Why do you game?

I'm a solitary individual. As such, I occupy my free time with solitary activities, and gaming is the most rewarding. The sheer amount of time, requisite cognitive input, and entertainment that video games provide is unmatched, in my opinion. There's also the fact that games provide a means of escaping reality with their fully fleshed out virtual worlds, characters, and stories. These are the reasons I game. How about you?

To avoid having to confront my many issues from social to mental. :( .

If I don't shoot ALL the aliens... who will?

Escapism and fun.

Cuz it's fun, duh.

That's actually one of the reasons I play video games. I didn't mention it in the OP because I'm ashamed. :(

i'm single, dateless, dont have a lot of money to go out and do things, have little to no actual social life and i'm not really interested in tv or movies.

Right in the feels :( You guys definitely aren't alone. I can't say that's my primary reason for gaming, but I can't deny it's a reason. I'm also a solitary individual and find video games to be the most enjoyable form of entertainment by far.

What exactly are your social and/ or mental issues? I'm anxious when around people, especially strangers and especially strangers that are females.

To pass time, to get my mind of stressfull things in my life and above all, because I enjoy it.

It's the strongest form of entertainment in my eyes. It also keeps me inside and out of trouble, something I used to get into a lot of. My social life has taken a hit in recent years but this was my choice. When I was a teenager I was always surrounded by people and If I wasn't than I was more than likely sleeping. I picked up the controller and put down the bad habits and never looked back. It was my escape and still is to this day. Nothing interests me more than video games for some reason... I guess that's why I never looked to replace it.

To escape. I'm fighting disease that may be potentially lethal in not too far off the future and gaming helps to lessen the emotional/psychological burden that is constantly there, even if it's for a short while. But also for enjoyment too. It's a wonderful distraction and to the extent I use it to get away it's entirely unhealthy.....but then again, I'm unhealthy anyway, so **** it.

Mostly escapism.

I enjoy it first and foremost, but it's also an escape for me. You have to find something to do to take your mind off things once and awhile.

It's fun, and I enjoy it.

Social anxiety for sure. I probably have an Avoidant personality disorder, though if not I'm definitely socially inept, which happens to be one of the signs. As well is "Utilizes fantasy as a form of escapism and to interrupt painful thoughts". And same thing for me with the girls, I see no girlfriend in my near or distant future. Anywho, I still think I'd be playing plenty of video games if I weren't like this because I genuinely enjoy them, but this is probably why I play them as heavily as I sometimes do.

@ BluRayHiDef

Nothing to be ashamed of, so long as We can just barely survive the outside world then Its cool.

For the same reason I read books and watch movies, the entertainment value.

My daughter suffers from similar issues. I'm really sorry you guys are having to deal with that. I hope you can find some relief or perhaps a cocktail of meds? I don't mean that to be insulting or anything. Genuine empathy.

Its fun and its my hobby.

Because I enjoy it... It makes me happy. Simple as that.

I probably have the same issues they do. I get really edgy in crowds and tend to keep a majority at arms length. My divorce years ago only elevated that personality. After that, plus some people I knew going to similar issues, I pretty much thought "The hell with it." and I have pretty much been a hermit ever since. Gaming has always been a consistent in my life, and while I don't game nearly as much as I used to it's still a security blanket, of sorts. It's still a lot of fun, but I also know I use it to essentially hide from the world.

I get more out of most games than my other hobbies and i like them much more

These threads always give me comfort. Many out there in the same boat.

Escapism, fun and enjoyment.

This.

I think there are more than you realize

What disease, if you don't mind me asking?

Because I like to assert my dominance over others, therefore I play multiplayer combat-oriented games.

Well divorce it tough. I know first hand.

I went the opposite way though. When it all fell apart, I couldn't be in the house for too long. Too many memories come flooding in. I had to get out and try desperately to kill my brain with alcohol. To the point where I would go to a popular Cajun restaurant, order their big party drink (serves 4), and then not share it. That was actually the only time in my life when I didn't game. Packed up the PS1 and N64 in fact.

If you ever need to talk about it or anything, hit me up. I'm usually around. :)

Girls seem to be repulsed by me. I've been told that I look dangerous and/ or creepy. They don't feel safe around me.

