Does anyone here use Videogames as a form of escapism?

I'm a 32 year old male who went through a divorce two years ago. I have no friends, my relatives live back in Canada, and my job includes very little socializing.

I always loved videogames as a hobby, but ever since my life went downhill I have been using them to forgot about reality. I would come back from work everyday and play videogames for hours. Then I would just sleep and do the same exact thing.

So the question is, do any of you use videogames as a form of escapism? It doesn't have to be severe as me, just enough for you to forgot about reality for a few short hours.

I'm a 32 year old male who went through a divorce two years ago. I have no friends, my relatives live back in Canada, and my job includes very little socializing.

I always loved videogames as a hobby, but ever since my life went downhill I have been using them to forgot about reality. I would come back from work everyday and play videogames for hours. Then I would just sleep and do the same exact thing.

So the question is, do any of you use videogames as a form of escapism? It doesn't have to be severe as me, just enough for you to forgot about reality for a few short hours.

KittyKatB

I seem to use video games as a stress-release mechanism. It allows for me to start and finish something, which may or may not be achievable in normal life. For instance, I've been studying since January 1st for the CISSP and CISA certifications (test next month) and I find that after 4-5 hours of studying, I must play a game... something to calm me down. I think it helps kill anxiety.

I have a friend with a very similar story to your own. He's 31, going through a failed marriage, and spends ALL of his time playing WoW. He has no social interaction outside of that game, which is sad. I think he's clinically depressed and probably needs therapy.

Oh yea. I'm in a bit of a situation like you, 30 years old. Lost my entire twenties to serious illness, now picking up my life where I left it off at twenty with no work experience, no education, working as a dishwasher at a place where people half my age are making twice as much. Games are a refuge just as much as this forum and sleep are.

Good to know there's others out there who would confess such a thing. Bravo man, hang in there.

Yeah, I don't really enjoy socializing with most kids at my high school in the first place. So gaming and guitar/drums are what I enjoy doing. And dude, there's nothing wrong with not socializing unless YOU think there is. Just remember that whatever you do on your freetime, its never a waste of time unless you think it is.

Definitely, gaming is ALL about escapism, but I'm careful about any form of escapism invading on what's really important in life.

I don't care what it is....everything is bad if it isn't in moderation, even healthy stuff, like working out or running. Video games or kinda-socializing on WOW can even be worse, cause the only benefit is escapism.

Get some new hobbies. Join a bowling/hockey/baseball league. Start working out and get cardio, every single day. Take some classes at night...it's a great way to meet people.

If you can't find any other interests than escapism or the will to pursue them, I'd seriously recommend seeing a doctor or counselor about it, cause you might be dealing with depression.

Perhaps a more salient question for these boards would be does anyone NOT use videogames as a form of escapism?Uberbadassmufuh

In the end, games get me through the day, and meeting people like you guys with similar hobbies over the internet which would've been impossible 10 years ago gets me through the day. Spent too damn long pretending that clubbing, drinking, or sex is what I lived for. But you know what? Wasn't ever as content as I am now.

Definitely, gaming is ALL about escapism, but I'm careful about any form of escapism invading on what's really important in life.

I don't care what it is....everything is bad if it isn't in moderation, even healthy stuff, like working out or running. Video games or kinda-socializing on WOW can even be worse, cause the only benefit is escapism.

Get some new hobbies. Join a bowling/hockey/baseball league. Start working out and get cardio, every single day. Take some classes at night...it's a great way to meet people.

If you can't find any other interests than escapism or the will to pursue them, I'd seriously recommend seeing a doctor or counselor about it, cause you might be dealing with depression.

Hulabaloza

Not everyone likes to play in a baseball league or workout . Some people only become depressed when they stop being true to themselves and try to be something theyr'e not. If I decided to put down my games and go bowl, I'd probably be unhappy. Why? Because I like gaming, not bowling.

