[TotW] Is Gaming a Waste of Time? | Razer Insider

[TotW] Is Gaming a Waste of Time?

dekades
Userlevel 7


Joe Rogan has a hot take on gaming saying that it's a waste of time. His point being that gaming is a fun experience but isn't productive. He's pretty much stating that gaming has a terrible ROI (Return on Investment) and while I do see what he is trying to say, I disagree with him and I do think it's more nuanced than that. It really all depends on what your KPI is (Key Performance Indicator).

Some people simply want to have fun, fill in the gaps of boredom or entertain themselves. Gaming is perfect for that. I don't think that it's necessary for anyone to walk away from their experience with something tangible to show for it. If it was such a waste of time, I would think that listening to his podcast or watching a movie would fall along the same lines. You're consuming it. It doesn't necessarily have to build to something.

However, I also believe that his comments are being taken out of context. He is talking about building toward something. He is talking about video games as a problem if it's an escape or diversion along the lines of drugs or shirking responsibility. That I can agree with because that can be said about anything that distracts from making something of your life, absolutely.

But let's turn this thought a bit on its head. Outside of escape and retreat, how does gaming make you a better person? How is gaming constructive in your life? This is the thread of the week. Like and comment for a chance to win the weekly prize, two good replies will reward extra Silver.

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32 Replies

D
Never... never
C
Userlevel 3
I can't speak for anyone but myself since there are tons of genres concerning video games, but recently I've been playing fps games. Specifically, CS:GO and Rainbow 6 Siege. Before you say these games are a waste of time, let me point out some things first.

1.These games require you to learn, unlearn, and relearn. I'm talking patch notes. I'm talking updates. I'm talking about breaking bad habits and creating good ones. I'm talking about looking at things from a different POV. You have to constantly reinvent yourself. You have to constantly ask yourself "Is there a better way to approach this, and how?" You have to ask yourself "Where did I go wrong? What mistakes did I make? How can I improve?" You have to take the initiative to bettering yourself, or you will never improve, whether it be in life or in video games.
"Acceptance of mediocrity is the first step toward failure." -Kali, R6S

2. You have to constantly keep your emotions under check. One could argue that this is much more important in League of Legends, because in those games you'll have afk, trolling, and feeding teammates. One mistake and the game can snowball into an uphill battle, which is so frustrating you'll want to "Surrender at 15". However in shooter games where flashbangs, smoke grenades, and bullets are flying everywhere it is very important to keep calm. I have learned that I make most of my irrational decisions when I let my emotions control me. I'm scared of taking damage and dying, so I make dumb decisions. I'm on a losing streak, so I'm not playing as best as I could be. This can cost me my life. This can cost me the game. In real life, making impulsive decisions and getting angry can result in more drastic situations, like losing your job. If you don't have self-discipline then how will you survive the heat of the moment? "Don't lose your cool, no matter what happens." -Blackbeard, R6S

Ok i'm running out of space and time, so I'm just gonna briefly mention a few more topics before i conclude.

Teamwork-Learning to work with others is fun. It's also a life skill
Failure-Learning to accept failure + pushing until you succeed is what separates an average gamer from s1mple, Pengu, or Faker. This mindset is what separates your average entrepreneur from Thomas Edison, or Steve Jobs.
Social-When you love a game, it becomes special. When you meet others that love the game as much as you, it's fking awesome.

