How do you guys find time to play games?

[diablopath]

I know most people here probably have full time jobs, girlfriends and wives, kids and dishes to wash, school to attend and chores to do.

I find very little time for games anymore. Besides Gears 2, every game I've bought since August has remained about halfway beat due to one big open nigh splurge, then no more time to play for weeks.

My semester ends Thursday, and then time will be had to catch up.

But how do you folks find time for it?
Or do you do like me, and just wait to bulk it all into one huge one month session?

[Variable Gear]

Not having a job helps. Until you run out of money at the bank!

[SilentScreams]

I work from 7am to 3pm, which means I have plenty of time during the afternoon/evenings to play games. I also neither want nor have kids, so that's one less huge time/money sink in my life.
When most people are sitting down to watch TV and relax in the evening, I'm generally sat at my PC since I don't really watch TV anymore.

[Gormanimal]

I'm in the same boat diablopath. I think I have ~4 games I have that I haven't even started. My time limitation lately has been work, but I'm hoping when it lightens up I'll have some time to catch up on my backlog.

[Blue]

I usually find time to play once every other day unless there's something going on where I can get in more. My wife and I own our own business so that does make it easier when finding time to do things we'd like to do and in setting our own schedule for the most part. And too, we often try and take a part of a day or so away from one another as we're around each other at the house and at the studio, so I can use that time as well to play something if I'm in the mood.

If it's a more action oriented game, I'll get through it at a pretty decent clip (finished Gears 2 in about a week) and the same holds true for platformers, etc. Now for an RPG, those I have to chip away at. Like now, I'm working through Tales of Vesperia and am about 30 hours or so in. However, I've had it for almost 4 months now. So I'll play something action-like that I know I can beat quicker, play some Tales, switch back, etc.

That's usually how my gaming time works out. I quick WoW about two months back and I've found that I all of a sudden have this time free that I don't know what to do with :).

[Whunpo]

I don't have time...I can sometimes squeeze a few hours in on the weekend, but I do not get to game like I really should. That's why I don't talk about them as much in gaming area anymore. I still read about them when I can, but voicing my opinions is harder when I don't get to play them.
Between school and all the extra stuff I do, I don't have the time or money to be a real gamer. I still love games and this site though.

[SilentScreams]

That's usually how my gaming time works out. I quick WoW about two months back and I've found that I all of a sudden have this time free that I don't know what to do with :).

I hear ya. Quitting WoW worked wonders for my gaming time.
I started playing again with WotLK, but I quit after getting 1 character to 73 and another to 71. It's not that the new lands aren't nice. They look amazing when flying through them and stuff. But the content is still the same as the stuff I did to get to level 70, and the prospect of two new abilities along with the daunting task of starting the equipment grind all over again isn't enough to keep me playing.

[Blue]

I hear ya. Quitting WoW worked wonders for my gaming time.

I started playing again with WotLK, but I quit after getting 1 character to 73 and another to 71. It's not that the new lands aren't nice. They look amazing when flying through them and stuff. But the content is still the same as the stuff I did to get to level 70, and the prospect of two new abilities along with the daunting task of starting the equipment grind all over again isn't enough to keep me playing.

That's the exact same reason I quit. While I would have enjoyed seeing the new content for curiosity sake, I just found myself bored with the idea of it. And when I'm thinking of what gear I might have gotten on a particular raid run that night while my wife and I are out to dinner, that's a problem. So it was fun while it lasted though my addictive personality just couldn't handle it anymore.

Though when the Bioware MMO hits...well, I'm pretty much hosed.

[Codicier]

Instead of studying I play games. Simple. :p

Actually I've basically cut most all games out until school is over (3 more days!). I fit some stuff in here and there (playing Chrono Trigger while waiting for the bus, playing some L4D at night when there's time, playing Pixeljunk Eden as a study break etc...) but since I'm doing a co-op work term next semester I plan to play catch up then. That is, in addition to playing as much as possible over Christmas break.

[Aggort]

Wake-Up, Eat, Work, Eat, Game, Sleep, repeat. Unless I get a day off.

