When is it time to grow up?

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megapenguinx

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Freakout456 said:
megapenguinx said:
You basically overreacted.
You can game as an adult, it's not something you have to give up. Besides, you're from the U.S. No one expects you to do anything until after you turn 18 anyways.
not true at 18 the goverment expects you to sign up to the army and be killed in yet another pointless war.
That's what I said (well not about the whole enlisting bit). But he's only 17, he has another year before having to deal with that crap.
 

dsau

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megapenguinx said:
Freakout456 said:
megapenguinx said:
You basically overreacted.
You can game as an adult, it's not something you have to give up. Besides, you're from the U.S. No one expects you to do anything until after you turn 18 anyways.
not true at 18 the goverment expects you to sign up to the army and be killed in yet another pointless war.
That's what I said (well not about the whole enlisting bit). But he's only 17, he has another year before having to deal with that crap.
3 months actually...
 

Vanguard_Ex

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dsau said:
well my fellow gamers today i cancelled my xbox live accounts and deleted them entirely. This is a pretty big deal for me because iv been a daily gamer since i was 4(i took over my older bros N64), and im not sure when i exactly became a hardcore gamer but it was also at a young age. for example i was beating golden eye for the n64 on 007 difficulty without getting shot when i was 8. well needless to say i can wholeheartedly say that im addicted to gaming and have been most my life. and why im doing this... im not sure. i had mental breakdown yesterday, and realized i havent grown up at all, all i do is sit in my basement and game, im 17 years old, never had a job, never had a girlfriend, and im doing poorly at school just so i can beat some kids who ill never see or meet at a game that doesnt matter and unless your TSQUARED or a game designer.. it doesnt matter. well to me at least. im not trying to diss any of you, because i know that im about as bad as it gets when it comes to gaming to much. and just to clarify im never making another live account, i dont have any other console and my pc cant play games at all really. but im not stopping gaming all together i still plan on picking up borderlands later this fall i just hope i dont put as many hours on that as i did on morrowind and oblivion.

so i ask you all, will this help me grow up and if so how much?
and am i overreacting to much? was this a good idea?
I wouldn't exactly say you've been irresponsible. If it makes you feel better my life hasn't exactly been eventful in comparison to yours, in those aspects. I've had 1 job which lasted only about 6 shifts, and a grand total of 3/4 girlfriends. I'm also 17 as well. But I don't live by what other people might think I should, I just enjoy who I am. Perhaps we game because it adds something more? I think you should carry on gaming, just not as much. I bet if you got yourself a girlfriend then you'd find you can still game but be a responsible person. Well, in any case, I salute you. It takes a lot of self control to do what you've done.
 

Pillypill

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xmetatr0nx said:
Growing up has little if nothing to do with the activities you choose to distract yourself. Its all about responsibility and how you prioritise things. Its about being self sufficient and able to take care of things on your own when the situation calls for it. If you think calling off gaming will help you accomplish these things then more power to you. Why are you asking us on such a subjective matter?

EDIT: Did i mention that making decisions on your own is usually a sign of maturity? Grow up when you feel its time to get your shit together. Gaming isnt everything if you find more important things along the path of life then great, if not theres nothing wrong with a hobby.
I was trying to write somthing to sum up how i felt about this subject, but he (see above) did it for me. =D
 

Nmil-ek

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Naturalized said:
Ok first of all, you are overreacting.

All you needed to do was to give your mom your hard drive to keep until you improved your grades/got a job/girlfriend. For me? I never had to. I've been gaming since I was 4 and still am now (16 next week) I have a fiance and I'm one of the smartest guys in my year. Yet I still played Halo and cod4 and oblivion and guitar hero many many hours a week (25+)

If you need to do this then that's just you. Some people can do everything at once. Some can only do a few things. Some can only do one.
Thats prety cute actually nothing wrong with a commited relationship but dont go thinking its all rosy working 40+ hour shifts (especially if you want ot look after another person) bills, taxes, petrol, shopping, if you move out you have mortgageing to pay, gas electricity I would say dont be in a rush and enjoy it while you can.

