Earlier today Paul and I got into an interesting gchat conversation about what is the essence of video games. Are they a Hobby or are they something else entirely? I asked Paul if I could share it with everyone and he said sure!

Paul: are videogames really a hobby?
I mean, I know they are for us, cause we blog

Lance: pastime?

Paul: recreational activity
is what I’d call it

Lance: true
but that would seem a more apt fit for your softball team

Paul: but your videogame softball team is different?

Lance: It’s more akin to TV watching or going to the movies

Paul: Exactly, an activity that you partake in during your recreational time

Lance: recreational activity just seems like going outside and moving around

Paul: because you’re thinking of the term like a 50 year old would
before videogames existed

Lance: Its honestly semantics

Paul: Oh, I know
I’m just trying to get you to see it my way

Lance: oh I do!

Paul: instead of going outside and playing in the leaves, I now play indoors in front of the TV

Lance: I think it’s funny how it can fit into both meanings

Paul: :)

Lance: both hobby and recreational activity

Paul: a hobby to me denotes you’re making something

Lance: true

Paul: but by definition we are both correct

Lance: but some would say reading books is a hobby

Paul: collecting stamps is a hobby where you don’t make anything

Lance: you make less friends

Paul: unless you count making your stamp collection larger
lol

Lance: because who the fuck collects stamps

Paul: right
Hobby – a pursued interest for relaxation
I guess you can call VG a hobby

Lance: You can also call it a recreational activity as well

Paul: my elliptical machine in the basement isn’t a hobby
OR a recreational activity
It’s a machination of torture

Lance: it’s an anti-man titty machine

Paul: indeed

So what do you think? Is it a hobby or is it something else?


  • http://www.rickyjacy.com rick

    neither, for me. it’s just something that i do sometimes.

  • Chris

    They can be a variety of things, from meaningful experiences to time killers…. god that was lame

  • Joe

    Ludicrous to think it could be anything else than that which you want it to be.

    Remember – a dictionary is just opinion presented as fact.