So, You've Decided to Quit Gaming - Now What?

[Ashhearth]

CALLED IT! FUCKING CALLED IT!

New fad, right here. Very odd for a gaming site but hell, it's The Escapist... Nothing is too odd for The Escapist.

OT: I would just move all the time onto anime and manga. Y'know, the other thing I love to do?

Yeah lurking on this site as long as I have made this one pretty predictable but I suppose there have been worse fads.

As for what I would do with myself it would be all my other hobbies coming in to fill the void videogames left so playing the piano, sketching, reading and just living college life.

 

[Thistlehart]

Hmmm...

Y'know, I'm all for a snarky response to a hypothetical question, but I can't help but ponder what I might get done if I put games aside for a bit. I have relatively poor impulse control when it comes to my free time. I tend to reach for video games more or less because they are the simplest joy I've access to. I don't count TV anymore, since it manages to piss me off pretty consistently.

To answer the question in earnest, I'd probably reapply myself to learning to play piano, get a lot more reading done, and maybe even some writing. Perhaps I'd even pick up that audio-editing software and try my hand at making some music. Maybe I'll take my attempts to learn how to sew a little more seriously and make some of my own duds: some gloves that will actually fit my stubby hands, a new utility vest, or even something as simple as a heavy wool cloak for this lovely Seattle weather (according to Lindybeige of YouTube they're actually quite functional).

Of course, the lynchpin of this whole thing is, "If I want to do these things, why haven't I done so already, despite video games?" The first answer that comes to mind is that I apparently don't want to do them bad enough. However, might it be that I just want to play video games more? If so, does that mean these other past-times are less fulfilling, less amusing, or maybe just not as appealing as I believe in my dewy-eyed ignorance?

I think that may be the intent behind the OP's question, if folks might be so kind as to cool their knee-jerk indignation/snark and give the question a think.

For my part, I think I know what I'll be trying out next month.

 

[charge52]

Do the only thing I can, learn to program, and make video games.

There's a lot more to making games than coding. Not that anyone would get that from looking at the job listings on developer's websites...according to them it's all coding and marketing.

I know that, but I think it's better to leave a simple comment, rather than talk about all the things I would need to learn. Though if it was as simple as coding, we would have a lot more game designers.

 

[Oly J]

I have absolutely no idea, read, write, watch movies more, make more room for anime and manga, hell if there's time even go out and meet some of those things...watcha call 'em...people! that's it. I'd probably keep my PS3 for the sake of a blu ray player, but honestly I don't ever see myself giving up gaming, sure it's not as compulsive a hobby as once it was, but it's always there for me and I'm glad of it

 

[Pink Gregory]

I wouldn't suddenly be more productive, that's for damn sure.

My sentiments echo what someone else here said; if I was that dedicated, I would have already made time for other things, perhaps I will, perhaps I won't. That's got nothing to do with the fact that I enjoy gaming.

If fact there's little else that I do enjoy at the moment, although I do engage in other pursuits. So typically I'm going to go for the thing that I do enjoy.

 

[Sooint]

I would devote more time to my other time-sink hobbies (reading, watching shows), spend more time improving skills (drawing, digital art, web design, coding), and spend more time learning about cool subjects (math, physics, philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, biology... pretty much anything that interests me). Also, I would pick up another type of game. Like a tabletop RPG. Or chess.

Recently, I've been playing less video games and doing more of these things (mostly reading and drawing). I don't think I'll ever fully give up games, though.

 

[Ryotknife]

hmm...probably go out and save the world.

 

[Lectori Salutem]

Read a lot. It's pretty much what I always do when I don't have access to games or the internet.
Also drawing, programming (game related stuff most likely, since I'm studying game technology. Oh irony)
I'd most likely give writing a try.

 

[Yopaz]

Read books, watch TV, study, have a social life and work out. I do these things already and I spend more time doing these than gaming so it wouldn't really matter that much.

I don't have time for games these days sadly... I guess I've already quit... at least until Christmas.

 

[xplosive59]

Well I don't play games anymore really because of music and watching films and TV series, mainly music though. Also I dislike alot of the gaming community and I couldn't be bothered to be with those kind of people.

 

[kasperbbs]

I don't even game that much anymore, perhaps 10 or less hours a week, so i would use that time to watch some anime, movies, tv shows or just surf the net. I don't really see the point in quitting gaming alltogether, as long as i enjoy gaming i will continue to do so, even if i don't have as much time for it as i used to.

 

[veloper]

Alot more reading and websurfing, then a little bit more watching movies and tv shows and all the while still not being fully entertained. Maybe play some board games or card games even.

The entertainment hole would in any case still be filled by lesser entertainment and not by more work or fitness or family stuff. That makes the whole scenario too unlikely.

The only thing that could possibly draw me away from gaming is even bigger fun like supercars, real expensive dinners and expensive company and I don't play the lottery.

 

[Smeggs]

Focus on my college more and begin to lose some weight.

 

[Mr.Squishy]

Drastically increase my time on the internet, I suppose.
Or if I feel like being productive, I guess I'd write.

 

[Calibanbutcher]

I had to give up gaming more or less due to entering university and deciding that playing the guitar was more important:
I still enjoy playing videogames but I rarely have time anymore.

 

[Mordekaien]

I would probably pour more time in another hobby of mine, mainly martial arts, reading, roleplaying or crafting, or playing on the whistle and harmonica. But I found just now how to balance it all with work and my studies, so that I can keep at it for reasonable time.
Also, I would start drawing again, as opposed to that doodling I do now.

 

[hazabaza1]

I dunno. Might start drawing stuff. Probably read a lot more.

 

[Tuesday Night Fever]

I'd probably learn some kind of practical skill that people pay good money for. There aren't a whole lot of jobs in my area that use the degree that I earned, so it'd make sense to try and learn a trade. My uncle is an electrician who owns his own business, so I might go to him to get my foot in the door for that. My spouse happens to be interested in repairing cars, so maybe we'd both try to pursue that (though I'd be starting from scratch). Pretty much the only thing preventing me from doing this is laziness, and video games being a huge distraction preventing me from getting anything done or learning any new skills.

Assuming I'm still too lazy to learn a new skill, I might look into opening a franchise store. There's a fairly large town next to my own with a business district right off the highway. For whatever reason, there's nothing in this district that sells movies/music/games. There's a strip mall right off the highway with a fairly busy grocery store that would be perfect for a location. High visibility because of the highway and grocery store, and it corners a niche market that nothing else in the area taps into.

Assuming I'm still too lazy to learn a new skill or open a store, I might try to actually get some use out of a gym membership since I could stand to lose some weight.

Probably for the best to assume I'll be too lazy for that too, though.

 

[Krois]

Starts wondering how on Earth did I get into THIS crappy game. I mean the leveling system clearly sucks, NPC scripts are way too offensive at times and you can't even cast magic on enemy mobs. Lastly, where's the bloody log off button?!

On a more serious note, I'd probably take up guitar and handcraft works.

 

[FrozenCones]

Gaming
Gaming
Gaming
Gaming

I dont know whats come over me.

To be honest....Actually sit down and learn how to play my guitar.