Gaming = waste of time/life?

[DosBoxGloxer_089]

In hindsight, and advancing with age, I have always asked myself this question. There are games that got me so involved that I overlooked certain social situations that I didn't like at the time, but would now take advantage of.
Did you ever ask yourself that question?
I emphasize, that however, gaming and especially collecting are among my main passions even as an old man!?

not if its dosbox

 

[Ogmios]

Honestly just so long as you enjoy it I don't think its a waste. However, try not to go overboard

 

[_Lorenzo_]

I travelled a lot from 2019 to 2023 my health is a bit iffy at the moment and im waiting for a legal case to be ruled in my favour for disability money gaming gets me through the long and unaffordable summer days right now.

Good luck buddy and in the meantime happy video gaming!

 

[DrunkGecko]

every hobby is a waste of time
thats the point lol

 

[Necrodyte95]

It's definitely not a waste of time for me. Sometimes I feel like I'm wasting time when I'm NOT playing games.

 

[Iracunda]

I remember my family trying to scare me out of gaming by telling me that I'm wasting my life away, that I'll be all fat and alone, and that I will miss out on living my life to the fullest, that I should be outside etc. etc. And I remember feeling so guilty when I'd spend whole days just playing. That being said whenever I DID try to go outside or make plans to hang out with friends, they wouldn't allow me out of the house.

As an adult I realized I wasn't as addicted to video games as my parents made me out to believe, I'm still capable of living my life, and enjoying my favorite hobby. I realized that as long as I'm having fun and I'm still able to balance my life with gaming. (I.E I can keep relationships, go enjoy outside events, hold down a job.) That I was never wasting my time at all.

Tl,dr: As long as gaming doesn't excessively get in the way of your actual life and you're having fun, it is time well spent!

 

[Fray Guillermo]

Nope, in fact I feel truly sorry for people who don't play video games regularly.
What an empty and meaningless life they live.

I mean, this seems a bit too harsh. There are many facets to life and countless ways to enjoy it, in the end videogames are a relatively modern pastime

 

[Mituna]

Jack Thompson, is that you?

I hope this one gets locked next.

 

[fake-kun]

Jack Thompson, is that you?

I hope this one gets locked next.

Why? It's not breaking any rules.

 

[Mituna]

Why? It's not breaking any rules.

I don't believe in silencing dissent, but you'll find that these types of conversations don't happen organically around gamers and that, when they do show up, it's an attempt at subterfuge. People that don't like video games don't belong on a video game forum. Yes, I know that's not what OP said, but, y'know, come on.

 

[fake-kun]

I don't believe in silencing dissent, but you'll find that these types of conversations don't happen organically around gamers and that, when they do show up, it's an attempt at subterfuge. People that don't like video games don't belong on a video game forum. Yes, I know that's not what OP said, but, y'know, come on.

So you're just mad somebody's asking a question you don't like. Figures.

Unless a thread breaks the rules, just ignore it.

 

[Mituna]

So you're just mad somebody's asking a question you don't like. Figures.

Unless a thread breaks the rules, just ignore it.

Correct!

 

[Matricks]

GAMING = ALIVE PLAYER ONE1 till 0.
You're not a 'real' IQ human!<
Video Gaming is the Epitome of IQ Evolution of Humanuty!
It took xxx millions of evolution years to last 50yrs, b4 we actually can play Video Games.
Its literal MAGIC to play your Life in Magic world.

 

[trickybus]

I've considered that question before but since then, I've read about a Danish woman who's hobby is competitive seagull screeching complete with cosplay. It makes her happy and frankly, if you're not going to live to be happy, what's the point?

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/2025-european-championship-gull-screeching-1.7522967

"If there isn't any meaning in life, that means I can do literally everything I want. I can make seagull sounds, because I don't care." — Anna Brynald, champion gull screecher

 

[PSVitaForever]

I do ask that myself, and the answer it's probably yes, sometimes, but I also enjoy videogames very much...

 

[χKai]

Life was already a waste of time before that.
So no, while it doesn't help the problem it's still better than doing anything less interesting.

 

[DEH]

I think if you pay attention and have limits when playing then everything is fine.

 

[Xeno]

I felt like it was a waste of time between my mid 20s and early 30s. Barely played much games during that time. Instead I was wasting time on youtube and other social media. But then I realized how much video games help me to relaxed, especially the older games.

 

[Retro Doomer]

Games are a waste of Time is such a Boomer Take ;). I mean the saying games are a waste of time often comes from the People that watch TV all day.
Games are obviously not a waste of time if you don't overdo it if you can balance your life probably and I even think certain games can be very helpful as some games teach very Important things about morality and life lessons,and some can help people to relax and forget there depressing lives.God who knows how many People where helped out of a though and depressing time in there life trough Games.

 

[χKai]

Games are a waste of Time is such a Boomer Take ;). I mean the saying games are a waste of time often comes from the People that watch TV all day.

This right here. How you gonna tell me playing video games is a waste of time and then sit around watching TV like a fucking zombie? At least I'm doing something with myself that involves interaction and consideration rather than something that doesn't. How boring!!

 

[_Lorenzo_]

Games are a waste of Time is such a Boomer Take ;).

In fact, I really am a full-fledged boomer, and I'm the first to admit it! There are plenty of threads on this forum where people talk about games or other things I know nothing about—stuff related to today’s gaming scene, anime, manga, and so much more. I genuinely enjoy reading what’s written by people much younger than me, because not only does it broaden my knowledge, but it also helps me feel a little less old. And honestly, it’s always interesting to read a different opinion from your own, no matter what...
There’s nothing better than a constructive, high-quality exchange—it’s the very essence of life itself (at least for me!).

 

[Retro Doomer]

In fact, I really am a full-fledged boomer, and I'm the first to admit it! There are plenty of threads on this forum where people talk about games or other things I know nothing about—stuff related to today’s gaming scene, anime, manga, and so much more. I genuinely enjoy reading what’s written by people much younger than me, because not only does it broaden my knowledge, but it also helps me feel a little less old. And honestly, it’s always interesting to read a different opinion from your own, no matter what...
There’s nothing better than a constructive, high-quality exchange—it’s the very essence of life itself (at least for me!).

Yeah People that say Gaming is a waste of time often don't know anything about Games or Gaming in General. And regardless of age I find it very hypocritical coming from People that normally only watch TV all day long,and repeating Movies and Series that they watched a million times at that.Besides of that my take is as long as you enjoy something and it feels full filling for you than its not a waste of time.It just should be kept in check regardless of once hobby to focus on Health and other things in life.

 

[Morgana Veil]

Anything can be a waste of time. Sleeping could be seen as a waste of time.
If you let it run your life, Then yes it's a waste of time but We all need a mental break from life.
And if I were not playing a game for that, I would be doing something equally as "time wasting" as playing a game.

So, a waste of time? Nah, no more than anything else, but I suppose it depends on how you view it or whatever

 

[_Lorenzo_]

Sleeping could be seen as a waste of time.

Not for me, ever! Anyway, yes, my question is intentionally ambiguous, precisely to understand how we gamers perceive the time we dedicate to gaming compared to other activities...

 

[Rox00]

Gaming like any other hobby isn't a waste of time, as long as it isn't hurting your life and it's something you enjoy then I wouldn't say that. The question itself could go to than other hobby as well but life is something that should be spent doing things you enjoy when you are relaxing.