Video games are a waste of money!

[Suproman77]

Oh no, I think I'm finally starting to turn into my parents. I own a PS3 and realized that, in the 2 years that I've owned it, I only have 2 games for it. So, I'm thinking to myself, 'Gee, I really should buy a game or two once in awhile to make it worth my while.'

Then, I started looking around at games on Amazon and thought, 'Wow, this is such a waste of cash.' They are all like 60 bucks a pop now and I guess I could just buy them used, but I don't even feel like doing that. I didn't think it would ever happen to me, but it's all getting to be quite....boring!

Has this happened to anyone recently? I feel old today....whew.

[jpfeiff]

Not to mention a waste of time--something you'll never get back!

[rich2k4]

one thing i don't understand, is why the sudden attitude of "if you play video games, you are wasting your time"

the people that say this, bring on a "i'm better then you" attitude.

explain to me exactly how it is a waste of time? it's not a waste of time if the person actually enjoys doing it.

[Bussman]

I hate video games. Not only are they a waste of money, but they are a waste of time as well. Having said that my 15 year old son was quite addicted to them. It's gotten better now that he's discovered girls though (actually girls have discovered him, lucky guy inherited his mother's good looks).

[Luke]

I disagree. Actually what they are saying is, "I wish I had that type of free time".

My girlfriend wants to get a PS3 for the Blu-Ray thing and a game or two, but I can't see us using gaming more than once a month for an hour or so. If I could get a Blu-Ray for 1/2 as much we would go that route.


one thing i don't understand, is why the sudden attitude of "if you play video games, you are wasting your time"

the people that say this, bring on a "i'm better then you" attitude.

explain to me exactly how it is a waste of time? it's not a waste of time if the person actually enjoys doing it.

[mprvise]

Yep, big time waster IMO. These days I'd much rather play guitar or listen to music. I gave my game systems to an organization that sends them overseas for the troops.

[Bussman]

...explain to me exactly how it is a waste of time? it's not a waste of time if the person actually enjoys doing it.

The only example I can give you is my son again. He plays hockey. He wasn't all that great at it despite his natural athletic abilities. Used to waste all his time "pretending to play" hockey on his X-box watchamacallit.

I told him the city puts up a rink in the park across the street every winter, why doesn't he go play the real thing every evening instead of pretending in front of a TV screen. His game has improved exponentially since he took my advice. He told me himself that pretending is definitely nowhere near as much fun as the real thing and a waste of time. Now he can't wait to drive the car!

I'm just happy that he thinks shooting people is not a fun thing to do in both the real and virtual world.

[Suproman77]

To be clear about my post, I used to really love video games as a kid. In fact, there was nothing I'd rather do in the cold, winter months than just play a video game for hours on end...so much fun and I never thought of it as a waste of time.

I guess what I mean is that I can't believe I'm getting bored with the whole thing now. I don't want that to happen because it really is a good and fun way to pass the time.

Oh well, I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. You get older and your interests change.

[Drew68]

I don't currently own a gaming console but in my 40 years, I've owned a few. For me, the novelty of video games wears off quickly. I've just never been bit by the gaming bug.

I don't necessarily believe they are wastes of money (or time) though. Anything that can keep you entertained at home isn't really a waste of money. Think about it. Two or three nights out on the town for my wife and I and I've just spent as much money as a PS3 costs. Three rounds of drinks for the two of us and I've just spent what a game costs.

How many hours of entertainment does a $60 game provide? Dozens? It really isn't that expensive to stay home and play video games.

[mtmartin71]

one thing i don't understand, is why the sudden attitude of "if you play video games, you are wasting your time"

the people that say this, bring on a "i'm better then you" attitude.

explain to me exactly how it is a waste of time? it's not a waste of time if the person actually enjoys doing it.

