Lol I'm addicted to one of the hardest-to-quit video games ever. Many have tried to quit, few have succeded (If they've played at least 10 hours)

ds-forums.info
/\ Don't go there if you don't want to be forever obsessed

I created an account just so I can comment on your video.

While you have presented this in a very nice way, I must disagree with a lot of things you said, or the fact that you forgot to mention one big thing.

You were an addict.

Please don't generalize into saying that all video-gamers are like you.

I've been playing video games on a daily basis for 16 years, like you, my first console was an Atari2600. and I own several consoles, bought hundred of games throughout the years, and yes, spent a fortune now that I think about it.

But I'm also 24 years old, married, work two jobs and help my wife around the house (she works too).

I come from a mediocre broken house, but I was able to get married at 24, and honeymoon in Paris. I have more friends than I can count, from different nationalities, from different ages, to races, to sexes. I've traveled to over 7 countries in 3 years, and still planning to see the world, all of that comes from my hard earned money.

All that, and i kept playing video games without any restrains. I even play with my wife sometimes. She understands the joy they bring to me and how relaxed they make me after a hard day at work, and now even looking forward to play "Heavy Rain" with me.

This is to show you that when you know how to manage your time, money and friends, you won't lose anything. You'll just enjoy life to the fullest. Video games, like EVERYTHING ELSE, can become dangerous when your life revolves around it.

Please, don't generalize like this. Video games are not the problem. People get addicted to them, just like people get addicted to drugs, sex, smoking, drinking, eating.... All of which, when done excessively, will be fatal.

With that said, I again applaud your way of presenting the idea, even if I don't agree with it.

Patriciojose,

just because you had WoW problem that got out of hand, doesn't mean you have to go and demonize all of video games. rather than attacking video games as a whole and condemning it completely, suggest that we moderate our time with video games. also, did you fail to realize that reading all those fictional books aren't benefiting you anymore than playing Mario, since they're both just entertainment? what you seem to be suggesting to us is to do something more constructive with our time. like what? work? we already do that all day. that's why we play. playing, whether it be outside or on the xbox, is actually constructive. it relieves stress and encourages our brains to stay active with our hands (helps coordination for when we get old). it also gets us to be more imaginative and use more of the right side of our brain.
i am sure i am echoing a lot of things that have been said by others, so i will leave it at that.
bottom line: just because you have a serious problem with gaming, doesn't mean i do/will and doesn't mean i should stop. just you.

Like SergioFX, I have created an account simply so I may comment on this video. So hats off to you! (And hats off to Vimeo for making a beautiful yet simple sign up page)

FIRST: GREAT ANIMATION! I loved your professional presentation, I was very impressed with how well the video was made. Good Jorb. Seriously very nice. If it wasn't for the great production value I probably would not have watched the whole thing because I've heard this argument before a dozen times.

HOWEVER, Was your problem "Video Games" or was it a certain type of video game? i.e. World of Warcraft. I agree that Massively Multiplayer games which are not skill based but rather gear based are huge time sinks. You will never be the best and there will always be some gear out there better than what you currently have. So there is no end to the game but the more time you sink into it the better your character becomes.

I like how you added at the end the whole part about friendship. This reminds me of why I was willing to play 6 - 8 hours a day in WoW trying to kill Cthun. I didn't care about killing Cthun, I wanted to help my guild. Help my friends. If it was just about me I would've given up after 2 hours but no! The camaraderie compels me to drive forward because "If I leave they can't do it". "They NEED me."

So there are two aspects of WoW, or any MMO for that matter, which sucks you in. The time sink reward system and the fact that if you want to be the best, you HAVE to play nice with others, i.e. sign up for raids and get online at a specific time etc etc. Is this true of most video games?!

HECK NO!

I stopped playing MMOs. I think you should too, because like me you have an addictive personality. But I didn't forsake ALL video games, just the ones that try to fool me into thinking that its possible to have a social life through a game.

