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My dad, earlier today, had a lengthy argument with me over whether or not I was obsessed with video games. The problem is I'm not sure if he's right or not...

I generally play 2 or 3 hours a day. I'm depressed for sure, thought I have yet to be diagnosed, and video games are one of the few things that make me feel okay about life and even on the occasion, give me a few hours of happiness (when I kick some serious ass). My dad says the very REASON that I'm depressed is because I play video games 2-3 hours a day, and since I have no farking clue why I am depressed, I have nothing to counter this. I tried to explain to him that I enjoy video games, and he compared me to a cocaine addict, saying that they really enjoy cocaine. You see the point he was trying to make, no?

I'm not sure if he's right or not. There really isn't anything I enjoy as much a video games, truth be told. Music, sure, but not hardly as much. Books, somewhat, but still nothing in comparison.

But thinking about it, I'm not sure if this would be the right place to ask such a question. This is, after all, a webstie devoted to a video game, so I'd imagine the replies would lean towards 'not obsessed'...

And if you don't think I'm obssesed, what can I use as an argument against my father?

Video games are simply a hobbie. They're no different than going and joing a sports team. Only major diff between them, is the social factor. It's a lot more cool to be on a footbal team than it is to be at home playing sc.

If I had to take a guess, my guess would be... Major reason why you're depressed, is because of your life outside of video games. Wether it be at home, school, work, or all 3.

I would have to disagree with your pops. I only get depressed about playing games when I know there's something better to do. Every coke addict I've ever encountered is in much worse shape than every videogame addict I've met. This may just be a phase that you have to ride out, man.

Perhaps you're depressed because you're not doing good in school, because video games take over too much time in your life?

I don't know for sure, but I know one thing, video games have done me good. Without SC I wouldn't be here, but that's not the only reason -_-

Big losing streak?

That's when I have the most fun XD

people are right, gaming is just simply a hobby. it's enjoyable to play to knock out some free time, or just to have fun. its nothing wrong with gaming like this, more people feel comfortable socializing over the internet than with people you visually see. as long as you don't spend the whole 24 hours nonstop in front of gaming, and you know when to take breaks and do other necessary things in life your good.

2-3 hours everyday?. I'll say this. You're an addict and obsessed. You better put your glasses on before you go blind. i think its time for you to get some vitamin Dees and some muscle mass.

Try stopping video games (maybe limit yourself to less than an hour a day) and get your schoolwork done. Try it out for a week or two and see if you feel any better.

Uh, I wouldn't say 2-3 hours a day is obsessed.

Video games are definitely not good for you, and are probably more damaging than most people think.

Look at me - I hate video games - I hate what they do to me, but I play them anyway like some junkie who needs his fix.

Think about what you're doing when you play video games - you're staring at what is actually a small flat surface for hours on end. Not only does this fark up your eyes, but it also alters the way you process information. After playing for a long time you can end up with a coma-like effect where you feel mentally numb when you return to the real world.

Also, doing badly at a game causes your aggression levels to rise alarmingly.

My advice is to stop playing video games and not look back, but all of us know how difficult that would be. For a lot of people, video games are not a hobby which they can simply give up - it's a compulsive habit.

2-3 hours is more like you have nothing better to do. 5-6 hours would be obsessed.

trust me. 2-3 hours EVERYDAY is obsessed. I wouldn't care if it was on weekends (friday through sunday), because I play 9 hours each day on weekends. i don't play games on weekdays though.

9x2=18
2x7=14

You play more than me....

We could average it out at 2.5
2.5x7=17.5

Still more....

9 hours on weekends, 18 hours a week..
3 hours a day, 21 hours a week.. Big difference. And if it's less then three (2-3), then no difference. Oh wait, friday you play too.. I would say you play more then him. 2-3 hours every day isn't a lot (1.5 a day here), and I doubt this is the reason..
Just go to whoever you're going to to have it diagnosed and have them tell you who's correct. For now do what your dad says. You don't want your parents angry.

its how you spend your day that counts...as people and i may have said before learning when to stop and do other things like balancing for playing video games and go out working for a living in this society...we need to work for a living or be productive on something to improve your life.

if you know how to balance your life out,playing video games and knowing your limits and motives on when to stop your fine...

i dont mean to sound like a reader's digest thing or anything though...

it's when you have other things to do...or rejecting to do other things....then even 30 minutes is a bit obessed.

if no homework, no social thing, no nothing...5 hours, what the heck, go for it

[sub]Wow, im more addicted then I thought. I spent almost every weekday night on the comp, for 5-6 hours. Im usally out of the house on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays though.[/sub]

Well, if you could explain (or try to explain) the reasons you are depressed, we could possibly tell you if you're addicted or not.

But a reason you could be depressed, is because you are on the video games that long. Because the sun gives your body a certain vitamin (E I believe) that helps with depression. That's why i'm so damn depressed. Because I go to school, come home and sit on the comp for the rest of the day (Damn women suck.. I hate her!)

Try going outside more often, if you do not (My advice) Still stick with what makes you happy (Which is your games) and just ignore your father.

Cocaine is illegal and can kill you if used in the wrong way in even small dosages. 2-3 hours is NOT obesssed. He got mad at you for playing video games? That should only be brought up if you do badly in school. If you do, lay off the games for a little bit. But if you're doing fine then it's really not his problem. A common trait of being a crackhead is doing poorly in school (Or not going at all) I don't think anyone skips school to play GTA behind an abandon house. You might be depressed because most people who play a lot of video games normally don't have much else of a life. But that's not the games fault. If someone has no friends, whether or not they can own you in Halo 2 doesn't make a difference. If anything it helped you so you can upgraded your hand eye cornation, maybe you'll be good at card tricks one day.

Obessed would be skipping school or things you're dedicated to, to get the Ps3, or line out to get the first Oblivion copy. Playing a few hours a day is not obessed. You might be depressed for some other reason, but sicne you only told us this small part of your life, we don't acutally know. You could be depressed for killing a white rabbit one day by accident.


Depending what people you're talking about. If you're talking to some 7 year old who plays games 8 hours a day on average, then yes. If you're talking to Jack Thompson, no.

Junkies go into a near unconious state when they get high and rarely know what they're doing. They sometimes commit crimes or believe they're invicable and jump off buildings. I don't remeber any pro gamer doing that.


Well you seem to do that with Movies and Typing Essays as well, but you don't claim they're wasting there life. The difference between a cienma movie theater and playing a game. Cinema is a lot louder, and when you play a game, you have a controller in your hands.


Doing badly in a football game or losing a baseball game to your rival would get you pretty mad as well. Or if you accidently deleted your essay paper, or if you stubbed your toe. It's just losing in a video game happens more often. But it's not like you'll go out and kill someone.


You over look the fact that most people who play games do it because they're bored. If they stopped doing what use to fill in there bordem phases, they'd be pretty damn bored. And since nothing terrible happened when they were playing games, they don't see a reason not to quit them all together.

Unless there's some problem that's causing you problems like school, or some other thing. Then there's no point to stop playing them, parents like to blame new age of cool thigns to do. Comics, Rock Music, now Video Games.

its like, back in the day (ie couple decades ago), im sure that there were some people who sincerely claimed that the beach boys were a terrible influence, corrupting the minds of or youth.

they also said pokemon did the same decades later.

its cuz the whole "video game" idea isnt seen as simply an activity by some people...i mean, varsity football or marching band would take up at least a couple a day...i that obsession? i dont really see an essential difference.

for me, i just spam anime instead...watched like 20 episodes of love hina in two days...damn...headache...