I agree with what he's trying to say here. You shouldn't let anything dominate your life to the exclusion of everything else. That's harmful, no matter what you're into.

Of course, you bring up an even better point. Games aren't the cause of addiction. Addictive personalities exist in certain people, and all it takes to manifest that personality is an appropriate trigger. For some people, it's alcohol. Others take up mass murder. A lot of people end up playing a lot of games. It's the person that's the problem, here, and I wish people would stop blaming their own inadequacies on inanimate objects.

"...Isn't half-bad?" It's wonderful, to correct him.

Gaming is as lonely, solitary, and un-fulfilling as you make it. This guy clearly needs to find Bitmob, and then join us at PAX.

Well at least be honest about it, it was world of warcraft that ruined this guys life, not videogames en masse. He pontificates for 5 minutes and sees reality in the last 30 or so seconds. This is why I stay away from MMORPGs, shit like this.

Tell me? How is reading seven Harry Potter books better than playing the Final Fantasy games? I'd much rather play a great RPG than a generic fantasy book. And are sports really more valuable than video games? Hell no. I don't give a shit about the olympics and I don't give a damn about most egotistical assholes in sports. Big deal, so you can run faster than someone else. Your life is still going to end someday no matter what you do.

Ah, stupid typos. Oh well.

My thing is it's not the things you take up or do but how you interact with them that dictate how they are perceived.Yes some folks let certain things take so much of their time that it alienates them from enjoying other aspects of life,but at the same being able to manage them in an appropriate and coherent manner is what keeps many people from ruining themselves.I have and hopefully never will allow a game or anything else take over my life.Yes I don't always have time to do alot things because most of what I have take on along with whatever I do between those tasks take up a great deal of my time,but I try to manage and balance where possible so I will be able to still enjoy myself and not allow my well being to be deteriorated to the point of self-deprecation and loathing for whatever it is I decided to take on or have to do.Work is usually the forerunner of this,anything considered enjoyment follows close behind this,and this is for anyone.

I think he lost his wife because of video games which explains why he's so emotionally charged in this video and from what I've read on the internet, this isn't a singular event in reguards to WoW. I've heard of people failing midterms because of this game so I'm more surprised there aren't more of these videos than there already are. Just wait until a senator gets a hold of this video, we're talking grand scale stupidity here.

What Omar writes in the second part of the article essentially sums up my thoughts about it.

Yes, gaming can be very negative, but that's if you let it. This subject has been on my mind lately as I recently started playing World of Warcraft. I don't think I could actually let games destroy my life whether I want them to or not. This being because I've been feeling guilty for how much I've been playing and spending time in my room alone, despite that I actually haven't even put that much time into it. and I most certainly have not "willingly" pushed aside friends or family to play it, I have not missed out on sleep.

So, most video games don't make you smarter, so what if I'm not learning to be an athlete? I'm happy with who I am and I know I have the self control to not let it go too far.

It's a case by case basis. Every person needs to be aware of their own limits and if they're the type who might allow it to get out of control. And for those that might be that type, I hope they see this video because it's rather thought provoking.

Blah, meant to edit it before posting :(. I guess the thoughts are clear enough.

All things in moderation. An unhealthy addiction of anything can ruin your life. These are things everybody knows.

Bah, video games didn't ruin his life. As you noted, he's weak willed and has an addictive nature, and if it hadn't been video games it'd have been something else. But if he needs something to blame so he can move on, so be it. Hopefully he'll recognize the signs when he runs into a tasp.

Just read Omar's commentary about the video,and yeh sums up what I said as well.Videogames can't necessarily be faulted,the person his or herself can.

Frankly, that video is pile of goat shit.

I rarely swear but I feel this time I need to exactly point out that an almost exact video can be done for almost any hobby existing in this world: from kitties to collecting butterflies to whatever.
If a person is bound to become addicted to something, he will, regardless of the hobby or 'achievements'. And people like that need help, serious help; I don't believe in "life changing moments", we don't live in a freakin' movie.

And oh yes, those 'other things in life' that he's missing out on, are really overhyped ;D

Oh by the way, hi everybody!

@a guest Haha. You have a very stylish way of introducing yourself. I like it! Welcome to Bitmob.