I agree with you 100% that our generation is the first that has to balance technology use with practical living. I also can relate to the feeling of wasting your time because you don't "get" anything out of video games. Most are not educational. Most do not have amazing stories. Most are just pieces of entertainment, I agree. But you only wasted your time if you think having fun is a waste. Things are what you make of them, if you believe that all these years of playing video games was just a waste of time, then you're right! It was.

But don't blame video games! Video games didn't give you an addictive personality. Think about it. If it wasn't video games, it would be something else (like Magic the gathering or AD&D), either way, you are the addict. I know you said that you don't hate video games... but its obvious you blame them and not yourself.

Honestly, your argument reminds me of those obese children who sued McDonald's for making them fat. Are you going to argue that the creators of video games are peddling an addictive substance? The reason you "wasted" too much time on Video Games is because you didn't know when to stop.

You need to realize that the problem lies within you, not within video games. I strongly encourage you to do some independant research on Mental Addictions.

wow sick video, great animation, message, music, great job

maybe your problem was playing a badkid game like wow. I'm lvl 50 in halo, 3rd prestige in codmw2, and I workout everyweek, attend university of north texas and i go partying every weekend. so suck it.

I created an account just to say this: I applaud your strength in over coming you addiction and your ability to create such an amazing video. However, YOU had an addiction. Please don't (as mentioned before) generalize all gamers. I try to game every chance I get, yet I still have: 2 jobs, a girlfriend, attend University (computer programming), play in a band and have an active social life.

The moral is game responsibly.
thank you though :)

First off. Burning the WoW CDs doesn't change a thing, you can still log in, and play without them =)

And video games surely does teach kids, motor skills. as well as provide a fun story, which had cool things going on that YOU CONTROL, much better than reading some book.

its all about spacing out your time. unlike me. with 9 level 80's on WoW. =)

on your next vid, show us deleting your characters on a real realm. then maybe we will believe you that u really did stop playing. cause that burning the CDs thing, doesnt cut it . You probly still play =)

Actually, video games have been proven to enhance communication between the hands and eyes. A famous neurosurgeon plays monkey ball and does far better than any other surgeon in his field because of this. This improvement in skill is linked directly to the game because of the need to be intensely precise and calm in the game.

As an artist, games help me achieve hand-eye coordination as well. Once I finish traditional art, I can jump on my tablet and get lineart done faster than most artists.

Games can also teach you things. Strategy, math, etc. Plus the introduction to technology at and earlier age, and the familiarity gained by this, allows me to get a better career earlier and more easily than someone who doesn't have those privileges. I'm 18 and I already have my AA in Collins College. I'm going for my BA in motion graphics. Video games got me interested in CGI ad film. Thus giving me an opportunity for an amazing career.

The thing is, we're the "next generation." You're 30. We're 15-25. 5 years is a lot in this age of "what's the fastest" and "who are you/what makes you better?". We're heavily technologically reliant because that's the way we were raised.

The way generations before us were raised, they had less technology and had to rely more heavily on books/themselves.

Before that, no modern technology. Hard work and fabrication was REQUIRED to survive.

So you see, we're entering a new generation. It's different, yeah, but so? The times before us were different too.

Mind you, I despise the emotional, pathetic excuses for teenagers we have today because parents aren't able to discipline their kids anymore. But look at today's highschooler that doesn't play games compared to those who do.

Those who do play video games are more socially active with those who share interests in video games (Which is growing) and less concerned about appearance, and can see value in things other than popularity/beauty/etc. Those who don't are generally getting pregnant or stoned. They have nothing else to occupy their time (Or they do, they're just lazy shits).

Everyone just talks bad about games. But you know what, it's not a bad thing. Every generation has their "bad." Jazz, rock and roll, skirts that showed ankles, BOARD GAMES, these things were shunned back when they came out.

Now it's video games. But now that it's easier to communicate and sending information is so easy a two year old could do it, it seems worse than those things I mentioned before.


The only important thing to remember is that entertainment is not a guidebook.