[QUOTE="Hulabaloza"]

Definitely, gaming is ALL about escapism, but I'm careful about any form of escapism invading on what's really important in life.

I don't care what it is....everything is bad if it isn't in moderation, even healthy stuff, like working out or running. Video games or kinda-socializing on WOW can even be worse, cause the only benefit is escapism.

Get some new hobbies. Join a bowling/hockey/baseball league. Start working out and get cardio, every single day. Take some classes at night...it's a great way to meet people.

If you can't find any other interests than escapism or the will to pursue them, I'd seriously recommend seeing a doctor or counselor about it, cause you might be dealing with depression.

Mash_Affect

Not everyone likes to play in a baseball league or workout . Some people only become depressed when they stop being true to themselves and try to be something theyr'e not. If I decided to put down my games and go bowl, I'd probably be unhappy. Why? Because I like gaming, not bowling.

OWNED!!!!

Oh yea. I'm in a bit of a situation like you, 30 years old. Lost my entire twenties to serious illness, now picking up my life where I left it off at twenty with no work experience, no education, working as a dishwasher at a place where people half my age are making twice as much. Games are a refuge just as much as this forum and sleep are.

Good to know there's others out there who would confess such a thing. Bravo man, hang in there.

Rekunta

I too am a dish washer.
No one else will hire me, because all that's on my resume is that and a grocery store, and I want to get into retail...

only 18, but it still sucks.

I use video games to escape the sad reality that is my job.

When I was in my very early twenties I was depressed and I very much used gaming as a form of escapism then, I had stopped going out and gone from being very social to gradually not seeing anybody. I think stealing my brother PS definitely helped get me through that and it is probably one of the reasons it is my favourite console to this day.

I see games more as a time waster these days, but its nice to know if I have had a tough day I can always find the right game to cheer me up.

yes.. that's why i love to game.

[QUOTE="Hulabaloza"]

Definitely, gaming is ALL about escapism, but I'm careful about any form of escapism invading on what's really important in life.

I don't care what it is....everything is bad if it isn't in moderation, even healthy stuff, like working out or running. Video games or kinda-socializing on WOW can even be worse, cause the only benefit is escapism.

Get some new hobbies. Join a bowling/hockey/baseball league. Start working out and get cardio, every single day. Take some classes at night...it's a great way to meet people.

If you can't find any other interests than escapism or the will to pursue them, I'd seriously recommend seeing a doctor or counselor about it, cause you might be dealing with depression.

Mash_Affect

Not everyone likes to play in a baseball league or workout . Some people only become depressed when they stop being true to themselves and try to be something theyr'e not. If I decided to put down my games and go bowl, I'd probably be unhappy. Why? Because I like gaming, not bowling.

I could care less what it is you do (and I don't bowl fwiw), but if the majority of your free time is escaping from reality then you have an issue. It's not healthy and it doesn't matter who you are.

Escapism is BY DEFINITION the polar opposite to being 'true to yourself'.....and there is nothing wrong with that, but only if it's in moderation.

Don't we all?

Theres nothing wrong with escaping real life, but remember to face it once in a while. :P

Yes as i'm an escapist myself. i have no lovelife and my social life is almost non-existent. i just got rejected and betrayed last year by my ex gf. also, i got a PTSD in HS which i have recovered from it. terrible experience really. good thing i still have close friends even though they're very few and have less time free since we're in college now.

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.

sure i do, and i see nothing wrong with it. Ive never been one to socialise a lot- i was bullied at secondary school and never really got my confidence back, but i realised that i enjoyed my own company and i neednt lead an eventful life to keep me happy. Playing as some bad ass, super cool human in a game is probably the only time i can be, well... bad ass and super cool! Although my parents actually think i am a strange strange person cause of my choice in lifestyle... in fact yesterday my mum had a 1 to 1 chat with me which was err, slightly embarrasing to say the least.

This thread is a really interesting insight into how people view their games.