As for the op congrats on making a tough choice, If you feel its holding your life back and preventing you from doing things then it probably is all things in moderation as they say, jsut dont substitute it for heavy drinking that only comes back to bite you in the ass trust me >_>.
 

wewontdie11

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Jesus Christ man talk about overreacting. I mean I'm nearly 20 and I still game. I'm actively pursuing jobs, partners and out of home accommodation at the same time. No point giving up something you enjoy because you think you should grow up. Nothing wrong with being childish to some extent.
 

megapenguinx

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dsau said:
megapenguinx said:
Freakout456 said:
megapenguinx said:
You basically overreacted.
You can game as an adult, it's not something you have to give up. Besides, you're from the U.S. No one expects you to do anything until after you turn 18 anyways.
not true at 18 the goverment expects you to sign up to the army and be killed in yet another pointless war.
That's what I said (well not about the whole enlisting bit). But he's only 17, he has another year before having to deal with that crap.
3 months actually...
Ouch, although actually registering for the draft literally takes 5 mins (even less if you do it online). Don't force yourself to grow up, it's just something that happens.
xmetatr0nx said:
Growing up has little if nothing to do with the activities you choose to distract yourself. Its all about responsibility and how you prioritise things. Its about being self sufficient and able to take care of things on your own when the situation calls for it. If you think calling off gaming will help you accomplish these things then more power to you. Why are you asking us on such a subjective matter?

EDIT: Did i mention that making decisions on your own is usually a sign of maturity? Grow up when you feel its time to get your shit together. Gaming isnt everything if you find more important things alongg the path of life then great, if not theres nothing wrong with a hobby.
xmetatr0nx has it right. Being an adult is mainly about dealing with all the added responsibility.
 

The Random One

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JemJar said:
Congrats.

That's like quitting WoW but even more impressive. My advice is to go to your library, get a few good books and read them under the shade of some trees. These lovely people are right, you can go back to gaming later and resume the affair on a less passionate level.

Possible Reading List (taken from my shelf o' favourites):

The Tao of Pooh - Benjamin Hoff
Yes Man - Danny Wallace
Freakonomics - Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
Blink - Malcolm Gladwell

Welcome to Adult Life. There are no emergency exits, no seatbelt signs and no rules about smoking. In the case of extreme turbulence: bend down, put your head between your legs, kiss your ass goodbye. Have a good trip.
Noooo! Read some fast-paced fiction to ease into this new hobby! Try Snow Crash or American Gods.

On topic, since we don't live in a society in which we are expected to shove our hands into a nest of fire ants to gain our adulthood, we all need to create our own rites of passage, and giving up gaming, as much as people say is overreacting, is better than drinking yourself into an stupor, which seems to be the majority choice.
 

dsau

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wewontdie11 said:
Jesus Christ man talk about overreacting. I mean I'm nearly 20 and I still game. I'm actively pursuing jobs, partners and out of home accommodation at the same time no. No point giving up something you enjoy because you think you should grow up. Nothing wrong with being childish to some extent.
yeah but what if gaming was holding you back from all those things, and you didnt even enjoy gaming anymore? cause thats where im at and trying to get away from. and i dont have the discipline to play just a little, especially if i still have live
 

ActionDan

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Naturalized said:
ActionDan said:
Naturalized said:
(16 next week) I have a fiance
A fiance at 16? Jesus christ...don't you think thats EXTREMELY early? You DO have your entire life ahead of you.

Yeah, we've been together for four years almost five (oct 24). We've been planning ever since the proposal. We're not stupid, we can't afford to get married etc yet so yeah. After uni we're going to the US and gonna settle down ..... *snip* and then hopefully twins...

No I'm not typing every single plan we made. Plans can go wrong after all.
Wow, I think you're going WAY too far into things. That's just...silly.
 

grimsprice

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ActionDan said:
Naturalized said:
(16 next week) I have a fiance
A fiance at 16? Jesus christ...don't you think thats EXTREMELY early? You DO have your entire life ahead of you.
geez. thats what i thought.... my sister is 27 and she doesn't even have a man. i'm 19 and don't plan on getting overly serious about my girl until i get out of college... probably 23 at the earliest... jesus christ. 16 and engaged? that is way to early. period.

edit: wait. are you telling me you met and fell in love with her when you were 11? thats not even biologically possible. that would have been before your balls dropped and you started producing hormones.
 

JMeganSnow

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It doesn't do any good to stop doing things. The idea is to start doing something productive. You're not enjoying the gaming because it's become a replacement for productivity instead of a rest from productivity.

