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Wouter Groeneveld 2022-01-23 19:51:44 +01:00
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content/post/2022/01/why-i-play-games.md
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Yesterday, after another quick (and disappointing) bicycle ride to the local retro game store, I started wondering: why do I actually still play video games? I'm 36 now, shouldn't I stop doing that and find another decent and more respected hobby? That is what the funny looks thrown my way make me feel after talking a bit too much about games. I sometimes even feel a bit ashamed. Many friends have long moved on and focused on (what they think) more important things in life. The career ladder, kids, perhaps taking on an expensive hobby.
You're all making a grave mistake. Gaming isn't about doing _nothing_ or portraying as couch potato as popular media might make you believe. Neither is it reserved for frustrated teens that like to run people over in _Grand Theft Auto_. As I contemplated on why I love video games, I came up with a list that indicates it's not just about playing. And even if it would be, why would be stop being playful after our thirties? I think video gaming is misunderstood by many people---perhaps, at moments, even by myself, as the doubt and guilt is creeping back in because of the remarks of others. Time to settle things.
You're all making a grave mistake. Gaming isn't about doing _nothing_ or portraying as couch potato as popular media might make you believe. Neither is it reserved for frustrated teens that like to run people over in _Grand Theft Auto_. As I contemplated on why I love video games, I came up with a list that indicates it's not just about playing. And even if it would be, why would we stop being playful after our thirties? I think video gaming is misunderstood by many people---perhaps, at moments, even by myself, as the doubt and guilt is creeping back in because of the remarks of others. Time to settle things.
The psychology of gaming and many of the points raised here can be further explored in Jane McGonigal's [ Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7821348). A huge body of academic work on the psychological effects of video gaming exists. It would take this post too far to try and summarize them all. One thing that we have to admit is that for every positive effect (uplifted mood), another study exists that proves the opposite. Do bloody shooters and GTA clones affect gamer's tendencies to take the shotgun to the streets? We can't say for certain. What we can say for certain is that variation is key. As with food, a variety of dietary intake is what keeps us healthy. Murdering virtual civilians non-stop sure sound like it can negatively impact our mental health, but blasting our way though once in a while does nothing but relieve pressure.