I'm really amazed at just how many people felt inclined to write an essay on how wrong the producer of this piece is. First of all, I thought this was a clever piece of work in and of itself.

Some of the commenters seemed to be chomping at the bit, to spew negative comments. This is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. The `net is so full of trolls looking to bring down someone else's work.

Clearly, the message of this piece is opinion. Personally, I agree with most of it. I have, and still do play an occasional videogame. Mostly iPhone games these days. I believe some here have a bit of a sore spot that might indicate an awareness of their own issues.

Finally, I wonder how many of the negative folks here have actually produced something creative of their own?

@ Nick, SergioFX, Devon, Jordan, and anyone else who decides to complain about how this video is generalizing everyone who plays games. This video is about his personal experience with games. He says that at the beginning. From 4:14 to the end he explains that this is not a video to condemn games. He talks about how not only can they can have negative effects, but they bring people together as well. Many people that would not have anything in common are brought together by games. He speaks of how we need to find a balance of technology and life. This video is to tell people that they can't just sit there playing games or doing social networking, there's nothing wrong with that. You just need to set time aside to get outside and meet people in real life, enjoy your life while you have a life to enjoy, even if its just taking a walk or maybe going to E3. So before you start ranting about how a video is only there to make people think games are bad maybe you should listen to the whole thing, or maybe watch it twice instead of ranting about how you have two jobs and come from a broken home and play games. He is only putting his personal experience out there to teach people what can happen. I applaud you Patriciojose for putting your experience out there for people to learn from, knowing there would be people that would assume you're saying everyone has the same problem you overcame. It's nicely put together and very informative. But as Grace said, it is proven that gaming does in fact improve hand-eye coordination, cognitive thinking, problem solving, and many other things. Maybe you should do a little research too huh. Other than that, keep up the good work

To all you gamers who trying to defend your sad lives,
This man has a point. Games are useless. They wont' get you a college degree or a wife. They certainly won't get you money. While not in the least entertaining, work is the only way to pride and accomplishment. No one really cares about how big your e-peen is or how many achievements you got in Halo 3, but a PhD in medicine looks really nice to a clinic paying $45/hr.

I don't mean to copy everything stated in the video in the least, but I agree. Video games get you nowhere, no matter how you look at it. And if you're the kind who can play hours of games and be a good husband and take care of the family, great! I'm glad! A majority of heavy gamers can't do that.

Instead of playing around with your 1337 Tauren Druid leveling with your buddy, why not go see a movie with your pal instead? Or maybe ride a bike? There are countless other means of entertainment, but people choose the easiest form of fun, and the one that is the least work. "Oh no! I have to go outside! Nah, I'll just stay inside." Easy solution.

I am not wanting to ban all games, I simply feel that people need to re-prioritize. Prestige mode can wait; your life cannot.

Thank you! I've bookmarked your video to remind myself - get out into the real world!!! My particular addiction is stumbling. I probably would have spent another hour or two, but thanks to your video, I'm going off-line, get something real done!!!

Peace!

Another user generated just for the benefit of a comment on this moving short, Vimeo is gonna love you if you keep it up :-)

Just wanted to say that your short film is very powerful, and I can appreciate how an epiphany like yours can transform your life, and I hope that you succeed in your endeavor and that it accomplishes the change in your life that you want.

That being said I can't help but think that you're being just a bit ethnocentric in the view that Togetherness > Isolation, and that Art > Happiness. I'm certain that what views you express and the goals to which you intend to ascend are true to the way that you feel (and I mean no disrespect to your views, as i said your film short was quite good); however it is clearly represented throughout that you express regret for your actions and so are calling others to gather 'round the soapbox and listen to your trials and tribulations so that they may avoid the same pitfalls. What seems apparent to me (and please forgive my assumptions) is that you were unhappy with your life because you took stock of the sensations around you and compared it to the things that might have been. The problem with this logic is that even if you had taken another path earlier and had ended in a much better (to you) situation you'd still likely have the same “what could have been” mopey mentality.

