How Do You Quit Gaming?

Lwen87n on 30/09/2018 - 19:08
Last edited 04/10/2018 - 10:51

I spent too much time on PC gaming. i can't concentrate on anything else. My mind just can't get out of gaming. I been playing PC games since i was 8 years old. Now I am 31 years old and yes, definitely got more important stuffs to do.

How do you quit gaming and not to think about it? any experiences to share?

Today I just deleted all my games, well, that's all i know for now.

Cheers

Update:

Guys and Girls, I would like to say BIG THANKS for more than Literally hundreds of suggestions / advices.
I been watching OzB for 3 years and this is my first post. You guys and girls been giving lots of constructive, positive and helpful suggestions / advices! God I love this uplifting OzB community!
I am now also been using an apps called Cold turkey blocker for self time management as suggested. Best 22 AUD ever spent so far lol

BIG THANKS! :D

Gaming

Comments

        • Godric on 01/10/2018 - 16:54

          Can confirm trap as I've fallen into it my self

      • ChillBro on 30/09/2018 - 20:25
        +3

        Games just waste time but that site wastes time and money.

  • John Kimble on 30/09/2018 - 20:14
    +1

    My wife actually just unplugged my PC tower and put it in the cupboard one day. A few months later I tried to power it up again and it wouldn't POST.

    Haven't had a chance to get it working again since.

    :/

    • Breno785au on 30/09/2018 - 20:38
      +33

      What is she? Your mum? Way out of line there.

    • Godric on 01/10/2018 - 16:54
      +3

      I was expecting;

      And a few months later we're divorced

      • neonlight on 09/10/2018 - 20:29

        Agree immediately divorce with that behaviour

    • blehgg on 02/10/2018 - 12:05
      +2

      she unplugged, fished it out of the swimming pool, then put it back in the cupboard.

    • GourmetFoodie on 03/10/2018 - 02:04

      Your wife is a BOSS!

  • kahn on 30/09/2018 - 20:24
    +3

    Hit the gym hard.

    • wen87n on 30/09/2018 - 20:31
      +1

      Speaking of gym. feels so guilty, I paid $389 for 6 months gym membership thought i would go and only been in there twice :(

      • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2018 - 20:35
        +42

        You're their ideal customer.

      • WhyAmICommenting on 30/09/2018 - 22:22
        +2

        divide that by two to get the per session cost and that is… expensive

      • JIMB0 on 01/10/2018 - 05:13
        +3

        It's thanks to the rarely seen people like you that I get excellent value out of my gym membership.

      • kasp on 01/10/2018 - 07:25
        +3

        Maybe join the aia vitality program. Gives you discount gym membership at all the big gyms and on top of that if you go 20 times in 3 months they will give you 100 dollars cashback.(I know with anytime that is t by e case)

        Theres also weekly targets eith vouchers as the prize and discount airfares movies etc if you get enough points.

        Certain health insurance it comes with it as well as a cut back version with rest super. I think the membership is about 100 bucks a year if you dont have it with your super/insurance.

        Might help with motivation.

        • amazonaddict on 01/10/2018 - 20:35

          Oh.. this is interesting. Their site is not very informative though.

      • idonotknowwhy on 01/10/2018 - 09:29
        +1

        Thank you for subsidising it for the few of us who attend religiously ;)

    • Dreamcast on 30/09/2018 - 22:54

      This.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2018 - 20:25
    +3

    This helped me quit for good:

    http://kingpinlifestyle.com/how-to-quit-playing-video-games/

    Yes go cold turkey but fill up your life with meaningful things to fill the void that cutting out gaming leaves.

  • Godric on 30/09/2018 - 20:31
    +1

    You don't

  • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2018 - 20:32
    +3

    Generate a random 100+ character password for your gaming accounts, change your password to that without looking at it.

    Maybe do the same with your email address so you can't recover access that way.

