It's honestly embarrassing talking to someone in a professional work environment, and they start going off about their Elden Ring build or what their favorite paradox RTS is. We're not in high school anymore. Dump the video games and get an actual productive hobby, like sports or craftsmanship.
Video games are a form of escapism for most of people who play them... "they let them live out their wildest fantasies - like being given a task and completing it".
I don't think games themselves are a problem but I knew way too many people who were completely addicted to them and wasted their youth. I played the most while in college because it was an escape for me, since then I only play casually.
I see a lot of butt hurt people in the comment section but in reality she's right. Having video games as a hobby (ie spending a substantial amount of time playing them) is the opposite of productive. You end up wasting away in your room doing nothing of value. The fact that people are so unwilling to admit it is part of the problem. Everything is good in moderation but when it comes to video games, people who play them spend way too much time on them and it's like a drug. I've seen video game addiction first hand and practically no one is willing to admit that they have a problem.
"like sports"
Oh, you mean children's games like baseball or basketball?
I'm 53 and have discovered PUBG. I greatly enjoy it, even though I've never won a game (though I have reached #2 twice). And I'm not alone. The average PUBG (or Fortnite or any other popular video game) player is well into his 20's or even older, often well-established and generally well-regarded by both his peers and society in general.
And it's not just men. There is a growing community of women who play video games, some even at professional levels. A number even make an income by streaming their games on sites like YouTube or Twitch.
True, we don't have to go out to participate, but we still get the connections that come with such things. We merely get them through the Internet.
Such games teach (and maintain) very important things. Like sports, they teach teamwork. Like craftsmanship, they teach problem-solving and quick-thinking. And for those who get VERY good, they even provide multi-million-dollar incomes.
So instead of denigrating us, why not join us? Find a game you like; find an online community that plays it, form a team, and have fun.
In the end, fun is the goal of ALL hobbies. That's why they're called hobbies and not jobs.
Because video games are literally the best hobby, as they are every single hobby rolled into one.
You should grow up and stop living in your absurd mental prison, its embarrasing, especially at your age where you should know better.
Also sports isn't a productive hobby, just a pointless way to injure yourself. And the best craftsmen are gamers. Just look at people like Adam Savage, the dude literally built a working iron man suit from scratch, and he plays video games, goes to comicon in cosplay outfits, and does other things that I'm sure your tiny brain perceives as "childish". :)
Why do people still get hung up over how other people choose to spend their time?
It literally has nothing to do with you. If you don't want to talk about that stuff, leave. No one is forcing you to engage with it.
Adults get to spend their time and derive joy from whatever the hell they want, provided it's not hurting anyone else. Just because it's not your interest doesn't make it any less valid.
I've watch my partner play Elden Ring. It's not my thing but fuck, the amount of thought that needs to go into building your character is staggering. Like, it's not designed for kids.
What is my thing though, is Stellaris. Which is a Paradox 5X game. It's a great way to relax and get my mind off whatever I'm dealing with. I get to make a badass species of alien dragons and dominate the galaxy with my incredible trade acumen.
I also regularly practice martial arts/self defense, and dabble in modeling.
It's almost like people can have multiple interests, and you are only seeing one side of a varied and complex individual. And choosing to judge them based on surface knowledge of their interests you gleaned in passing. 🤔
Opinion
75Opinion
They're actually pretty fun and intricate. The only thing is you have to make sure that you have balance in your life. Playing video games is like television: good in small amounts. It's sedentary, so it's not good for you if you're playing a lot. But it's definitely very fun. There are lots of strategies and ways to become better at the game, and that's what makes it really fun. Games tend to have a lot of variables and factors, and that makes it super complex, harder to master, and thus really fun to learn because you always know there's a lot more to learn.
I agree that you should definitely have more hobbies other than gaming. If you have to choose only one hobby and nothing else as a hobby, video games would be the WORST. It makes you sit at home, and exercise and going outside in nature is really important for your well-being. However, if you have other hobbies and video games are done in moderation, I don't see the issue.
It's fine to care about a game as long as you deal with life's priorities in an organized manner. If you ignore your partner and responsibilities to play video games, there is a problem. If you're playing only a few hours a week and taking care of your life and health, there's no issue with it in my opinion.
But also, everyone has different things that interest them. Some people love biking and some love cooking, and you won't ever understand why someone likes something because their happy hormones spike doing a certain activity that you don't find interesting and their happy hormones don't spike when doing a certain activity that you love doing. Some things are just meant to not be understood but rather respected. Again, it all has to be reasonable.
Video games tend to be really stereotyped, but not everyone plays obsessively. It's definitely known for starting addictions. But again, the key thing here is just being moderate.
You're kind of out of touch there. It's the second biggest entertainment industry, with only tv being bigger. If you think it's only for children then you really don't get the scope and reach of gaming.
Think about it - the first proper home console the Magnavox Odyssey was released in 1972. That's 50 years ago this year. Then add in subsequent success stories such as the early offerings from now dead giants like Atari, Sega and Nintendo (I know they're still going, but they've not done anything of note since the Wii). Now think about the age of those players now. Assuming your question takes 13-16 as the cut off point. There's 63-65 year olds who grew up with gaming as a part of their childhoods. And some will have found they enjoyed it and kept going with it.
Also look at the price of a new video game, that's a huge chunk of change, certainly not in the pocket money range of the average under 16. Yet with an industry bigger than the movie industry or music industry, somebody is buying the games. Despite your condescending attitude, the light is on and burning brightly for many over 16s in the world. Think about it, it will be something in a decade or two that will start to become an offered facility in retirement homes. Because rather than wanting to watch mind numbing tv, they'd rather do something that challenges their minds and keeps them thinking and problem solving.