@BluRayHiDef:

Has anyone given you any advice at least? Seems like a dick move to tell you that women find you repulsive and creepy but not give any feedback as to why. Could be something easily fixable. I had a friend who creeps every woman he ever met out but with a change in attitude and the right clothes he was able to counter the issue.

If you're a socially awkward person than you are more than likely going to give off a creepy vibe. It shows when somebody has this issue and it makes others uneasy. Sometimes you just need to handle yourself better in public.

I game because its a great source of entertainment and also its a nice way to relax instead of just sitting on the couch watching the same boring thing on tv.

I'm a "stereotypical" looking Black male. When I say that, it has little to do with the way I dress; if I'm wearing non-formal attire, I automatically look suspicious. There are some young Black males who are deemed to have a certain "look" or "air" to them no matter how they carry themselves. I am such. I don't want to get into an argument about whether it's true or not, as I've gotten into plenty; it is MY truth.

@ SoNin360

I'm a semi loner slash sexual deviant !

But thats just the small stuff, my real issue is I'm always entertained but never content. Its not just games though, everything I do is just a way to avoid being alone with my thoughts, gaming, friends, food, porn etc are all just diversions they entertain me (make me temporarily happy) but don't make me content. Theres just something about being alone with my thoughts that make me feel like just giving it all up. At first I thought everybody was just like that, but I talk to some people about it and they just don't feel that way, their thoughts don't nag them to death like mine do. Thats when I learned the difference between being happy and being content.

Describe your sexual deviancy.

@ BluRayHiDef

Just a few thoughts, never acted them out. :) . But ya never know, when day I may meet the right inflatable woman.

Very interesting point about the being happy versus being content. I think that can describe me as well. And I feel the same with being left alone with my own thoughts without any distractions for too long, my mind wanders to bad places. Fortunately, video games and going to the gym at least a few times a week has been enough to maintain my sanity.

@ SoNin360

I'm actually quite lucky, I have a failsafe for If I'm ever alone and can't entertain myself with video games or friends. I'm fatally curious, I can ward off the bad thoughts by thinking about stuff like why is the galaxy flat ? or does Adam stare at my ass when I am not looking ? And if its 2 AM in the morning on a saturday then is it still friday night because its still dark out ? And why is knife spelled with a K ?

Sadly this can also take an ugly turn for the worst and Soon I'l be thinking: is love real ? Whats the point of getting up in the morning ?

Its good for short bursts of entertainment but I can't depend on it, gotta find a game to play before I get suicidy.

I enjoy the immersion and experience.

Oh yeah and games are fun!

Because I enjoy the many different genres, variety, and unique artistic expression that gaming has to offer.

The answer is too broad for me to answer with anything other than that. If you ask me about specific genres, I can give more specific reasons, but, as a whole, that's why I game.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggressive_fibromatosis

It's basically a benign tumor in the chest. Not lethal in itself, but the location makes it very dangerous as it's large and is constantly growing.

Btw, I think I've seen your pic in a previous thread. IIRC you look like you lift. I don't think it's you necessarily, all built guys are intimidating. Although I could see why some ignorant people would be more fearful if you're black that automatically stereotype you. People tell me I come off as intense for my build and face, and I get a lot of glares from guys. Y'know what I do in such cases? Just smile. You'd be amazed how disarming and useful a smile can be.

Only problem with that is is that it opens the doors for conversations, which, if you're socially awkward, you may not want to happen. I sometimes don't. But it's better than having people fear you I guess.

Yea, probably a lot more. Thank God for the Internet.

Just look at Danny from the Point, he openly discussed it aswell

I love gaming, I've been gaming since I was old enough to hold the NES controller and Commodore 64 pad we had. Last couple years it's been to help cope with the cancer, chemo and the long road back after my many surgeries. Gaming is a wonderful tool to help you escape and visit the wonderful worlds developers create. I enjoy any great game, no matter the system or developer, I hate the fanboy crap that so dominated in the last couple years. They usually make me ashamed to be associated with them.

I cannot compute this question. Why?

To escape from my shitty reality.

I don't know. Because I enjoy it? Never given it much thought. Always seen it as just another everyday aspect of life, like reading books, listening to music, or watching movies and television.

Are you still going through treatment?