I agree. Nothing wrong with being wrapped up in a story that you control and can interact with. So should I give people crap who watch movies or TV and say that's a waste of time? Who cares how one spends their time as long as they're a productive member of society and aren't harming anyone? For that matter, you can now make a living competing in video games and they are much more mainstream. Then again, I'm 38 and grew up right at a time when they were coming into their own. Many TGPers are in the 50s and don't have that tie from the early days.

[Bussman]

...Oh well, I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. You get older and your interests change.

As long as you keep rocking your guitar, you can be young at heart!

[jazzandmetal?]

Oh no, I think I'm finally starting to turn into my parents. I own a PS3 and realized that, in the 2 years that I've owned it, I only have 2 games for it. So, I'm thinking to myself, 'Gee, I really should buy a game or two once in awhile to make it worth my while.'

Then, I started looking around at games on Amazon and thought, 'Wow, this is such a waste of cash.' They are all like 60 bucks a pop now and I guess I could just buy them used, but I don't even feel like doing that. I didn't think it would ever happen to me, but it's all getting to be quite....boring!

Has this happened to anyone recently? I feel old today....whew.

I just rent them since only a few of the games have any replay value after beating them once.

[Suproman77]

As long as you keep rocking your guitar, you can be young at heart!

True! I REALLY hope I never lose interest in that...so far, so good. :)

[jazzandmetal?]

Oh yeah, I also borrow my friends PS3 when a game comes out I want to beat....I try to be frugal when it comes to video games. More money for the pedals!:)

[Suproman77]

I just rent them since only a few of the games have any replay value after beating them once.

I just might do that from now on. Ever try Gamefly? I thought about doing that....figure it's a good way to play a game once in a blue moon and not have to hold onto it after you've beat it.

[mtmartin71]

To be clear about my post, I used to really love video games as a kid. In fact, there was nothing I'd rather do in the cold, winter months than just play a video game for hours on end...so much fun and I never thought of it as a waste of time.

I guess what I mean is that I can't believe I'm getting bored with the whole thing now. I don't want that to happen because it really is a good and fun way to pass the time.

Oh well, I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. You get older and your interests change.

This is an excellent point. While I still play games, my interest has narrowed to only a few genres and even then I see that my interest is waning a bit so I could hit the same point, but, I think I just get pickier on what I choose to play.

Another point here is for those that have kids, video games are evolving to become more interactive. Plus it's a way for those of you to have kids to actually connect with them. I know my girlfriend plays Rock Band with her kids and they now know many cool songs that they wouldn't otherwise have heard.

[wstsidela]

I love video games. They clear my head.

[pir8matt]

I personally think that a lot of the games just stopped being 'fun'. Now they seem systematically designed to be objective based and take a minimum of time measured in days to 'beat' or meet all the objectives.

Screw that, man, life is objective based enough! I don't need my games to be, too.

I got a Wii and recaptured some of that, though. The games are more 'fun', to me. And they actually get you to move around a little bit, which is good.

It just seemed like a lot of the PS2, PS3 and Xbox stuff was getting so involved. You need a strategy guide, you need to go to forums, you need to get to one side of the gamefield only to have to turn around and achieve an objective back at the starting point, etc. The games just got so involved, they stopped having any real entertainment value to me. They started to feel like work, quite honestly, and I have plenty of that already.

[jammybastard]

I buy all my games used on Ebay.
You can usually find them for about $20 six months after their release.

The other alternative is to get yourself a modded console and then you won't have to pay for games.

[jazzandmetal?]

I personally think that a lot of the games just stopped being 'fun'. Now they seem systematically designed to be objective based and take a minimum of time measured in days to 'beat' or meet all the objectives.

Screw that, man, life is objective based enough! I don't need my games to be, too.

I got a Wii and recaptured some of that, though. The games are more 'fun', to me. And they actually get you to move around a little bit, which is good.

It just seemed like a lot of the PS2, PS3 and Xbox stuff was getting so involved. You need a strategy guide, you need to go to forums, you need to get to one side of the gamefield only to have to turn around and achieve an objective back at the starting point, etc. The games just got so involved, they stopped having any real entertainment value to me. They started to feel like work, quite honestly, and I have plenty of that already.