A job, girlfriend, and good grades are all irrelevant considerations unless you decide that those are productive pursuits that lead toward your long-term goals. Otherwise you might be better off writing a novel or drawing or creating a comic or building model cars or whatever. Or writing your own game. Whatever works for you.
 

elemenetal150

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you are going tobe able to in anyway gain the things that you have been neglecting.
dsau said:
well my fellow gamers today i cancelled my xbox live accounts and deleted them entirely. This is a pretty big deal for me because iv been a daily gamer since i was 4(i took over my older bros N64), and im not sure when i exactly became a hardcore gamer but it was also at a young age. for example i was beating golden eye for the n64 on 007 difficulty without getting shot when i was 8. well needless to say i can wholeheartedly say that im addicted to gaming and have been most my life. and why im doing this... im not sure. i had mental breakdown yesterday, and realized i havent grown up at all, all i do is sit in my basement and game, im 17 years old, never had a job, never had a girlfriend, and im doing poorly at school just so i can beat some kids who ill never see or meet at a game that doesnt matter and unless your TSQUARED or a game designer.. it doesnt matter. well to me at least. im not trying to diss any of you, because i know that im about as bad as it gets when it comes to gaming to much. and just to clarify im never making another live account, i dont have any other console and my pc cant play games at all really. but im not stopping gaming all together i still plan on picking up borderlands later this fall i just hope i dont put as many hours on that as i did on morrowind and oblivion.

so i ask you all, will this help me grow up and if so how much?
and am i overreacting to much? was this a good idea?
This is what is wrong with the world.....this is why people still view games as something that is for children....because there are still gamers our there that think the same thing. I'm grown. I work 40 hours a week have been in a stable committed relationship for the last 4 years. I hang out with friends every time I have a day off. I pay my rent and bills and still play AT LEAST an hour of videogames a night (well most nights).

You deciding that games were more important to you then having a social life and taking on more responsibility is not so much a sign of childish behavior as much as it is a sign of a lack of interest in other things.....just because you put that all behind you doesn't mean you are going to be able to gain these things you claim to lack and want. Jobs aren't easy and usually aren't fun, being in a relationship takes a level of dedication that is hard to come by, having a physical group of friends takes social skills that are harder to pull off in person to people you are trying to be friends with then they are online or over the phone to someone that ultimately does not matter. These are all things that you are going to have to work on

My group of friends game together often....although a number of them don't play games at all.
I love videogames and have a fulfilling life...games happen to be a part of it. I don't see why it can't be a part of yours also, you just have to realize that if you want other things in your life you have to include them in your life the same way you have included games in the past....which ultimately means less time for games in general
 

Danzaivar

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Naturalized said:
ActionDan said:
Naturalized said:
(16 next week) I have a fiance
A fiance at 16? Jesus christ...don't you think thats EXTREMELY early? You DO have your entire life ahead of you.

Yeah, we've been together for four years almost five (oct 24). We've been planning ever since the proposal. We're not stupid, we can't afford to get married etc yet so yeah. After uni we're going to the US and gonna settle down ..... *snip* and then hopefully twins...

No I'm not typing every single plan we made. Plans can go wrong after all.
I had a friend who was engaged at 16. They broke up after he caught her cheating when they was 18. She became a lesbian and he became an alcoholic.

It's so cute to see childhood sweethearts tho! Best of luck!
 

axia777

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Don't blame games. Go get a job. Your only 17 and you are very, very young. You have time to build a future. Are you planning for college? If not do so. If you don't know what you want to do go take gen ed classes at your local community college. That can also be a good way to get you GPA up. You have a long future ahead of you as long as you don't screw it up with drugs and booze.

But don'[t blame games. Take responsibility for your actions. People can play video games and be successful in life at the same time.
 

dsau

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elemenetal150 said:
you are going tobe able to in anyway gain the things that you have been neglecting.
dsau said:
well my fellow gamers today i cancelled my xbox live accounts and deleted them entirely. This is a pretty big deal for me because iv been a daily gamer since i was 4(i took over my older bros N64), and im not sure when i exactly became a hardcore gamer but it was also at a young age. for example i was beating golden eye for the n64 on 007 difficulty without getting shot when i was 8. well needless to say i can wholeheartedly say that im addicted to gaming and have been most my life. and why im doing this... im not sure. i had mental breakdown yesterday, and realized i havent grown up at all, all i do is sit in my basement and game, im 17 years old, never had a job, never had a girlfriend, and im doing poorly at school just so i can beat some kids who ill never see or meet at a game that doesnt matter and unless your TSQUARED or a game designer.. it doesnt matter. well to me at least. im not trying to diss any of you, because i know that im about as bad as it gets when it comes to gaming to much. and just to clarify im never making another live account, i dont have any other console and my pc cant play games at all really. but im not stopping gaming all together i still plan on picking up borderlands later this fall i just hope i dont put as many hours on that as i did on morrowind and oblivion.

so i ask you all, will this help me grow up and if so how much?
and am i overreacting to much? was this a good idea?
This is what is wrong with the world.....this is why people still view games as something that is for children....because there are still gamers our there that think the same thing. I'm grown. I work 40 hours a week have been in a stable committed relationship for the last 4 years. I hang out with friends every time I have a day off. I pay my rent and bills and still play AT LEAST an hour of videogames a night (well most nights).

