Member-only story
I finally understand why even grown-up men are addicted to video games.
I was never really “into” video games. As a teenager, I had my flings with Counter-Strike, NFS, and Fifa, but they were fleeting romances. GTA V was a big deal for me — I even built a computer just for it. But once that phase was over, my overkill of a computer became just a work tool. In the last six years, I can hardly recall spending more than two hours in total on all or any game.
As I drifted away from my early 20s, so did my interest in all forms of “gamification.” Life got busy and intense, leaving no room for leisurely gaming. The thought didn’t cross my mind, nor did I miss it. But I couldn’t help but notice — women complaining about their partners glued to games, and acquaintances passionately discussing gaming strategies. I didn’t judge, but I certainly wondered: what makes video games so enticing to even grown-up men? It is one thing for teenagers to be attracted to it, it is completely different for men to be addicted.
To be clear, I’m not talking about those who’ve carved out careers in gaming. I’m curious about the everyday folks, the regular Joes who find solace in the virtual world.
The more I thought about it, the more I enquired, the more I listened, the more I understood. These are a few reasons why men choose to play video games rather than doing anything else.
