This is new: I date a guy who is addicted to video games, i.e. Lineage II and Halo 3. When I say addicted he will play 12 plus hours a day and fall asleep playing the games. He will also skip eating and sometimes not take showers. What is the rush and addiction with videogame playing? I have done research and cannot fathum the idea.



Most to all of his relationships have failed because of his addiction and he says he wants to get married in the next 5 years (does not have to be by me), but he does not seem like he is trying to cut down his playing.



I have tried to bring up new activities, but the only activities he likes doing is going out to the clubs to drink and dance (good dancer) and as I said before, play video games.



It does not matter his age because I know a number of 30 - 40 year olds that doe this...and have no life.



I apologize to any of you out there that play games on a constant bases, but I just want to understand what the deal is!

KG, I am in my 30s and I do enjoy video games.  I am lucky enough to be someone that works in the entertainment industry, so have been abe to make video games my hobby and my job.



12 hours a day and falling asleep at the system is just way too much.  Unlike another user said, it is a problem if he skips eating and doesn't take showers just to play video games, he is exhibiting destructive behaviour.



So, the rush is just the satisfaction of knowing you have accomplished something.  Completing a task or goal in a video game is just like scoring a goal in soccer or catching a football, etc.



As I mentioned earlier, I enjoy video games.  I probably have more video games in my office and living room than most people have CDs.  However, I make sure I spend time with the people that matter (my wife and son) before I jump on my system.  As a matter of fact, I do not touch my computer until they are both asleep and/or in bed.  Even then, I only do that if my wife doesn't have other ideas.



Here is the thing.  There has to be give and take.  If what you way is true, you are doing all the give and he is doing all the take.  It sounds like his entertainment is his only concern, and that means he really isn't ready for a relationship.  You aren't the girl to spend 12 hour a day with him on video games, and therefore not the girl for him.  What do you really see in a guy that would rather pay attention to the game system than you or your needs?  He could cut down to 6 hours a day (which is still a good amount) and have 6 hours to be with you.  But, it doesn't sound like he cares to do that.



Oh, and anyone that tells you they get paid $100,000 just to test a video game is full of crap.  The typical tester may make $25,000 a year.  A QA Manager can make much more, but a QA Manager doesn't just test video games.

I'm 37 and still love video games!  I have an Xbox 360 and when I was single, used to play 10-12 hours a day at times..



But I'm also mature enough to know that I have far more important responsibilities than video games.  My wife and kids comes first.. even when my wife was my girl friend, she came before video games. I still play alot.. but usually when my kids are in bed or before they wake up



Video games gives you entertainment and a sense of accomplishment (when you finish a game or get achievements).  And if he's online with Xbox live, it's hours of just plain fun.



But.. your boy friend has a problem..  it's more of an addiction with him from what you wrote..  There is no way you can even think about marrying him until he gets this under control.  If not, you will end up being a video game window.



Good luck

I know how you feel about addicted gamers. They tend to sometime drool over a new game (like Halo) in front of a shop.



Try this way.



Let him finish Halo 3 and other crappy games in one month (If you can be patience this long). He WILL get bored overtime and tries to do some activities with someone. This method usually work with addicted gamers as they get bored really fast. Also, try avoiding game shops and tech shops when hanging out in the mall. Addicted gamers also have this weird  six sense where they can sometimes sniff out games (To prevent this, try distract the gamer with something).



Another way is;



You can try joining him and play with him for at least 2 hours and later sometime during playing, say you're bored and wanted to go somewhere else with the gamer. Also during playing, try asking him about the game and annoy the gamer with questions they can't answer (Ask them basic questions and continue on with harder ones, the questions can sometime be a dumb question). This method also works just like the above but sometimes causes YOU to be addicted to the games.



The methods above works (It worked on me). You just need the right patience and timing to do the methods.

the man just doesn't understand what is really important.  if the man doesn't understand that he has a problem he will continue to fall into the slump.  ask him if it came down to you or his game systems which would he choose.  of course he'll say you so just take it away for about a month and see what happens

The deal is that it gives us somthing to do, i know i know you (normal people) dont understand and are trying to, but the "research" that you are reading is just stupid thoughts from people who believe them selfs "intelligent" but these "experts" actually have no idea, they only observe people playing games, they dont actually doit themselfs, if you want an answer, maybe you should sit down and PLAY with your boyfriend and maybe you will get an answer to your question, my girlfriend does, and she love halo 3, yes i know the stero type of a gamer is fat pimply ect ect this is not true, most of us gamers are perfectly healthy we just need more sleep, i myslef can stay up for 2 or 3 days at a time playing my games, (omg 2 to 3 days dont you have a job?) Yes i have a job, how do you think i afford my own house? games? ect ect, There is nothing wrong with what your boyfriend is doing, and you thinking that there is shows how ignorant you are, Look just Sit Down with him one day, ask him if he can show you how to play, or if you could play with him, there is nothing wrong with that is there?. again people who say us gamers have problems just dont play games themselfs, so they will never know.

video games are life to me, there great entertinment, there are guys who get payed $100,000 just to test a video game out, now thats a job.

Break his xbox 360 then he cant play it.