Thing is, I would like to have some time for this. However, I just can’t prioritize it above the responsibilities of life. If I don’t play a game, there is no real impact beyond a little disappointment. If I don’t handle the other stuff, there are real and immediate (often expensive) consequences.

I believe that every person should have a hobby that enriches their life. However, I also feel like that enrichment demands some effort. Things like painting, playing an instrument, sculpting, demand effort but provide reward in equal measure over time. Not just for the individual, but for others who also get to experience the results.

Playing a game is an indulgence; its like a movie or show that you participate in. The end result is an experience for the player alone.

I don’t see life enrichment by pursuit of arts and crafts as the same as consuming a game. I truly believe that you must move beyond playing games and that adults who do not pursue beyond are experiencing arrested development. Games are fun, but if you stop there, you miss so much. That’s why I don’t prioritize them and I find it fascinating that saying something as noncontroversial like “you should stop gaming at a certain age” really touches a nerve with so many people.

I switched to books. Portable, cheap, can start/stop any time. Can read in down moments, can listen on long car rides.

I started playing Outer Wilds. I just don’t have the time to prioritize it to the point where I can enjoy it.

I haven’t played a game for more than 30 minutes in years.

Once you have a big boy job, responsibilities, and a family (if you choose to do so) game time ends up being really low on the list of priorities.

I’m sure many will disagree, but you just can’t devote time to such things once you are an adult. You have to outgrow such indulgences or life will smack you in the dick. If your car is broken, the dishwasher is being an asshole, you need to refinance, the kids have music lessons, the dog is old and needs to go to the vet (again), your mom needs someone to replace her hose faucet, you just can’t sit around dicking around with a game.