All the while you were playing video games were they upsetting you? I'm guessing that you enjoyed them, that's why most people play them I would imagine, was that enjoyment any less valid simply because it was vapid in nature? Was the satisfaction gained from doing something you have fun doing simply for the sake of doing it any less satisfying? You say that it is and I can understand your thoughts on this matter “What's the use in accomplishing something that has no correlative value to others?” is about summing it up I would imagine. Which is reasonable but are you familiar with the phrase “Stop to smell the roses?” most people interpret it as an imperative to slow down, I've always taken it as enjoy simple pleasures for their pleasant simplicity, or if it makes you happy do it. It's all well and good, but why does there HAVE to be value in an activity? You even state in the short that games are designed for entertainment, the end all goal for entertainment is to entice the purveyor into an emotional state: happiness, concern, a yearning for comprehension and action. Why is this lack of substance offensive to you? As a final comment on this duality of enjoyment I ask you to consider: I would imagine the experience of creating this film short was cathartic, why is the imparted joy from going forth and shouting from the rooftop your PERSONAL thoughts on your PERSONAL experiences any more substantive than taking enjoyment from privately enjoying a game?

Further the “video games make people hermits” theory I fear doesn't (in my mind at least) pan out all that well either. I will agree in as much as most gamers probably are in solitude while playing games, however I don't believe there is a substantial difference between the modern lonely gamer and any other isolated social group at anytime. Go to work tomorrow, or just some public place and watch people, try to get inside their heads, try and figure out how many people go home alone or just sit in indifference to another person for extended periods of time everyday... how many of them have gaming to blame? Many many people are lonely and that is truly unfortunate, but almost all of those people have made many decisions that have affected their social lives to craft them into a “loner”. As I hinted I'm not sure why it's accepted automatically that being alone is some sort of social disease, many many introverts are very well adjusted people and I know a few who are on a day-to-day basis much happier than more extroverted people...

Overall I must simply say that you can enjoy whatever you like whether it improves the lives of everyone or just makes you happy for one brief moment, but as your video drives home life is fleeting and it's best to experience it as best you can. “Be happy for what you have and what you have will make you happy”

TL;DR: Liked the vid, happiness can be an end in itself, “loner” only has a stigma if you attach it to yourself (after all who else is around to do it?), I welcome discussion, Thank you for artistically representing a thought well enough to distract me for a good half hour of solid thought, Be Happy

ps. Just so you know I'm not a “gamer” I'm a “foodie” and a “bookworm” both labels that force me just as far away from people/lasting accomplishments as being a “gamer” but are activities listed in your video as better alternatives to gaming :-P

Yup, just made the acct to comment.

Sure the video deals with all video games, but I'm sure that the heavy emphasis on WOW was not a mistake, and I just want to thank you for the words of wisdom. I just recently quit WOW after pouring nearly five years of my life into what I had refused to believe was an addiction. I'm 20 years old and I'm only now realizing the things I've missed and can only hope I'm not too late. So simply, Thank You.

It's hard to agree with what you're saying when you're being heavily one-sided towards video games. I'm sorry that you had such a poor experience with video games and were under the impression, intentionally or not, that playing video games will improve your real life abilities. "We fool ourselves" is a rather general statement, and one that I cannot share. Also, saying "the true cost of playing video games" makes what you're saying sound like an axiom.

I play video games; I am one of the best Halo players at my college and I am at the top of my class. What you're saying is true to some people, but you have to consider that many people have common sense and realize when to play video games and when not to. You seem to have an addictive personality, I don't know if you do and I apologize of this sentence makes me sound pretentious. I have friends who play the same MMO's I do, and their characters are at higher levels than mine because I can make the conscious decision to forgo a video gaming session in favor of studying for the onslaught of exams. There are many things you can do in place of playing video games, but there are also many things you can do in place of watching television, reading books, or playing sports. Why don't you attack TV, which has had a greater "overwhelming negative effect" on your generation, my generation, and generations before hand or books, which can be as addictive to a person with an addictive personality, or obsessive sports playing, which can lead to serious physical injury. Is it because the latter three are more socially acceptable? Should you attack games because society currently views it as a greater evil than the other three (even though television has done more evil to this world than video games ever will)?

