im obsessed myself :whako:

Mattcrampy
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 2388
Registered: 05-29-2003
IP: Logged

I can resist DROD.

I took up gambling. I'm addicted to that instead.

____________________________
What do you call an elephant at the North Pole?

Insane
Level: Master Delver

Rank Points: 154
Registered: 08-06-2005
IP: Logged

DROD really is addicting.
once I watched my brother play it and asked him what it was.
"DROD" he answered.
next thing I know I was downloading Architects Edition
I moved on to JtRH (demo) when i was in the 8th level (im still there) and I haven't played any other game since .I check the forum daily and conquer at least 2 rooms every day. ive been addicted before and I only stopped playing the game that time when my brother went in to action and blocked it . Anyways, I'm not ashamed of my addiction and i don't think you guys should be either. just admit it and hope for the best

-Insane

bradwall
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 423
Registered: 02-12-2003
IP: Logged

mrimer wrote:
It's something you wanna hide, afraid people might learn your dirty secret. But trust me -- there are those who will accept you. My relationship with my wife has progressed to the point where, when she asks me, "What are you thinking about?" instead of saying, "Oh, nothing..." I can answer "DROD" looking her right in the eyes and she's OK with that. I'm so lucky

Wow!!!
You are an inspirationto us all.
My wife still calls DROD, DROID. She asks: "Are you playing DROID again?" I will say "it is DROD, not DROID"... she then says "well, whatever".

I haven't convinced her to sit down and play it. She will, however, play Settlers with me and also Age of Empires II with me. Still working on getting her to crack open DROD. The only problem is that she is not much of a "puzzle game" person.

orimer
Level: Goblin

Rank Points: 16
Registered: 12-18-2004
IP: Logged

When Mike talked to me about DROD for the first time, I was jealous. He was so nervous telling me about it that I thought he must be involved with someone else. I got even more jealous when I found out it's just a game! After a while, I realized that it's impossible to compete. So I decided to give it a try. Now I understand why he likes it and I respect him for doing something he likes and pursuing his dreams. I like talking about it, and it's a good activity for spending time together. (I've never played puzzle games before. Right now I'm playing level 6. I feel really privileged having my husband next to me to give me hints.)

ErikH2000
Level: Legendary Smitemaster

Rank Points: 2794
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged

Yay! Olga posts on the the forum! Hi, Olga!

-Erik

____________________________
The Godkiller - Chapter 1 available now on Steam. It's a DROD-like puzzle adventure game.
dev journals | twitch stream | youtube archive (NSFW)

Swivel
Level: Master Delver

Rank Points: 236
Registered: 09-14-2005
IP: Logged

OBSESSION: A persistent, repetitive, and unwanted thought. Cannot be eliminated by logic or reasoning.

I would not say that DROD is an obsession. It clearly is persistant and repetitive; however, it is most certaintly not unwanted. Or at least for me. The last part is interesting as DROD is itself composed of logic and reasoning. On the other hand, I don't think that DROD can be eliminated unless one is stranded on a island. Let's make that a desert island. Filled with wild gerbils. Yet then one would probably create a physical DROD by drawing in the sand, using the gerbils for all of the monsters. THERE IS NO ESCAPE!!!

Insanity is free.

Wow, now I feel better that I said that.

____________________________
"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever."
-Anonymous

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[Last edited by Swivel at 10-06-2005 02:44 AM]

Mattcrampy
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 2388
Registered: 05-29-2003
IP: Logged

You know, there's a convincing case to be made that games are drugs. Whether they're reasonably benign like caffeine, or more harmful, remains to be seen.

____________________________
What do you call an elephant at the North Pole?

Cascade
Level: Delver
Rank Points: 46
Registered: 05-28-2005
IP: Logged

Mattcrampy wrote:
You know, there's a convincing case to be made that games are drugs. Whether they're reasonably benign like caffeine, or more harmful, remains to be seen.

Depends entirely on how they're used, just like anything - caffeine, games, adult media, sarcasm... "All things in moderation". There again, the second part of that quote is "... Including moderation!"

____________________________
"Does a cow have Buddha nature?"

bradwall
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 423
Registered: 02-12-2003
IP: Logged

Well, as you may have read in another thread that I just posted, I have a new confession to make. I just helped my 4 year old daughter to get addicted to the game. Now, all she wants to do is play the game. She may become part of SMA in a short while.

agaricus5
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1838
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged

Mattcrampy wrote:
You know, there's a convincing case to be made that games are drugs. Whether they're reasonably benign like caffeine, or more harmful, remains to be seen.

Actually, if we use the strict medical definition of "drug", you can't really call a game a drug, since a game is not a physical compound or substance you can ingest or intake.

However, you could say that games stimulate the release of chemicals within our brains when we play them, which has a similar effect on us compared to drugs, so they may be comparable to a point (ignoring assumptions about the modes of action of either).

In any case, I totally deny that I have any form of addiction to DROD. At all. Seriously - just ask the statue of Beethro Budkin that I have in my living room - I can guarantee it won't say anything of the sort.

____________________________
Resident Medic/Mycologist