For me gaming at times is as good as getting lost in a good book. Whenever I want to relax and just forget about the world I play games. I'm really big into MMO's ever since I started Final Fantasy XI towards the beginning of 2004. At the time my familly wasn't doing very well financially and I was under a lot of stress working. Final Fantasy XI became more interesting to me than my real life. I could escape and be more than I was in the real world in the game. It reached a point were I realized I was wasting away and destroying myself, so I had to step back from it all. I still play MMO's but I understand the risks (play WoW at the moment).

For me games have always been about being able to escape into a different universe, experience things I couldn't in my life, and thats something that fascinates me, because games are such an immersive form of expression using them to escape is easy. So to answer your question, yes I do use them as escapism, I enjoy it as much as reading a great book or watching a great TV show/movie. Its a way for me to detach and unwind from the world. It has to be done responsibly, because after all we have to look at our lives outside the game too.

Games server for many things for me and escapism is one of them.

[QUOTE="Hulabaloza"]

Definitely, gaming is ALL about escapism, but I'm careful about any form of escapism invading on what's really important in life.

I don't care what it is....everything is bad if it isn't in moderation, even healthy stuff, like working out or running. Video games or kinda-socializing on WOW can even be worse, cause the only benefit is escapism.

Get some new hobbies. Join a bowling/hockey/baseball league. Start working out and get cardio, every single day. Take some classes at night...it's a great way to meet people.

If you can't find any other interests than escapism or the will to pursue them, I'd seriously recommend seeing a doctor or counselor about it, cause you might be dealing with depression.

Mash_Affect

Not everyone likes to play in a baseball league or workout . Some people only become depressed when they stop being true to themselves and try to be something theyr'e not. If I decided to put down my games and go bowl, I'd probably be unhappy. Why? Because I like gaming, not bowling.

Amen brother.

I definitely use video games as a form of escape.

In a society where individuals matter less and less everyday, where no one gets respect, where everything is about image, money, sex, greed, power, ego's, etc... video games allow people to escape all this crap and get some mental relief from all that mind pollution.

Video games are HEALTHY, society is extremely UNHEALTHY!

Just think of your gaming console as an oxygen mask:D

I could care less what it is you do (and I don't bowl fwiw), but if the majority of your free time is escaping from reality then you have an issue. It's not healthy and it doesn't matter who you are.

Escapism is BY DEFINITION the polar opposite to being 'true to yourself'.....and there is nothing wrong with that, but only if it's in moderation.

Hulabaloza

Obviously moderation to some degree is needed. If you just stop eating and sleeping until the point that you die, then you have a problem. But if your'e telling people that they have to play a sport, have to be occupied with a girlfriend, have to be striving to further their career and make loads of cash, etc., and that all of these things society says you should care about above all else should come ahead of doing what really makes you happy (be it games or whatever) then that is what I call truly missing the point of life.

If your'e at a place where right now you don't want to tend to a girlfriend, or care to pour away the best years of your life as a slave to work and would be satisfied just living off a salary that will support your hobby and give you plenty of free time to indulge, then I say so be it.

Life is too short to devote to things that mean more to other people than they mean to you.

I definitely use video games as a form of escape.

In a society where individuals matter less and less everyday, where no one gets respect, where everything is about image, money, sex, greed, power, ego's, etc... video games allow people to escape all this crap and get some mental relief from all that mind pollution.

Video games are HEALTHY, society is extremely UNHEALTHY!

Just think of your gaming console as an oxygen mask:D

alienofwar

Yes, I do very much and it is half the problem of my gaming. It completely takes your mind off of everything and it is just the funnest and most involving thing to do which is the second problem. What else can you do that is as exciting as driving 200mph against traffic (Midnight Club 3), surviving in a mansion full of zombies (RE1), being a superspy (Splinter Cell online), or leading a massive army (Starcraft). I've been experiencing such adventures since I got a NES when I was 6 years old and now everything else is just dull. All this seems to distract me thinking about wanting to do those things when I am doing anything else.