I'll be asking quite a few questions, so bare with me. What are these "overwhelming negative effects?" Is it increased violence (there is no correlation)? Is it obesity (you should be blaming the fast food industry then; Fast Food Nation)? Is it social ineptitude (did nerds, like myself, not exist before video games because of their love of knowledge)? When you make such facetious statements, your message comes across like an advert and something you would see on Fox News.

Are you saying we should abandon video games are reduce them to an extremely minor occurrence in our lives in favor of more socially acceptable activities that many people find no joy in? Are you saying we should all become microcosms of human perfection? It should be obvious to any person to know when playing video games, watching TV, reading a book, or doing any other activity is interfering with their lives. You do mention the social aspect of video games in the end as being good, but is that the only thing they have to offer?

Video games have created an entirely knew sector of the economy which contributes to the overall well being of the US's economy. Some (oh so many few of them) video games are works of art but WoW and Halo and probably many of the ones you have played are not among them (FFX is a perfect example). Some video games can help model real world behavior (the Corrupted Blood Incident in WoW). And of course, video games are entertainment. Just like sports are entertainment (I enjoy tennis), just like books are entertainment (I actually read much more than anything else in life), just like TV is entertainment (I don't watch TV much). It's true that there are many video game competitions, and contrary to their media portrayal, many of the best video gamers are not obese; in fact, they are slim or average and/or fit. The social aspect you point out about video games is too small. Games reach across nations and not just conventions.

All in all, I'm happy you realized that video games were ruining your life, but don't project yourself onto others and deliver this message like its an axiom of life. I apologize if I sounded harsh, but it's videos like this that reinforce the negative stereotype of gamers when people who obsessively play games are really a small sample of a larger population. No, I didn't miss your point, it was very obvious especially with the comparison of what you could do with the time you spend leveling a WoW character, but please realize that what you said is very narrow (what I'm saying is also one-sided, but its a defense from a rigorous offense).

Great video thought. I liked the animation, the music, and the way the bits of video game scenes flowed with the music. It's good. But did you really need to say all of this? Do you believe that there are that many people who will watch your video who are like you and realize the folly of their ways? Many people grew up knowing that games are not helpful to them in the same way their parents taught them that movies aren't real, so this video seems a bit pointless and insulting to gamers who can make that distinction. Of course, common sense should also eventually kick in even if a person didn't have good parenting (unless that person had truly horrible parenting). Put your talents to something just as controversial, but not as redundant or insulting as saying "playing too much is bad for you." I mean who doesn't know that?

ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world.html

Sort of the counter-video to this video. It's all in perspective.

this video is really truthful ... i picked up my first game when i was 2

Created Account for this...

I'm a huge gamer, have been since the mid 80's. I play daily still. I have to agree with the video though. There's been times where I get off the computer or console and think, wow, I played entirely too long.

My first MMO was Guild Wars, and I actually found my wife on that game. The fact that it brings together people with a common interest couldn't be more true in my case. I have 3 level 80's in WoW. I understand why he put so much of an emphasis on that game because, well, it's the only one that had me really addicted.

Only recently I've got a balance in my life and my gaming life. I still play WoW, and I still play console games. I can't say I'm learning French and Spanish, or anything remotely as remarkable, but I do feel better now that I see the sun more. lol

All of you guys saying this guy is just talking shit needs to really watch the video again, especially the end. Seems most of you jumped the gun here, and if not, this video wasn't intended for you, but those of us that really played games, so much so that it consumed a substantial part of our lives.