MetalGear Solid: Guns of the Patriots. Great game. Old school strategy and fun.

[SGNick]

I'll disagree that they are a waste of time. They serve to relax and entertain, you aren't wasting your time, you're relaxing your mind!

Best Combo Ever:

Chemistry Notes to your left, Zeppelin through the speakers, Guitar stand on your right, Grand Theft Auto in front of you, and you alternate every 30-45 minutes.

[MudPies]

Just a bit ironic that we find this thread on this here message board.

[GDking]

Just a bit ironic that we find this thread on this here message board.


I like this thread a LOT better than "so and so died, got shot, sick and almost dead" Tragedy after tragedy in the pub if those are fine this one is fantastic.

[MudPies]

I like this thread a LOT better than "so and so died, got shot, sick and almost dead" Tragedy after tragedy in the pub if those are fine this one is fantastic.

Indeed. Good point.

I havent' had a system made for gaming since the old ps1, but I do buy the occasional discounted game for my PC. I tried Pure (atv trick racing) last night but either the disk I got was corrupted or my system can't handle it. From time to time I'll pop in some GTA just to steal a car and jump everything I can find. Tony Hawk games are also a lot of fun to me when playing free roam style.

[jetydosa]

I love my PS3 (and PS2 before that). However, I find I onyl play a handful of games, mostly Gran Turismo series (GT5 is awesome), the Grand Theft Autos, and my current fav is Battlefield Bad Company. The online pay on both games is so fun, I love competiting with people online.


If you just want a BR player, the new Samsung 1500 is 229 or so now. Rumors are there will be several BR players around 150 on Black Friday.

[recto-robbie]

I dont feel that playing video games is a waste of time. If it was true I guess my guitar playing would be considered a waste of time because I play the guitar for my own enjoyment,, I dont play concerts or bars and have never made a penny playing the guitar. I guess one could consider reading any fictional novel a waste of time,, I would assume one would already know how to read if they were reading a novel,, maybe just practicing I guess. Another major waste of time I guess would be spending any amount of time on these internet forums,, other than a few how to's and a section or so on playing techniques, the rest could be considered a waste of time. Dont want to forget about the countless hours spent in front of the television or in a theater,, also a waste of time. Other hobbies of mine that I enjoy are photography, art, target practicing with the largest weapons I can find.
Not a single one of these hobbies do anything for anyone else other than me, I dont show off any art, nor am I a paid marksman,, matter of fact I dont get paid for anything other than my current job. I guess my whole life is pretty much a waste of time except my job and what other people deem constructive.
I believe that everything in moderation is fine including playing video games, while I havent been into video game playing in about three years, I cant wait for the day my 2 year old son asks me about them. I will show him all about video games and hopefully by then he will already understand moderation.

[drgonzoguitar]

I love video games. They clear my head.
:agree


A great stress reliever.....I usually game it up with my brother (online) 3-4 hours a week. I am a "first person shooter" gamer. Call of Duty 4 is my favorite. Nothing is better than bringin' an airstrike....
:stir

[zekmoe]

Not to mention a waste of time--something you'll never get back!

So is music, if not much more so. Complete waste of time. Anything done for the sole reason of enjoyment must be worthless.
And don't get me started on what a waste of money gear is. The money could certainly be used for more important things, such as anything someone else deems an important use of my money and time.
Geesh.

[pickaguitar]

I'll gladly be accepting ps3 and/or xbox donations for those that do not use them...pm me for address info.

[spectreman]

For me, I just don't have time anymore to learn how to play the games and get decent enough to where it isn't frustrating.

I used to play Madden (about 7 years ago) and was good....I bought last year's version and I could barely win, even on the easy level. I invested a couple hours trying to get better, but in the end I just gave up and haven't bought a game since.

