What does gaming accomplish for you? For me, it forms part of my down time, my time of brain-numbing activity which helps me to relax and chill out.
But apart from it’s potential relaxing qualities what does it actually accomplish? In my opinion? Nothing. It can draw huge amounts of time when we get ‘lost’ in the game, it adds nothing to us spiritually, emotionally, relationally, physically (probably a negative in this one!) or mentally.
Why do we do it? I think it’s because we have a deep desire to win at something and this is an easy option. Is life too hard for us? Sometimes yeah… so sitting in front of our computer or console ripping up bad guys or beating the AI at strategy feels good. We like to win, we like to feel good and I think gaming gives us an easy way to do it.
What sucks is when gaming (or any computer activity) draws important time from relationships and spiritual input. I still game but it’s in balance with my life (or continues to move towards greater balance!). I put time into my marriage, family, friends, ministry, other hobbies too.
What do you think? What does gaming accomplish for you? Do you spend too much time doing it? How can you get on top of it… for good?
Gaming – the playing of games, esp. those developed to teach something or to help solve a problem, as in a military or business situation. (dictionary.com)
What does gaming accomplish for you?
You have to be careful about calling it ‘gaming’. “Computer gaming” is a bit more accurate, if you look at it, our society is built around ‘gaming’. For example, people will spend huge $$ on watching or going to football, which is a game. Soccer world wide, is still a game. Counter-Strike, yep still a game. Yet the more people get behind it the more socially acceptable it becomes and the more time you can dedicate to it.
Why do we do it?
Games by definition are designed to teach something (eg a skill, a lesson), provoke thought and strategy, or entertain us.
People have developed means to make games more interesting by placing a stake with one side or another, hence the whole gambling industry.
However, by definition, a game does nothing constructive. Nothing is built, or created during a game, in contrast however in many sports or games, things are destroyed or broken (eg Bones in many contact sports, Wooden boards in some martial arts, Clay targets in shooting).
Is gaming a natural reaction to do the opposite of what we do during work time, creating, building and fixing?
Do you spend too much time doing it?
I believe that there should be a balance in all things, so this includes gaming.
How can you get on top of it… for good?
We can’t, its a natural thing.
Yep, we’re talking about computer gaming here specifically. I don’t have a problem with other games unless they too are out of balance or illegal or unhealthy etc etc.
I think games are helpful in teaching us things yeah sure… but that’d not what ‘gamers’ really spend their time on for the most part. Learning about how to level up your character or build a city doesn’t really teach you anything worthwhile.
Gaming, I think, for the most part, has become unhealthy for individuals. For team games (e.g. Guitar Hero series) or games on the Wii for example which encourage activity and relationship, I think they help in some ways.
We can’t get on top of our gaming habits? Baloney! Nothing is outside the realm of human capacity and God capacity to beat and balance and stay that way. I’m a example of that. We can balance gaming and have healthy, productive, creative, relational lives that include games somewhere in the mix. When computers or games have BECOME the centre to that mix, something is very wrong.
Cheers for your comments mate.
Actually, muscle, health and fitness are ‘built’ in sporting activities. Those all have a serious positive effect on our day-to-day lives. We’re more energetic, less stressed, and live longer if we get good exercise regularly. Maybe we should all take up soccer on a regular basis!
As for why we game (as in computer games) I saw an interesting documentary on it recently that demonstrated the addictiveness as a form of pavlovian conditioning. In essence, the games teach our bodies to get excited at our small wins and so get us to keep sitting there. So if it’s eating too much of our lives, the only way to really get on top of it is to stop altogether. The problem is by that stage, it’s an addiction and stopping isn’t so easy. I can certainly see this in a lot of games I’ve played in the past..
It’s unfortunate that this is the way most games are made. Do you think that the way games are designed emphasizes these unhealthy reasons for playing?
What about games like sim city, the sims, etc? They aren’t usually brain-numbing; they require thought and planning, and the development of a strategic way of thinking (can be a pretty big bonus when applied to other areas of life…). They don’t really let you win, ever, either.
Maybe there’s room somewhere for games that can be positive for life… wouldn’t that be cool!
Personally however,
What does gaming accomplish for you?
Social activity in which teamwork and a variety of skillsets and roles can be brought together against a common foe, whether it be an artificial intelligence or other people.
Why do we do it?
To spend time with friends, doing something non-repetitive and adventurous. Also the challenge.
Do you spend too much time doing it?
I don’t think so, however I don’t have critical constraints on my time like kids. Things that can’t be ignored
How can you get on top of it… for good?
Ummm, hide in a hole? Do something else with your friends? It all depends on what you use it for, if you need an escape, then books are a good replacement, if you need to do something, there are hundreds of different crafts out there which create something. You could also write things, explore things, or talk to things (usually people are a good choice).
Meanwhile if its late, and you want to do something other than watch tv, then you could play a game… or do the dishes…
good thoughts mate.
I think computer gaming is a way of escapism for alot of people – they get to live the fantasy life they dream of eg being the supreme warrior and they are in a ‘godlike’ position of complete control over the characters eg in sims.
Whilst I dont have a problem with gaming I think,like everything, there needs to be a balance in ones life. Take for instance the gamers who stay in their rooms for 48hrs playing online – very unhealthy not only physically but emotionally in terms of their ability to socialise and communicate with others, which can make them very self focused and selfish (a generalisation I know) which is the opposite of God’s call on us to be outward looking and thinking of others.
I agree with you that interactive games like wii sports promote interactive in a family and can be a real bonding experience – much better that being off in ‘fantasyland’ for long periods with limited social interaction.
just my 2 cents
Tim
Great comment Tim. Totally agree. A bit here and there (even a bit daily) can be a good thing. My mum likes getting home from work and winding down with a bit of Solitaire or Freecell!
But gaming has the innate ability to drive us further and further from God’s ideal and His calling on us and make us inactive, unproductive and self absorbed… all the while wondering why our life isn’t amounting to anything and why we’re always empty.
Thanks Tim. Good to have your thoughts on here.
Just wanted to add this quote:
Hey guys – great thoughts here on gaming.
I am an online gamer playing mostly Counter Strike Gun Game (deathmatch pref) – although I do own all the Medal of Honour, Call of Duty and Far Cry releases. It is a great way to relax and escape from a grindy day or waste a few spare hours on a Saturday or public holiday – particularly in the morning so you use up some off-peak bandwith.
My first problem however arises when I get find myself getting agro at someone who comes in and seeks my attention (family) whilst playing – I get a little gnarly at them cos I am going for a knife shot that even Steven Seagal would be proud of…
I also find myself trying to make time for gaming – namely getting everything else ‘less important’ done so it leaves me plenty of time to relate to 3d graphics. I have had both breakfast and lunch at the computer before on the same day – just escaped from having dinner there too.
Lastly, after a few maps I tend to find myself feeling rather negative emotionally. I wonder whether it is my body having a crack at me for wasting so much time on this thing…or maybe because my eyelids haven’t blinked for 3 hours!!!
These aren’t really my opinions – they are simply my experiences. I have packed my PC away for this week to see how I go – cold turkey is always nicest with cranberry sauce!
Hey Dooby, I’ve done that too. I appreciate what you said about the negative emotion stuff. I get that too. For me I think it’s got to do with the fact that I’ve wasted an hour (sometimes several) doing nothing of any real value and I’m kicking myself for that. These negative emotions are designed to help us change and not do the same stuff over and over. So good on you for packing up the PC for a week!! Let us know how that goes for you.
Well done!
Darren