Are video games frivolous spending?

Post by **Radiant Hero** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:09 pm

One of my friends commented on my video game hobby as frivolous spending. He argued that there was no artistic merit, and that there is essentially nothing to be gained from the amount of time put in to playing. Do you ever feel that video games are an extravagance, or do you feel that it is a credible medium?

Post by **Funk, E** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:15 pm

Wow. This is a (pretty old) can of worms. I'm of the mind that video games are an artisic medium in the same vein as movies or music, but there are plenty that disagree.

Post by **aaron** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:39 pm

you should point out to your friend that people dish out thousands of dollars for paintings and all they get to do is look at them.

Post by **ott0bot** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:03 pm

Everything is "frivolous" besides food and housing. I'd say buying anything new (besides underwear and socks) is kinda of a waste.

You can't take your money with you when you die, so spend it. At least if you collect games in an intelligent way you can resale them for a decent price. Wait till the prices go down and buy the more rare and desirable titles. Thrift shops are your friend.

Post by **Mozgus** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:46 pm

If there were no frivolous aspects of life, I wouldn't want to live.

Post by **lordofduct** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:19 am

artisitc - can be
entertaining - oh hell yeah
frivolous - what isn't in our market?
waste of a time - just as much as a film, TV, magazine, Brittney Spears/that whore I can't remember the name of

Yes this is an old debate... and I never understood it. People josh on me for playing so many videogames, when they themselves read comic books or smoke marijuana. Sorry but the human mind doesn't want to be concerned about work and responsibility all day every day for the rest of our lives. Videogames happen to be our outlet, which everyone has one of.

Now the concern of the cost, yes videogames are expensive... especially the hardware. But then I can assume that a large majority list affordability as at least 1 of the reasons we here are retrogamers... all the entertainment at a fraction of the price!

Post by **RyaNtheSlayA** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:30 am

lordofduct wrote:artisitc - can be
entertaining - oh hell yeah
frivolous - what isn't in our market?
waste of a time - just as much as a film, TV, magazine, Brittney Spears/that whore I can't remember the name of

Yes this is an old debate... and I never understood it. People josh on me for playing so many videogames, when they themselves read comic books or smoke marijuana. Sorry but the human mind doesn't want to be concerned about work and responsibility all day every day for the rest of our lives. Videogames happen to be our outlet, which everyone has one of.

Now the concern of the cost, yes videogames are expensive... especially the hardware. But then I can assume that a large majority list affordability as at least 1 of the reasons we here are retrogamers... all the entertainment at a fraction of the price!

uh Paris Hilton lol

Post by **RadarScope1** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:36 am

Mozgus wrote:If there were no frivolous aspects of life, I wouldn't want to live.

Yep.

It's no more a waste than movies or TV. Most hobbies are "frivolous" except that you get a lot of enjoyment out of them. Can't put a price on that.

Post by **manillaungol** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:50 am

I don't associate with those who speak the infidel words frivolous about my hobbies, your friend needs a bust in the chops.

Post by **Haoie** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:05 am

I figure he's probably right.

But hey, each to his own.