If I had less responsibilities and more time, I would love to play...that is just gone now...and do you know what?

I don't miss playing video game....I would rather read to or play with my daughter any day of the week!!

[banjoze]

You just need a game that inspires you...

To be clear about my post, I used to really love video games as a kid. In fact, there was nothing I'd rather do in the cold, winter months than just play a video game for hours on end...so much fun and I never thought of it as a waste of time.

I guess what I mean is that I can't believe I'm getting bored with the whole thing now. I don't want that to happen because it really is a good and fun way to pass the time.

Oh well, I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. You get older and your interests change.

[HHB]

right after my Pong went out I saw the light :)

[Bill Brasky]

What you need to do is always stay one system generation behind the market. So when stores are liquidating all their PS2 games and people are unloading their games and hardware for pennies on the dollar to buy the latest greatest, you're able to scoop up a ton of games for dirt cheap. They're just as fun as they were before but they're not the most current generation.

My dad was one of those guys always saying "video games are a waste of time". He would then proceed to spend the entire weekend on the couch, passively watching NFL, college football, Canadian football, arena football, followed by Monday Night Football and all the hours and hours of pre-game and post-game shows. At least 2.5 days spent watching football and yelling at the TV is a constructive use of your time.

[neastguy]

if i was single w/ no kids. I'd probably own one of those boxes... things change, priorities change.. I used to have fun playing hockey 96.. whatever it was called.. I would usually end up drinking a six pack....lol.. if you have the time and you enjoy it.. its not wasting time IMO.... those peeps who play 6 hours a day though.. I dunno...

[S-L-A-C-K-E-R]

I definitely feel the same way. I still enjoy video games from time to time but I am definitely getting less interested in them as I get older. I'm much more picky about what games I find to be worth playing too. I get tired of the ones that are the same old same old. It's getting harder to find games that keep my attention. Plus, the games have gotten so much more complex and I have gotten much less time available to play them. So, sometimes I just don't have enough time to break through the learning curve to where I can actually be good enough to enjoy the game. Plus, if I get busy with other things and then try to pick up on the game months later I forget how to play and I end up quitting the game because I don't feel like re-learning the controls. My old feeble 31 year old mind doesn't retain as much info as it used too I guess. :D

I definitely don't see it as a waste of time as long as it is done in moderation. Now, of course, when I was in my Rollercoaster Tycoon addiction phase. That was a waste of time. I swear I played that game for 12 hours a day when I was on break from college. I probably should have unglued my butt from the seat from time to time and went out with my friends.

[Dannc6]

There's a time and a place for everything - maybe you've just moved beyond that stage. Surely all who play aren't ignorant - but some who do are wasting their lives.
I would always tell people to take lessons at something, learn an instrument,etc, though, because it will stay with you forever.

[bkd_guitarist]

I used to be a pretty avid gamer when I was younger. At age 36, I've pretty much lost interest in it now. I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas last year and thought, "Hey, I haven't played games in a while, I'll buy a couple of new games." So I bought Company of Heroes and Rainbow Six Vegas. Played them both for maybe an hour before I lost interest, and haven't gone back to them in months.

IMO, console games are a bigger waste of money than PC games, because the consoles break. I own two dead PS2's. Buying and maintaining PC's costs money too, but at least I can use them for something other than games.

[FlyingDutchman]

I agree with ya Supro. I had a PS3 and a Xbox 360 and really never used either of them. I ended up putting them on ebay. I think Ive just outgrown them. Im 33 and it seems like its just a phase in my life that has passed. I do remember enjoying playing baseball and hockey alot on video game systems but now I get bored by it. Oh well. I was actually considering picking one of the systems up again for the movie part of it but Im not sure its even worth the extra expense over a decent dvd player.

[JubileeMan 2555]

Oh no, I think I'm finally starting to turn into my parents. I own a PS3 and realized that, in the 2 years that I've owned it, I only have 2 games for it.....

