When I was younger videogames were my life. They inspired me to go into programming. As I got older I found I spent more time analyzing the technical aspect of games and enjoying them less. Now I find it a chore to sit through games most of the time, and I really don't have the time to get invested as I want to. I still play some games, I spent almost this entire weekend playing pokemon. I beat it a couple days after it came out then didn't touch it for months until this weekend. I knew I wanted to relax this weekend and I used the game to facilitate that. I'll probably do something similar this weekend since I know from here on out it will be work and school 24/7.

My mother was always strict on limiting game and computer time. She still is with my siblings. She loosened up on me when I got older as I spent most of my time on the computer programming and learning. I'm extremely glad she recognized that. All in all I don't think it affected me negatively, as refugee said I really enjoy reading and that gave me more time to enjoy it. Or to go outside and ride my bike around town.

The way I see it is that videogames are harmless unless they're put in the right hands. But that can be said for anything. If someone is going to go on a spree of violence they would have done that whether they played games, saw movies, or whatever else. Games are just a good scapegoat. That said I never really got into the extremely over the top games like saints row or GTA. I just knew they weren't for me. I'm a nintendo fanboy and I'll probably stay that way.