Video Games: How much is too much?

[woebegone]

Just curious to hear your opinions. How much or how long does your SO have to play video games until you want to scream, ENOUGH!

 

Sometimes it doesn't bother me. When he's on the computer I can be by myself for a while reading a book or studying. But sometimes it drives me bonkers. For example, he has these fancy sound-cancellation headphones so if I want to talk to him I have to tap on his shoulder or wave in front of his face.

 

But I don't know when to say, enough is enough. When would I cross the thin line into controlling or needy behavior? Before the 3 hour mark? :sad:

[Supa_gurl]

I personally think that 1 hour is sufficient. That is the limit I put on my son. My husband used to spend HOURS on the gaming. But once he FINALLY realized it was hurting his family, he cut way back.

[soul_soother]

I'm guessing he plays an MMO like World of Warcraft... Enough is when he ignores you to play the game.. My brother used to play WoW , dropped out of high school for it, and continued for 2 years for it... I don't think these games really have any benefit besides killing time.

 

Talk to him say he plays too much, the only problem with those kind of games, you can't get anything accomplished within 1 hour, it's why I avoid those games.

[obsesor]

it needs to stop now, if he cant control how much he plays, he needs to find something else to do. IMO, speaking from personal exp and seeing the troubles it can cause first hand.

[xfile384]

Just curious to hear your opinions. How much or how long does your SO have to play video games until you want to scream, ENOUGH!

 

Sometimes it doesn't bother me. When he's on the computer I can be by myself for a while reading a book or studying. But sometimes it drives me bonkers. For example, he has these fancy sound-cancellation headphones so if I want to talk to him I have to tap on his shoulder or wave in front of his face.

 

But I don't know when to say, enough is enough. When would I cross the thin line into controlling or needy behavior? Before the 3 hour mark?

 

It depends what game it is. To me, it doesn't sound like it's a role playing game. Otherwise, he would be on it 6 hours a day, or more...Seriously...If it is a role playing game, you need to bring it up, now. Those games are a huge addiction and serve no purpose. People play it way to much and when they finally stop, nothing comes out of it.

 

It's ok for him to play a war gme for an hour or so, because that is just casual fun. But, getting so in depth in a game like that is too much...My friend plays warcraft. He is rich and inherited a lot of money, so he relly doesn't have to work, ever...He used to be a decent looking guy. Now, he is gaining weight, when he was the thinnest person ever. He has a think body, with a big gut. He just plays, eats donuts and junk food, with mountain dew constantly. Wakes up at 2:00 in the afternoon and has had the same gf for over 2 years. I don't know how she deals with it...If they ever break up, honestly he will never meet anyone else.

 

These role playing games WILL stop someone from continuing school or a career opportunity. That's why i saw a little over an hour is ok. Just not any type of game like world of warcraft. It's for people that have nothing else to do..

[Treehugger]

He has to stop, but its really really hard to stop playing games. So help him but go easy on him cause its not an easy thing to do.

[shikashika]

how old is he?

 

I guess at my age I wouldn't have much interest in a guy who sat around playing video games, I prefer someone with more active pursuits.

[Aurian]

Just curious to hear your opinions. How much or how long does your SO have to play video games until you want to scream, ENOUGH!

 

Sometimes it doesn't bother me. When he's on the computer I can be by myself for a while reading a book or studying. But sometimes it drives me bonkers. For example, he has these fancy sound-cancellation headphones so if I want to talk to him I have to tap on his shoulder or wave in front of his face.

 

But I don't know when to say, enough is enough. When would I cross the thin line into controlling or needy behavior? Before the 3 hour mark?

 

My bf and I both play video games, both together and on our own. With any hobby, if one one is addicted to the point that they are shutting out the other person, not spending time as a couple or neglecting their real life then its too much.

 

Is it just the video games though? We all have ways we like to unwind and relax, be it shopping, reading, playing games, watching TV, etc. Is he using a fair amount of "me time" on the video games or is it too much time he`s taking for himself? I notice that some girlfriends seem to feel annoyed by the video games, but wouldn`t care as much if it was going out with friends or something else apart from the girlfriend.

 

Talk to him maybe? Some days you want to play for a few hours, wheras other days you can plan to not play or just play for a short while. If both understand what the expectations are, then its easier. With my bf and I, we make our plans for the day and if one of us wants to play in between those plans, its no problem, because we understand how long its going to be for and we never ignore the other in favour of a game.

[Aurian]

how old is he?

 

I guess at my age I wouldn't have much interest in a guy who sat around playing video games, I prefer someone with more active pursuits.

 

Would you look down on a guy who liked to read?

 

Video games are not just a child's toy anymore. The majority of game players are in their 30s these days.