You deciding that games were more important to you then having a social life and taking on more responsibility is not so much a sign of childish behavior as much as it is a sign of a lack of interest in other things.....just because you put that all behind you doesn't mean you are going to be able to gain these things you claim to lack and want. Jobs aren't easy and usually aren't fun, being in a relationship takes a level of dedication that is hard to come by, having a physical group of friends takes social skills that are harder to pull off in person to people you are trying to be friends with then they are online or over the phone to someone that ultimately does not matter. These are all things that you are going to have to work on

My group of friends game together often....although a number of them don't play games at all.
I love videogames and have a fulfilling life...games happen to be a part of it. I don't see why it can't be a part of yours also, you just have to realize that if you want other things in your life you have to include them in your life the same way you have included games in the past....which ultimately means less time for games in general
i see what your saying and i agree. video games in general arent childish and they are not evil, my brother works a shitload, is 25 and still games a few times a week. but im just saying that in my case, i honestly do feel its holding me back. i have friends but iv never been a good friend because iv been too busy hanging out my myself in my basement, i couldve had a few girlfriends but didnt because i had "better things to do" which were video games. i have no grudge towards video games or gamers, and people are stupid when they say video games cause violence or are for children or people who wont grow up. i hate the sterotypes of gamers. but i seriously just cant stop myself from playing them, and why? probably because i hate my own life so much that i immerse myself in these fantasy worlds where i actually am somebody, instead of trying to be somebody here. dont get me wrong, i am one of few who have this problem, i cant be a casual gamer. im still gonna be myself but i have to give it up
 

dsau

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axia777 said:
Don't blame games. Go get a job. Your only 17 and you are very, very young. You have time to build a future. Are you planning for college? If not do so. If you don't know what you want to do go take gen ed classes at your local community college. That can also be a good way to get you GPA up. You have a long future ahead of you as long as you don't screw it up with drugs and booze.

But don'[t blame games. Take responsibility for your actions. People can play video games and be successful in life at the same time.
im not blaming games in any way shape or form, its my fault i know.
 

wewontdie11

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dsau said:
wewontdie11 said:
Jesus Christ man talk about overreacting. I mean I'm nearly 20 and I still game. I'm actively pursuing jobs, partners and out of home accommodation at the same time no. No point giving up something you enjoy because you think you should grow up. Nothing wrong with being childish to some extent.
yeah but what if gaming was holding you back from all those things, and you didnt even enjoy gaming anymore? cause thats where im at and trying to get away from. and i dont have the discipline to play just a little, especially if i still have live
Well if you think it's something you need to do all power to ya, but I don't see the point personally.

I think most people would consider it odd that a 17 year old doesn't play games now and again.
 

axia777

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dsau said:
axia777 said:
Don't blame games. Go get a job. Your only 17 and you are very, very young. You have time to build a future. Are you planning for college? If not do so. If you don't know what you want to do go take gen ed classes at your local community college. That can also be a good way to get you GPA up. You have a long future ahead of you as long as you don't screw it up with drugs and booze.

But don'[t blame games. Take responsibility for your actions. People can play video games and be successful in life at the same time.
im not blaming games in any way shape or form, its my fault i know.
Well, admitting it is the first step towards taking responsibility for your self.. This is a good step. What are you interested in? What do you think you would like to do in life? First off I would go get a job some where local like a pizza shop. Your 17 and that is a perfect place to get some initial job experience. Do you have a car? If not save up and get one.

Do you live with your parents? If so offer to pay for food and utilities. I know it sounds crazy but it can do a lot for making yourself feel responsible. Really because you will be. If you want your own place start saving cash to get one. Start looking for room mates.

It is not that complicated. Get a job. Go to it and do it right. Show up on time and do what they tell you to do well. That builds job history. Think about college.

If you need to stop playing games to make this happen that is ok too. Once you are in the groove of having a job and being responsible maybe you can play games again.