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| Throw your games away. It's time to get a job. |
Let me set the scene: It's a few days back, in a room full of people. I'm minding my own business, checking Facebook on my phone when I hear a bit of the conversation going on next to me. Now I'm barely paying any attention, but I hear the phrase "video games" and I'm immediately sucked in. Selective hearing for the win.
Random Stranger: "All he does is play video games! At 18/19, you need to be doing something with your life, not wasting your time playing video games!"
I should tell you that I am not a very "social" person. Remember, I'm in a room full of people on my phone. Checking Facebook. But if someone brings up video games, I'll start talking and I might not shut up. Especially if I disagree.
Me: Excuse me, but what if what you want to do with your life has something to do with video games? I'm 21 and I still play video games because I think I can make a career out of it.
I couldn't really hear Random Stranger's response after that because all of the "OOH BURN!" type comments were drowning him out. And he was so shook by my interruption that he was stuttering. A lot. But it seemed like RS was trying to say that the person he was talking about didn't think that way. Does that matter?
I really want to know if a lot of people still think like this or if anyone else has had this kind of conversation recently. Or ever. Are video games a waste of time better spent working nine to five? Is it hard or impossible to play video games and hold down a job or career? I don't think you could afford the habit without some kind of income but still...
A lot of adults like movies, right? Video games and movies are both considered media, right? The way I see it, video games are a medium that any person of any age can enjoy just like with movies.
ReplyDeleteI always tell people that because I play video games, I avoid movies and TV so I don't suffer from media overload (yeah, just made that up). Adults can live a healthy, balanced life and still play video games!
Take that, Random Stranger!
I feel the same way when it comes to video games and movies but not that many people do. There was a big debate about it a couple years back when some people (Roger Ebert mainly) made it clear that movies are art and that video games could never reach the same level. It was pretty interesting to say the least.
DeleteI like your "media overload" idea, but with the amount of movies/TV I watch I can't say that I'm not getting too much exposure!
Yeah, doesn't always work out perfectly for me either. I still watch the occasional movie and even TV show. In fact, I'll be the first to admit that I probably spend too much time in front of a screen of some kind, but I never let it get so bad that my life starts to become meaningless or without direction.
DeleteFor his thirtieth birthday present to himself a fried of mine took about six months off work to play computer games. He could afford it because his main hobby is playing computer games, so his monthly expenses are his mortgage, food and his WoW subscription, so from that point of view it's actually a responsible hobby.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's different in the UK. Whenever there's a big game released, without fail half of my workplace will be on leave for a week to play it. No-one thinks anything of it.
You know, that sounds amazing to me. Even though I don't think I would ever go on a vacation that long to just play video games being that financially secure must be really nice.
DeleteAnd maybe I just live in the wrong place, but I don't know that many people that would drop everything for a game release. It can be a big deal, but if you didn't show up to work/class people would look at you funny...
Thanks for the comment, by the way.
I see both sides of the issue. My hubby is a fairly avid gamer and it annoys the crap out of me sometimes, mainly because I get tired of being in the house 24/7 (which doesn't bother him b/c his games are all he needs) and being ignored by him (when he gets in gaming mode, he can zone out anything). I don't think being a gamer necessarily means you are irresponsible/etc- he gets good grades and works, etc- but my biggest issue with it is that it can sometimes replace actual social contact, which I think is more important.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting first of all. I completely agree that video games should never take the place of face-to-face communication. Really I think it's a great way to bring people together (I'm talking about people in the same room, not online play. Real life friends). But in the end, it's all about finding a balance between personal time and social interaction. If I'm playing alone, I try not to get to crazy over it though I do have my moments.
DeleteI only think video games are detrimental if they are your LIFE. I love playing games, but I also go to college, have healthy interpersonal relationships, and have a job. I dated a guy last year who literally did nothing but play League of Legends... wake up, game, eat some food, game, then go to bed. No job, no goals... now that is pathetic. Interesting article, thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteStumbling through via 20SB :)
Thank you for commenting. After meeting a few people that don't have a life outside the domain of video games, I completely agree with you! If there is no balance, how can you really enjoy yourself?
DeleteBut there's an aspect of video gaming that's incredibly social! What about multiplayers? What about online? I don't do either, but there are people who are very social and have relationships with the people they play with, regardless of having met them in person. I think it's rude to discount those relationships.
ReplyDeleteIt's a separate thing entirely if someone is addicted and ignores all other aspects of their life -- other relationships, work, school, etc. But that applies to any hobby or vice, not just gaming. There's a stigma with gaming because you stay inside, and that seems abnormal to people who would rather be outside. But as another commenter said, it's just another medium people can enjoy! And there are such incredible teams that work so hard to put games together.
I think I forgot what the question was.
I think you answered the question perfectly! Online friends are usually overlooked (at least by me) because not that many people have legitimate relationships with the people they play with. But if you truly make a connection with them and some people do, then no one can say that doesn't count socially.
DeleteI don't know why people think video games are different from any other activity. It's supposed to be "to each his own" but everyone just loves to pretend that playing games is the worst thing you could possibly do.
Thank you for commenting!
You GO Girl! You are a hero to all gamers everywhere!
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks! Somebody has to stand up to the haters.
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