  • slipperypete on 30/09/2018 - 20:41
    +8

    Stab your eyes out

    It's drastic but apparently it works

    • wen87n on 30/09/2018 - 20:47
      +1

      GGWP lol

  • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2018 - 20:58
    +2

    Games - pay to win. Reach level cap, pay to get new level cap. Server down moments. Gold farmers (another way of pay to win). The best players = no life/blob.

    Real life - best player = best player.

  • rompastompa on 30/09/2018 - 21:12
    +2

    Patches.

    Sometimes you get bugs though.

  • TheCutter on 30/09/2018 - 21:17
    +2

    If its anything like the pokies then just dont do it all for 2 months then do it again and you'll be shocked at how boring it is and how much time you used to waste.
    When you start doing constructive things its more fulfilling and it goes from there.

    • Pacify on 30/09/2018 - 22:41
      +2

      If its anything like the pokies

      Its really not.

  • riitiir on 30/09/2018 - 21:25
    +4

    I put so many hours into gaming, then actually was critical about the hours I sat there. I found I wasn't even having fun anymore.

    Start rating your sessions from 1-10 in enjoyment, actual fun. I bet you'll find it isnt really that fun. You might need to go out and have some actual fun to recalibrate .

    Goodluck

  • xInsertx on 30/09/2018 - 21:33
    +9

    Getting married doesn't always help. My partner (f 28) games more than I do (m 27). I am studying course atm for work, so i've cut down. We mostly player our own games, but we do enjoy co-op and online together. Most of the time we quite happily play together in the same room and chat unless it's a story driven game.

    We both work full-time jobs, go out with friends and live pretty healthy lives. I think moderation is more important than dropping it. everyone needs a hobby.

    Ignoring this long weekend, id say we avg 1-3 hours a day, usually play a few more hours on the weekend unless we go out.

  • DBBROS on 30/09/2018 - 21:36

    Be a shift worker

  • uiriamu on 30/09/2018 - 22:05
    +2

    Mate just do what did and sell your pc. I used to play heaps of online competitive like pubg and battlefield but to my surprise never missed my pc after i sold it. I just did other shit. Btw played from 18 to now 34.

  • k15866 on 30/09/2018 - 22:07
    +16

    I am in my late 20s and have a similar issue, and have also been gaming since childhood. For me, gaming has lost a lot of appeal compared to when I was younger. I still game, and usually focus on 1 game as well, but it is mostly to kill time.

    I don't have a wife / kids, but have found house chores + work just leaves little time for gaming.

    Something I have been considering when questioning my ongoing gaming 'problem', is that a lot of people have equally as useless habits eg. watching TV. Aside from being social lubricant at the water cooler, most things on TV are a 'waste of time', but gaming has a stigma around it. If you/I were to stop gaming and pursue something equally as useless, what is the point? Gaming, I believe challenges your analytical/problem solving skills, as you may have to interpret your opponents plans / critique your own playstyle etc. So to me, whatever replaces gaming needs to be something more productive.

    I think if you enjoy gaming you should keep doing it, I have had bouts of no gaming for a couple of months and they were not because I decided to stop, it was just because I had other things more interesting to do. I suppose as others have mentioned, limit your time, or at least allocate some time each week to something more productive. E.g. Learn a new skill. For me, I have been playing with raspberry pis, cooking, trying to learn some sort of coding and sports. If something catches your interest, perhaps it will take over gaming.

    • Pyrock on 02/10/2018 - 08:57

      i couldnt agree with this more. Dont just shift from one (objectively) "pointless activity" to the next.
      Maybe to break the barrier of limiting time, make commitments that will pull you away from gaming.
      Making it a social thing will help so much more as there is a pressure to turn up for others (if it is just for you then you will likely just say meh stuff it ill just game)
      what k15866 suggested is what pulled me away a bit - i learnt new skills that took up my time. Been gaming since i was about 5yo and 27 now. I still do it but for me it takes the place of the pointless activity to relax. instead of sitting in front of a tv i am engaged with my media.
      But i always seem to find myself gravitating to these new skills that i picked up and commitments that i have made (get a gym buddy or something you do weekly with others)

  • smuggler on 30/09/2018 - 22:27
    +4

    Start working full-time in a challenging job. You get bored of gaming. I play only 1 or 2 games now for an hour every second day.

