"It's just a game"

I dislike this attitude because in my opinion it devalues not just video games, but the entire human experience, as it could be used to devalue any aspect of the human experience.

Say, I type faster when listening to Bohemian Polka.

But it's just a song!  ^*

Anyway, the important thing is not to dismiss the value of something just because you don't like it. If someone does use this phrase in that manner, it's more a statement about them then it is about whatever media they are commenting on.

Personally, I hate the term "hardcore gamer". It brings up images of some asshole who can only be content playing FP Ss and looks down their noses at everyone else.

Same here. To me, "hardcore gamer" is a synonym for ""Stop Having Fun" Guys".

I'll except when people say "it's just a game" on one condition. The person saying it can't be a hardcore sports fan and/or worship sports players as the chosen people.

And, if the person telling me "it's just a game" has a Fantasy Sports team, I'm telling the hypocritical asshole to bite the curb.

If you're an Atheist and the person who says "It's just a game" is religious, you could respond "[insert holy book here] is just a story".

This post was thumped by the Stick of Off-Topic Thumping.
Stay on topic, please.

^^ If you're an obnoxious troll and you want to give them a bad impression of atheists or confirm any prejudices against atheists they might have, sure.

Yeah, you're right. Posting while sleep-deprived makes me look like an idiot.

edited 30th Jan '11 7:33:37 PM by Roxor

Well, I wouldn't go that far. Maybe I was a little harsh.

I just think, a retort like that is unlikely to have the desired reaction, in practice.

I wouldn't word it quite like that.

I WOULD explain it that the happy community that they have in their church group is the same thing as the happy community you have with your game of choice (hopefully!) .

OP: I would point out the mountains of evidence suggesting the importance of playtime in childhood as exercise of cognitive development, and of stress reduction throughout life.

Now, playing too many video games to the exclusion of the rest of your life and social interaction, that's bad, but that's rarely the approach taken when this topic is brought up.

^Doing ANYTHING at that expense is a bad thing. Doesn't matter if it's video games or work or reading or drinking or whatever.

Honostly it seems it'd be better for a lot of gamers to realize that these are just games, and to make them more then that is just folly. Unless you're getting payed to make more then a game of them of course.