Support NeoGAF

[Pachinko]

Parents subconsciously want to live vicariously through their children. The moment you decide to have kids you basically give up your own life for theirs so when your kid decides to spend time doing something that won't improve his future chances of success it may rub you the wrong way.

It's more literally the parents saying "man I wish I could spend time just playing videogames but I have all sorts of real life obligations- work , bills, sleep , etc and just don't have any time to do that anymore". To that same parent they are almost hoping that you as their child, spend more time doing something "worthwhile" so that you don't have to work as hard as they did and probably still do. There's also the fact that every parent wants their kids to be at least as successful in life as they are and well, perhaps they had to work their ass off to get to that point of success and from their own experience they figure if the kid tried a little harder when they were younger they'd be more successful sooner ?

I don't know, honestly my personal thoughts are to if you can maintain your life to a standard that is otherwise acceptable then who cares if you spend a few hours a week playing videogames ?

 

[Tornado Condor]

I used to play a lot of videogames before and I still do (but not as much though). I turned out pretty good.

 

[Dereck]

As a person who has wasted much of his life playing video games, I have to agree with your parents. Video games are a fucking waste of time.

Not a waste of time, not because I like playing video games, but because "waste of time" simply isn't what it is. It's a different way to "use" time.

 

[LuchaShaq]

Grow a pair and mock them for their horrible entertainment/leisure choices, then move out.

 

[water_wendi]

Teach them a lesson and take up heroin.

 

[I NEED SCISSORS]

I always think it's kind of weird that there's people on GAF who don't play games, considering it's primarily a gaming forum. It's a bit like going on Adult DVD Talk to discuss politics.

 

[crazy monkey]

enjoy the time you have with your family, eventually you'll move out and you can do whatever you want.

but for now, just try to see how nice it is to be around your folks.

. Done.

I always think it's kind of weird that there's people on GAF who don't play games, considering it's primarily a gaming forum. It's a bit like going on Adult DVD Talk to discuss politics.

People grow up. Some time we can not spend time and money needed for gaming. Gamin gaf is what i consider extreme gamers.

 

[Hulud]

I play vidya games every chance I get and right now am maintaining a 4.0 GPA. This whole games are bad for your brain mindset needs to go away.

 

[cheststrongwell]

My dad played the hell out of some SNES Mario Kart with us. Some people will always consider video games children's toys. It's the way of the world.

 

[suzu]

Just learn to not give a fuck.

Or start bothering them in the middle of their tv watching or stupid hobbies.

 

[TheChewyWaffles]

I mean watching a movie, reading a book, or listening to music in front of them is totally cool. It's just relaxing a little. But the second I pop a game on my PS3 "I'm wasting my time" and I should be reminded constantly of that. The only times I can play games and have a good time is on my laptop. But sadly it is way too old and can barely handle some indie games here and there.

Does this happen to anyone else? I hate it, I hate it so much.

You must be pretty young. Trust me - endure and you'll make it. It will pass.

 

[Sora_N]

My parents just don't say anything but are probably thinking it. I can't wait until I get a better job and get out of here, probably for the best.

 

[Row]

People grow up. Some time we can not spend time and money needed for gaming. Gamin gaf is what i consider extreme gamers.

Get over yourself

 

[crazy monkey]

I play vidya games every chance I get and right now am maintaining a 4.0 GPA. This whole games are bad for your brain mindset needs to go away.

you are exception to the rule. I know many kids who are messed because of the gaming addiction. Also not everyone is same. If you can do medical, engineer or law degree while gaming all the time great not everyone can do it. There is a real good chance a person will mess up his/her education if he/she will continue doing that.

 

[shanshan310]

...and then you'll have a S.O. and kids and a new family to tell you how stupid they find your hobby.

So just learn to block it out dude. That's what I do.

Spoiler

I also have to stay up after everyone's gone to bed so I can play in peace and quiet

OR you can find a SO with similar interests who accepts who you are like any sane person would do?

 

[Alpha-Bromega]

you are exception to the rule. I know many kids who are messed because of the gaming addiction. Also not everyone is same. If you can do medical, engineer or law degree while gaming all the time great not everyone can do it. There is a real good chance a person will mess up his/her education if he/she will continue doing that.

so his source of being ok is bested by your peer reviewed stu- oh wait haha

 

[crimzonflame]

If you dont play games, get off neogaf.

 

[out0v0rder]

my response on whether or not i agree with them depends on your age and how far you have traveled in life.