    • razgrizhan on 03/10/2018 - 12:21

      so damn true that was my case as well so many backlog games in library lol, but so damn tired to play, rather use the time for sleeping especially if u work as a chef with long hours, drain your energy still do some gaming when have a day off chilling at room lol

  • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2018 - 22:28
    -7

    ozbargain is not your therapist

    • Godric on 01/10/2018 - 16:56
      +2

      Negged because bulls#1t

  • gimli on 30/09/2018 - 22:31
    +2

    I think you need something to feel the void.
    Obviously, you game for entertainment but also it give most people a sense of accomplishment when you finish a game etc.
    I think you need to set some positive goals for your life you want to do. (e.g. improve fitness (aim for running time, or weights), progress at work, start a new business venture, learn a new skill etc.)
    It's not easy but you have to try get over not having the quick rewards and pleasure you get with gaming and try find something which will give you satisfaction and reward you in the long run.

  • fenixforeva on 30/09/2018 - 22:41
    +6

    Hey,

    You're on the first step and its your acknowledgment of a problem. Take a moment and ask yourself why its important that you want to quit gaming and re-affirm your WHY! This will help you when you're faced with a decision either to "game" or "not to game". As someone who has basically quit entirely I also look at several variety factors that helped me quit such as;

    • As a former wow player I never actually like the game to begin with but still played it. I had many thoughts of quitting and never really listened to myself. Listen to your inner voice and when you make a decision stick to it.
    • When you quit, delete or go cold turkey immediately take up another interest.. This is so important in helping you get a head start off your addiction and have found this has "helped me" - I say this loosely because you will relapse, its inevitable but continue trying regardless even if you beat yourself up. Also find support groups to help you out. GOOGLE is your friend here so just type " how to quit video games" - The rest is up to you.
    • Play more simpler games that are less demanding and don't require high investments or change your game styles to more co-op related games where you and your partner might be able to share a game and bond. I used this to help a friend get out of WoW by encouraging more co-op based games so we could have some sort of social contact rather then playing games by ourselves. Wow is basically co-op I know but its really high investment and I was on of those people who just simply couldnt play for a short time, there was so much to do!
    • When you relapse, Try again and look for simple games. I recommend looking at some indie games like "Let them come" and " Furious Angels" Its so simple you just go in and play and your done in a few mintues. Might be enough to get your fix, but its on you to discover how you work.
    • When replacing your old interest try reading books by starting with 5-10mins per day and throwing small changes into your life like, going for a walk/run, talking to a stranger and going to a events or places you would never bother to go to. This will help you expand your awareness and meet new people and meeting new people will help you see that everyone else is also going through some challenges.

    Lastly; This is going to take TIME. You need to have a mindset about how you view games as well I've found. For example I was really into Assassins creed games and if I found bugs or something annoying like a shit story or crappy mechanics I would actually not continue playing it. I stopped at 3 and always made sure I watched videos before I considered buying. Develop a VERY PICKY MINDSET when it comes to playing games and you may find yourself getting uninterested in playing it. I got especially burnt from EA after the command and blunder francise went to shit and that actually started my spiral away from gaming.

    Oh yeah; pro tip. If you want to play a game or some new title ALWAYS DELAY IT! Even if its by and hour/day/week etc. This will help you build some discipline and is really useful in helping you overcome any impulsiveness you might have when you see a new title or micro-transaction.

    Forgive my long post; But as a former hardcore gamer I feel your pain and there is absolutely nothing wrong with video games, its just you need to step away from it so you can build your life up and enjoy your games without worry of " I have to do this thing" nagging you.

    As for myself I now go to the gym with a friend, go out on my own, have a full time job, renting an apartment and a whole bunch of other amazing stuff I never thought I could do… And the best part is, there is tons of non gaming related stuff I want to do… I just have to be patient with myself and keep trying.