Now that I'm out of school, all my friends movies away, there are no more sports to work on and I need something to challenge and entice me. May seem anti-social but I don't really want to socialize with people that think spending their life in a bar or club is the way to live or watching other people do things (sports) is exciting. What other social things are there to do? If there was some social gaming I would like to be all over that. I did use to hang out with a Tekken/Soul Calibur group but that became hard with a girlfriend, then upgrading to fiance and now wife it is out of the question. I also had to travel a great distance for that, like VF way better than Soul Calibur, and a lot of the people are too..... rude/perverted.

I've been thinking of getting out of it completely, but it is hard to with so much money invested in my awesome PS1/PS2 library and I just can't do anything casually- it is all or none. It is possible now since sony back stabbed us and discontinued the BC PS3s (although I do have a sealed 60gb). I have to have BC so my library can stay with me for the long run (sort of another problem, kind of compulsive about collecting, getting a good deal, and always being able to use them). In my gut, I would love to lose myself in the world of PS3 but can't because of no BC and my mind is hesitant because it may not be healthy, good use of money, and I should probably look for a better and full time job (my air traffic control job has been delayed for at least another 4 months, dam FAA). If I get out, I absolutely have to sell EVERYTHING which is be extremely painful. So much money, so many memories, so much effort, and so many rare irreplaceable games (my Silent Hill, Fatal Frame perfect complete collections).

I still take care of everyday real life things. I don't have a penny of debt, house is clean and organized, I exercise for about 30 to 40 minutes 4 days a week and nurture whatever my wife wants to do. I say the happiest time for me was when I graduated highschool, met wife at the same time that summer, and played games very casually. But the stresses of real life after that lead me back to hardcore gaming.

If you are happy and taking care of all your business in the real world I wouldn't worry too much. There are a lot worse activities people do with their lives.

[QUOTE="Hulabaloza"]

I could care less what it is you do (and I don't bowl fwiw), but if the majority of your free time is escaping from reality then you have an issue. It's not healthy and it doesn't matter who you are.

Escapism is BY DEFINITION the polar opposite to being 'true to yourself'.....and there is nothing wrong with that, but only if it's in moderation.

Mash_Affect

Obviously moderation to some degree is needed. If you just stop eating and sleeping until the point that you die, then you have a problem. But if your'e telling people that they have to play a sport, have to be occupied with a girlfriend, have to be striving to further their career and make loads of cash, etc., and that all of these things society says you should care about above all else should come ahead of doing what really makes you happy (be it games or whatever) then that is what I call truly missing the point of life.

If your'e at a place where right now you don't want to tend to a girlfriend, or care to pour away the best years of your life as a slave to work and would be satisfied just living off a salary that will support your hobby and give you plenty of free time to indulge, then I say so be it.

Life is too short to devote to things that mean more to other people than they mean to you.

Can you waste too much time pursuing a career and money? DEFINITELY. Can you waste too much time and money at bars pursuing women? Sure. Moderation in all things.

Reading is great. Playing video games is great. Movies, TV, Internet, all this stuff, great. But it's sideline stuff. Escapism from what's really important, and if it isn't, then you are missing out on life.

If pursuing a decent career (and the security, opportunity & fullfillment that provides), the health of your body, family relationships, partner relationships, human contact, getting laid are expendable things in your life.....then that ain't good. It is not healthy, no matter how you look at it.

This man should be applauded for his refreshing honesty on this board.

I think you'll be alright, for one thing you have very good insight into your own mind and honestly examine yourself. For another thing, many go through a period like that. I certainly understood you.

Anyway, I enjoyed your post.

since my school load has been getting heavier, sometimes i wont be able to play any video games for a few weeks, oppossed to the couple hours a day i did a few years ago. when i do finaly have some time to play, it is just the best feeling, because i really do forget my other worries and fullly enjoy it.

But then again, one has to ask, "what is the real world?"foxhound_fox

Ahh, yet anohter person who is into philosophy. :P