Having seen this topic, I felt compelled to start typing again – as it’s been a while since I’ve consistently put new ops or reviews up for quite a while (so much for THAT New Years Resolution!).

This is definitely a subject matter that I have more than a passing interest in. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I’m ADDICTED to video/computer games… that to me seems a very strong word. I am absolutely certain that video games like so many other things out there in the world can become a serious addiction to some.

I would however, like to consider my liking for video games only that. A LIKING. I agree that I like them a lot and in all honesty probably do spend a fair bit of time with a joy pad in my hands (and NO! that is NOT a euphemism for something else!) when time and circumstances allow.

I rarely play video games on PC but instead like to power up my trusty PS2 for the odd blast on a variety of different games that depend on my mood. Sometimes I like to vent frustrations caused by people or circumstances by putting on a game that is a good outlet – whether this is a first person shooter (Black or Killzone for example) or a game that allows you to wreak havoc in the most anti-social manners imaginable (Grand Theft Auto: Vice City / San Andreas are good examples of this).

I know to those who don’t understand or play them, it can be a hard thing to look into this activity from the outside. I, like many others out there like to indulge in the occasional game that appears to be solely based on violence. Whilst I can see why some people would feel this to be the case, I would also like to point out that myself and so many others out there who play games of this type abhor violence in reality.

I think that the press regularly makes a complete and utter scapegoat of the gaming industry just as it does for the movie industry. As someone who enjoys both video games and movies, I resent seeing both of these industries being trundled out whenever something appalling happens in society.

The people who carry out atrocities that are reported on the news – whether they be murders, rapes or other horrific crimes are sometimes reported to have been influenced by a certain video game or movie. Only the truly gullible could agree with this. It is true that today’s society is desensitised to a large degree by what they see on TV, movies or to some extent in video games BUT I have to say that most people know the difference between right and wrong and reality and make believe. The news that we see on television is often more horrific these days than the other media they themselves so often blame. There is very little good news on TV and radio these days. News reports are often littered with dead bodies.

At least the body counts within video games and movies are not real… and most of those who play games and watch movies are intelligent enough to know this.

Anyway… apologies for digressing… and getting back to the initial question.

Am I addicted to video games?

I still say that I am not… In fact, recent changes to my circumstances (moving in with my other half) has meant that I have had to leave my precious PS2 and currently most of my other creature comforts at my parents’ place until I can find the money and means to ship them to where I am now.

Now although I AM managing to live without the PS2 here, I do intend to bring it here as soon as possible. I just miss those occasional little opportunities to get further into games I once started but never finished (though I suspect that I may very well have to restart them at some point – again when time allows.

I doubt that my other half will ever understand the attraction of playing video games (but to each their own, after all) as in the absence of my PS2, I have been making do with playing games on my mobile phone – and getting bemused looks from her. I think she reckons I’m a bit of a mentalist for playing about with silly little games but I guess you just can’t help what you like. All the little things that we like or dislike are what make us uniquely us at the end of the day and to deny them is to deny who you yourself are.

I know that as the ripe old age of 33 is approaching, I can’t imagine my liking for video games or movies will diminish at any point in my life. We all need our little distractions in life – just as long as they don’t distract us from everything else in life that is important.

Apologies for all my inane rambling above. I only hope that I managed to convey some sort of sensible points among it all.

Many thanks for reading this!

Derek.