I have always been in an unusual position. I once heard that a Japanese professor of some kind was convinced of drugs being as bad of a thing as games. I happen to agree with him. In fact, I would go further. Another person, someone's father, stated that he'd rather have his son take heroin than play games because at least heroin takers move around and do things. Although, as a father I'd rather have my child happy and lazy due to games than mentally damaged and broke due to drugs, I can't say that the man didn't have a bit of truth in his argument. In short, I hate the concept of games. These virtual simulations destroy real lives, and I if they were banned alike like heavy drugs, I wouldn't find it a harsh decision.

Yet...I am a gamer. In fact, I am one of the more hardcore gamers out there. With a history of different consoles, finally ending with the entrance of the good old all-round PC, I had played almost every acceptable game ever to be put on the market...until recently, when I signed a contract with myself. Yes, as crazy (or pathetic) as it sounds, I actually typed a friggin contract for myself and signed it. Therein I declared no longer to play games, with several exceptions.

The exceptions consisted of games where a certain skill is to be gained (or improved), games that are close enough to reality so they can basically be cinsidered to be training simulators. I left out these exceptions for two reasons. One reason is that I could not help but leave the door slightly opened for the drugs to return to me in small portions. Second reason has to do with why I think banning games would be impractical. That reason is that governments would have a hard time banning something that they themselves use to train their soldiers, mostly pilots. The line between a simulator and a game-simulator is too vague to see. Whether people want to admit it or not, but games can teach. Tactical shooters teach movement tactics, teamwork and firefight tricks. Total War series teach Medieval battlefield tactics, which, although aren't too useful today, do enrich your mind. Flight Simulator teaches, at least partially, to control an airplane.

Now I only write a review or two on a game a year, as I've decided to cut dramatically the time I devote to games. I need to help my light addiction while I still can. A single game can still wipe out your life (World of Warcraft anyone?), but I take little steps at a time, taking only the most useful out of the gaming indsustry, even if it is still combined with a lot of fun.