[cr33pyguy]

So, do you guys think gaming/playing games constantly is bad for you, why or why not?

My own opinion:

Well, it depends where you are, and where you want to be - I have noticed that since I started playing games my ability to concentrate has lowered a slight bit, and I've also become more of a reflex reliant person (I'll do some things as they pop into my head without considering - I used to consider everything and not do anything dumb). However, I have also noticed a decrease in my reaction time.

[Cressi]

I am kind of split in this question, to be honest.
Whereas it can be argued that playing video games can affect things like morbidity, aggressions and such; it has been proven that video-game players have a better hand-eye coordination, and are generally better at handling things which they cannot see.

But in general; I think it's not good for anyone in excess.

Everything in moderation, including moderation.

[lux]

Ever since I've been playing video games/using a computer my eye sight has deteriorated. It's not awful, just not perfect. From video games, computers and the generality of the internet; I have learnt how to communicate with people of different intelligence, understanding, opinions, and hobbies. I used to sit at my PS3 for 8 hours a day playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 when I was 11. And I was an obese, unhealthy, annoying little shit bag. But as you get older and you expand your footprint of the internet, I feel that it can help you in gaining a greater understanding of the world. Where I spent most of my teenage years online I've been increasingly able to 'read between' the lines of what people say and mean.

My reaction time is pretty good, my hand eye co-ordination is OK, and my hand writing is shitty. Everything has it's pros and cons.

[cr33pyguy]

it has been proven that video-game players have a better hand-eye coordination, and are generally better at handling things which they cannot see.

But in general; I think it's not good for anyone in excess.

I would say that these days I am a lot more impulsive than I used to be - as I already said.
However, what I guess I forgot to mention was that my hand-eye coordination is top-class (I'd say anyway, I can play sports that require a lot of hand-eye coordination with ease) and my eyesight is quite perfect.

The quote you had there is a very good sum-up of the ideals I've been raised up on.

[Eclipse]

I am kind of split in this question, to be honest.
Whereas it can be argued that playing video games can affect things like morbidity, aggressions and such; it has been proven that video-game players have a better hand-eye coordination, and are generally better at handling things which they cannot see.

But in general; I think it's not good for anyone in excess.

I love your quotes <3

Ever since I've been playing video games/using a computer my eye sight has deteriorated. It's not awful, just not perfect. From video games, computers and the generality of the internet; I have learnt how to communicate with people of different intelligence, understanding, opinions, and hobbies. I used to sit at my PS3 for 8 hours a day playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 when I was 11. And I was an obese, unhealthy, annoying little shit bag. But as you get older and you expand your footprint of the internet, I feel that it can help you in gaining a greater understanding of the world. Where I spent most of my teenage years online I've been increasingly able to 'read between' the lines of what people say and mean.

My reaction time is pretty good, my hand eye co-ordination is OK, and my hand writing is shitty. Everything has it's pros and cons.

This is my story exactly, but for me it was PC all the way, never had a console but a PS2 back in the day.

[cr33pyguy]

Ever since I've been playing video games/using a computer my eye sight has deteriorated. It's not awful, just not perfect.

So wait, how bad is this? Can you give a +/- count, or like an example?

I used to sit at my PS3 for 8 hours a day playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 when I was 11. And I was an obese, unhealthy, annoying little shit bag. But as you get older and you expand your footprint of the internet, I feel that it can help you in gaining a greater understanding of the world.

Well, I'm quite your opposite (or well...)
Me and my brother got a PS2 for christmas when I was around 8 years old (my brother was 6) and I was only allowed to play 2.5 hours a week. Time passed, and I got a brief introduction to computers when my father had a desktop, and he let me use it a couple of times when I was 12. After that, at the age of 14 I got my first own computer, a mini-laptop that was worth 200 Euros, and (obviously) not powerful. Then I gradually got into games, playing more and more, until I was introduced to minecraft in seventh grade, and started properly playing it in eight. A friend from my school knew Java, and I (as a minecraft nerd) thought I knew a lot about mods and stuff. He challenged me to try to make a mod (and even though I didn't know any Java) I took up the challenge. So then I learned Java, and made the MOST basic of mods. That's where it all started...

Then later that year I built my desktop, on which I've been gaming ever since. But I think I'm going to move to more serious programming now, and try to get my concentration ability back up.

I've never been much of a socialiser, but I can agree on your last point, gaming and the internet in general make you A LOT better in reading between lines, as you can't actually see the person you're "talking" to, and have to deprive all of their attitude and such from just the "talk"

I am someone who found computers and stuff late on, and think gaming does help with reading in between lines.

---

I love your quotes <3

I think we all do.

This is my story exactly, but for me it was PC all the way, never had a console but a PS2 back in the day.

^Read my story above^

yeah... never had a console since the PS2, and I doubt I ever really will. I guess I'll just always preach the golden days of the PS2

[MiS]

Playing games constantly, like any other leisure, would be bad in huge doses. A testament to this would be around when I started gaming, back in middle school; I only played handhelds and casual Tetris on a cell phone, which wasn't all too bad at first. However, I found it harder and harder to back away from them during my free time, until it got to the point it started topping over other priorities I should have been doing (practicing an instrument, cleaning, even studying). It got to the point where I even used them as a form of escapism from the real world, shying away from confrontations and the like. By the time I graduated high school, I was almost a full-fledged introvert and recluse.

However, when I started college, I'd gotten a huge wake-up call when I realized that I couldn't squander my time as much as I did before, and removed/sold the majority of anything gaming related to my life. I still play it on occasion, but mostly as a social thing with friends. I've found my free time to be more, well, free. And somehow, it's actually reduced the amount of stress since I've slowed down on them.

That's not to say I'm completely against it. Some of my best friends I've met because we shared interests in gaming, and I still keep in contact with certain groups or people that I've played with before.

[cr33pyguy]

practicing an instrument

Wait, I've always wanted to ask someone... Did you want to play an instrument, or were you just expected to?

I even used them as a form of escapism from the real world, shying away from confrontations and the like.

I always used games as a form of escapism. Though for me it was because I have a very good imagination, and I'd be spending most of my time in "other worlds" anyway, gaming just made it more real.

[xornull]

I always used games as a form of escapism.

me too.. used it for escapism and sometimes still do

[MiS]

Wait, I've always wanted to ask someone... Did you want to play an instrument, or were you just expected to?

I've been expected to play instruments from my parents at a young age, mostly the piano. They made me try other instruments too, like the trumpet and other brass instruments. Though, after I explicitly told them it just wasn't in my interests, they stopped the lessons. It only took four years(!). I do want to learn other instruments though, like the guitar or something acoustic.

In regards to escapism, I don't think it's all that bad. Sometimes everyday stress from life, you need to get away from it all, whether that's reading a book, playing a video game or just taking a walk. The measures I took it to, however, weren't quite in the healthy levels.