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?

Of course. That's the entire purpose of MMOs.  

Edit: I felt the need to elaborate on this after posting it. A LOT of people that I know are starting to get bored of MMOs, and I personally believe that WoW is responsible for this. Every MMO that comes out now is pretty much the same thing and it's all because of WoW. In the entire 6 YEARS that I played Ultima Online, very rarely (until Trammel came out at least) did I get b ored or feel like I was wasting my time on something worthless. I believe this is because there was real risk vs reward in that game, and an actual community to it. The world felt alive every time I logged in. 

Sure, I knew that I was technically wasting my time playing a game, but it didn't feel like that. 

Originally posted by Lienhart

Originally posted by Eir_S

Originally posted by Lienhart

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.

No....just no.....

Get out a little bit more and you'll understand what I mean. You have some valid points but to throw Facebook, development of social skills, time management and team work skills into there...just hell no (and I'd argue against hte monetary lessons but I can see how that would work).

For every comment like this, it seems there are proponents for video games in education, though.

http://www.gamespot.com/features/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids-6400549/

In a classroom environment, video games can help to develop all of the things vindir mentioned, just like any tool.  Maybe you should expand your mind a bit.

You're using gamespot as a credible source? Dude -_-

Strawman much?

How does PBS grab you then? 

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2011/06/the-case-for-videogames-as-powerful-tools-for-learning164.html

No?  How about:

http://gettingsmart.com/cms/blog/2013/01/how-minecraft-is-teaching-a-generation-about-teamwork-the-environment/

Maybe that's no better... an expert like you will need more evidence - we could also try:

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-01-31/tech/video.games.smarter.steinberg_1_video-games-interactive-simulations-digital-world?_s=PM:TECH

Wow, hey what do you know?

"Contrary to popular belief, though, many build, not burn brain cells by requiring extensive problem solving, teamwork and dynamic decision-making skills.

Also capable of building players' confidence and helping them see the world from multiple viewpoints, games can be powerful learning tools."

But I'm sure your extensive research of "No no, get out more" is at the forefront of disproving social sciences.  Either way, you're wrong and I'm not sorry.

/anime face

I have a lot to show for my time spent on MMO's.  Great friends and great memories, chief among them.  Hell, most of us still meet in Vegas or GenCon every year or two.

If you have nothing to show for any hobby, the problem isn't the hobby; it's how you spent your time with it.

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?

All the time.  I started with UO, and I've played to cap on more games than I really care to think about.  I've stopped typing /played in WoW... Its too damn depressing.  But I must say, that over all, I've enjoyed myself.   I have thousands of screen shots, and I have many great memories from guild mates and such over the years. 
 

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?

Its a computer game what where you expecting? Playing a computer game does nothing for you in the real world... well other than maybe kill your social life..

I have never felt this way as I have never expected to have any reward in the real world for playing an MMO...

Saying that most MMOs are a waste of time these days as most suck pretty bad.. still a few upcoming ones are looknig pretty good.

Originally posted by Lienhart

Originally posted by DamonVile

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?

I don't understand why kids do it....but as someone that's older it's a nice hobby you can do and be around the house.

I did all my motorcycle/ski and snowboard racing as a younger person. They all hurt too much now :)

They're a waste of time but so is everything else. As long as you're having fun it's all good...but.... if you do all your old person hobbies as a kid you'll wish you did more kid hobbies when you get old. So yes....games are a waste of your youth.

Really? I can't imagine how riding or track racing could EVER become old or something I'd give up. But then again, everyone that's older has who used to ride told me they sold their bikes once the kids came in: I guess the solution is to avoid kids lol

Believe me, you give certain things up, when it becomes obvious that you don't heal up, nearly as fast as you once did... ^^

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.

Agreed. :)

I've been playing MMORPGs since 2003 and I agree - they are a total waste of your life. Life is finite - it's easy to forget that when you are in your 20s and 30s.

Initially, they are excellent fun, and I was thinking about WoW even when I wasn't playing it.

It was like an extension of my childhood.

After about 9 years, you suddenly realise you've got older and your parents are looking elderly, and you think, "Oh my God, where has all the time gone?"

This realisation doesn't creap up on you - it suddenly hits you one day. Before this revelation you don't notice time passing at all.

I don't agree with people who say that other leasure activities are an equal waste of time. For example, if you spent your time in a cycling club instead, you could easily meet the man or woman of your dreams there.