    Good luck!

  • Pacify on 30/09/2018 - 22:46
    +4

    Eh, if only. I find it hard to get into many games these days, my backlog of games I want to play just gets longer but I never make any progress with it.

    As long as it not impacting anything else, nothing wrong with playing games as a hobby.

    • Dreamcast on 30/09/2018 - 23:10
      +1

      Same. Backlog as well as having a ps4, switch and an xbox one that never gets used. I can never decide what to play. I turn on my ps4, stare at it then turn it off 5 mins later.

      I'm my early 30's, I find gaming is enjoyable when you haven't played for a few weeks, months and end get a game like god of war on the ps4 and just smash through it, then take another break.

      Still gets boring though. Most enjoyable when people are over and I crack out the dreamcast.

      I assume you'd naturally start to lose interest. For me, I found that getting up and working out/going walking helped me get a balance, so I didn't feel bad for gaming. Then it slowly fizzled out.

  • kampua on 30/09/2018 - 23:15

    I used to be addicted to game too, tried deleting the games many times before, sometimes lasted 6 months. But this time looks promising, can't remember when was the last time. Do a part time study or something.

  • M1ndFu7 on 30/09/2018 - 23:36
    +2

    Looking at it on the bright side, you maybe drawn to games because you have specific trait/personality (eg determined/persistent).

    Now if you channel those trait to something that you and maybe your spouse deem useful, it will be great.

    Good luck!

  • Atazoth616 on 30/09/2018 - 23:51
    +1

    Study Actuarial Science or Engineering.

    Then you will not even have time to think about gaming.

  • wen87n on 01/10/2018 - 00:19
    +2

    I feel anxiety now, so weird :/

    • picklewizard on 01/10/2018 - 14:10
      +2

      Dude, sounds like your problem is a lack of other hobbies.

      I have lots of things I like to do - most of them involve being productive in some way. I like to work on my car, I enjoy photography and post-processing, I do some homebrewing occasionally, I like to repair things (both around the home and scabbed from hard rubbish), I like to build electronic projects with Arduino and Raspberry Pi.

      I get the anxiety part though - if I don't spend my time doing something productive I can feel quite guilty.

      Find something else to work on and keep you busy!

      • schwinn on 02/10/2018 - 10:01
        +1

        Yup you need to be doing something else, whether alone, that you are passionate/interested in, or with friends. Like an addiction, you will get withdrawal symptoms, anxiety is one of them.

        Unfortunately years of gaming has trained your brain to receive little bits of pleasure from getting points/kills/levelling up. You'll need to retrain your brain. In fact, once you realize you have so much more time on your hands you'll be glad you gave it up. Revisit it when you tihnk you have it under control, and if you relapse then probably leave it for good. The issue with gaming is that it's deliberately addictive. It's fine if it doesn't get in the way of real life, but when it starts sucking your time, stopping you from achieving goals, you know you're an addict.

        • eggboi on 02/10/2018 - 18:36

          I echo what picklewizard and schwinn said. "stopping gaming" or at least "wasting less time gaming" is your goal. For goals of that theme (quitting drugs, gambling, smoking etc), it needs to be a side-effect of a bunch of other habits you build up as a foundation. Otherwise you'll just go back to it, because even though it makes you feel hollow and guilty, it scratches an itch in the short-term. A few good first steps:

          -Find at least 2-3 other things you think you might enjoy, or always wondered about trying. That could be baking, hiking, photography, social sport, and have a go at them with no expectations. You might love those other activities, you might not.

          -Find social groups for the things you want to try. It doesn't always work, but when you make commitments to other people, you're more likely to keep them than when you just make a commitment to yourself with nobody to judge you if you bail.

          -Chat to the other people at the above social gatherings and find out what makes other people tick. When you really get to know people and their stories, it's very interesting to get to know people beyond whatever common activities you do. I've met a lot of Uber drivers who love driving because they get to meet and chat to random people every day.