I know what your problem is... you don't own an Xbox 360;)

(better games & better price used)

GTAIV, Force Unleashed, Gears of War, HALO 3! THe list goes on and on for me;)

[jammybastard]

I like this thread a LOT better than "so and so died, got shot, sick and almost dead" Tragedy after tragedy in the pub if those are fine this one is fantastic.

AMEN!!!

I used to write game reviews as a freelancer so I've played a ton of games over the years. In my 20's and 30's I could lose 4-6 hours playing. These days I find that I can only play for 20min max. even after the kids are in bed and the wife is busy with something else.
Usually that means a couple of matches of FIFA instead of playing something like the recently released "Dead Space" that demands you play for at least an hour or two. I just don't have the interest or the stamina to focus for that long on something I'm not really going to get anything back from.
Twenty min and I'm plenty relaxed.

[retro]

Muhahahahaaaaaa....

A while back, when Marathon for Mac's first came out. Before it was bought and turned into Halo as a console game. You could make your own maps and play it across a LAN on our Mac's...I dunno it was way too much fun.

Quite a few of my clients played. So we used to have games after work. It was fun and helped grow my business at the time.

About a year ago I found the Mac demo of Unreal Tournament UT2004. Started playing on the online demo servers against other players. And was instantly intrigued by the skill level of some players and the game itself.

Bought the full version and still play when I can usually on UMG's Torlan server.

Any UT2004 ONS fans?

Still waiting for UTIII to be ported to Mac's.

Haven't really found console gaming interesting or attractive yet. But that may change with Gears Of War 2.

[wstsidela]

I'm 46. I had Pong as a kid in the 70s. I currently have an Xbox 360 in my office & a PS3 in my bedroom. I hope I die before I outgrow it.

[jazzandmetal?]

if i was single w/ no kids. I'd probably own one of those boxes... things change, priorities change.. I used to have fun playing hockey 96.. whatever it was called.. I would usually end up drinking a six pack....lol.. if you have the time and you enjoy it.. its not wasting time IMO.... those peeps who play 6 hours a day though.. I dunno...

LOL. I need to get a life. A few weeks ago, I had a few days off so I rented Metal Gear Solid 4 for the PS3. Put my daughter to sleep and played for 12 hours straight. Next night 6 hours straight to beat the game. I hate stopping. I have to keep playing until I beat the game. I used to be able to play longer when I was younger, but my daughter doesn't like to share the t.v. and I refuse to have more than one t.v. in my apartment.:messedup

[KazJY]

I think video games were more "fun" when we were kids (I am 34, so...).

Pac Man and all that... it seemed more fun than today's stuff which requires hours and hours in front of the TV. I like quick games though, if I am going to play. I don't have 30+ hours to spend on a game. Never mind the $60.

I bought a Wii for my wife awhile back, since we had fun with the boxing and bowling stuff at a friend's house. We rarely play though. I forget we even have it. but yeah, we own like 3 games, and the most expensive one, my wife got from my sister for her birthday.

I'm with ya.

Interesting thread. About a year ago, I had a thread asking "What would you be doing if you didn't play a musical instrument" and most of the people stated "I'd play more video games".

[Josh O]

We have a PS3 and see it as much more than a video game console. It's my family's sole DVD player for our bigscreen TV, does Blu-Ray, upconverts standard DVDs just fine, I can surf the net with it (not full function like a computer but alot does come up), can play music off of it via memory card and as a side bonus, it plays games. I don't have many and I will agree that they are expensive which is why I gravitate towards used games so I don't feel so bad if my interest gets lost. I find it fun to veg out every once in a while and just have a mindless game session, especially if I'm frustrated with the old guit-fiddle!

[amigo30]

It just seemed like a lot of the PS2, PS3 and Xbox stuff was getting so involved. You need a strategy guide, you need to go to forums, you need to get to one side of the gamefield only to have to turn around and achieve an objective back at the starting point, etc. The games just got so involved, they stopped having any real entertainment value to me. They started to feel like work, quite honestly, and I have plenty of that already.