I want to end my banter with this: the video game industry is worth millions-scratch that-billions of dollars. It's given birth to multibillion dollar companies like Razer. It's given birth to superstars like KennyS, sinatraa, and Beaulo. Many established content creators (DanTDM, Markiplier) have used this industry as a vessel for growth. I'm not even going to go into how many twitch streamers and LetsPlayers have benefitted from this industry. My point is, the video game industry hasn't shown any signs of slowing down significantly. How many more careers can be made? How many kids can get inspired by the success of those like Ninja and Tfue? How many dreams can become a reality? Although I don't believe that you have to make a living out of a hobby to make it useful, I keep thinking about how big this industry could become. okimgoingtobednow
JusTTSama
Never... I learned english as a second language, only one in my house, just to know what was going on in Final Fantasies and RPGs as a child, with a dictionary by my side. Now I'm fluent.
That's only one of the many skills gaming teach me.
https://badges.steamprofile.com/profile/default/steam/76561197996419152.png
S
It depends on how much time you put into it and what are your life priorities.
I've seen first hand how people go into debts after getting sacked from work (due to not showing up for work because of late night gaming or not going to work to play games).
I've seen people who put gaming as number one priority and make it as professional gamers.

So it really is up to what kind of a person you are and how capable are you to make this 'hobby' into something that will not only drain your time, but it will provide something back for the time you put into it.
:video_game:
Sye_The-Vie
Rank
Userlevel 7
angelajoneshere
Absolutely! Gaming is a waste of time until you're a professional player and go for e-sports tournaments.

you must be a RAZER fan not a gamer fan
Sye_The-Vie^^WKM VANGUARD of R Λ Z Ξ R™ I N S I D E R @ONLINEBattlestation enthusiast and rig builder & Enterprise Engineerhttps://insider.razer.com/styles/razer/images/logo-main-new-green.pngKeyboard: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Huntsman Elite US Purple Opto-Mechanical SwitchMouse: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Basilisk Ultimate + Charging DockHeadset: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Kraken TE + USB audio controlMouse mat: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Goliathus Extended ChromaWebcam: R Λ Z Ξ R™ KiyoHeadset Base: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Base Station Ver 2Bag: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Tactical 15.6" Backpack V2Case: Corsair iCUE White 465XMotherboard: GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS ULTRA ATX Form Factor LGA1151CPU: Intel® Core™ i9-9900K @ 3.60 GHzGPU: GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming OC 11 GB @ 1650 MHzRAM: 4x 16 GB Corsair Vengeance PRO RGB CL16 DDR4 @ 3200 MHzOS storage: 1 TB Crucial P1 3D NVMe PCIe M.2Game data storage: 2 TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA ZA2000CM10002 SATA SSDCPU Liquid Cooling: Corsair iCUE H150i RGB PRO XTPSU: Corsair HX1000i 1000 W 80 PLUS PlatinumAdd Ons: Corsair
Sye_The-Vie
Rank
Userlevel 7
Games; I think of it as "brain exercising"

games have proven to be a way to prevent Dementia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_training
Sye_The-Vie^^WKM VANGUARD of R Λ Z Ξ R™ I N S I D E R @ONLINEBattlestation enthusiast and rig builder & Enterprise Engineerhttps://insider.razer.com/styles/razer/images/logo-main-new-green.pngKeyboard: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Huntsman Elite US Purple Opto-Mechanical SwitchMouse: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Basilisk Ultimate + Charging DockHeadset: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Kraken TE + USB audio controlMouse mat: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Goliathus Extended ChromaWebcam: R Λ Z Ξ R™ KiyoHeadset Base: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Base Station Ver 2Bag: R Λ Z Ξ R™ Tactical 15.6" Backpack V2Case: Corsair iCUE White 465XMotherboard: GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS ULTRA ATX Form Factor LGA1151CPU: Intel® Core™ i9-9900K @ 3.60 GHzGPU: GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming OC 11 GB @ 1650 MHzRAM: 4x 16 GB Corsair Vengeance PRO RGB CL16 DDR4 @ 3200 MHzOS storage: 1 TB Crucial P1 3D NVMe PCIe M.2Game data storage: 2 TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA ZA2000CM10002 SATA SSDCPU Liquid Cooling: Corsair iCUE H150i RGB PRO XTPSU: Corsair HX1000i 1000 W 80 PLUS PlatinumAdd Ons: Corsair
L
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A
Absolutely! Gaming is a waste of time until you're a professional player and go for e-sports tournaments.
B
Well for some people gaming should be a waste of time, but I wouldnt say its wasted... If you have time to "waste" why not do it with something you enjoy doing? As long as you don't let it interrupt your work or cost you relationships and money then its not really a waste.
D
Menuda tontería
V
Of course, it isn't, just do what you love, they say time is money so why not spend both on gaming 🙂,
and why is there a cooldown on reply's, I just want to spread my opinion?
D
Claro que no
OneTreadLife
Userlevel 7
Simple answer is NO, as it is just another form of entertainment. People "waste" plenty of time binging TV shows and watching the same movies multiple times over the course of their lives.
Anything you are doing is spending your time, and making income isn't the be all end all of not wasting time.
Where am I?
DeepCerisePERIDOTbiz287
LOL I second that!
Proud Owner of: Deathadder Elite, Blackwidow Lite Star-Trooper Edition, Viper Mini, Basilisk X Hyperspeed (2x), Hammerhead True Wireless, Base Station Chroma Quartz, Ornata V2, Kraken Tournament Edition, Kiyo, Seiren X, Nommo Chroma 2.0, Viper, and Ripsaw HD Capture Card Orders on the Way: N/A at this moment, but more to come and certainly more purchases coming! Near Future Purchases: Huntsman Ultimate Edition, Mamba Elite, and much much more to come... Razer Only Razer For Life
Natachat90
Rank
Userlevel 7
Hello friends,

