A study by an Australian University has revealed that video game addicts don't suffer from social problems, shyness, or self-esteem problems.

　　According to media outlet News.com.au (no relation to GameSpot sister site News.com), Dan Loton from Melbourne-based Victoria University undertook an honours research project to determine if there was a relationship between games, social skills, and self-esteem. Loton found that there was no direct connection between excessive game playing and social skills and self-esteem. According to the study, when it comes to game addicts, only 1 percent suffered from shyness.

　　However, it wasn't all good news for hardcore gamers. The study revealed that those who played massively multiplayer online role-playing games were more likely to develop an addiction. According to Loton, "Those who played MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft, which currently has over 10 million fee-paying monthly subscribers, were more likely to exhibit problematic game play." Despite this, Luton stated that it was "important to note that even problem gamers did not exhibit significant signs of poor social skills or low self-esteem."

　　The research flies in the face of the American Medical Association findings, which described MMORPG players as "somewhat marginalised socially, perhaps experiencing high levels of emotional loneliness and/or difficulty with real-life social interactions." The AMA will reconsider whether it will classify video game addiction as a mental disorder in 2012.

　　The research project involved 621 participants, with 15 percent being identified as "problem gamers"--those who played 50 hours or more per week. Luton used the Problem Video Game Playing scale (PVP) and the Social Skills Inventory (SSI) psychological scales to test addiction and social interaction.