I frequently talk to parents who's kids are in their teens and are heavily into video games.

Most discussion are 'I don't want them to play games.'

Answer: If they are home playing video games, you know where they are. That's number one. Number two, why not let them play video games from 7-9pm? That way, they will most likely be home before dark and ready to eat dinner with family.

Last I checked, an entertainment product is suppose to entertain me. As long as it does that, I don't see it as a waste of time.

Real world is a matter of perspective . What does it make it less of a real world?

The code exists, the players around you exist, you have real experiences with them, fuck I've even make friendships over mmos that have lasted more than 12 years now.

You spend your time for entertainment and if you aren't a soloer it will probably be one of the best experiences you'll ever have.

"Something to show for" ,why would you want to show something off,I mean at the end of they day you will be forgotten, but through an mmo you'll be the guy that your friends had those amazing experiences with.

Break the boxes that sorround your mind, and you might one day see that everything a human brain can think of, is just a matter of perspective and a false reality made by his community to serve the few.

Uhm... I think i overdid it a tad...anyway my point is , having experiences with friends is not a waste of time. It's living.

Originally posted by jpnz

I frequently talk to parents who's kids are in their teens and are heavily into video games.

Most discussion are 'I don't want them to play games.'

Answer: If they are home playing video games, you know where they are. That's number one. Number two, why not let them play video games from 7-9pm? That way, they will most likely be home before dark and ready to eat dinner with family.

 

Last I checked, an entertainment product is suppose to entertain me. As long as it does that, I don't see it as a waste of time.

Childhood up to age 11 has plenty of free time - and I think it's normal to play lots of games then. At this point, the argument is 'MMORPGs vs. Lego?' etc. And it all depends on your opinion.

From age 12- to 18-years, doing your homework is really important. It's important to get into a learning habit that you enjoy and benefit from. I'm a graduate of medical school, so I could go off-topic about this extensively.

Originally posted by galoari

Real world is a matter of perspective . What does it make it less of a real world?

The code exists, the players around you exist, you have real experiences with them, fuck I've even make friendships over mmos that have lasted more than 12 years now.

You spend your time for entertainment and if you aren't a soloer it will probably be one of the best experiences you'll ever have.

"Something to show for" ,why would you want to show something off,I mean at the end of they day you will be forgotten, but through an mmo you'll be the guy that your friends had those amazing experiences with.

 

Break the boxes that sorround your mind, and you might one day see that everything a human brain can think of, is just a matter of perspective and a false reality made by his community to serve the few.

Uhm... I think i overdid it a tad...anyway my point is , having experiences with friends is not a waste of time. It's living.

I think MMORPGs are all about relatively short-term pleasure.

Other activities in life provide greater long-term satisfaction.

For example, presenting a piece of academic research work at an exotic location is an experience that you'll remember fondly for years to come.

In contrast, completing the Dead Mines in WoW was thrilling at the time, but how often do you think about it now? And you can't put it on your CV.

Originally posted by Mors.Magne

Originally posted by galoari

Real world is a matter of perspective . What does it make it less of a real world?

The code exists, the players around you exist, you have real experiences with them, fuck I've even make friendships over mmos that have lasted more than 12 years now.

You spend your time for entertainment and if you aren't a soloer it will probably be one of the best experiences you'll ever have.

"Something to show for" ,why would you want to show something off,I mean at the end of they day you will be forgotten, but through an mmo you'll be the guy that your friends had those amazing experiences with.

 

Break the boxes that sorround your mind, and you might one day see that everything a human brain can think of, is just a matter of perspective and a false reality made by his community to serve the few.

Uhm... I think i overdid it a tad...anyway my point is , having experiences with friends is not a waste of time. It's living.

I think MMORPGs are all about relatively short-term pleasure.

 

Other activities in life provide greater long-term satisfaction.

 

For example, presenting a piece of academic research work at an exotic location is an experience that you'll remember fondly for years to come.

 

In contrast, completing the Dead Mines in WoW was thrilling at the time, but how often do you think about it now? And you can't put it on your CV.

Well I'm an Applied Mathematician with a master's on CS, I kinda can :P

Also, you are forgetting that mmos are a hobby and should be taken with meassurement , not interfering with your carreer , especially if you love your line of work.

It's an alternate reality to take your mind off things without getting addicted to LSD .

One more thing, you reffered to WoW, WoW lacked the difficulty that game's before it (and some after) possesed and made the experiences much less unique.