So every time I look at my game collection I start thinking, am I getting my money's worth? I am not doubting the quality of games the industry outputs rather the fact that I buy games and never seem to spend much time playing them or beating them.

Perhaps the truth as much as it is a feeble attempt at raising my morale, I have thought of this little idea. I have always placated myself when I look at the games that I have not actually beaten that many of them, and up until recently this was the only measure I had for getting my moneys worth out of a game.

This may sound quite silly to anyone reading this but it was a Eureka moment for me when I realised that my money's worth is in how much time I spent playing the game and enjoying it rather than beating it. Of course beating it would help me go that extra mile in feeling better and thinking I have squeezed as much of this game as I can without the use of a guide. There are so many games I own that have over 40 hours spent on them without a "Complete" star on them for lack of a better expression. I have not played some of those games for a long time now but when I think about playing them again I come to the conclusion that I would happily scrap the many hours I put into the game and do so all over again simply because I enjoyed it and think it is worth my time doing so.

I do not see gaming as only an escape route for life's daily routines but it is a worthwhile experience in its own right that can further develop my real life character and guide me into new interests and unexplored areas of knowledge (sounds cheesy, but try to think of it otherwise). There are many games which I have played and beaten without a flicker of emotion on my behalf, and I most likely will not play those games again. On the other hand there are some games where beating a boss or simply going through the storyline provides me with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

Bottom line is I am proud to be a gamer, it has taught me so much in the past few years that I have become hooked as such. I have in turn become an avid reader of books (fantasy novels, history and philosophy) I got introduced to GameSpot where I can safely say that though I have not met many people and had a personal level of interaction, I really do feel at home when I am on these forums.

Am I getting my money's worth? Yes I am, because gaming is so much more than an adventure which you switch off a few hours later.

ps. There is an excellent thesis by some guy who argued the videogames industry has as much potential as an arts venue as television, cinema and literary works. The thesis was based on FFVII and should I find the thesis I will post a link to it soon.