I used to love some video games back in my day. I played a lot of Quake, Quake II, etc..

You used to be able to play for a half hour or so..or hours if you felt like it, then turn it off and walk away.

These days..many of the games need hours and hours of time put into them each time you sit down. Lot's of research, online work, planning.... Like you said.. it starts to feel like a job.

I've had an X-Box 360 for awhile now...like you, I just don't buy any games for it anymore. I use it mostly for downloading hi-def movies and moving my Media Player files to my entertainment room.

[Texas_Blues]

I buy all my games used on Ebay.
You can usually find them for about $20 six months after their release.

The other alternative is to get yourself a modded console and then you won't have to pay for games.
+1 or a computer.....

[CharAznable]

I played World of Warcraft for two years and I got into it so much that it actually started affecting my guitar chops. Once I stopped I noticed improvement in my playing almost immediately.

I still enjoy video games, but I won't commit to another MMO ever again. I loved Bioshock and all the Half Life 2 Episodes. I realized that what I like is a good single player FPS with a good story and good art design.

Guitar Hero was great fun until I realized that it would probably be easier to learn Cliffs Of Dover for real than to play it in Hard. God, that game gets hard at the end...

To all the people that think video games are a waste of time and money... get off your high horse. It's entertainment and it's fun.

[Motorhed]

Gotta love the eltists. Listening to music, watching movies, watching sports, watching tv etc all loose time you'll never get back but elitists can't see that because they can't stand anyone to have fun with something they don't understand. I guess people having ::gasp:: fun is too much for some people to take.

[M Hossa]

I love em, especially hockey games with 4 to 5 players involved. (With PS2 had to use multitap, no that problem with PS3.)
And of course beer and lots of laughing with my friends, great fun!
Lately were been playing more boardgames, like Shogun, Caylus, Puerto Rico, El Grande etc.
:banana

[rockinrob]

For awhile I thought I was addicted to a video game- it was playing Socom II online. I was playing a 2 or 3 hours a night. That was till I started bringing it up in conversations and realized that for a lot of people out there 2-3 hours is a short session. That's when I cut back. Now the only games I play are old ones like Pacman and Frogger.


Gotta love the eltists. Listening to music, watching movies, watching sports, watching tv etc all loose time you'll never get back but elitists can't see that because they can't stand anyone to have fun with something they don't understand. I guess people having ::gasp:: fun is too much for some people to take.

That the thing- you're right in some ways. The difference is a good piece of music, a good movie or even a good TV show can enrich your life. It can give you a different perspective on things. It's art. Video games, for the most part, aren't nearly as enriching. Granted most TV and the majority of movie's are mind numbing trash, but seriously- how is playing Grand Theft Auto going to improve your life?

[twinrider1]

I think, for most people, you just grow out of them. Not to say they're bad. You just get tired of them. Oh, another game where I have to gather resources, etc. I pulled out Age of Empires I a while back and couldn't believe how slow it seemed.
Now, if they come out with a modern version of X-COM, I'm toast. I would start playing that game in the evening and not notice the sun coming up the next day!

[Rev2S]

I have a PS3 and love the Call of Duty games. I have a few sports games as well. I don't spend countless hours on it....just play it here and there.

[jcoloccia]

Oh no, I think I'm finally starting to turn into my parents. I own a PS3 and realized that, in the 2 years that I've owned it, I only have 2 games for it. So, I'm thinking to myself, 'Gee, I really should buy a game or two once in awhile to make it worth my while.'

Then, I started looking around at games on Amazon and thought, 'Wow, this is such a waste of cash.' They are all like 60 bucks a pop now and I guess I could just buy them used, but I don't even feel like doing that. I didn't think it would ever happen to me, but it's all getting to be quite....boring!

Has this happened to anyone recently? I feel old today....whew.