          That should help get you on your way to opening up your world beyond gaming. Gaming is still bloody fun though - I still play lots of single player story-driven stuff. Endless online gaming is a massive time-sink that you can do without though if you feel you need to invest huge chunks of your life in those games to do well at them.

  • Thaal Sinestro on 01/10/2018 - 00:25
    +2

    The best one to get rid of a specific addiction is to replace it with an addiction to something else. Some people have an "addiction prone" psyche; a normal, balanced life fails to satisfy them, so they make up for this hedonic deficiency by developing an addiction to some behaviour: promiscuous sexuality, masturbation, oxycontin, gambling, manga, video games, ethanol, extreme sports, and so on.

    • Diji1 on 01/10/2018 - 01:08
      -1

      Wow did you learn that in University?

    • Scrooge McDuck on 01/10/2018 - 17:40

      by developing an addiction to some behaviour: promiscuous sexuality, masturbation, oxycontin, gambling, manga, video games, ethanol, extreme sports…

      saving money…

    • ozbjunkie on 01/10/2018 - 20:47

      Yeah my gaming addiction has got me off everything else - I dont think gaming causes cancer - so I think I'll stick with it thanks.

  • michaelTito on 01/10/2018 - 01:39

    Haha I wish I have your problem. I get to play 30 mins to 1 hour a day and some day I don’t have time to touch the computer at all. Life is not fair.

  • JIMB0 on 01/10/2018 - 05:23
    +1

    Try switching to the game of life.

    • pegaxs on 01/10/2018 - 08:40
      +23

      Played it, and apart from the graphics, the rest is garbage. Progression is too slow. Grinding for loot takes forever. Talking to the NPCs is mind numbing. Doing the quest line seems pointless. And don’t forget all the DLC packs you have to buy to make it even the slightest bit interesting… Seems a lot like a “pay to win” game to me…

      • fenixforeva on 01/10/2018 - 12:37

        lol gold.

        • pegaxs on 01/10/2018 - 14:32
          +3

          Oh, and I forgot to mention, the respawn time is woeful…

          • Blitzfx on 01/10/2018 - 14:41

            @pegaxs: Wow look at this guy playing on easy mode, with respawn. I only get one life on expert :(

            • pegaxs on 01/10/2018 - 14:48

              @Blitzfx: I don’t know. I just had a few friends I’m waiting on to respawn and they haven’t yet. Maybe life is more a “Battle Royale”. They may just be waiting in the lobby for me to finish this round…

      • Scrooge McDuck on 01/10/2018 - 17:46
        +1

        Played it, and apart from the graphics,

        I remember going to the beach after playing Crysis:

        *Wow the water physics are stunning!*

        • pegaxs on 01/10/2018 - 19:34

          I got like that with Destiny… I would be walking down the street and some cloud cover would come over and slightly darken the place and I would think… "Holy shit! A public event is about to start!"

          • Scrooge McDuck on 01/10/2018 - 20:12
            +1

            @pegaxs:  

            I still scan the surroundings for enemies when bush walking. I might have PGSD (Post Gaming Stress Disorder).

        • ozbjunkie on 01/10/2018 - 20:49
          +2

          I find myself noticing security cameras all the time since playing Siege for 1700 hours.

  • vindictus on 01/10/2018 - 05:29
    +3

    First step is to uninstall, which you've done. Next step is to find other hobbies or encourage other hobbies. Coming out of gaming heavily, you'll probably have trouble adjusting to them at first, but trust me your brain will come around.

    The bad parts is some games will never leave you. I still pine for some of the stuff I used to play obsessively. But I'm way healthier now away from it. I filled my time with reading, exercising, study and work. The only games I play now are switch ones, which are way less focused on raping my dopamine than the old PC games I'd play. I probably play 2-4hr a week on switch.

    It can be hard because many online games are basically drugs-lite. The dopamine hit you get from them is compelling and can form a weak addiction. In the end games are really just a massive waste of our lives and potential and we should limit our time in them as much as possible.

