Are video games bad for me?

            Let’s begin with a preface: I don’t really want to stop playing video games. In fact, I love them since I began playing as a child. It has been one of my very few consistent hobbies throughout my life and has also led me to meet many great people that I’m happy to call friends – some even closer to me than in-person friends. To that end, I feel as if I owe these people not only my presence online, but also time and energy playing games. This isn’t their fault, of course, but rather that I would not ever want to take away something that feels so central to maintaining these friendships. By moving, almost two years ago now, to a relatively far off city to pursue my degree, I had made it difficult to see even my in-person friends. This leads to our primary form of communication being – you guessed it – online. Of course, I’m incredibly thankful that I am able to communicate with them in this way. However, yet again, video games are our primary activity. This makes sense, considering that there is not much you can do together online other than play games. Still, as I’ve grown older and have had less time for myself due to the constant looming shadow of schoolwork and regular work, I often find myself wishing that I didn’t play games. I’ve argued with myself a lot about this topic due to the fact that it’s so central to most of my current friendships and because I genuinely love video games. I’m hoping that my doing this little writeup of the benefits and consequences of playing video games within my personal life, I can finally retire this argument and worry about more pressing matters.

1 – What is a video game?

            An important step of judging something is to first define what it is exactly. I don’t intend on getting philosophical here, but I would still like to define what a game is in my eyes so that anyone reading can understand what I am judging. So, keeping it simple, a video game is any interactive software that has an end goal – even if that end goal can be different depending on interactions. This covers something as basic as Pong and complex as Elden Ring. Perhaps I may want to change this definition later, or you may have a different opinion, but for the purpose of this article I will be using this definition.

2 – The good of video games.

2.1 – Possibility of connection.

            Considering I truly do love video games, I’m inclined to talk about the good aspects of playing them first and foremost. One that I have already listed is a particularly good one, which is that playing video games can both create new friendships and maintain pre-existing ones. This has been the case since I was nine years old. I wasn’t really allowed outside and only had a few in-person friends who I didn’t get to see very often. The computer, atop a massive wood desk, sat in a dimly lit, poorly made basement room. This was my home for a long time. Having been playing games since my daycare days, I would eventually make my first online friend through Minecraft – an English boy named Andrew. My mom was incredibly suspicious, of course, that this similarly aged boy across the pond was secretly a pedophile. I begged her to let me continue to talk to him, as we got along quite well, and I knew for certain that he was no older than I. Despite my arguments, this friendship I had built over a few months was suddenly awash when my mom demanded I no longer speak to him. It was, honestly, heartbreaking. I was a child, though, and, like a child, I moved on fairly quickly. That little spark, despite an attempted snuff by my mother, lit a fire in me that would aspire to create new connections. I would eventually start joining small Minecraft servers in hopes of finding new friends. It would take time, of course, but I would find people that I still know to this day when I was 11. I made my first Minecraft server a year later, still able to be viewed here(https://www.planetminecraft.com/server/galactic-gallifrey-creative-ggc-162-247/), when my main community server had been closed down (RIP Royal Hotel Chain). This would solidify some friendships that would last for years, though many long forgotten or simply lost to growing apart. I have made and been staff on many Minecraft servers over the years. This alone is how I acquired so many online friends. I’ve even gone so far as to meet some of these people in-person, which was always pleasant and enjoyable. These friends would introduce me to some of their friends, creating an even larger network I couldn’t expect. I don’t have that many online friends, but the ones I do have I am very thankful for.

2.2 – Enjoyment and fulfillment.