I definately have nothing against video games. In fact, I loved playing video games. I've lost interest lately, though. Part of the problem is the gaming environment has gotten more complex than my ability to interact with it. For example, how many times have you done something like knock over a chair in one of the newer games, and now it's blocking your path but you have no way to reach out and move it?? It's just frustrating.

Occasionally, a game will come out where everything is balanced just perfectly. "Fear" was AWESOME. Everything was just right and I really enjoyed it. Most just have a terrible mix of poor interaction and uninteresting environments. All the incredible graphics and music in the world can't fix that, at least not for me.

[Motorhed]

For awhile I thought I was addicted to a video game- it was playing Socom II online. I was playing a 2 or 3 hours a night. That was till I started bringing it up in conversations and realized that for a lot of people out there 2-3 hours is a short session. That's when I cut back. Now the only games I play are old ones like Pacman and Frogger.




That the thing- you're right in some ways. The difference is a good piece of music, a good movie or even a good TV show can enrich your life. It can give you a different perspective on things. It's art. Video games, for the most part, aren't nearly as enriching. Granted most TV and the majority of movie's are mind numbing trash, but seriously- how is playing Grand Theft Auto going to improve your life?



But I guess I don't see why everything has to enrich your life. Can't some things just be done for fun? I love movies that make me think to but sometimes I just want dumb fun so I watch Total Recall or The Naked Gun, no life enrichment there but its fun so I do it. I'm not saying video games are the best hobby since you just sit on your butt but I fail to see why its so horrible to have FUN once and a while.

People can call them a waste of time but its MY time that I'm using and I think thier worth it so I shouldn't worry about it anyway.

[Suproman77]

But I guess I don't see why everything has to enrich your life. Can't some things just be done for fun? I love movies that make me think to but sometimes I just want dumb fun so I watch Total Recall or The Naked Gun, no life enrichment there but its fun so I do it. I'm not saying video games are the best hobby since you just sit on your butt but I fail to see why its so horrible to have FUN once and a while.

People can call them a waste of time but its MY time that I'm using and I think thier worth it so I shouldn't worry about it anyway.

I don't think there's anything wrong with you spending time playing video games if you wish...as long as it doesn't become your whole life or interfere with you living your life, that is.

I never had that problem. Video games, for me, were always something to do when I didn't have anything else to do or anywhere to go. I would always reserve it for weekends, just after school for an hour or so, cold winter days, etc. I used it mainly as a way to kill boredom, blow off some steam, and just zone out for awhile...it's great for relieving the pressures of every day life and passing time, I found.

I do have a problem with people who practically make it their lives though...you know, the ones that spend every waking moment they can on a video game system. Not to sound elitist, but that, to me, seems like a waste of life. At least, I know that's not how I would want to spend my time here on this Earth. Then again, there are those who do it for a living, more or less...like that Fatal1ty guy.

[jammybastard]

Side note: I love how the word "elitest" is now the catch all insult for someone you don't agree with.
I hope that trend dies out sooner than later.
(Of course I feel that way because I'm an elitest!)
;)

[Motorhed]

I don't think there's anything wrong with you spending time playing video games if you wish...as long as it doesn't become your whole life or interfere with you living your life, that is.

I never had that problem. Video games, for me, were always something to do when I didn't have anything else to do or anywhere to go. I would always reserve it for weekends, just after school for an hour or so, cold winter days, etc. I used it mainly as a way to kill boredom, blow off some steam, and just zone out for awhile...it's great for relieving the pressures of every day life and passing time, I found.

I do have a problem with people who practically make it their lives though...you know, the ones that spend every waking moment they can on a video game system. Not to sound elitist, but that, to me, seems like a waste of life. At least, I know that's not how I would want to spend my time here on this Earth. Then again, there are those who do it for a living, more or less...like that Fatal1ty guy.