    • stainedteatowel on 01/10/2018 - 11:52
      +2

      Really don't see how it can be considered a waste of our lives - especially if you're working full time, paying bills, food on the table and roof over your head. Nothing wrong with some down time. As with anything all within moderation and if starts affecting your day to day life then some changes are probably needed. Majority of people I know spend the same amount of time watching TV.

      • vindictus on 01/10/2018 - 18:33

        People get defensive about this, but it's true. You accomplish nothing gaming, you do not improve yourself or your fellow man, you make no contribution to society, you do nothing but perhaps let off some steam. Which is good yes, but there are many ways this can be achieved that aren't as pointless. Television is a similarly pointless activity in the same vein most gaming is, it's junk food for the brain most of the time.

        Like I said, I still game simply because it's enjoyable. Is that a justification in and of itself? I don't think so, but not everything I do is completely consistent with my beliefs.

        • E4xtream on 02/10/2018 - 06:10

          I disagree that games are a waste of time. I agree that they can be.

          I won't make any generalisations, but if you allow me to speak from my own experience, I can tell you that games have made me a more empathetic, kind, understanding and better man. There are games that have taught me to respect the relationship between a parent and a child (Last of Us, God of War, Telltale Walking Dead Season 01). Games that have taught me to value and treasure my friendships (Life is Strange). Games that have taught me respect for teamwork, and the art of letting things slide (Battlefield, Rocket League). And finally, most games I've played have allowed me in one way or another to test a hypothesis. It can be small things, it can be big things. My latest 'discovery'? Every shot matters. Been using this in pool irl, and my game has actually improved because I pay more attention rather than just hitting the ball randomly.

          Yes, gaming can absolutely be a soul sucking time sink that rewards you or society not at all for your efforts. Just like anything though, it falls to the individual to make a conscientious choice about what they play, how they play, and when they play. Gaming is good. But too much of a good thing, is always bad (unless that good thing is French bakery).

          Kindly.

    • idonotknowwhy on 01/10/2018 - 13:54

      Same here. Switch and 3ds, which you can put into standby mode and leave at any time.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/10/2018 - 05:47

    If it is an addiction, try using The 12 Steps. Congrats for trying to improve yourself.
    A site with some advice and a better forum for you : https://au.reachout.com/tough-times/addiction

    • Cheaplikethebird on 01/10/2018 - 14:24

      Don't 12 step programs require you to submit to god?

      • pegaxs on 01/10/2018 - 15:02
        +4

        I only pray to our lord and saviour, the one and only true god, RnGesus. :D

      • [Deactivated] on 01/10/2018 - 15:31
        +1

        To a power greater than yourself, it can be the flying spaghetti monster, so long as it makes you humble.

  • Velathial on 01/10/2018 - 06:20

    Ive been gaming since I was probably 5 (I'm nearly 29 now). I think about gaming as a hobby more than addiction, though these days i enjoy collecting more than playing due to time constraints as I try to fit study + work + relationship into my life.

    Enjoy your down time doing what you love, as long as it's not having a negative impact on your life, why not?

  • AlanHB on 01/10/2018 - 06:55

    I haven't quit, but I've cut down significantly. Basically the main thing for me was to not play online games anymore. Without the online element, you'll feel less "obligated" to play for longer.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/10/2018 - 07:48

    Here is what I did list time to quit.. Depending on the game use walkthru or cheat codes to complete this current game and ruin it and don't start a new one which is much easy..

  • brosling on 01/10/2018 - 08:36
    +1

    People get addicted to things for various reasons. Perhaps a better question to ask is why are you constantly disengaging with reality? Or is there an element of role playing that you enjoy? Do you have esteem issues? Are you running from something? Find the root cause and address that. Alternatively, if there is no deeper meaning and it's just become ingrained in your daily routine, then you need to redefine what your daily routine looks like. Perhaps a schedule. Book time with friends. Have take out. Go watch a movie. Don't shop online, but go to the actual shops. Donate your time to charity. What I have found is that when your struggling with something, there's no better distraction than helping others. Bro take this as an opportunity to reshape your life. No better time than right now.