[Gorvi]

I tend to sleep about 4-5 hours per night maximum, that's how I do it. Some days it catches up with me and I slip and get about 6 hours, but yeah, that's it. With a full time job, a wife, and two small children (one is 2 years old, the other 7 months), it's the only way I can find any time to game. Both kids are normally asleep by 8:30, I try to game from then til ~12. Sleep from about 12:15 to 4:15 (alarm set) and get in some gaming before the kids wake up around ~6. I've all but given up on gaming during the day on days off or on weekends unless the grandparents are watching the kids, I refuse to ignore my children just to play a game and they very rarely nap at the same time.

Gaming on portables has helped me a lot too. The sleep mode on both the PSP and DS is a life saver if you're strapped for time gaming. Have 5 minutes? Wake it up from sleep mode, play, and put it back into sleep mode at a moment's notice, no need to find a stopping point.

[JayK47]

I wonder this a lot. I see so many people in these forums who seem to always get the game the second it comes out and then plow through it in a few days to discuss in the forums. They must be unemployed, living in moms basement, or calling in sick a lot.

I tend to buy a lot of games and if I am lucky, get through them. Living in an area that gets all 4 seasons, the winter time is a great time to do some catching up. I tend to spend every free minute gaming in the winter. That ads up to about 24 hours a week or so.

[JayK47]

I tend to sleep about 4-5 hours per night maximum, that's how I do it. Some days it catches up with me and I slip and get about 6 hours, but yeah, that's it. With a full time job, a wife, and two small children (one is 2 years old, the other 7 months), it's the only way I can find any time to game. Both kids are normally asleep by 8:30, I try to game from then til ~12. Sleep from about 12:15 to 4:15 (alarm set) and get in some gaming before the kids wake up around ~6. I've all but given up on gaming during the day on days off or on weekends unless the grandparents are watching the kids, I refuse to ignore my children just to play a game and they very rarely nap at the same time.

Gaming on portables has helped me a lot too. The sleep mode on both the PSP and DS is a life saver if you're strapped for time gaming. Have 5 minutes? Wake it up from sleep mode, play, and put it back into sleep mode at a moment's notice, no need to find a stopping point.

My god man. How can you live on so little sleep? I am still sleepy after 8 hours of sleep. If that dips down below 7 hours, I am retarded for the day.

[Primus]

Mostly in the afternoons and evenings on the weekdays. It is funny because most of my friends do the same thing so that is when I get a lot of my XBL time in.

Also, as I get older I am finding that chilling at home on the weekends can be nice.

[Chris_D]

Basically I don't. There have been times this year when I've been reduced to playing about once a month. I have been able to get a lot of time on the handhelds during commutes, Jeanne D'Arc, Hotel Dusk, Puzzle Quest, Apollo Justice, Crisis Core, but no portable game has really grabbed me since I put Crisis Core down.

For console gaming I've somehow managed to get 130 hours in on Tales of Vesperia since I got it. My best chance is usually on a public holiday where if I don't have any special plans then I'll put in a 6-8 hour "marathon" session. Otherwise, sometimes an hour or two before I go to bed on a Sunday.

The sleep thing is tough, I need to get at least 7 hours to not feel crap, and my job often has me getting up at 6:30 and getting home at 10. Also, I've been getting a lot of colds both last winter and this winter so I need to be careful with my health. At least I've had my flu shots!

[Scaryfaced]

My god man. How can you live on so little sleep? I am still sleepy after 8 hours of sleep. If that dips down below 7 hours, I am retarded for the day.

I heard about a study not too long ago that said people who sleep 5-6 hours a night live longer than the 7-8 crowd. It struck me as a little silly, but if you think about it, your getting in an extra 1-3 hours of living a day. So in a way, I guess it's true.

As for gaming, I clock in an hour or two of TF2 on Thursdays, but rarely play anything else. I've got time, but just can't muster the concetration. Every so often a game grabs me and I'll grind through it in record time, but I quickly loose interest and drift off again. Fallout 3 was a recent attention grabber. I must have clocked ~80 hours into that game in the span of a week or two, but haven't even bothered finishing the story and haven't played in about a week. I think years of overdosing on games and internet have given me the attention span of a gold fish.

[Chris_D]

I heard about a study not too long ago that said people who sleep 5-6 hours a night live longer than the 7-8 crowd. It struck me as a little silly, but if you think about it, your getting in an extra 1-3 hours of living a day. So in a way, I guess it's true.


I don't know the details about that but another friend told me that sleep is best done in multiples of 1.5 hours according to a study he saw. So you'd be better off sleeping 6 hours or 7.5 hours rather than 6.5 or 7. I don't know if there's any truth to that.