            Many people who play video games, and likely even those who do not, are aware that they can both be very enjoyable and, if one is ever so lucky, fulfilling. This can arguably be a double-edged sword, but there are certainly positive aspects to this. To be quite frank, modern life for humans is not incredibly rewarding. We, or at least I as an American, are taught to do very specific things in very specific ways in order to achieve our “maximum potential.” Sometimes these things can be enjoyable and rewarding on their own right, but occasionally one finds themselves merely performing these acts without much real intrinsic benefit. Essentially, the necessary things to achieve a decent life can be rather boring and unfulfilling. It doesn’t have to be this way, of course, and I am sure there are many people who enjoy their day-to-day. Regardless, it’s very nice to be able to open up a game that has objectives that, while required for the end goal, are completely optional – one could simply close the game and not play at all – and chosen to be completed based on whether they are enjoyable to the player or not. For some amount of time per day, a player can choose what they want to do without worrying about real-life ramifications or life-changing choices. Perhaps, in order to live, one chooses a field that isn’t their true passion.

Let’s consider someone named Gage, who aspires to be a game developer when he’s older. While he could go to college for a track in game development, he is told by his peers that they do not make much money and are constantly treated unfairly. So, Gage decides to become a tradesman. Now, Gage works a job he tolerates and makes pretty good money while having job security. When he isn’t working, he likes to boot up Game Developer Tycoon and live out his fantasy of game development. This, in my eyes, has a positive impact. There are more common cases, however, in that many games that are played don’t even relate to what is considered as work. Playing as Chell in Portal 2 is certainly not a career choice I saw in my college handouts. There’s nowhere to apply for “hero of Hyrule,” and no track to becoming a champion of the Pokémon League. Still, there is immense satisfaction in performing these feats only possible in these virtual worlds. Oftentimes, humans find themselves disenchanted and unfulfilled by their work – even when they believed it to be their passion. That’s a whole other topic, of course, but all this is to say that video games can be an enjoyable and fulfilling outlet for those who have no choice due to these factors.

Now, how does this pertain to me? I actually enjoy many aspects of my life, as I suspect most other people do. Still, there are many things that bring about stress that I don’t necessarily want to be doing. Rather, I have to do it. Schooling, working jobs I don’t like, paying bills, cleaning, etc. These things are far from always negative, but they still aren’t perfect. Playing video games allows me to do something achievable in a short period of time that leaves me feeling happy and fulfilled. Whether it be an incredibly good story or just great gameplay, video games often leave me with some sense of fulfillment and happiness once they are over.

2.3 – Cognitive benefits.

            While I don’t know much about this particular area of benefit, I do know that it certainly does exist, even if only in the mere aspect of keeping one’s brain active. There are some research examples of cognitive benefits, though certainly nothing very significant as far as I know. No one really plays games for cognitive benefits anyway aside from those who play a new genre of prescribed games, such as those for executive dysfunction characteristically seen in ADHD, or the few people who picked up Brain Age for their Nintendo DS.  Regardless, there’s certainly something to be said about the benefits of using parts of your brain associated with playing games. While it may not translate to much real-world use, it isn’t likely bad for the brain.

2.4 – Escape.

            This, similar to sections 2.2, is very much a double-edged sword. Sometimes life does not go the way we planned it or our very finnicky meat computers, called “brains,” seem to want to make us feel bad. This is normal, of course, and it is also normal to try and find things one can enjoy in those moments. My dad died when I was nine, and, if you actually read section 2.1, you’d know that is also right around when I began making friends online. I honestly can’t recall any conscious connection between “oh my dad is dead,” and “I should play more Minecraft to make more friends,” but I believe there is likely a connection there. As an adult, there are plenty of days where I just feel quite shit and playing a game can be the saving grace of those days. Of course, there is such a thing as relying too heavily on games, but played in moderation, I believe them to be at least harmless and at most quite beneficial to staying emotionally afloat. This is likely part of the enjoyment of video games, as the player is able to tune out the real world for a bit and simply focus on something they actually like doing. I don’t include it there, however, because sometimes we play games that we don’t necessarily enjoy much but that still function as escapes.

2.5 – Potential emotional release and growth.