I only mean in moderation, your very right that it can't be your whole life or there's a problem. Even things like working out can hurt you if done too much, but of course working out is a better hobby to take up than video games. I'm not saying video games are the greatest way to spend your time but in moderation, I think they are fine for a bit of fun and to blow of some steam. I admit to playing too much at times but apart from VERY rarely not getting enough sleep from getting sucked in to playing too long, its never effected my work performance or anything like that. It might make it a bit harder to get up in the morning but once I'm up I'm fine for the day...I've also stayed up too late playing guitar too so its not just video games that cause this lol. I guess I think life can get too serious and people should just have fun sometimes, I don't mean everyone take up video games but there should be something we all have that we just do for fun.

[ChickenLover]

one thing i don't understand, is why the sudden attitude of "if you play video games, you are wasting your time"

the people that say this, bring on a "i'm better then you" attitude.

explain to me exactly how it is a waste of time? it's not a waste of time if the person actually enjoys doing it.
I think it's a misunderstanding on their part. What they often are thinking is; "If I played video games, I feel I would be wasting my time." and since what is right/best for them MUST be right/best for you...the misunderstanding.

I don't have a video game and haven't since I had Atari as a kid. I know myself...if I had one I'd play it too much and get sore hands from squeezing that controller too tightly for too long. So a video game is wrong for me...doesn't make it wrong for anybody else.

The reason I play guitar (or listen to any music for that matter) is purely because I enjoy it...and I certainly don't consider it a waste of time.

EDIT: As for those who don't approve of people making a living of it: same could be said about musicians.

[Boobala]

I got my PS3 for the Blue-Ray player. Games are a bonus.

[Mllerrin]

I used to be a ridiculous gamer in the way of MMORPG's. It was not uncommon to pull 16 hour days on Everquest. I used to have amazing grades, but as soon as I started playing Everquest I was lucky to get 70's.

I finally quit once the game got ridiculous. Level 70, and it takes weeks and weeks of senseless grinding. I got to 66 and called it quits once I started falling asleep while grinding in a group. The group was awesome though, and didn't even kick me out. I was ranger though so they probably didn't even notice lol. I'll never regret the time I spent on EQ though. Met some great people that influence how I live my life to this day on that game, even though I never met them in person. I can't explain it and it sounds weird, but I spent so much time interacting with groups in that game it actually taught me a bit about life.

Anyway, now I'm 21 and I had a Wii, but sold it because I just wasn't playing it enough and there really werent too many good games coming out. Resident Evil 4 was amaaazing though. Then I got a little gaming itch, and I needed a DVD player so I got a Ps2 since their cheap enough now. And now about a month later after buying that thing collects dust.

It's not even a "I don't have time" thing. I just don't have the drive to play something because the feeling of completing a game is the worst thing in th world IMO. You finish the game and just realize, I just wasted this much time...for nothing. Yeah it's relaxing, but so is guitar, working out, and hanging with friends, and you get so much more out of that.

Now the only thing I even mess with from time to time is a Gameboy Advance. My friend loaned me Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and I'll admit that's been a BLAST. Really a great game. I might sell my Ps2 to get a DS to have something portable (lighting on GBA screens is horrible) and there are a couple new Castlevania games coming out that look tempting. If only there was MP3 capability on it.

[2 Loud 4 You]

I don't like video games. Sure, as a kid I played them but even then I was broed with them fairly quickly. As an adult I decided to get a PS1 and see what all the fuss was about. Bored with it quickly. When my brother passed 3.5 yrs ago I inherited his X-Box, it's still in the box. Why are video games a waste of time? Ok, for those who only sit down for a couple hours, no big deal, have fun. For those that play ALL FRICKEN DAY, like World of Warcraft and get sucked into that crap like it's reality, please go look outside, there are no wizards. Some people lose touch with reality because they play so much, THAT is a waste of time!

[Texas_Blues]

Yeah I know what you mean, Id get invited over to a friend's house to "jam" and I'd have to load my amp and gear. When I got there he would just be playing WOW and we wouldn't get to jam due to his addiction....long story short I don't ask him if he wants to jam anymore.