The 1-3 hours thing makes sense but if I spend most of the day scratching the grit out of my eyes and am too tired to game then it's not much use :).

[Xerxes]

I need to cut my net usage, mainly CoG. Hopefully next week I can get to it.

[Shamrock Jimmy]

I work really long hours but only 3-4 days a week, also during part of the year I'm on a plane twice a week so that gives me plenty of time with handhelds.

[Arphahat]

Evening to late night, mostly. After my daughter goes to bed at 8:15, I will typically play until about 10 then get ready for bed (although, this is a new development, as I used to stay up until 2 routinely, but felt like crap and tired all the time.) On the weekends, after my girl's bedtime, I'll return to my late night playing.

I have found that game playing is my entertainment of choice. I barely watch TV or movies at home, gaming instead.

[Karak]

I set aside time for it. It is a hobby and something I have income invested in so I treat it like something important.

[Gorvi]

My god man. How can you live on so little sleep? I am still sleepy after 8 hours of sleep. If that dips down below 7 hours, I am retarded for the day.
I've been that way my whole life, my wife thinks I'm insane. On those nights where I say it "cathces up with me", I may fall asleep around 9, but I'll pop awake after 5-6 hours tops. I just don't sleep that much, it's a waste of time. ;)

[PathMaster]

Really hard at this point of the year. I barely get a chance to play. I miss the days of having 10-15 free minutes and jumping into a game.

And honestly, that is how I get most of my gaming in. Games where I can jump in and out quickly, like Portal, I can play fairly quickly over a short span. Other games, where I might really need/want to pay attention to the story usually end up half finished due to time constraints. RPG's..not going to happen. Hopefully if I can get a job and move from my parents house I can get more gaming in.

[Lint of Death]

I procrastinate!

[diablopath]

My god man. How can you live on so little sleep? I am still sleepy after 8 hours of sleep. If that dips down below 7 hours, I am retarded for the day.

Just out of curiosity, what's your typical schedule?

I used to be more or less the same as you, if I didn't get 9 hours, I'd bitch about it all day.

Since I've in in school however, balancing that + 35 hour work weeks, if I want to do *anything* (Read, listen to podcasts, etc...sometimes I'm just too exhausted to play a game), I've got to do it at night. So I've been getting roughly five hours every night since then. Sometimes 4 and a half...

It's really not that bad once you get used to it, and if what you wake up too keeps you moving around.

I am very excited to sleep until 1 pm, though.
I don't know if I can do it!

[Tron]

I don't to be honest...too busy most of the time with work, school and social engagements.

Now that school is out I have some free time the next few weeks.

[squirrelTactics]

I heard about a study not too long ago that said people who sleep 5-6 hours a night live longer than the 7-8 crowd. It struck me as a little silly, but if you think about it, your getting in an extra 1-3 hours of living a day. So in a way, I guess it's true.

So if I am sleeping while these early risers are up doing things, I get counted as dead?

[Codicier]

So if I am sleeping while these early risers are up doing things, I get counted as dead?

That sounds like the idea, yes.

Personally if I'm super tired when I'm up then that time is worth less to me than the times I'm up and alert. But that's just me. I've been surviving on less sleep for most of this semester and it'll be nice to start getting a normal amount.

[LongStepMantis]

This topic is exactly why I'm still playing PS2 and Gamecube games. Most of my posts here are done while I'm either on my home PC doing school work (or...trying to) or from work itself.

A few years ago I could stay on top of current gaming, but I just don't have the time anymore. I'm slacking off on studying for a grueling literature final just to post this.
I probably only have a couple hours a day, sometimes not even that much, to actually play games. I would say I could sleep less...but I'd die. I average 4 hours a day as it is.

And I fall further behind the gaming crowd (especially consoles) every day. By the time I buy a 360 or PS3, everyone will be playing Xbox 1480's and PS5's. I still have about 15-20 PS2/GC games I haven't even started yet. I bought Twilight Princess for GC on release day and haven't even opened the box yet.

Well, back to work...:(

[WhyThree]

I don't know the details about that but another friend told me that sleep is best done in multiples of 1.5 hours according to a study he saw. So you'd be better off sleeping 6 hours or 7.5 hours rather than 6.5 or 7. I don't know if there's any truth to that.

The 1-3 hours thing makes sense but if I spend most of the day scratching the grit out of my eyes and am too tired to game then it's not much use :).

