Originally posted by stygianapoth

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I'm not sure if I should laugh or facepalm over this. Kind of a fitting post for this thread though.

Strictly speaking, you could say that any leisure activity is a waste of time- you could be making money for yourself or making a difference for other people rather than playing any kind of game. However unless you are so motivated to be always working, then there is not much of a difference on how you use your leisure time.  I don't think games are any more of a waste of time than most other activities that involve some form of escapism.

The proliferation of all kinds of games and the multitude of hours that people have to play them only proves one thing- we have much easier lives than all the people who have ever lived before us. I for one am thankful for that.

MMo are simple games to waste time. But sometimes weird things happend.

Remember meeting a couple online... the girl told me that my voice was hot. lol , She divorced and want to married me. Months later she  visit my country.  Thank god i never reveal my address.

Originally posted by Lienhart

I've clocked an absurdly high amount of hours into MMOs from WoW to Final Fantasy XI. After recently switching to a much more expensive hobby (supersport track days), I'm feeling the need to slap my face for wasting so much time on a hobby that amounts to having nothing to show for in the real world.

Anyone else ever feel the same way?

A lot of people in this forum will not understand your frustation because smiply a cave man would never understand when you complain that there are no cars anymore.

MMORPGs started with a different philosophy from what they are currently.

MMORPGs meant to reward you for your time investment where you can spend years progressing in a virtual world with friends. Now MMORPGs are too different, they're not meant to be played more than a few weeks when you reach max level for the "end" game and then quit.

So predictable, too simplified, insta-gratification that it doesn't matter at all. You will NEVER feel satisified for accomplishing anything in this retarded MMORPGs designed for people suffering from ADD. Because every 5 minutes you're going to be giving a reward... yay!!!!! You're a hero! Yay... yay... *retarded smile*

The OP gave up wasting time on MMOs just to spend time posting on MMO forums? Sounds about right, I think most people on this site stopped playing MMOs a long time ago.

This site only exists now to discuss development studio's stock prices and complain about WoW.

i kinda agree with you.

MMOs are a HUGE "waste" of time, especially if it's a good one, you may spend half a day playing it without notice. Sorry but unless it's work/school, you shouldn't be doing the same shit half your day in a regular basis. You will enjoy it, but its not healthy and can lead to frustration/regret afterwards. But one does what one wants to. 

I'm trying to get away from MMOs, but look where i'm posting just now lol.

I wish i had spent less time playing MMOs and more time finishing other titles. I missed a good bunch due MMO "addiction". 

Originally posted by Aerowyn
perhaps making a thread discussing how much a waste of time MMOs are is an even bigger waste of time.. sweet irony:) :P

^ This is so true hahahaha xD

MMOs are safe and clean.

There is no chance of getting arrested playing them, no chance of being offered drugs, no chance of being offered liquor, no chance of getting shot by a random stranger mad at something or someone else, no chance of picking up an STD and the toilet never has pee on the seat in my own house, no chance of getting physically hurt unless you forget to move and blow a vein. My knees won't blow out playing them and I can do them until I lose use of my hands and even then it doesn't end, there is a gamer that uses a mouse with his face.

Compared to sports, I think MMOs win.

Originally posted by Lienhart

I've clocked an absurdly high amount of hours into MMOs from WoW to Final Fantasy XI. After recently switching to a much more expensive hobby (supersport track days), I'm feeling the need to slap my face for wasting so much time on a hobby that amounts to having nothing to show for in the real world.

Anyone else ever feel the same way?

As you discovered MMOs are only a waste of time if you intend to use the time for another activity but you end up playing MMOs instead.

However if you have no plans for anything, then nothing is a waste or time, or everything is waste of time depending on your perspective.

Context is key here.

Originally posted by MightyChasm
All hobbies are waste of time then?  I think mmo's are time better spent than watching some brain rotting soap on TV.

agree - ive always felt the same

Originally posted by achesoma
Time enjoyed is not time wasted. 

It is as simple as this.

Originally posted by Lienhart

I've clocked an absurdly high amount of hours into MMOs from WoW to Final Fantasy XI. After recently switching to a much more expensive hobby (supersport track days), I'm feeling the need to slap my face for wasting so much time on a hobby that amounts to having nothing to show for in the real world.

Anyone else ever feel the same way?

Absolutely and proud of it.

I think everyone needs escape time. I roughly play mmo's in the same way that others watch TV. I go to work, I come home, walk the dog, do the dishes, light the fire. Sit at the comp, look up the news, then play some video games for 2 to 3 hours; where someone else, would turn on the boob tube. 

I wouldn't be surprised if mmo's were better for your brain too. Instead of passively reacting to a screen, you are actively involved in observation, analysis, decision and action. 

So in this sense, I don't think it is a waste of time at all. Like doing crosswords, keeping the mind actively engaged is important excercise as you get older.

But; that said. The way I played from 99 to 2004 was insanity. I would never return to the 12 hour raids, losing girlfriends and getting out of shape those years led to. That, was truly a waste. Sad that I remember the days fondly.

Part of the answer lies in what you pointed out too; other hobbies are 'expensive'. Golf, muscle cars, skiing, model planes, trains, etc.  MMO's have probably saved me a huge wad of cash, which I can instead invest in my family. And to me, that is having something to show for it in the real world.

To each their own.

that being said. I personally believe anything can be done overdone in excess. I used to be addicted practically to EQ1.. Now I game casual. Becoming a truck driver really opened my eyes other things I was missing while I was home. I enjoy gaming during my downtime while out on the road and parked. However when I'm home there are other things to be done. Go to the beach, go to the movies,  have a cookout, or go watch my Florida state Seminoles play duri g football season. Overall just spend some quality time with my family and friends... Granted I also tabletop wargame if I get home for more than a few days at a time.

I feel like i am wasting more time reading this OP and replying then playing an MMO.

Sure i will bite...

I live in the asscrack of Alaska AKA Barrow Alaska, yesterday it was minus -18 degrees out and with windchill factored in it was a nice and balmy minus -32. So my family and i are stuck indoors more 3/4s of the year. Gaming, especially MMOs allow us to socialize more than we can physically, sure we winteract with each other, but as a whole we all find out niche or an outlet for our over abundance of downtime.

I am sure not very many people are int he same situation, but thats mine and my wife and 2 kids, MMOs keep us sane on those weeks where just stepping outside can literally kill you. 

On a side note... Why in the hell does one post a question about what this entire site is about, basically calling into question why we all have the same interest for a hobby. Last i checked this was called MMORPG.COM. I guess sure Troll the entire community here.

Originally posted by vindir
I suppose the same slap in the face coudl be applied for anyone who spends countless hours of  T.V, movies, facebook, etc. At least with gaming (or mmo's in this case) I can gain problem sovling, learn and apply basic monetary lessons, hand-to-eye coordination, develop social skills, time managment, team work skills and probebly some other somewhat (if not useful) cerebral skills that can be applied to real world scenarios.

You are learning Pproblem solving, basic monetary lessons, social skills, time management, team work skills in MMOs? Really? What kind of problem analysis do you do in MMOs? How do you improve your time management skills by playing MMOs? Social skills - maybeeeeeeeee but no face to face social skills at all. What do you mean by basic monetary lessons? Team work - again maybe but again I wouldn't say you will improve at all unless your team work skills are completely 0 prior to playing MMOs.

Basically what I am trying to say is that you don't develop yourself in any way by playing MMOs. Games are supposed to be fun but I fail to see how you would develop any of the skills you've mentioned unless again you are very poor at each and every one of them. Again MMOs will not help you there either!