Are Video Games A Waste Of Time?

“Video games are a waste of time for men with nothing else to do. Real brains don’t do that,” said science fiction writer and master of narrative Ray Bradbury. Admittedly he was writing in the 1980s when games consisted of a square bouncing around a screen, but he has a point doesn’t he?

[PCGamingNoobs]

Just as much as writing articles. If you enjoy it, do it.

[Ezz2013]

We waste our time on alot of things
Playing video games is the same as watch movies or
TV shows .etc

But what is sad to me is that Non-Gamers treat gamers as some sort of retarded person because playing video games is for kids
like the Non-Gamers are incredibly clever for watching Movies or Tv shows .etc

What makes us look like retarted though is Gaming Media.....and Fox News

Every idiot who kill people or kill himself
they blame the video games
as if movies and TV shows only show them unicorn and rinbows

[PCGamingNoobs]

I can't stand the point you talked about non gamers judgemental views upon gamers. Because TV and movies or much more brain numbing than any other media entertainment form.

Back on things that are a waste of time, absolutely everything is a "waste of time", if someone wanted to die you could say even eating and drinking is a waste of time. Perspective.

[PoSTedUP]

video games are proven good for your brain. also, what ammount of time is a waste that is not desired? and whos to say what value time has for others who holds but only their own pocket watch? time is more perception than it is a sound of a tick. perceive it wisely but accurately, it is infinite, but yours is not. a second now should yield a better second second. and if not so, so be it, its your time not mine. i can only "waste" yours if you let me, if time can actually be wasted, that is. even if one were to die young, time was spent, not wasted. it has unfortunately stopped, but thus cannot be spend nor wasted if one is no longer experiencing it. they may have had more of it if they didnt die, but time is of what essence if the being and time are no longer miscible? maybe in a way, and in someones opinion, time can be wasted; but not here, not when you are here. not when, given the fact, we are all just expendable mortals in the first place.

[bunt-custardly]

I like this "waste of time" tag associated with gaming because for me gaming is the bringing together of shared experiences across the globe that I can cherish and remember for ever. With things like achievements/trophies there's a record of my activities which I can look back on with fondness (like looking over a photo album of loved ones).

You can't get that with other forms of entertainment there is no visual log or remembrance (just ask any TV loving person what programs they were watching two weeks ago and they'll struggle) and although watching a movie is shared, it's not the same as remembering how tough it was to beat "that" boss in X game or how cool "that" level was in Y game.

Gaming is very much the ultimate form of reactive entertainment that etches its presence into the minds of anyone who partakes in its greatness.

So, I disagree. It's not a waste of time at all but a great way to spend it.

[styferion]

It's because the majority of older generation, the decision maker, aren't people who grew up experiencing games in their childhood. Give it time, the gamers are steadily getting older, and some decades from now when the majority of old people are people who've experience games the stigma will be gone.

Every entertainment medium are like that on their early days, be it movies, tv shows, novels, etc.

[KyRo]

Just as much as a waste of time as anything else in life. If you enjoy it you, do it/play it/watch it. In the end the out come is always the same.

[plsburydoughboy]

Video games are a waste of time, and it's OK to say this, and we shouldn't have to hold this up as some point of contention against movies or other media.

I honestly don't understand; why are people so insecure about video games? It's not 1985 or 1993. Video games are in the mainstream, and one of the biggest entertainment industries alive today.

[Benjammin25]

If video games help a kid who's being bullied in school deal with stress, then they're not a waste of time. If they help a guy relieve his anger in a less violent manner, then they're not a waste of time. If they help bring people together to create, share and discuss their experiences, then they're not a waste of time.

[SegaGamer]

Playing video games is no more a waste of time than writing an ariticle about why it's a waste of time.

If you are enjoying yourself, how can you be wasting your time ?

Life is short, whatever you find enjoyable just do it.

[Blank]

Well said! But its still weird to hear a person that writes about gaming question themselves or the reader they are catering to about whether its a waste of time gaming.

[DragonKnight]

No. Next question.

[KryptoniteTail]

No, but playing them is nnot productive, which can subjectively be viewed as a waste of time.

[DragonKnight]

Actually they are productive. Productive in creating enjoyment, relieving stress, or just turning the brain off for awhile. Nothing you enjoy is a waste of time.

[KryptoniteTail]

That's a rather broad interpretation of what is "productive." I guess masturbation is productive and smoking weed. Sure, they may not be bad but I know I ain't gonna call it productive. As far as I am concerned, something productive yields quantifiable results in the physical world of substantial societal or personal value. Enjoying yourself is actually literally medically necessary for health so in the most absolute technical terms yes, gaming is productive. It's just not at the top of the list of productive activities.