Thanks for the video.

wow. this is one of the best videos i have seen in a long time. most of it i already knew. 5 years of WoW and im tired of it... but i keep coming up with excuses as to why i play. im bored of the game, but i do enjoy the interaction i have with the people online.

the key is to realise you have a problem. those people who spend most of their free time playing a game. that would rather sit down and play modern warfare 2, or WoW over going out and doing something with their friends that dont see a problem are the ones who sit here and call this video BS. it took a trip to the E.R because of malnutrition and dehydration from not wanting to get up from WoW to get food or drink for me to realise i have a problem. and i took control of that problem. yes i still play, but not like i use to.

think about this. are you one of those people who use to do allot of stuff with friends, and now they barely talk to you anymore? maybe its because they got tired of asking you if you wanted to do anything. and it got to the point where they thought "should i ask him? nah, he will just want to play a game". if you barely do anything with your friends, or barely even talk to them.. you have a gaming problem. and im not talking about your online friends. im talking about the friends that live close to you, that you actually have to look away from the computer or TV to see. that you dont talk to through a mic. if you have lost touch with those friends because you love playing games. its time to change that. i will willingly give up a raid in WoW to go hang out with my friends. because it gets me out of the house. for those of you who are not willing to admit you have a problem, who would rather stay home and play a game talking to some "chick" you will never meet in real life... well, enjoy being lonely.

know this. a day will come to those gamers when they are getting to old to go out (i know your never really to old), or to old to have kids of your own. and they will sit down and it will finally hit them "what happened to my life" "where did all the time go?" "why did i not even attempt any of my dreams?" why you ask? because you were to busy playing video games.

I also made this account to comment.
I think that overall you put the blame of your problems onto video games too much.
Youre divorced and overweight? The games themselves did not tell you to neglect your marriage or to stop working out, it was all your own decision.
when it comes down to it, what will anything get us in life? why do we have to have a nice job, a good house and all the trappings of a 'proper' life?
Entertainment video games might be, but there is nothing wrong with doing something purely for the enjoyment.
You go to a job which probably makes you miserable for a house you aren't satisfied with to live with someone who doesn't appreciate all of who you are including your interest in games.
The only person to blame for ignoring the world around you because of games is yourself. the lifestyle you want is not compatible with video games obviously. others are perfectly content to ENJOY their lives through online friends and games because that is how they want to live.
The games that you play do not make your life decisions for you and they shouldnt be held accountable for the results of those choices.

This video isn't for me. I never thought secluding myself was anything other than entertainment.

Here's something strange- I've blown people off to watch TV and about as many times to read a book. It's not a frequent thing or anything but sometimes I don't feel like talking to them.

If it's someone that's annoyed me recently the passive aggressive thing makes this all a little more likely but not a whole lot. My sister is practically the person that showed me that nasty little way of not interacting with people existed and she was the kind of always out and about with people person that seems the antithesis to what this was about.


Now, I like having some friends and the interaction there but I don't go to cons because I don't usually like people that are interested in this franchise or that. It makes for ok conversation in a pinch but, strange thing, I decide if I like someone or not based on other things a little more central to their character
Ya, in the way this video says these games and things aren't central to you.


So where's the reason to think people needed this message? Looking at it again I get the impression that you said video games but yelled it out the window as "Christians!" when you really meant something more specific like Baptists or Jehovah's Witnesses. So really I just wanted to say that this feels like a popup ad about some brand of shoes. I don't know which brand because I don't even give those kinds of things enough attention to pick that up but you've hijacked time I could have been talking to the four other people in the room with me. In reality I know it doesn't work like that but if you don't want to actually hear what I said then you probably don't know that it doesn't work like that and you've just contributed in a small way to what you were speaking out against. To me this seems like a fair trade for spray and pray advertising so I accomplish something either way.

What about professional gamers?



derp

Me too have created an account just for this:

First of let me begin by re-iterating that this video is the makers OWN opinion and experience that he got out of playing video game.

As to my own, let me support SergioFX's argument in saying that just like any addiction, video games can and will get a hold of your life if it gets out of hand.

In a sense, video games are like alcohol - they are perfectly fine and socially acceptable in moderation, bu as soon as you get addicted, have the potential to completely destroy your life and health.

