Future Gamer
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About
Future Gamer is a model of what researchers at OnlineCasino.ca believe "avid" video game players will look like in 2040. Named Michael, the character shows signs of various health and physical conditions associated with "video game addiction."
Origin
In April 2020, the website OnlineCasino.ca[1] published a study entitled "Meet Michael, The Future Gamer." The article includes a rendering on what the future gamer would look modern-day "avid gamers" do not change their "lifestyle habits" (shown below, left). They write:
From sleep deprivation and dehydration, to lack of vitamin D, digital eye strain and 'playstation thumb' – these are just some of the physical implications of spending hours online, in a gaming chair, away from sunlight and physical activity.
They included a chart pointing to the various health conditions associated with extensive game playing, including vitamin deficiency, "Nintendo arthritis," blisters, bloodshot eyes, an "indent in skull from pressure and over-use of headphones" and more (shown below, right).
Spread
Various media outlets covered the story, including GameRant,[2] Mirror,[3] Daily Mail[4] and more.
Some have responded to the study with skepticism. For example, Twitter [5] user @batsdinerbonds sarcastically replied to the article with "Sounds legit 'Researchers from http://OnlineCasino.ca'" (shown below).
The model also spurred conversation on 4chan. One anonymous user wrote, ">Terrifying model shows what avid gamers could look like in just 20 years / Is this accurate?" on the /v/[6] board (shown below, left). Another anonymous user on /pol/[7] wrote, "Is it time to ban video games for public health and safety reasons" (shown below, right).
Search Interest
External References
[1] OnlineCasino.ca – Meet Michael, The Future Gamer
[2] GamerRant – Shocking Images Try to Show What Game Addicts Could Look Like in 40 Years
[3] Mirror – Terrifying model shows what avid gamers could look like in just 20 years
[4] Daily Mail – Deathly pale and pot-bellied with a 'PlayStation thumb': Grotesque model reveals what avid gamers could look like in 20 years' time thanks to hours hunched over their consoles
[5] Twitter – @batsdingerbonds' Tweet
Top Comments
KumichouGamer
Apr 06, 2020 at 02:26PM EDT
Red123
Apr 06, 2020 at 04:33PM EDT