@a guest Haha. You have a very stylish way of introducing yourself. I like it! Welcome to Bitmob.

Thanks Omar, by the way this is Demian here, don't know why my name isn't showing up even though I registered correctly!

Awesome Post Omar,
I strongly agree with your sentiment about the way in which an individual consumes games.

It seems like Brian was the type of dude who would ignore others while he was playing games. I don't know about you guys but in my book - people always come first. If someone asks me something while I am playing games I make a good point of pausing the game or responding right away.

Sure it can get annoying stopping and starting so much... but once you show others how courteous you can be while playing games they generally try to return the favor. If I ignored my girlfriend every time my PS3 was on then there is no way in hell she would have bought me a 360 for our apartment.

Sure in Brian's case maybe you can't pause WoW but there is enough waiting in that game for you to make a decent effort.

In a lot of ways I feel like some people just don't know how to hold their games.

Also...kind of silly but I was thinking... If you were applying for a review job I am pretty sure a high gamer score would help you out rather than hurt you - of course you would have to also have a hefty amount of reviews to back up that score but still.

Lastly, I used to be a club swim coach... Trust me when I say there are athletes that feel the same exact way as this guy. "swimming ruined my life.Maybe Brian would argue at least they are fit... but those athletes also suffer from a lack of "real" skills - including social skills as most of their friends are the people on their swim team.

Like Guest-Demian said, the argument could be made about anything.

One big five and a half minute troll. Ignore.

Sounds like a guy who is upset with World of Warcraft, is all.

No matter your hobby or interest, millions of people are just going to waste time doing just about anything. Humans have very little productive time. If you believe that if you spent the time not playing video games and looked towards something grand instead, you're just fooling yourself.

Also video games didn't ruin any generation. A bunch of other factors did (if you call having a few more fat people ruining a generation), and those same factors allow video games to succeed.

I think the main flaw to this argument is the assumption that any time spent doing something other than playing games all day is automatically "productive" or somehow superior.

I also resent the assumption that this guy's divorce and his weight problem are the direct result of his obsession with gaming. They may be related, obviously, but the suggestion of 100% causality is just way too simplistic. Is there no chance that his marriage was fundamentally flawed and he finds it way too easy not to exercise/ eat healthy whether videogames existed or not? You can eat apples and bananas while you play games just as easily as you can scarf down pringles and Mountain Dew.

There is more here that bothers me but I could go on forever. It's infuriating because crap like this just fuels the general public's disdain and lack of appreciation for the good things that can potentially come from videogames and interactive entertainment in general.

What about the chick who just lost 120 lbs. with WiiFit? Videogames look like an easy scapegoat for a guy with many deeper problems.

In my opinion, this dude is aiming a little low.

It's clearly all God's fault.

Unfortunately, this guy would have been overweight & divorced at this point in his life even if video games had never been invented. He's incredibly self-centered and has no concept of "value" in the first place.

For evidence, look no further than the list of things he posits as alternatives to "wasting" his life playing WoW: read books (consuming alternate forms of entertainment); learn languages & take classes (self-advancement, no mention of what he would actually DO with all that knowledge); run marathons (physical achievement that is, again, beneficial to himself only); and perhaps the most ludicrous of the suggestions, drive from New York City to LA 3 times. I mean, can you think of anything less productive or social than sitting in a car by yourself, wasting gas and creating air pollution as you shlep back and forth across the country?

He might say he was just looking to provide comparable usages of time, but in that case, why not say "build X houses for Habitat of Humanity," "do X hours volunteering," or anything else actually altruistic?

The only real point he makes in the video is how easy it is in today's world to always take the easy way out - like, for example, blaming your personal foibles on video games.

@Brendon Or Hitler.

@Brian: excellent point there. And for another great evidence of that guy's self-centeredness, check out the title he used for the video: "The only thing I know is that video games ruined my life."

Yeah right, and you had nothing to do with it. Pfft.


Demian (let's hope I don't show up as guest)

Wow, speak for yourself man. I have been gaming for 22 years, and I have not experienced ANY of the depression or self hate that you have. You need to understand that video games did nothing to you, you did this to yourself.

Someone who is addicted to food and can not stop overeating can not blame the food itself, but has to look inside themselves and find what it is about THEM that is causing the problem.