 

[FStop7]

Knife them.
Blame it on video games.
Write a book and sell the movie rights to Lifetime.

 

[The Mana Legend]

I am so glad that my fiance doesn't care when or how often I play video games. I've been obsessive over Mega Man the last few weeks, sometimes spending entire days off playing the games.

But she doesn't care. Hell, half of the time she'll sit in the recliner with me, lay her head on my shoulder and watch me play. She particularly loves the animation of Mega Man jumping, throwing his hands in the air and opening his mouth. She came up with this theory that Mega Man is so afraid of heights that everytime he even jumps on a flat surface, he freaks out and screams.

 

[feel]

When my mom is over sees a random videogame box on a table and makes a comment about how it's a terrible waste of time to be playing all that worthless fake fantasy stuff and that I should stop it, I just say that while we're at it she should drop all the religious channel watching and trips to church.
Makes her quiet (and upset) real quick.

 

[MC Safety]

I parlayed a love of video games into a lucrative career writing fart jokes for shriveled intellects. And then I parlayed that career into a second career writing games for LucasArts and THQ.

Video games, in moderation, are absolutely fine. Just don't neglect the other parts of your life (schoolwork, social interaction, familial commitments, etc.,), and you will do fine.

 

[crazy monkey]

so his source of being ok is bested by your peer reviewed stu- oh wait haha

that is the point

 

[rCIZZLE]

If you enjoy something it's not a waste of time.

 

[Jitters]

It doesn't matter what they think, op, just do what you want. I don't think games will ever lose the stigma they have.

My parents never cared. I actually play Mario Party and stuff with them.

 

[NoRéN]

I feel bad for you son
I got 99 problems but my family putting me down and criticizing my hobby by calling it a waste of time and making me feel miserable ain't one.

 

[Bomber Bob]

When my mom is over sees a random videogame box on a table and makes a comment about how it's a terrible waste of time to be playing all that worthless fake fantasy stuff and that I should stop it, I just say that while we're at it she should drop all the religious channel watching and trips to church.
Makes her quiet (and upset) real quick.

lol, nice response!

 

[SniperHunter]

Video games are good for stress relief. I have been studying hardcore for a year now, I haven't done much studying since passing two exams on Oct 16. Then my house got flooded and I had to live in a hotel, and I have also been working a lot of night shifts recently, and all those just broke my concentration level. It feels good to play some games again, I feel much better. I will go back to studying soon though

 

[Raonak]

I just told my mum that when you game, you're stimulating your mind. youre puzzle solving, planning, processing information.
if you're watching something randomly on tv, you're just a zombie. just sitting there absorbing hours upon hours video.
TV is far more of a "time waster"

never really got much shit from parents, they pretty much acknowledged videogames was my main hobby.

 

[dreamcastmaster]

I used to get this from my mum "You're addicted to those compootor* games, like drugs"


*not a typo that how she said it, also not a computer but a super Nintendo.

 

[Partial Gamification]

Capitulate with your parents on the gaming front while opening up a new issue to overshadow thier concerns with gaming. Not too far off the deep end or you might end up in therapy, something like talking about how "you should sell your games and buy a drum set," or a desire to be a mime, or slowly become goth over the course of a month not gaming. Something that brings the video games back into the picture as the accepted lesser of two evils, the thing that keeps you "normal" (whatever that is).

 

[Mahonay]

My dad is amazingly supportive of my hobby.

My mother thinks it's a massive waste of time and has negative effects of me.


Them's the breaks. My mom and I have an amazing relationship even if she has disdain for my primary hobby. That's just how it works sometimes.

 

[Onemic]

Happens to me all the time. It's why I always try never to play games in front of my parents now.

 

[Messofanego]

Confront them about the hypocrisy of demonising one medium when they're all ways of "wasting time"and give perspective about how other mediums were stigmatised when they're now respected. This is 2012, videogames are the biggest entertainment business so they need to accept it's not a phase or fad that you'll grow out of.

If they're really stubborn about it, don't show violent games. Parents love pretty indie games.

Even if I'm playing a really violent game in front of them, they're well-informed by now on the reasons of the violence. If the violence is trivial and juvenile, I don't play those games anyway like Call of Duty or other disrespectful war games (with exception of Brothers in Arms or Spec Ops: The Line).

Get them involved, too. Get them interested in the story. Start with adventure games or platformers. Even 80 year olds can get into co-op games. Rayman Origins family run. Do it!