Before giving the benefits of video games, I would like to stress the importance of varying these hobbies, one must do in all.
Sports, dancing, singing, playing a musical instrument, reading, cooking, movies, listening to music, museums, sightseeing, seeing friends, going out etc.

For me, video games allow me to escape, to go into the future, into the past, to travel in the universe, to discover and have enriching experiences (Mass effect, Star Citizen, Fallout 4, Cyberpunk 2077).

But one thing that is often forgotten for some people, it is the only means of recreation for people who are seriously ill, with motor disabilities or very old.
I met a lot of them while talking with them on Second Life, it is really very beneficial for them to be able to take care of themselves by creating clothes, objects, house, having their shop, their club.

They are smiling again. 🙂
My Tweeter channel @Natachat2077 for exchange good tips, contests, product tests and participatory marketing.My hobbies: Cooking and Salsa.I love sci-fi video games, expert in Mass Effect trilogy, Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Citizen since 2013. SC Referral code: STAR-6M2N-HNK3The future is great, Please Doctor Who pick me up with the Tardis. ^ _ ^
Kenserky
Userlevel 7
A few years ago, gaming could have been seen as something without purpose that being fun (except for those who claimed that it brings violence and sociopaths).

But it never was just this simple.
Because as every type of hobbies, gaming, is a question of taste.
Some prefer go for a walk, watch TV, hanging out with friends, take a ride on their bike...
Everyone has his own way.

Moreover, gaming is at first hand an industry and allows people to have a salary and make a living out of it.
It's never been so true than by now that some have made their job to play, being a pro gamer, a streamer, even a journalist.

Because I play video games, I've met some people that are now my friends be it IRL or IG.
My bad for english mistakes but i try my best.
DeepCerisePERIDOTbiz287
I have to say when I was a younger man and even younger I loved playing games or gaming, but as I have gotten older I slowed down until I just completely stopped and now that the pandemic hit, and work has been super slow I have attempted to start back in the hopes that I can earn any kind of money source from it!
Proud Owner of: Deathadder Elite, Blackwidow Lite Star-Trooper Edition, Viper Mini, Basilisk X Hyperspeed (2x), Hammerhead True Wireless, Base Station Chroma Quartz, Ornata V2, Kraken Tournament Edition, Kiyo, Seiren X, Nommo Chroma 2.0, Viper, and Ripsaw HD Capture Card Orders on the Way: N/A at this moment, but more to come and certainly more purchases coming! Near Future Purchases: Huntsman Ultimate Edition, Mamba Elite, and much much more to come... Razer Only Razer For Life
JulianKapa
Userlevel 7
2.5 hours? That might look like a waste of time, but sometimes these long videos are entertaining, but I haven't watched any of his videos.
Gaming can get addictive and out of hand (just like any other pastime), but what else would you be doing in your spare time? I don't know anyone who works and does things that are strictly necessary for the entire day. Something you enjoy doing is something that you need to do. Some people really enjoy what they do for work. Others might not have that luxury. Gaming isn't for everyone, but some take it seriously, and some do it just for fun.
gstsdw
Userlevel 7
Definitely a load of bull hockie. It can become unhealthy if it's all you ever do like some of the Chinese guys that get addicted to games and will play non-stop for days, if not even weeks without bathing, or doing anything else. Then, yeah, it's a waste of time / causing you to waste away in an unhealthy way.