Sleep cycles (cycles of brain waves - alpha, delta, REM) happen every ~1.5-2 hours. During the fourth stage of sleep, REM, your brain is closest to normal consciousness and it's easiest to wake up. Most of your dreaming is done in REM. If you go into sleep debt, the time you spend in the REM state is extended to catch up for what you missed, but the other stages aren't extended.

I don't know if it's "better" to sleep in 1.5 hour increments, but it's what most people tend to do naturally.


And on the subject of finding time to game, I always come back after taking an exam and get in some gaming time. Ironically, I've had an easier time finding time to game during finals than during the rest of the semester. I think next semester will be pretty hard to find time since I'm going to be in a play. Back to memorizing lines...

[Superman's Dead]

I procrastinate!

Hear hear! Fallout 3 almost spelled death for my grades entirely.

[drobvice]

This is why I only play in 15min to 1hr bursts, if I'm lucky. Work, baby, chores, etc. Sometimes I miss having an apartment and no responsibility, other than getting to work on time and paying rent. It's a good trade off, though.

[Purple Santa]

My god man. How can you live on so little sleep? I am still sleepy after 8 hours of sleep. If that dips down below 7 hours, I am retarded for the day.
I lived on 3 hours a night for long time. Just something you get used to. I was never much of a sleeper though. Now it's about 5 or 6 hours a night.


A few years ago I could stay on top of current gaming, but I just don't have the time anymore. I'm slacking off on studying for a grueling literature final just to post this.
(
Lit papers/finals? Oh I feel for you. Been through that nightmare. I complain about my papers i have to do now but they are nothing to lit papers...I get shivers thinking about it. Good luck with you finals...

@OP: Trying to find time for gaming is like finding time for any leisure activity, including trying to balance them all. This is going to sound strange but...try time managing your leisure time. I've given this suggestion to ADDgirl before. She has many interests which take up her time which at times conflicts with the gaming she really wants to do. She thought it odd to schedule her leisure time but it does work. It's not a strict schedule but just a goal oriented what I want to do schedule.

I really don't know how those gamers with significant others, families etc do it. I only have ADDGirl and our cats. Luckily, cats tend to be independent :). But the increased responsibilities doesn't make gaming easier. This is why you read so much about "older" gamers relieved games are lesser in length and just as enjoyable. Although Gorvi seems to find time to play 100 hour games...finding time doesn't get easier as you get older.

[KingGorilla]

I am a shut in with no semblance of a social life. Between work, the gym, and part time courses, I barely have time to eat. So if I get a free moment, like on the weekends, I indulge my agoraphobic self with games, movies, Hulu, Netflix. Not helpful that my best friend is on business in Mexico until February, and my family is as lame as I am.

[LongStepMantis]

I really don't know how those gamers with significant others, families etc do it. I only have ADDGirl and our cats. Luckily, cats tend to be independent :). But the increased responsibilities doesn't make gaming easier. This is why you read so much about "older" gamers relieved games are lesser in length and just as enjoyable. Although Gorvi seems to find time to play 100 hour games...finding time doesn't get easier as you get older.

Maybe that's part of why gaming has become harder for me to accomplish. The older I get and the less time I actually have to game, the more I'm drawn to games that require a lot of time.

Most of the games I play now are RPGs and assorted other titles that are huge timesinks. On top of that, I'm a completionist (it sounds right, dammit) so not only am I playing the longest games possible, but I tend to scour the game for every little bonus, secret, item, etc. possible. It's like I want to torture myself by putting 3 hours a week into a game that I won't beat until the 100+ hour mark. But I get my money's worth, dammit. ;)

For example, I'm still not finished with Persona 2...and I have 3 and 4 waiting.
I predict I will be playing 4 this time next year. :p

Thanks for the support about my lit finals...nothing like having a 3-hour all essay exam on Paradise Lost, Samson Agonistes, and the Doctrine of Discipline and Divorce...all in original middle English. And that's just for one class. I had 32 books this semester. :(

[Blue]

This topic is exactly why I'm still playing PS2 and Gamecube games. Most of my posts here are done while I'm either on my home PC doing school work (or...trying to) or from work itself.

A few years ago I could stay on top of current gaming, but I just don't have the time anymore. I'm slacking off on studying for a grueling literature final just to post this.
I probably only have a couple hours a day, sometimes not even that much, to actually play games. I would say I could sleep less...but I'd die. I average 4 hours a day as it is.