[_Asti_]

I think when things start to suffer, its a problem. When it interferes with sleep, social interaction, house work, other priorities and things are being neglected, I would have no problem speaking up and saying it needs to stop.

 

But I think anything in moderation is ok.

I can certainly spend hours buried in a book, just shutting everything and everyone out. But it's not a daily thing.

 

If its just something he does to unwind, maybe an hour or so a day, and everything else is going well..things aren't neglected, then let him have the time.

Otherwise I think its an issue.

[Jadewhisper]

I think if someone is neglecting their duties such as work, basic hygiene and family, then that would be too much videogaming. I play videogames too, but I would never even try Warcraft or Everquest simply that it takes hours and hours to progress. I'd feel like I was wasting my time. I prefer the games I can save at anytime so I can stop when I want to.

[Aurian]

True, there are some games that are harder to control than others. Those online MMOs like Warcraft and Everquest are pretty much designed to be time sinks, and often require going on quests with groups. So in addition to having the addicting nature of the game, you also have that social obligation "I can`t stop or I`ll let everyone down!".

 

Some games are designed to let you save anywhere you want. Others have "save points" so one can`t just put it down immediately - you have to get to a save point in order to save your progress.

[Aviatormy]

Depends on the game really lol. JK. I do not play video games anymore unless my Fiance joins me. When we played them together, we would get burnt out on them after just a couple hours.

[shikashika]

Would you look down on a guy who liked to read?

 

Video games are not just a child's toy anymore. The majority of game players are in their 30s these days.

 

 

 

 

Feeling defensive are we?

 

 

reading is hardly the same as video games. No, I would not be interested in someone who enjoyed sitting on their butt staring at a screen. No thanks. Luckily, i've never dated a guy who was into video games. None of my friends are either.

[Aurian]

Lol, maybe so.

 

It often seems like video games are looked down as an "inferior" mode of entertainment, even though reading and watching TV are usually seen as okay.

[woebegone]

Hey everyone, thanks for the replies. To clarify, it's not World of Warcraft or anything like that, it's a war game. I'll have to say, sorry if it offends anyone, but I kind of agree with shikashika. I wouldn't feel as bad about it if he was spending a few hours reading a book. I know games just aren't for kids anymore, but that is just my bias I guess. Part of what bothers me is the wide-eyed, open-mouthed dumb look he gets on his face for hours at a time while playing LOL. Then complaining that his shoulder hurts (I wonder why??) etc.

 

Men!

[l0velife]

My boyfriend played video games from the time he woke up till now...it's 11 at night...and here I am watching him play video games just like I found him when I got back from class today.

 

So he's pretty much played video games from 10 to 12 today...he even played while eating..

 

 

My boyfriend has crossed the line.

 

If I want attention I let him know..

I tell him he has been on the game all day..which he can't deny..and that I want to do something.. sometimes he works with me and sometimes not so much.

 

If he doesn't...he sees my b!tch side

[benak56]

It's unfortunate so many women have such a dull outlook on those of us that love games.

 

I personally play World of Warcraft a lot - its a great way to waste an afternoon that would otherwise be filled with movies or TV. I have a wonderful girlfriend(of 4 years) that plays wow.

 

I also read for hours at a time.

 

Video games seem to have a stigma for being addictive and an absorption of time and are blamed for people wasting there lives away in front of them. Unfortunately for all you, their not, its just a convenient alleyway for society to pass on the blame of its repulsive image to an inanimate object.

 

If anyone plays games and cant pick themselves up and move on to a job or go outside; its not the games fault. It's because of their own pathetic lack of self motivation.

 

Takes this:

 

Games are an enormousness source of creative energy and stimulation. I've also wrote several short stories, and am starting a novel which I hope to one day publish; largely motivated by my love for sci fi and games. I skydive, exercise every day, and enjoy bike riding and playing golf.

 

Congrats to those of you(or your husbands/wives) who could pull away and do something. It shows, not that games are bad, but that you have enough self control and respect for yourself to stay active and involved.

[Anthropic]

If you spend more time playing video games than you would either reading, or watching TV or movies, than that is too much.

 

Video games are actually a lot closer to reading than they are to TV or movies. It's interactive like reading, rather than passive like TV or a movie. And games can be social where books, TV and movies are individual experiences.

 

Even though the games industry has surpassed the movie industry in dollar value, it hasn't yet obtained the same level of social acceptance. I find this strange, and I think it's a case of games being the "new guy", so it takes all the blame for corrupting kids, ruining lives, etc.. I guess it takes the blame off comic books and TV. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.

 

If I sound a bit defensive, it's because I make video games for a living and feel they do often get a bad rap. So play more games and keep your friendly neighborhood game developer employed.