I guess the moral here is what we really learned is you're quite judgmental, and a little bit ageist.
I just laughed for so long. People already know how I feel about this but I’m sure they’re now going to bash you for it instead. Personally, I’m okay with a guy wanting to play on occasion, maybe a few times a month/year but when it becomes daily/weekly, its cringe. people can do as they please, i just prefer won't be dating someone who’s still hooked on gaming like that. I enjoyed it since 2002 then lost interest after my first year of college. haven't gamed daily/weekly since 2014. Now i play maybe one month a year if that
Video games can teach you more than a movie because they are active entertainment as opposed to passive entertainment like a movie or show.
Well if you're not just playing one genre of games, you about mechanics, simulations, efficiency, time-management, logic puzzles, hand-eye coordination, economics, storytelling, procedural generation, problem solving and much more. As you gain a mastery of a game, some of those abilities can translate into life skills.
Unfortunately, the same dopamine hit for leveling up in a game doesn't naturally translate into everyday life unless you cultivate that as well.
You're obviously someone out to troll everyone, but I'm bored and so I'll amuse you. I'm 25 WITH a career making 70k a year. Currently on my last year for my master's in business administration with a minor in accounting. I've got a boyfriend; going on 2 years soon. I go to the gym 3-4 times a week as well as travel fairly frequently. If I want to indulge in video games to detach from the world and enjoy whatever world of whatever video game I'm playing at the moment, I god damn will as I've earned it by all the work I do. So bite me
Gaming is one of the world's and society's entertainments. Just like "dressing up", gaming has no limits as to how old (older than what the game is recommending which age group to play) you can play video games. There is nothing wrong with being 30 years old and playing video games. I'm a 18yo female who likes playing Roblox.
It's embarrassing how you're thinking like a boomer when you're only 23 and didn't grow up in a generation where video games were demonized.
My dungeon masters/storytellers are more "successful" than you by your boomer standards. One is working with A. I technology and another is a personal trainer, bodyguard and an actor who can deadlift 440 lbs.
Because it's fun and a great hobby to have!
Others sit at the TV all evening, spend money on movies or eating out, on drinks at the club. I can spend 10 bucks and be invested for a month or years. On top of that it allows me to learn other languages by interacting with people from all over the world. I have other hobbies too, but games are great!
There's really nothing wrong with video games and I don't see why you care about how people spend their free time. I don't play video games but other people do and that's fine. It's not "immature" in any way because it's fun especially when you're playing with your family or friends. It's nice when you accomplish something even if it's a game and technically nor real.
I still play video games. My dad is in 50's and plays video games. I like it because it's like playing through an interactive story. I play the Lego games with my kids and even Minecraft with them. My dad plays games with them too. It might be that you don't have they skill or patience. Not everyone does.
You're judging people based on what their hobbies are? LMAO what on earth. How would you think if people cast judgements on you based on something as simple as that.
The answer is the same as why do you watch TV or movies? Video games are just a more interactive form of media, which actually requires you to engage your brain.
Oh, and it's the biggest sector of the entertainment industry, more than films or music. So, you're in a minority here.
I haven't used Sega or Super Nintendo in like 25 years but I bet u live on Twitter, IG, and FB.. w/e the fuck Whatsapp is.. U prolly do FaceTime w/many people.. take tons of pics everyday.. wtf kinda hobby is that? We didn't do that when I was ur age.. So leave these other people alone.
Shit trolling.
People can play games and have fun without being policed by the likes of you.
You have some serious growing up to do.
Video games are the only hobby that forces you to improve. When you read a book it doesn't give you a quiz that you must complete before continuing with the rest of the book. Video games do, they challenge and engage with you. They can improve your reading, your ability to strategize, solve puzzles and improve logical thinking, your coordination and reaction speed.
If you don't like them, that's your problem. Not everyone is up for the challenge after all.
And asking dumb questions on an Internet forum is superior somehow? Gaming isn't just for sweaty teenagers, it's evolved into a complex and legitimate artform along with film, music, dance, theatre, or literature. It's commercial art that can appeal to a broad range of people. Yeah some videogames appeal to a more juvenile mentality, but honestly, there's nothing wrong with that, just like there's nothing wrong with grown adults enjoying a cheesy 80s horror B-movie now and then.
similar to why people over the age of 18 interact with their social media accounts almost daily instead of having productive hobbies. regular use of social media tends to make people insecure about themselves over time and seek out validation and attention from others.
It's a form of entertainment. You see movies which are fictious in nature, you follow celebrities and get obsessed with them, the same celebrities who won't give a fuck if you die tomorrow.
On a similar manner, video games are the source of entertainment. They are much more interactive than movies and can be enjoyed personally OR with friends (the only similarity is: video game characters won't give a damn if you die tomorrow)
Tell that to all the people that spend time on amazon prime, Netflix, Instagram or what ever online as well because as long as it's not your job you have no reason to spend their hours just seeking attention.
The reason people do all that is because it can make you happy with out a lot of effort. The modern world is built by people that prefer comfort.
I play video games with both my children as often as they want 🤷🏻♀️
Why? Is the mature thing to do drinking lots of alcohol, cheating on their mates, beating them, crashing into others and killing innocent people like some "mature" adults do?
There's nothing wrong with an adult having a clean hobby like video games. The majority of high production value video games are made for adults with a mature rating too.