            While not guaranteed from any game, there are certainly some that players can connect with incredibly deeply. Take Celeste, for example, a fairly normal platforming game up until the reflection of Madeline appears. This wasn’t straightforward to me personally until near the end, but the emotional catharsis that occurred was one of the greatest feelings a game has given me. Of course, I was in an incredibly vulnerable and receptive state for this sort of thing at the time – especially for Celeste’s specific message. However, there are plenty of other games that make me feel deeply and can even make me more aware of something inside I wasn’t very familiar with: Undertale, Portal 2, Life is Strange, Everhood, Kind Words, Outer Wilds, Red Dead Redemption 2, Hollow Knight, BioShock, etc. etc. This is different for everyone, of course, because we all feel different things at different times and deal with them in different ways. Games have made me laugh, cry, smile, or even bounce around with joy. This is certainly a benefit to me.

2.6 – A chance of perspective shifts and learning.

            While certainly relating to emotional growth, I view perspective shifts and learning as a separate quality. Theoretically, one has no need to emotionally connect to a game to be able to see through a new perspective or learn new things. Outer Wilds, while fictional, is a great depiction of a species that came and went. It creates this entirely new way of thinking about humans and our place in the Universe. What will the remnants of humans show to future explorers? What will they think of the way we lived and what we did to our planet? Undertale is another good example, which contains many “enemies,” that arguably don’t really want to be fighting you. It makes me wonder how many people commit wrongdoings merely because they feel they must, knowing no other way. Some more technical games, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator or American Truck Simulator are good examples of genuine learning. While not necessarily one-to-one with real-life, they are extremely detailed and can lead to legitimate learning about how to do these things. Even some realistic cooking games can help players find new ways of combining food that they’ve never thought about. Many different types of games can give new perspectives and learning experiences.

3. The bad of video games.

3.1 – Distractions and blockades.

3.1.1 – Video games as a general distraction.

            This can be related to both sections 2.2 and 2.4, as a heavy reliance on those benefits can result in distraction from achieving real-life goals and potentially unknowingly impeding progress. The primary issue in determining the quantitative impact of this consequence is that one can’t really know the other option. At present, I often fear that I spend too much time playing games – I want to play one I particularly enjoy for at least an hour or so, then I usually play one my friends like for two hours or longer. The times vary pretty wildly, but those are usually the minimums I’d say. What could I be doing with that minimum of three hours? The best example I have for distraction is the fact that I feel the need to do this even during my college semesters. My precious time spent outside of class isn’t typically used for studying, but rather to finish homework as quickly as I can to be able to do other things. Once I can do other things, I immediately want to play a game to relax. Then, my friends see I’m online and want me to play a game with them. Of course, I’d like to talk to them and go along with it. In the blink of an eye, the day grows dark and the little clock on my computer says it’s 11:42pm, so I excuse myself from the Discord call so that I may be able to function normally the next day.

            Despite that, I’m still pretty functional. I mean, I always pass my tests, and I get pretty good grades all things considered. However, I’m left with an uncomfortable feeling – like I’m spending my time the wrong way. I don’t always get this feeling, but sometimes it’s just too much. I didn’t used to feel this way – in fact, I used to look forward to that part of my day. Now, however, I want to do other things; my running shoes lay untouched, my bass guitar sits alone between my bookshelf and cabinet, my non-functioning CRT looks longingly at me from beneath my computer monitor, and my camera cries silently from under my bed. The main issue I hold with this line of thought – that video games contribute to this distracting and blockading from goals – is that I cannot truly know if it is the video games or not without giving them up. Personally, whether it be due to genetics or the way I was raised, I do not have great self-control. I am also bad at breaking my day into small chunks, so it often feels like I am either going to play games or going to do something else, as if they are mutually exclusive. It’s quite frustrating, really. Hence this constant debate going on inside my head.

3.1.2 – Video games as a distraction from the present.