The same can be said for anybody who is addicted to something and allows it to control their lives. You took your video and bunched all gamers together as sleep deprived, lonely, overweight losers. I am sorry, but you have no right to do that. There are MILLIONS of gamers in the world, and you can not label all of us the same as you.

Gaming IS a community, and if anything, Gaming has made me a better person. I lived a stressful life, and with gaming I was able to sit down for an hour or two a day and relax. The relaxation I get from gaming is something other people would have to buy a prescription for. How is a few hours of gaming a day different from the people who watch television for a few hours a day? Or someone watching a single movie a day? I can not speak for everybody's gaming habits, but I have never met a single gamer who sacrificed his life, family or friends for a game.

If you did just that, then by quitting you did the right thing. Obviously you were not able to play games responsibly, and as with any person who does not know moderation, you did the only thing you could.

I don't know how that a guest is but it ain't me.

Wow. I love the last minute of the video. It is sort of like he is saying to everyone on Bitmob to get together at PAX or my house and have fun!

But seriously everyone, this little video raises some very good points and should not be scoffed at or ignored. We are the first generation to grow up with this level of technology and who can say how that will affect our society in the long run.

People say the game to have fun, relieve stress, or hang with friends. But can there not be other activities that are fun, relieve stress, and allow for human companionship? Sex comes to mind, but even sports, acting, or anything could give someone the same positive benefits they claim to get from gaming.

Now I gotta go and play me some Canabalt!

The same could be said of watching television - something I'm sure far more people waste their lives on. I agree with Omar. The video is interesting, but Brian is to blame for all his wasted hours, not games. I also think dismissing them as having 'no value' is a particularly extreme view to take. As long as you have perspective on creative mediums in general, theres a lot you can learn from some games.

Wow..... I definitely do not agree with this guys generalized video about gaming and how it has ruined his life. If you had a divorce because of gaming then you are at fault for putting gaming ahead of your life. Gaming can definitely be an addiction for some people. I have seen people who play 60+ hours of WoW a week and work a 40 hour a week job. Not much time to spare considering there is only 168 hours in a week and I you have to sleep and eat.

Gaming has enriched my life for sure. Most of my gaming memories were in my adolescent years (Early teens). On Fridays and Saturday nights me and my friend would sit around and play endless golden eye, wave race, Mario kart, Mario Party games 4 player multiplayer. Better doing that then out drinking and doing dope (say nope to dope lol)like many of my peers were doing at the time. We all had good social lives, we spent a lot of time outside, played lots of sports, did well in school etc. Gaming was just our way of having a blast with one another.

Fast forward to today, I am still a gaming enthusiast. I do not have time to play more than 5 hours of games a week because with a wife and kid on the way, a full time job, working out 3 days a week, and a house to maintain there isnt much time for that sort of thing. However I do spend about 5 hours a week reading gaming news and socializing with online friends. This is a great outlet for me. I enjoy speaking with these friends on message boards about up and coming games. I genuinely laugh at things people type. I have had virtual comfort me when I was down and out. My point is, these relationships are meaningful to me and have enriched my life. Gaming also allows me to have a good time with my two older brothers who life over 2000 kms away from me. We only see each other once every other year. But we play games every now and then, have voice chat discussion and it’s a great time! We do not normally call one another, so this keeps us all closer and tighter.

I am happy that a person with a gaming addiction realized the errors in their way, but damning gaming for your problems is not the right course. I am betting with all your new spare time you will end up having another hobby that is just as wasteful, reading books, watching tv etc could all be considered a waste of your life.

P.S
I see video games have also dulled your intelligence as lighting a gasoline fire at such a short range is extremely dangerous. Lucky you didn’t catch your self on fire. Also burning a poisonous chemical in your barbeque was not the brightest idea either…. You know you cook on that thing, and if any fuel is left in your bbq it will be deposited on your food. Enjoy your trip to the emergency room. Maybe while you are in the waiting room you could play a DS to pas the time…. I recommend Brain Age.

@Ed The video was not made by Omar. Maybe you could copy/paste your comment to the video's comment section so Brian would read it.

@Robert See above. Brian might have a lot of those comments already though.

I had a comment all lined up but then Brian Petro-Roy pretty much beat me to it. Ah, nerts.