Comments on: MMORPGs: Ultimate Hobby Or Waste Of Time

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:20:13 +0000

I’m kind of in the same boat. Gotten to that age (26) where I’ve got higher priorities than sitting around and playing video games all day. I’ve played MMORPGs for the past 4 years (roughly 8000 hours), and I sometimes ask myself why I’m playing.

Here’s my take on it. If you ask yourself why you are still playing, you probably shouldn’t be playing MMORPGs. However, let’s take me and DVDs. I love to sit down and watch a TV show for 45 minutes to 2 hours (sometimes, I’ll get 3 part episodes). Now I never question watching DVDs because even though watching TV is a waste of time according to some, I actually enjoy watching DVDs.

So if you enjoy something, but you put a lot of time into it, then it’s not a waste of time. However, if you have to ask yourself why you’re still playing, then it might be a waste of time. Some people enjoy playing MMORPGs. I enjoyed WoW for the first couple years, before I got to see what was going on. That said, I don’t plan on buying Cataclysm.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:41:52 +0000

Very true. This is probably coming out because I just got married this year and I’m coming up to my 5th year at my job and starting to wonder “what’s my purpose in life”. I don’t think anyone’s managed to answer that one yet

By: Dblade

Dblade — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:06:04 +0000

It sounds more like a general midlife crisis than MMO’s specifically. You could replace it with TV watching, or working in accounting. I think MMO’s are only a waste if you use them to neglect real things that you can actually do. You will not win the Nobel Prize, but you really should get to working back on that science fiction novel you keep talking about (not you in specific.)

Other than that, its cool. The good thing about it being a waste of time is that you can take a break or trash it at your leisure. If you think working in your job has been a huge waste and have kids, chances are its going to be much harder to restart then.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:27:53 +0000

At least being an overseer on a columbian drug plantation would teach you important skills like people management, socialisation, working under pressure, gun skills and getting the best out of your team with a tight deadline looming,

By: Longasc

Longasc — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:11:56 +0000

I sometimes wonder why I prefer to play MMOs instead of single player games. Trivial tasks often take hours, after all. Besides that, I like to read fantasy novels. Guess I am a dreamer and should finally give in and become an overseer or contractor on a columbian drug plantation?

By: Gordon

Gordon — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:03:01 +0000

I think people are definitely right with the opinion that it’s not a waste of time if you enjoy it and get something out of it. Although there’s perhaps nothing concrete to show form it (i.e. a certificate… nice idea though ) it’s still worthwhile if it gives one pleasure. I still wish there was a way to benefit my career whilst doing it or increase my physical health or something when playing

By: Krosuss

Krosuss — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:03:34 +0000

I’ve played games my who life and am only an MMOer this past year. I guess anything could be construed as a waste of time depending upon your perspective.

So is reading a book more productive? Taking kung-fu lessons? Drinking beers of the world? I look at hobbies as something fun and entertaining we do to pass the time. If along the way you’ve had fun … then it wasn’t a waste of your time. And that’s the key: YOUR time.

My wife doesn’t understand my affinity for playing WAR. I say well you read books all the time. And these are historical or mind-broadening books but works of fiction. So sitting around reading a Dean Koontz novel is more productive than my sitting and playing WAR? If she were reading books on how to speak another language or about something historical or a self-help book I’d be more apt to give more credit.

Being married like you there are other things that demand time: family, kids, job, house, all that stuff. Life is a difficult balance of things we have to do, things we need to do, things we want to do, and things we wish we’d do.

To each their own … some people play MMOs, some read, some play console games, some play sports, etc., etc. Only you can determine if it was all a waste of time … your time.

By: Good old Hammerfaust

Good old Hammerfaust — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:27:38 +0000

thought you are the wise one and I am the sexy dude…
:D

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:04:00 +0000

I think it’s about finding a balance. When the hobby starts to interfere with “real” life when it’s problematic and it becomes far more than just a waste of time but actually something that’s detremental to ones life.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:02:39 +0000

Opportunity costs is a good point. I think I would’ve just spent it doing nothing Of course, if one can actually be productive then that’s an amazing thing.

I think I just have a bad mix of amition and laziness