30 days without videogames

[OrsonM]

A few days ago I saw that Seinfeld episode on crackle were they bet who stays the longer without... you know..., which was hilarious (if not a bit dated).

But it got me thinking... those people at Seinfeld are way too weak!, 30 days without that?, I can go above and beyond that!, 30 days without playing videogames!, for the same amount of money, 100 dollars!.

It doesn't sound like a big deal, and I spent several months without playing crap back when I was in College. But that was because I had to, and I had like 4 videogames back then (go to hell college people that can afford videogames), so it wasn't a big deal. And it actually was a huge boost in my grades back then, people don't realize how much time we spend playing videogames.

Doing it today however, it's a bit harder. I have a job and have a bit of spare money and Steam, GOG and about 4 other websites have cheapy games for 5 dollars in a weekly and daily basis (decent games too, none of that Zynga crap). Granted, some of my purchases I've never played (Victoria 2 seemed like a good purchase at the time...), but some that I play a bit more than I would like to admit to (like Victoria 1, which is the BOMB).

So yeah... we are at day 6... bored out of my mind. I have been very productive lately though, so there's that.

Who am I betting against?... well myself, which I can acknowledge is a bit lame, but if I win, I get to keep 100 dollars... if I lose... I dunno, donate it to charity? look the bet is not important, is the Seinfeld episode that's important!

 

[CivCube]

You could cheat and play boardgames.

 

[GoodGame]

Pretty easy....erase all your games, disconnect all your console, and throw everything into a closet.

Admittedly, if you go online then you'll probably have videogames still pushed in your face, but make a motivating desktop image and I think your will will power you to success!



But why give up video games completely? Why not just cut down the number of minutes per day that you play games, and do other things like read a book, watch a movie, exercise, etc...

 

[Save_Ferris]

It's called Lent.

 

[OrsonM]

I'm seriously considering board games, although few of them are ever on sale.

I already tried erasing games or limiting hours... but it's easier said than done.

My motivating desktop image is the box cover of Arcanum... and I also try to freelance as a videogame artist. So you see, I'm screwed coming and going. Seinfeld style bet seems to be working though.

 

[Synobun]

On the plus side, if you succeed at this, it'll be a huge boost to your self-control

 

[Chieftess]

How about 40 days? (Granted, it kind of helps when your new PC decides to start having major issues the day before Ash Wednesday and you're left with only occasional use of the family laptop).

It's called Lent.

Beat me to it.

 

[Disgustipated]

I once went 30 days without internet (at home, I still used it occasionally at work), and that was extremely difficult. Although I have gone a couple weeks without games just recently. Having a love interest in your life helps immensely with this. When I first went into the military I didn't play any games at all for the first 2 years or so. Then I finally got a Segas Genesis, then a PC, then Civilization 2, and that was the kicker. Damn you Civ2. I figure if I can go 2 weeks, I should be able to go 30 days. But I have no reason to. Although I am glad to not be playing Star Wars: The Old Republic anymore. MMO's are too addicting. I need a game that actually ends.

 

[GenMarshall]

That's insane!!!

 

[Maniacal]

If I had enough other stuff to do I could do it if I wanted to, but I don't see the point or care. The only time I would bother not playing video games for a long time is when I am traveling.

 

[Adam7Eight]

I wouldn't be able to do it. Maybe 3 days...

 

[Samez]

30 days playing no video games should be quite easy. Get some books you wanted to read, try to learn a new (programming?) language, contact/meet old friends, start some kind of art project (painting, music or whatever), go to some newcomer concerts or plain and simple work all day and night

 

[OrsonM]

That's some great advice. I'll get back here when the 30 days are over... which would be on... I think March 21?

 

[Akka]

30 days without video game for 100 $ ?

What a joke. Make that 10 000 $ and I'm game, but nothing under.
There is a risk of pemanent neural injury after all.

 

[Rub'Rum]

Sometimes I don't play videogames for a while without noticing, because I have other preoccupations, I'm tired, my brain is busy with other concerns and worries that I can't let go of enough to try to escape in a videogame and enjoy it.

I might play a bit tonight, but I just realized I have zero hours played in the last 2 weeks on Steam. I didn't even try, it just happened because of other worries, and also because I have been doing a bit of table top RPGs instead in the past months. It comes and goes. But when I'm really in the mood I'll be playing like 20-30 hours a week, which isn't that much by some standards but is kind of quite a bit by normal people standards.

 

[Adam7Eight]

...but I just realized I have zero hours played in the last 2 weeks on Steam.

I just had that happen too... because I've been playing Minecraft.

 

[OrsonM]

30 days without video game for 100 $ ?

What a joke. Make that 10 000 $ and I'm game, but nothing under.
There is a risk of pemanent neural injury after all.

Shouldn't you have 10k lying around in order to be in the bet then??

Mitt Romney... is that you?

 

[Skwink]

Don't take that episode too seriously. George cheated.

 

[ZeletDude]

If CFC, and forum games (NESing, Virtual Politics etc) don't count as video games I could do it

 

[Maniacal]

They don't.