Adults who are into gaming - why?

Loser activity for losers that can't handle real life.

If you are an adult grown a$$ man you should be busy doing something other than sitting on the couch for hours diddling a joystick.

And real life involves? Different things are for different people. Some people like hunting, or football, or going to bars, In my free time I usually choose to play video games or read.

I don't know anyone that plays video games that isn't a complete loser.

Interesting that this topic is coming up on a running board and how many negative posts there are about gamers. To me the two run very parallel and have a lot in common.

When I was in college I was a semi-professional gamer of sorts. I played MMORPGs so the money is in selling currency, not in the tournaments that first person shooters or console games have, but that was my only source of income. Before making money though I was just spending money, so I can probably answer this question fairly well.

Gaming is a LOT like running, especially something like an MMO. Likely the one most people are familiar with is World of Warcraft, so that'll be my baseline for comparison here.

1) You make friends and acquaintances that you mostly only socialize with while playing (much like racing or group runs) but can step it up and have them become real friends too. You're spending the whole time on voice chat with them, getting to know them, but like most of your run buddies you're not going to text them during the day. If they show up they show up, otherwise you don't really check on them. It doesn't matter if you'd be embarrassed to bring them to a party - if they can hang with you on speed days and you don't mind their quirks you'll run with them every Tuesday and Thursday, maybe even a long run on the weekend. Or at least during group runs you're cordial. Gaming is the same - a raid group is just like (and probably contains part of) your college cross country team.

2) Escape from reality. Turn your brain off and focus on the task at hand. You're not answering work emails or texts when you're running - also not if you are raiding. You're not impressing people with the normal stuff like clothes or cars; it's all merit based. Your experience is based on how good you are or how many hours spend, just like how running varies based on whether you're serious or c25k.

3) Time is the main investment. You don't really have to be talented, you just have to log hours. Just like running - a little bit of quality here and there but in the end it's really mostly miles logged. With WoW you are accruing currency, items, and levels, automatically getting stronger just by walking around. Doing harder challenges yields better results but just killing monsters still gets you gold. Yeah you have to show up on race / raid day, but your fitness or in game stats are the baseline.

4) It's a hobby that doesn't have to be expensive but you can invest as much as you'd like. What is a subscription to most of these games, $15 a month? Maybe free in League of Legends? Technically all I need for running is shoes, but it certainly is nice to rock those victory elites with the carbon plate instead of rocking TJ Maxx trainers isn't it? How about some Tracksmith? NAZ Elite hat or NOP hoodie? Or even something less flashy but more useful like a nice Nike Shield+ jacket or Salomon tights? Paying for that rare mount or avatar really isn't any different.

People like having an escape, and they also like being good at something. I get that it's digital garbage that doesn't really exist, but I don't see how this stuff is any different than investing in any other hobby. Most of that equipment wears out and has to be replaced or trashed to, so why does it matter if you have to have a slot in your garage for it? On top of all of that, it's great for socially awkward or unskilled people because there's a lot less judgement in a gaming community than say showing up to play a pickup basketball game. Running has that same element; if anything the nerdier you look the more people are intimidated.

Gaming is absolutely nothing like running. The spurious comparisons made so far could be said about anything. However, gaming is not physical, and has zero positive effects on the body, and staring at a computer screen is not of the same mentality as running outside and interacting with the real physical world.

Call me a killjoy, but if I don't enjoy something no one else should enjoy it.

That's you. You sound like an idiot. If it not hurting anyone or damaging anything, what do you care about how people spend their time?

Imaginary benefits wrote:

Gaming is absolutely nothing like running. The spurious comparisons made so far could be said about anything. However, gaming is not physical, and has zero positive effects on the body, and staring at a computer screen is not of the same mentality as running outside and interacting with the real physical world.

Mostly wrong: Strategy, reflexes, cooperation.

Most games I play are multiplayer with my friends. A very social aspect. They may be 3000 miles away but I can still catch up and have a good time with them. I don't even have to go out drinking, so it's healthier.

Let's not pretend like one self-centered hobby is better than another. Your running doesn't really make the world a better place any more than one's gaming does.

Belks wrote:

And real life involves? Different things are for different people. Some people like hunting, or football, or going to bars, In my free time I usually choose to play video games or read.

So you used to fail that game Which one of these is not like the others" game on Seseme Street?

See those activities are real. They involve actual real people places and things. Video games are not real. It's just 1s and 0s.

NotPC wrote:

Belks wrote:

And real life involves? Different things are for different people. Some people like hunting, or football, or going to bars, In my free time I usually choose to play video games or read.

So you used to fail that game Which one of these is not like the others" game on Seseme Street?

See those activities are real. They involve actual real people places and things. Video games are not real. It's just 1s and 0s.

We are all 1's and 0's bro.

Better than getting smashed at a bar and creepily hitting on younger coworkers.

No people really exist. They live and die. There is no do over or way to earn an extra life.

Drop the controller and visit FL after the hurricane comes through. That's real.

NotPC wrote:

No people really exist. They live and die. There is no do over or way to earn an extra life.

Drop the controller and visit FL after the hurricane comes through. That's real.

This is a complete non-sequitur.

Are you saying all forms of leisure are bad? We should all be devoted to disaster relief?

Please post your plane ticket to either 1) Houston or 2) Miami to defend this point.

Guy I work with will hole up in his apt and play video games Alllllll weekend. He's pushing 40!

Loser behavior if there ever were.

Confirmed. Loser.

So far I've not seen one good reason for me to play any game.

There are zero physical benefits.

There are zero mental coping strategies for real life.

There are zero psychological benefits.

If there were games that would provide some benefit to me related to real off-screen life then I might consider them, but not at some great expense for the already mentioned worthless and frivolous game activities.

It's just a hobby. Same as reading, watching a movie, playing piano or doing snowboard. (and you can do them all too)

If you give it a shot, you might be surprised on what they can offer.

I do agree that in excess it's a bad thing, but I like to play something every other day for 2/3 hours, it's relieving.

I haven't really played video games in quite a while, but I don't understand the hate for people who do. A little Halo online multiplayer is a damn good time. I'm getting nostalgic just thinking about it.

Some Very Serious people here seem to be of the opinion that any free time should be occupied with yard work, bible study, and shopping for bargains on health foods. Now that's living! I'd rather blow my brains out than spend time around them.

I agree! These people should spend more of their time watching Game of Thrones, The Bachelor, and even reruns of Sex and the City, rather than wasting time on video games.

Runners, joggers, gamers, need to rid their language of the

word --loser---, everybody who's living and getting through

life is a ---winner---. The guy playing the Burgertime is playing

on a MAME emulator, he's really a cool gamer, honest

and never talks about other gamers, behind their backs.

I know of a married couple (50 years), dad a degree in library

sciences, wife a doctorate in Biological research (now retried) a son with degree in Greek. Both the mom and son are big gamers.

Live and let live.

10/10 a masterpiece, thank you haggar