  • Nugs on 01/10/2018 - 09:15

    what is the matrix?
    .

  • marquise on 01/10/2018 - 09:27
    +1

    Gaming? Geez I need to quit the Internet.

    • idonotknowwhy on 01/10/2018 - 09:31
      +2

      Yeah, need to be careful not to replace gaming with dicking around on the internet lol

  • NeoWilson on 01/10/2018 - 09:32

    1 way to do it is uninstall the game and the app.. e.g Steam. Or find other games that are less time consuming haha

  • Scofffy on 01/10/2018 - 09:41
    +1

    Stick to campaign mode ….. once you finish the game you have a sense of completion.. Then that’s it. Delete the game and start researching for the next game NEW game to be released in a few months.

    • amazonaddict on 01/10/2018 - 10:28

      Single player RPGs are like 100+ hours these days.

  • mattyman on 01/10/2018 - 09:52
    +7

    Alt-F4?

    I'm 41 and I'm still a gamer.

    If you enjoy something then you should do it. Most people spend the same amount of time in front of the TV.

    At least gaming is exercising your brain.

  • Praeto on 01/10/2018 - 10:01
    +4

    I don't know what it is about my personality, but I've never been able to have a "mild" interest in anything. If I pick up an interest, or a new game.. I pretty much go all in, and focus entirely on that one thing to the detriment of everything else.I played EVE for 6 years and had half a dozen characters.. Then I realised the amount of effort I was putting into it was equal to my actual job, and that I had a problem.. So I moved away from it to Wow. That was a mistake, I played that for 3 - 4 years and had 20+ leveled characters. Then I figured GTA was a good option, because I could keep playing it without being tied into the whole corp / guild dynamic.. 2000+ hours in GTA Online later..

    The only way I've ever found to break free of the cycle is by channeling that focus into something productive. Now I choose a new topic / hobby about once every 6 months, and at least learn something interesting.. Over the last couple of years I've learned a programming language, learned to pick locks, learned a lot about woodworking, cooking and most recently how to build and fly quadcopters. I also fall back on photography, which I've done most of my life. When I don't have something like this to focus on, I find myself struggling and getting pretty depressed.. So while I haven't really found a solution, at least It's a little healthier an option. :P

    I don't know whether any of that will help, but you're not alone.

  • PAOK11 on 01/10/2018 - 10:30
    +1

    Just found an old copy of Diablo 2 again after 15 years of no gaming. Could not have happened at a better time as I'm going through a very difficult personal situation. I guess gaming has it's place and like everything needs to be controlled & moderated.

  • AliensStoleMyMoney on 01/10/2018 - 10:39

    I just grew out of it I still play now but a lot less.

    that and dota 2 going to shit

    • Velathial on 01/10/2018 - 12:53

      Elaborate, how is Dota2 going to shit?

      • AliensStoleMyMoney on 01/10/2018 - 13:51

        the community has gotten so much worst, the dodgy servers up until recently, the constant bugs introduced whenever they do something also finding a match at higher MMR on aus servers takes a long time started grinding siege games while waiting for q pop.

        • Velathial on 01/10/2018 - 17:19

          All those complaints have been around since forever sadly.

        • belongsinforums on 01/10/2018 - 17:38

          Did you play dota 1? You were lucky to get a game without a leaver in those days

          • AliensStoleMyMoney on 01/10/2018 - 18:00

            @belongsinforums: wasnt always that bad with the community yes we had leavers in dota 1 and sea servers but that was expected now its a full fledge game with millions of dollars coming out of fans each year.

  • John on 01/10/2018 - 10:43

    Yeah improve your social life. Do charity work. Join social community group. Go out with your wife & friends. Life is a lot more meaningful if spent with real people in the real world than the virtual world. Even more knowing you can make positive impact to other people

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