Disagrees are just angsty kids and basement dwellers (such as I, though I'm objective). I will ignore.

[DragonKnight]

Someone's a bit high on themselves aren't they?

You want quantifiable results in the physical world? Think about what being entertained does for your mood, think about what not being stressed does for your health. The quantifiable results in the physical world are measured in your interactions and overall well being. Your definition of productive is just that, YOUR definition. It's not the end all be all definition.

The fact that you're getting worked up over people disagreeing with you is just sad.

[ironfist92]

Is it a waste of time if its spent being happy?

[StrayaKNT]

Maybe running into a college and killing 150 students or selling drugs to teenagers is time well spent. But yeah games are bad /s

[Blank]

I cant help but to say extreme use of a comparison but your point is well made.

[StrayaKNT]

Lmaooooooooo I went abit overboard but seriously why is this article even on a gaming site

[Inzo]

Absolutely, that doesnt make it any less fun. BTW wasting time is one of the things I like doing most.

[WelkinCole]

F*ck no. The end.

[Skankinruby]

My wife would surely support this, but no hobbies are good to relax your mind with. And i guarantee anyone who is against gaming watches t.v. or something equally unproductive

[Agent_hitman]

No, it keeps you away from reality. Making yourself mind work and become more creative. It relieves stress as well.

[ElementX]

I like gaming cause I don't have friends or a significant other... Maybe I have that backwards, I dunno. I have always been somewhat of a loner.

[KryptoniteTail]

If you're like me, gaming is a crutch. Be careful.

[g-nome]

Depends on what you think is your purpose in life , to be productive and conform to society's expectations , or to do what you feel like without hurting anyone else. We all know most of us balance it out , and still get things done when they need doing. It sure beats the Kardashians to keep me entertained.

[WhiteGamerInc]

Man, I am a loner moreso, and I am glad video games are around. I work customer service and have a girlfriend, as well as friends I occasionally hang with. I enjoy having a release of reality for awhile each day to every once in awhile for a bit to relax and recharge. All the people interacting drains my batteries much faster than others.

[blackblades]

There's a lot of ways of wasting time, watching porn, fishing, reading etc. Playing video games is a hobby just like everything else you do for fun. Tired of people saying bad things about it thinking they know everything but yet they never even played them. They usually say I haven't played a game since Mario Bros 3 or pac man etc in college. They didn't even know there was a gaming league super bowl out there and some make good money playing games. I say get a gamer to go on TV and make them feel stupid for the stupid thing they say about video games. Also that picture looks like a wanna be Timmy turner.

[Scatpants]

Yes, of course they are. You accomplish nothing. Unless you're one of those Youtube dudes that make millions.

[Perjoss]

eventually, on my death bed: "I wish I had played more video games"

[mechlord]

erm... that cant be the question..
I'm trying to figure what it is that the OP really wanted to ask here.

ill ask the real question: what ISN'T a waste of time?

Even "accepted" occupations such as working and studying will be perceived as waste of time by some individuals. So, wtf is being asked here REALLY?

[blakstarz]

I find video games can be somewhat "educational" to a degree. Take for instance games with clever to complex puzzles that you have to figure out, things like that do require some sort of level of "thinking" and it my help with problem-solving developmental skills.

Also even twitch shooters can help with eye, hand and muscle coordination.

[Minute Man 721]

Short answer NO Long answer Hell No

[King_of_Nothing]

Nothing is a waste of time if enjoyment is derived from it.

An activity generally considered productive doesn't make it a worthwhile pursuit by virtue of the activity itself.

Striving to discover the cure for an incurable ailment is considered time well spent by most. My personal attempt at discovering such a cure would be, not only laughable but, a monumental waste of time and resources. My intellectual strong points are, at best, the antithesis of what's required in medical sciences.

That being said, everything requires context. If a snapshot of my life was taken every other evening at 10pm, I'm sure people would say "wow all he does is play videogames, what a man child." You wouldn't see the other 15 hours of waking day being a husband, mentor, volunteer, attorney, gym goer, etc.

Obviously, there are those who turn to videogames (or drugs, alcohol, sex, etc.) as a crutch to avoid life issues and let everything else around them fall to pieces. That's a whole different issue not really appropriate to address in a general "time wasting" topic.

TLDR; No.

[Jedislayer]

Seems, like the person writing this article is retarded. He misspelled point.

[Vanfernal]

Everything considered "entertainment" could be considered a "waste of time". If you're reading this book, watching a movie, playing games, etc you are spending time you could spend doing something "productive". And actually entertainment is a big deal. It takes our minds off things like paying bills, the economy, family issues, etc at least for a little while. That gives the brain a much needed break from stressful situations. It's not a coincidence that athletes get paid millions.