Responsible Gameplay and Setting Limits
Many people around the world increasingly have taken to video games for a variety of reasons. Playing video games is entertaining, fun and a way to relax. However, a small percentage of people may struggle to enjoy video games responsibly. The World Health Organization describes a gaming disorder as “a pattern of gaming behavior (“digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.”
For more information about addictive gaming behaviors, here are some resources:
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/addictive-behaviours-gaming-disorder
American Psychiatric Association: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/internet-gaming
If you feel as though you have lost control over the time you spend in-game or your spending behavior, or if you have difficulty balancing your gameplay with other activities, we encourage you to seek help. Here are some resources:
Smart Social Gamers: Smart Social Gamers is an online resource that provides guidance, tips and expert advice for everyone to have a positive social games experience. http://smartsocialgamers.org/
Checkpoint: CheckPoint is a charity that provides mental health resources for gamers and the gaming community. https://checkpointorg.com/
SMART Recovery: Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART) is a global community of mutual-support groups. https://www.smartrecovery.org/
Setting Temporary Limits
Limiting In-App Purchases:
Blastworks Inc games are free to play and in-app purchases are available. Although purchasing is not required it is an option and it is possible to disable, limit or restrict in-app purchases on your device settings. Here are some resources to help:
- How to prevent in-app purchases on your Apple device: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204396
- How to require a password or authentication before an in-app purchase on your Android device: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1626831?hl=en
- How to turn off in-app purchases on your Amazon device: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GM5UP39EFNETVXSE
- How to block an app or game on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/1727608884153160
- How to remove an app or game on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/942196655898243/?helpref=hc_fnav
- How to set a wallet PIN on your Windows phone: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-to-set-wallet-pin-purchases-windows-phone-store
Limiting Game Notifications:
You may also wish to set limits on the notifications you receive from Blastworks Inc games. Here are some resources to help:
- How to turn off game notifications on your Apple device: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201925
- How to turn off game notifications on your Android device: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/3220216?hl=en
- How to turn off notifications for Facebook apps or games: https://www.facebook.com/help/476337625740088?sr=2&query=game%20notification&sid=2EatnwYez7VOdzl01
Limiting Screen Time:
Lastly, you may wish to set limits on the amount of time you spend on your device or within certain apps. Many new devices have screen time and app limit settings as standard features. If you have an older device you may search in your app store for a free or paid app that can serve this function. Here are some resources to help:
- How to set screen time limits on your Apple device: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982
- How to set screen time limits on your Android device: https://support.google.com/android/answer/9346420?hl=en
- How to set screen time limits on your Amazon device: https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=15282065011#:~:text=To%20get%20started%2C%20tap%20on,enable%20settings%20for%20your%20child
Blocking your Game Account:
Alternatively, if you are concerned about your gameplay, including your in-game spending you may decide to voluntarily exclude yourself from the game by blocking your account. Please see more information about blocking your account here: Voluntary Self Exclusion.