Still Playing Video Games?

Apexk9 · 2016-05-01T00:40:00+00:00

I play games with buddies. Get online shit talk and play some matches.

Time enjoyed is not time wasted.

Moderation is key

quietinquandary · 2016-05-01T01:55:42+00:00

Anybody who tries to tell you that it's a waste of time and you shouldn't play is foolish. Everybody has a vice they use to enjoy some extra time. Watching tvs, movies, browsing reddit, etc.

Now, if you're the type who cares more about your online character and leveling up than your actual life, then yes, you should quit playing video games.

But if its just a hobby and doesn't detract from your progress in life then there is nothing wrong with it.

Docbear64 · 2016-05-01T00:44:46+00:00

I do not nearly as much as before but if i just want to relax for a while i definitely just take a second and play something (Rocket League is my current poison)

AchillesHeel77 · 2016-05-01T05:34:24+00:00

Im a post-grad student, I work hard in school, I work hard in the gym I work as a server at a banquet hall full time to pay my loans, I enjoy playing Halo and shooting people in the head online.

Enjoy the little things in life.

When you have a youtube channel and you solemnly play games 24/7 then we have a problem.

RPFlame · 2016-05-01T08:37:28+00:00

Reading the comments in this thread, if I replace "I play games with my buddies" with "I go out for a beer with my buddies" it makes sense. Unless you're an alcoholic, which will make you go "see? all I need is moderation, it's so easy" but it's not for you otherwise you wouldn't be an alcoholic.

It's the "why" that matters. Alcoholics went down that path to fleetingly escape from responsibility, and they went frequently enough to become what they are. But you wouldn't advice an alcoholic to "just moderate" and let him be.

If you found yourself playing video games to escape responsibilities, I would advise you to quit. Just cut them cold turkey. Saying that I can play games in moderation doesn't prove that you can, the same way saying that I can drink 1 beer a month doesn't prove that you can.

And before people jump on me for clarifying that one is a substance the other isn't, the brain hardly can tell the difference between what's real and what's fake. This is why your heart is racing when you watch a horror film even if you're 100% aware that this is perfectly planned for money, everyone is an actor, nobody got harmed. Hell if you were to see a photo of something that scares you or repulses you you would first get the reaction as if it's the real thing, then you'll have to convince that impulse that what you see is fake. Same goes with games, your brain gets high from achieving something in it, even when you know it's fake.

This is why basement dwellers will pick games that are challenging enough but not very hard to the point of frustration, to give them the satisfaction of achievement. At the same time it doesn't have to be too easy for them otherwise it's boring and they do it just to see the story, as if it's a movie.

So, if you are one of those, take it slow. Instead of going to the gym, do something that you're confident of doing but at the same time feels like you achieved something. Be it "walk around the block" or "walk outside the gym". Do that for a week or a month until it stops feeling rewarding. The idea is to fix your brain to the point of getting rewards from various places and activities. Aim for variation. Try to expand in multiple territories, like learn a language, learn programming, play an instrument. The most difficult thing will be deciding on how big will your bites be. A mentor or tutor would know what a beginner can handle and iterate with your skills in mind, and you have to become your own mentor. tl;dr no, games aren't inherently bad, but you need to understand where you fall in the spectrum and act responsibly, and that means that you might need to drop them if you must, and here's some advice. I know I am.

tl;dr no, games aren't inherently bad, but you need to understand where you fall in the spectrum and act responsibly, and that means that you might need to drop them if you must. When it's all said and done, it's your life that you're living, not mine or anyone else's.

quicklogaccount · 2016-05-01T03:56:34+00:00

I guess it's ok to play, even a lot.
Just take notice on some stuff. For instance, if you're doing it a lot because there's nothing else to do, you're doing something else wrong. If the game is the most thrilling thing happening, the thing you thing about before you sleep, there's something wrong. If you're daydreaming video game related fantasies, you should be aware of your engagement towards your goals.

That said there are some games that actually manage to give you new perspective over a lot of things and have a powerful media for doing so. Games can be made into art. Some puzzles actually teach you to think in new ways and make you more prone to "think outside the box".

I always felt TRP's advice against gaming was targeted for people who actually use games as an escape from reality BECAUSE THEY NEED ONE. When it comes to using an escape, this advice should regard nearly everything that keeps the mind engaged and away from the ground. Games, but also music, books, high goal sports, heavy investment in academia...

Govedo13 · 2016-05-01T07:29:18+00:00

Count the time that you play for lets say 1 month. Then think about it again. You would then notice that you could had used this time to fuck that girl that you want to fuck, get better phisically getting the body that you want, learn for that exam/certificate that would lead you to your better paid job, pick up new skill or trade, see your real friends etc.

Just use some app and count your gaming time for a bit then you would understand.

clint_bronson · 2016-05-01T10:27:53+00:00

AS long as you're not addicted to it, there's 0 problem, actually it benefits you.

People who say it's bad are old people who think that every single gamer is a fat loser who eats piza and sits all day in front of the screen at momma's basement.

Also, while we're at it, real men play PC.

cruelironage · 2016-05-01T13:39:43+00:00

Moderation in all things. I allow myself to play a short amount of one video game that I must earn by meeting my other goals. Don't get caught up in living a fake life. I have way too many friends whose main way to validate themselves is through video games. They literally brag to me about how good they are at fakery.

play_time_is_over · 2016-05-01T15:14:36+00:00

No i dont play video games. However I was addicted to games. About 10-25% of the gaming population is hopelessly addicted.

A lot of people here say games are fine and a good way to wind down. I fibslly respect their opinion.

However for me as a former game addict playing 12+ hours a day they are as evil as crystal meth.

Since quitting games my life has vastly improved.

ecosci · 2016-05-02T02:21:42+00:00

dont give up your gaming women test you to see if she can stop you, do it and they will resent you for it 80 percent of what most guys do is for females 20 percent is all alphas do.(sex)

BeHere2234 · 2016-05-08T13:37:28+00:00

I alternate video games with sex and excercise during holidays. I like video games, and sex.

dabrah1 · 2016-05-01T01:07:14+00:00

Noting wrong with it to unwind. Just do it in moderation, like as gay as it sounds set a one or two hour limit and stick with it.

Title	Still Playing Video Games?
Author	top-notch-alpha
Upvotes	3
Comments	28
Date	May 1, 2016 12:38 AM UTC (10 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/4h700q/still_playing_video_games/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/still-playing-video-games.104785 https://theredarchive.com/post/104785

Comments