I'm just shaking my head. Also made an account to comment on this stupidity.
Did this guy just blame video games for all his problems because he couldn't balance his life? Not even, he danced around everything, saying games are bad, not half bad, then bad again. You could say the same about movies and music, oh wait, you can't because if you're passionate about those things that's fine.
This guy's the kind of person who considers an introvert shy, who can't tell the difference between being afraid of people and being sick of them for a while. Constant human face to face interaction isn't for everyone. And really, you fat divorced piece of shit, if you weren't playing video games you'd just be passively watching t.v, or getting raped by your gym teacher you filthy little whiner.
Games also have things called stories. Ever heard of those? It's the thing Harry Potter tried to be. You see but instead of just sitting there reading it, or watching it, you're DOING it. In a programed fashion, but still you have control. Where in a book does it say: and then the hero crouched and stood up and crouched and stood up and crouched and stood up, just for fun and to test the controls? Okay maybe someone stretching but what I'm saying is you can make the character do anything at the time and some even give you control of the story, many in fact.
I'm not even going to mention the music, intense software hardware development, voice acting and CGI breakthroughs that further increase immersion. I'm not going to mention the subtext in games like Braid that makes the shiver, or how Shadow of the Colossus made me fucking cry, how Link taught me what true bravery was, or how Metal Gear opened my eyes to the bat-shit crazy half truth world of Hideo Kojima. Because you know all that already don't you? I'm not going to mention the games that taught me to reading, writing, typing, mathematics, science, geometry... what else.. I can name the fucking games too. You want me to go all Manhole on your ass? You weren't considering those as video-games were you? No, because video-games are just 'entertainment nothing more.' You prick. Even your cartoon is ugly.
I'd call you portentous and all that other stuff you said, but you already said it, because you know you are, you fucking troll. Why else would you burn WoW? One of the most popular games of all time, and you have to take a piss on it. How bout you just show some respect for the things people obviously care about. Who are you to tell them what to like? What are you going to do next? Burn the complete works of William Shakespeare because all those theatre people are way too into it and 'wasted' their time on it? How about a set of golf clubs? Piano? I don't even play WoW and this bothers me.
I have my own problems with the game, but did you see how I still wrote the proper abbreviation? That's called respect.
When you BURN, generalize, criticize, patronize and use stupid music and scare tactics to impose your will, that's called a Nazi.
The scare tactics I speak of are things like saying how much money have you spent and how much time have you wasted. Because I have thought of these things and they did scare me, in my most depressed and self-hating moments, because I realized I was just being extremely negative. I've made more friends from gaming than I've lost, in fact I've lost none because of it, because I don't consider Coca-Cola to be heroin. Get it?

I can say that I partially agree, but you were an addict. I've always been a casual gamer. I've even worked for Activision, Blizzard, EA and Sony as well as many other start ups over the years.

I'm 29, happily mated, and have been working and schooling since 2000. I have worked professionally in video games for years, and now owe the games to my start in software test engineering. I keep a high five-figure salary and manage my schooling and personal time equally.

While I do sit at home, alone, in front of the PC (as intended with a "personal" computer), I have countless friends in every nationality, gender, sexual orientation, and creed. They are hardcore gamers, they are intellectuals, they are readers, some are even a little dumb but quite fun.

The free 1 year subscription I got to WoW when I was hired with Blizzard was given to a friend. When I received my free copy of Starcraft II, I gave that one to a friend as well. I keep the games I worked on as trophies, and fortunately for me, the achievements attained in relation to these games do fit on my resume and do help me get better and better jobs.

I pride myself in not being a hardcore gamer, but at least in understanding the model of gaming and for having those people out there that keep my salary going. Sure, it can be a horrible addiction, but generalizing all gamers to the same circumstances you observed is narrow-minded at best.

In contrast, I own a Wii because it removes me from being sedentary, it connects me to friends physically and across the world, and opens new opportunities in gaming that I might not get otherwise.

