Every gamer loves a good nemesis. Albert Wesker. Bowser. General Raam. Steve Pope.
What? You've never heard of Steve Pope? Oh, great. I expect he's going to be your new poster boy now he's all mainstream and everything. Some of us were into him when he was underground, you know.
To refresh your memory, Steve is the 'counsellor, therapist, psychologist and life coach' who has previously claimed that gaming is as damaging as a line of cocaine and is ruining the performance of England's best footballers.
He's in The Daily Star's little black book, and is a former crack cocaine addict. He also has Alex Ferguson's biography prominently displayed in his press shot. Make of these facts what you will.
He's back in the news this morning, having trotted out his bizarre views once again - this time on BBC Radio Five Live. Pope recycled the "two hours of gaming = a line of cocaine" claim, and as before, he couldn't resist referring to "game stations".
"We're now onto second generation game station players who have always grown up with it," he said, according to MCV. "Computer game addiction can also spiral into violence - as after playing violent games, they may turn their fantasy games into reality.
"It is the fastest growing addiction in the country and this is affecting young people mentally and physically."
The last time Steve made these claims, he admitted that they weren't based on any solid statistics. Come on man! Even Bowser did his research.
That said, we can picture you now; smirking at the idea of this 'nonsense', whilst cattily scratching at your wrist. You're trying hard to concentrate on these very words, but the "game station" is calling. You are trapped in a downward spiral of unhinged dependence. Things are getting desperate.
If that sounds like you, maybe you should give Steve a shout. He could help get your life back on track - for the right fee.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/29 ... cusations/What a complete knob