My father turned 70 this past March and he games nearly every day on his Xbox One or PS3. He's actually legally blind but manages to do it. He always encouraged me to play when I was younger, it was something we bonded over and he's a big part of why I am so into gaming now and why I hold fond memories to some games because we either played them together or we took turns grinding for hours or even competed to see who could get the furthest, etc.

People that say it's a waste of time have never actually taken the time to sit down and get involved in a story. It's no more a waste of time than reading a book, watching a movie / tv or YouTube.
SylvanasMage
Userlevel 7
I dont even want to see the video, from my perspective i've seen mature people like even 35+ to 40 who had their share of gaming, stating that its not productive. It's a big bs imo, gaming is a hobby just like others things in the world.
aiyionman
Userlevel 7
bizWeldonBluetools832
Gaming is entertainment. It is as simple as that! It doesn't have to offer you anything useful in order for it to be worthy of your time. It's a fun pastime and some people earn a considerable living out of it and they are very accomplished.

As for Joe, his podcasts falls into that category. They often are entertaining, you don't always learn anything from them and they don't always offer you any significant monetary or mental gain.

Gaming, on the other hand, can solve your economic problems, improve your reflexes and coordination as proven by scientific studies and it's a great social activity with which you can make friends and get closer to the ones you already have IRL.

In the end, though, it all comes down on the way you use it. Escape life and its responsibilities and completely remove yourself from society and the company of other people?
Absolutely not!

Use it productively, in moderation, and to gain fun and entertaining experiences?
Heck to the yes!

So no Dekades.
Gaming is most definitely not a waste of time.


I totally agree!
A
Gaming can help you connect with friends whilst everyone is in these difficult times.
C
a boomer definetly wrote this article.
M
Userlevel 7
All of my friends and family didn't like me to play any games. They all thought it is the most wasted time activity. But I do enjoy that it could be my own would and escape reality during gaming. Although my previous girlfriend broke up with my for this reason...

In the real world, people are skeptical of each other. We always measure other's benefits and try to take advantage of it.

In the real world, I am Social phobia, it is too hard for me to meet a new person (friends).

But it is so much easy in the gaming world, especially in the Role Play game. We don't judge people by it's cover. it is much easier to open a conversation and know about others though.
For more gaming threat: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImagicTimI/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/imagictimi?sr=a Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imagictimi/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7sxDtZGBmzyzT3OG1Sr7g Laptop: MSI P65 Creator 9SE 15.6" Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow V3 CPU: Intel Core i7 9750H 2.6-4.5Ghz processor Mouse: Razer Naga Pro & Deathadder V2 Pro & Viper Ultimate Monitor: 144Hz Headset: Razer Blackshark v2 Pro GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Mat: Firefly V2 RAM: 32GB (Dual) DDR4 2666MHz Mobile: Razer Phone 2 Storage: 1TB M.2 PCI-E SSD Earphone: Razer Hammerhead True wireless
K
He has a point, it's not crazy. That said from a social standpoint I've met some awesome people from all walks of the earth over the years through gaming and I think I'm a better person because of it.
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