In my 29 years on the planet, I've been a US Federal Agent, I've worked for many great companies, and I've made friends because of the networks created by the fandoms associated with the properties. I attend Comic Con yearly as an industry professional. Professional. Gaming has created a positive career for me.

I'm sorry it ruined your weak will, but it's done no such thing for me.

Great, thought-provoking video :) thanks!
Games, and social networking online is definitely changing our world and the way we communicate - it is brand new territory for the human race, and we can only hope that we learn to find the balance.

I think there is a parallel between books (fiction) and video games, in that they both enable "escapism" to some degree in it's users. But, it is also educational and fantasy-developing in my opinion. As with all things though, use with care :)

The saddest part isn't that he may have wasted a lot of time. Its that he didn't realize videogames weren't real life until 3 months ago.

I have to say, though I'm glad that you came off of your addiction, this video is based on very flawed logic.

Saying that video games have "no lasting value" is rather outrageous. I've been more impacted by BioShock's storyline and the ending of Shadow of the Colossus than by any work of literature I've read. Gaming is an interactive medium that has the potential to transcend books in terms of its narrative ability. The medium is still in its infancy and it hasn't caught up to books/movies yet, but it's getting there pretty fast.

Now, there are a lot of games that have the qualities you describe. Mario, Pac-Man, and other "mindless" games (WoW has a plot, but it's very poorly delivered and is mostly shoehorned in, and therefore I'd include it in this list, too) do have no real lasting value, I'd agree.

But games like Persona 3 and Metal Gear Solid are at times so powerful that it's impossible to dismiss them as mere "entertainment". Like everything, they should be played in moderation, obviously. Yet, there is really no logical reason why anyone should look down on these games any more than they should look down on books, film, and music.

Though this post probably made it sound like I didn't enjoy the video, let me just say that I did. It was compelling. But please be careful not to dismiss an entire medium of art just because of a few bad seeds.

I don't have time, or just don't wanna spend my time reading all these comments... sorry. I think videogames can be a form of art like cinema. When I was depressed I took many days playing videogames, watching movies, reading books and chating with friends... and all of this was very inportant to me... and became important to get on my feet again. Like watching TV, sometimes I need to flush my mind with someting useless. Now I'm better, I have my work, my studies, my movies, my friends... and my hours playing games whenever I have spendable time for it... I think the problem is not videogame, is addiction... Probably you'd wasted your time on useless something else anyway... maybe.
By the way, congrats for the video, for all the dust that it raised!

lol I hope you dont take the time to read all these comments and let them bring you down. its a really good video and you did awesome job of conveying your emotions. The fact that people got so offended by your video that that had to comment shows that it was a powerful film. what people for some reason never realize is that you have a creative license to say whatever you want thats what film is about!

This has really made me think about what I've been doing in my life. The time and money I have spent on something really so pointless, when I could've been doing something with more value; like pursuing a career of music, or improving on drawing. Thank you for this. I'm going to start cutting back now.

Well I think it wasnt a total over generalization. But more to try to make you aware of the time and money you spend on games and remind you that there should always be a balance. I really enjoyed this video and it did give me a bit to think about.

you can burn world of warcraft just dont EVER burn call of duty lol. actually u can burn call of duty 1 2 3 4 5 i really dont care about those but dont burn call of duty modern warefare 2 or call of duty black ops. and also now that they have kinect for xbox 360 you can have fun and stay healthy. just play with your friends or family at least once a week. also good video. one more thing, i also created an acount just to comment on this video lol.ONE more thing, i found this video on stumbleupon.com you guys should check it out.

It's been 2 years since I posted this video and I'm astounded to the amount of people who took the time to comment and share it. I never expected such a wide vast of gamers ( and non-gamers ) alike to add their opinions on this topic. Thank you everyone! I'll update and add this up on my gaming site. xiii-ph.com

PS. This video was made by someone else and as a fellow gamer who wants to educate everyone, I shared this for everyone to see.