Is video gaming a waste of time?

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Life is a waste of time, gaming is just a subcategory of that.

 

[gflores]

I've been sorta feeling the same. Gaming just isn't that much fun anymore (maybe because I don't have any good games?).

 

[Jeff7]

"Are video games a waste of time," asked tec699, as he browsed Anandtech's Off Topic forum.

 

[sillymofo]

In so many words... because it's FUN.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
It's a complete waste of time and money.

but its so addicting

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

hand-eye coordination
problem solving
stress relief
social connection to other people who like the same games

 

[Bth47]

Only if you have something better to be doing. If you've got the free time, why not do something you enjoy?

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: tec699
What do you accomplish by playing a video game? Hand-eye coordination? Self satisfaction that you just completed a hard level? I guess that's it, but look at the negatives: possible lack of sleep, lack of social interaction, and lack of getting meaningful activities done, such as doing homework. With all the time that some people devote to gaming do you guys think that it's a waste of time? You could learn a new language but instead most video gamers would rather play Ut2K4 until 3am.

I'm just asking guys. When I play a video game I get this feeling that I should be doing something else. I just played a 3 hour session of GTA: Vice City and I feel like I just wasted 3 hours. Do you guys ever feel like this when you finish a long gaming session? How do you effectively balance gaming/work/social life? Has anyone here given up video games because you got addicted?

I'm asking this because I'm seriously thinking about giving up video games altogether.

Sorry for the ramble.

You're making me sad

I have no life...i'm not very social (mostly by choice)...so yeah

I never had PC/console games as a kid, or i think i woulda grown out of it...instead i'm growing into them now at age 21.

 

[cherrytwist]

I play in a highly competitive online hockey league, www.sinbin.ca. We've been running for 5 seasons, most of the 30 teams have been full for the duration of an 82 games. We've retained over half of the original owners in that time.

I enjoy the competition and the friendships that have resulted from our shared interest in the NHL. Plus, it gives me something to do during the lockout

 

[konakona]

its still 100x better than getting yourself drunk, run over people, get into fights, throw up and make a mess of yourself and ending up in a jail cell

yeah, i exaggerated a bit as it seemed only fair to do so. dont try to argue drinking in moderation is ok, show me one person who can control his drinking habit and i will show you 10 people who are into binge drinking and wasting their entire weekend and savings on drinks.

i just think of it this way : instead of watching tv, which is what i think many of non-gamers would be doing in the meantime, i get more fun by playing games, so its all good

 

[Kishan]

Originally posted by: VanillaH
its still 100x better than getting yourself drunk, run over people, get into fights, throw up and make a mess of yourself and ending up in a jail cell

yeah, i exaggerated a bit as it seemed only fair to do so. dont try to argue drinking in moderation is ok, show me one person who can control his drinking habit and i will show you 10 people who are into binge drinking and wasting their entire weekend and savings on drinks.

i just think of it this way : instead of watching tv, which is what i think many of non-gamers would be doing in the meantime, i get more fun by playing games, so its all good

def true on that one. when i got my 6800, i felt so guilty. my mom is struggling, and here i can drop $250 to see digital monsters :/ its an expensive hobby, and i really don't know if its that rewarding.

 

[skim milk]

I'm extremely happy I got into gaming during my middle school years.. it has improved my mental imagery, spatial visualization, hand eye coordination, and everything else. I don't regret it at all

But now a days as a third year in college, I play to pass time (which is bad)... it's still entertaining but I really don't have anywhere to go or anything to do. I should really be doing school work or out meeting people or something

 

[nageov3t]

another vote for "it's a hobby"

not everything in life needs to be a productive use of time. if that were the case, we'd all be increadibly boring.

 

[bigalt]

Originally posted by: cmp1223
http://telemedicine.weblogsinc...ntry/5721616626215816/

heh my mom saw that article and told me she'd pay for medical school if i want to go when i'm done with my phd.

 

[Atomsmasher544]

I like playing games so much I often find myself thinking "if it weren't for games, what would I even do?" It's just something fun to do, and I enjoy it more than most other things. If you think about it, basically everything you can do is a "waste of time." Sure you could study or work for 20 hours a day to make yourself a "better person," but you're just gonna die eventually anyway, why not have fun with your time. Seems to me that work and stuff is a bigger waste of time (unless you really have an enjoyable job, or really get a kick out of studying). I expect to play games until I can't physically pick up a controller anymore.

 

[zimu]

whatever the case, i love games. they make me relax, and they've probably improved my reaction speed and coordination.

 

[imported_Skorpio]

Originally posted by: Atomsmasher544
I expect to play games until I can't physically pick up a controller anymore.

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could just imagine that.

well social interaction? what? like your going to depend on your friends untill the day you die? I think not! Not that Im being sarcastic....

games....well virtually anything is a waste of time......if you do something postive for the world...u might think? well couldnt I have helped my self? (lets not change this forum to a ethics forum)

balancing? day time....social and work.....night: gaming time?

its a big hobby for lots of people around the world...some people get bored with it and go away with it....but with hobbies...theres something that makes it fun. For me its experiencing what its like to be a soldier or a pilot...without having to actually die..not that I dont want to die.

Just like cars for me......I build performance cars.......people say why? isnt a regular car good enough? Its a hobby.....it makes life more enjoyable...it frees your mind from the same old thing in life.

 

[Cerb]

Hold on, I'm just about at a boss. I'll replay later when I have time.

 

[Lovepig]

'replay" or 'reply' or was that a masterful play on words?


btw, you gotta find balance in your gaming time. Your young. You can afford to waste a few extra hours. I play ONLY in time I know I dont need for anything else, or when I need a serious break, or for specially scheduled LAN partys when I'm really focusing on relationships with real people. A group of guys staying up all night in someones basement eating cold pizza and wasting each other. Good bonding. Kinda like Fotoball for geeks! (lastime we watched football while we played - now that is effecient use fo time!)

Handled properly, video games can even strengthen relationships with you gf/wife and later kids. My wife makes a mean barbarian and a hot assassin on D2. My son helps me whip up on zerg with his cannons and carriers.

It's all about the balance; make sure you use the video games. Don't let them own you!

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: VanillaH
its still 100x better than getting yourself drunk, run over people, get into fights, throw up and make a mess of yourself and ending up in a jail cell

yeah, i exaggerated a bit as it seemed only fair to do so. dont try to argue drinking in moderation is ok, show me one person who can control his drinking habit and i will show you 10 people who are into binge drinking and wasting their entire weekend and savings on drinks.

i just think of it this way : instead of watching tv, which is what i think many of non-gamers would be doing in the meantime, i get more fun by playing games, so its all good

I think this is a good post. Lets face it -- many Americans (and Europeans and Asians and others) have a LOT of time on their hands. We dont work much except during the day (and even then not everyone works 40 hours a week).

I for one spend a lot of time and money on alcohol, trips, etc etc. I spent a lot of time just hanging out with people I work with and go to school with.

I STILL have a lot of time to game. Sometimes I go overboard, but I also have months where I hardly spend an hour gaming... eh..

and as many other said, gaming is just a sub catatory of the timewaster called life