Are Video Games a “Waste of Time”?

What do you think? Why or why not?

45 Comments

Filed under Video Games: Reader Q&A

45 responses to “Are Video Games a “Waste of Time”?

  1. I’ve spent about 10k hours across 2 games.
    I might have used that time better… But on the other hand, I had loads of fun, I made friends with people all around the world and a lot of who I am now and what dreams I have comes from that time. I regret nothing!

    Liked by 4 people

    • It’s good hearing that video games have a positive impact on you. Video games only become a waste of time if you’re not reaping something good about it. I hope more people see video games as a positive way to cope with different struggles in life. I also hope it doesn’t lead people towards addiction.

      By the way, what 2 games made you invest those 10k hours? In what gaming platform?

      Liked by 3 people

      • PC, I’ve never played on consoles.
        First, I fell in love with League of Legends and played it for a few years on a daily basis. Then I switched to Guild Wars 2. I’ve played around 5k hours in each. And I play them both to this day, just not as much as I used to. 🙂

        Liked by 3 people

  2. Depends on how many hours one devotes to them. They can be fun and relaxing

    Liked by 3 people

  3. LightningEllen

    I have nothing else important to waste time on… 😛

    In all seriousness, time spent doing something that makes you happy is NEVER wasted.

    Liked by 3 people

  4. Definitely not! They are no more a waste of time than anything else that helps you escape reality which is something everyone needs at least a bit of. I think the perception that games are juvenile, which is not a popular idea anymore, has really helped video games shed this misconception. I would think eSports have also shown people how skilled you can become at a game as well which is something most people would see as a redeeming quality.

    Liked by 3 people

  5. Hell NO! They are a form of entertainment and people love em! If people can spend hours in front of the TV watching television shows and movies why not do the same playing video games. I feel when one plays a video game they are participating in an activity.

    Liked by 3 people

  6. The real question is do you have the time to waste on them.

    Liked by 5 people

  7. This might sound hedonistic, but playing video games makes me happy, so I refuse to think of them as a waste of time. If I did, I’m pretty sure I’d get depressed. Hmm…this makes me sound like a fudged-up person.

    Liked by 3 people

  8. I spent over 100 hours on Assassins Creed Odyssey alone. I enjoyed ever minute of it. You “waste” your time on something, why not video games.

    Liked by 4 people

  9. In my humble opinion I don’t think video games are a waste of time. They have saved my life, taught me so many things, and have been there for me even when I wasn’t there for myself, and I know I am not the only one that feels like this.

    Liked by 4 people

  10. Arguably depends I suppose whether you are trying to quantify some form of objective or subjective measure? Does gaming produce tangible objective outputs that can be measured for their value to society? Probably not. Can gaming produce a subjective, emotive reaction? Arguably yes. If that is used them for a positive purpose, inspiring a creative output for example then can view them as a valuable expenditure of time and effort.

    Liked by 3 people

  11. Life should be spent doing what-ever it is that makes you happy (so long as you don’t hurt anybody)

    Liked by 4 people

  12. I think it’s an unfair question. Anything you do that’s a recreational activity can be a waste of time, such as watching TV or reading, as long as it keeps you from doing anything productive. However, you can’t be productive 24/7, so it’s good to have options such as video games. So video games, like any other activity, should be done in moderation. If someone’s spending every moment of their life playing them, it’s their own fault.

    Liked by 3 people

  13. i think videogames are fun and keep my brain sharp couse you need to really pay atention wile playing them

    Liked by 3 people

  14. Video Games can be a huge waste of time. There may exist a state of exercise with video gaming that requires one’s intellect, coordination, and reasoning. While entertaining, these video games are stressful and defeat is often the outcome of long hours of gameplay. Video Games do deserve respect enough to be awarded your time and efforts to take part in the game itself. Nevertheless, a video game is only one outlet for the sake of entertainment and video games should not cause someone to shun other entertainment outlets. If you shun your entertainment outlets, your wasting your time.

    Liked by 3 people

  15. Jonathan Davis

    I don’t think they’re a waste of time. Nothing relaxes me more than destroying people in call of duty. When I have a bad day, it lets me take out my frustration without actually damaging something.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. I wouldn’t say video games are a waste of time as long as you’re enjoying the games you’re playing.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Harrys Tasiakos

    Nop😋 Video games are just awesome… You can make new friends and have fun playing online

    Liked by 2 people

  18. I definitely agree with the fact that video games can be a great escape. The idea that time just flies as you immerse yourself within a good story, or grinding out a multiplayer game. What I find most exciting about video games is the ability to advance effective communication skills. In today’s age of gaming, multiplayer games seem to be dominating. Games such as Rainbow Six, CS GO, League, DOTA, OW, and any battle royale game (Minus some unfortunate toxicity) motivates players to communicate in order to win games. Sure you can have a really strong player who can 1 vs. all, but at the end of the day it’s all about being a team player and watching how video games help to transition a gamer into using their team building skills in the outside world!

    Liked by 3 people

  19. I’ve grown up on video games and honestly I’m very much of the belief there’s no such thing as wasted time as long as you enjoyed wasting it!

    Me and my partner are both into video games and when we first met we bonded quick and fast through our mutual love of the media.

    Liked by 2 people

  20. i think anything that relaxes you or isn’t a “job” can be viewed as a time waster. but you need something to relax you and can of break away from your daily life. it’s healthy to find something like that, and for me that’s exactly what gaming is for me and many others

    Liked by 2 people

  21. I think it’s an absolute waste of time. While the producers of the game are doing productive stuffs, we are busily wasting our time playing what someone has created. We could rather think of pleasurable and good things to do in our leisure like innovating.

    Like

  22. I don’t think they are a waste of time at all! For me, video games are a way to relax and unwind and put aside all the things that are going on in the real world, if only for awhile. As long as all my responsibilities are attended to, I don’t see what’s wrong with indulging in my favorite hobby 🙂

    Like

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