            This is a little more specific, as it only applies to situations where being present may provide a benefit to me. For example, let’s say I’m at the yearly family Christmas gathering and I am wishing, whilst standing in the corner away from everyone, that I could muster up the courage to talk to one of my cousins. For a few moments, I try to hype myself up, but ultimately, I end up pulling out my bright, monolithic phone and start a new game of Balatro. Endless fun at my fingertips! Whether your vice is Balatro, Clash of Clans, Royal Match, Candy Crush, or any other mobile game you can think of, that game takes away from the possibility of anything different happening. While some games do aim to be addictive in some sense, I believe most of the issues here lie within human psychology. Simply put, we choose the easiest way to satisfy ourselves, just like water chooses the easiest path to make a river. It’s a matter of efficiency, and our brain prioritizes it over anything else. Why expend the energy worry about all the social constructs necessary to engage in conversation normally when I could pull out my Nintendo 3DS and play Pokémon Platinum. Much less energy and much easier.

            Again, as with the other situations, it’s hard to tell what would happen without these games available to me. In an attempt to rid myself of one avenue, I made a personal choice, as of early 2024, to ditch my iPhone for an old-style flip phone. As long as I don’t carry my 3DS or Gameboy-style emulator around, I don’t really have a choice – or at least, so I thought. Coincidentally, this phone can still play Spotify. Well, I can at least leave my AirPods at home so that I can’t actually listen to anything. Finally, I can see what it’s like to live undisturbed by the urge to reach into my pocket for the comforting colors of Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap – wait, what’s this? Everyone else is on their phones or listening to music? Shit… was this all for nothing? This is still a new phase for me, so I’m still trying to figure out exactly what I’d like to do now that I’m less distracted when out and about. At home, though, video games take the stage regardless.

3.2 – Frustration.

            This is probably an unintended consequence of games, and it is certainly not always something to worry about. In fact, I rarely play games that truly frustrate me – why even bother? Yet, I still do get frustrated from time-to-time, and I often see particular friends playing games that clearly frustrate them to no end. It’s intriguing, really, to waste so much energy on something that just gets you consistently riled up. Perhaps it’s part of the emotional release mentioned earlier, and they can get out some frustration through these games? I am not so sure. This frustration caused by some games simply adds stress to one’s daily routine, and that would certainly be a consequence that is easily avoided.

3.3 – Fruitless success.

            Success without any real-life results. After all, what’s the point in doing something that has no real-world benefit to you? This can be viewed as a potential consequence, but it highly depends on what one defines as the “fruit,” of this labor. For me, the emotional catharsis of some games could be that fruit. The continued connections can also be fruit. However, I feel that, at least most of the time, I don’t really get the fruit I expect. I think many of my online friendships would survive not playing games anymore, and that the connection isn’t really furthered by game playing at this point. It can be fun, certainly, but I don’t think it’s necessarily bearing as much fruit as it may once have. I also realize that much of the emotional release and growth can occur naturally just as well, if not even better. To this end, I do feel that games are relatively fruitless aside from the enjoyment one has with them. Still, does that really justify spending so much time playing them? Letting them take priority over other things that may be more beneficial to you?

4 – So, should I quit playing video games?

4.1 – Short answer:

            No.

4.2 – The long answer.

            Based on what I’ve written here today, I would say that removing games from my life completely would be unlikely to change it significantly. In fact, I believe that the better choice would be to try harder at moderating the time I spend playing games and set firm boundaries as to how long I will play and say no when I don’t actually want to play something. My favorite gaming is done alone, enveloped in a beautiful setting or a heavily emotional story. The rollercoaster of emotions that is Celeste, the contemplative environments of Outer Wilds, the joy of finding good builds in Balatro, and the lore heavy story of Half-Life 2 – all of these I enjoy far more than most multiplayer games. There are a few exceptions of course (Lethal Company, I’m looking at you), but games are far better when I select them for my own personal enjoyment rather than just to play with a friend. If any of my friends read this and get this far, please know that this has no bearing on how I feel about any of you. I have had some genuinely great moments playing games with all of you, but still – playing singleplayer is my favorite. The worst thing I can say is that I don’t know how to say no sometimes, which leads to me playing games I don’t quite enjoy. Still, I play for you, because I appreciate you all and I want you to know that.