And I fall further behind the gaming crowd (especially consoles) every day. By the time I buy a 360 or PS3, everyone will be playing Xbox 1480's and PS5's. I still have about 15-20 PS2/GC games I haven't even started yet. I bought Twilight Princess for GC on release day and haven't even opened the box yet.

Well, back to work...:(

Nah, don't feel bad about any of that. My wife and I just got a photography studio so we've been cutting back on "unnecessary" expenses which has taken a hit on my gaming budget. Now mind you with the holidays coming up I'm going to be getting a few new titles (though some of them are about 3 months old so most people have already gotten to them), but outside of that, I haven't picked up anything new except for Fallout which I had saved up for.

Because of that, I've been playing a lot of PS2 titles that I had missed over the years. Just finished up Beyond Good & Evil over the weekend along with Max Payne 2 and then I saw Crackdown when I was out and about for under 10 bucks so I added that to the pile. So I too am doing a lot more playing of older games as of late.

After the holidays subside and I finish through those new games, my list is going to end up being quite a few PS2 games I never got to (which I'm quite satisfied with).

[TheKeck]

Sometimes I forego some sleep. Sometimes I can play while the wife is cooking dinner. Saturday's can be good. I just find time here and there. :)

[pseudopseudo]

I work (lately) from 7pm 'til 1am. Usually, I'll come home from work, play games/watch TV/read until about 6-7am. Send my g/f off to work at about 7-ish, then head to bed about 8am. Wake up at 5-6pm, shower/shave/go to work, repeat.

Kind of sucks, 'cause I don't really get to see the g/f much on this schedule, but its due to change soon.

[Lance Uppercut]

I procrastinate!

Same here.

[pomeroy]

I tend to sleep about 4-5 hours per night maximum, that's how I do it.

That was my life last year. I had a job with an intolerable commute that demanded so much prep time/work. I had to stop, because I was going insane and I hadn't seen my friends or family for months. The shitty part was I wasn't getting to game or anything. It was literally me driving to work, working, driving home, sleeping.

No thank you.

Also, I'm a horrible little bitch if I don't get seven hours of sleep.

[Ravenlock]

Late night and weekends, pretty much exclusively. My wife is generally asleep by 9:30 or 10PM, while I'm usually up until, well, around now (12:00 - 12:30AM), so I can usually fit a couple hours of gaming in there, though it's also my catch-up-on-web browsing and forum time, so not always. Tuesday nights are dedicated to Counter-Strike with my coworkers, which I kind of wish wasn't the case but it's the game they all love and they're my friends so what're you gonna do.

Weekends, depending on what Meghan and I and other family members are up to, can include tons of gaming or none at all. I'd say I spend easily 75% less time gaming than I did back in college, though - I finish games VERY slowly, if at all, don't tend to wrap myself up in long epic titles unless it's something really special, and avoid timesinks like MMO's.

[Squidbot]

I'm old and grumpy and no longer care for a social life. Well, I do go out occasionaly, but not often these days. I kind of burnt myself out on sex n drugs n rock n roll when I was in my 20s.
Now I just stay at home and play games. Works for me, I had a great time and now I just relax.

[Skull3r]

I'm in college and I hear this is about the most time ever that I'll get to game. I usually get around 10 hours a week if I'm lucky. Usually after a huge project, paper, or exam, I'll treat myself to a marathon gaming session to "de-stress".

After this week, I spend two weeks at home, (it's nice to see family and all, but I can't get any gaming done), and then I have three weeks full of a college course (signed up for winter session), and working at a research lab. After this week, the next time I'll be able to consistently game is when spring semester starts :(.

I think if you start scheduling your day into blocks, you'll discover how much time you can get just by trying to speed up the time in between tasks. Once I started writing down everything I needed to do on my cell phone, I started realizing that other than going to class, I generally only do three-five other things (run to the store to pick up x, work on homework, go to the lab and do y). My days went from ending at 11 oclock at night to being able to finish everything before dinner.

[civil]

My ex-wife and I separated in the beginning of 2005. I started living in my own place that fall and had as much gaming time as I wanted (which was a lot). When I was married my ex would give me a guilt trip if I ever gamed while she was around/awake (claimed it was anti-social). So for three years I was gaming quite a bit, guilt-free.

Then I started dating my GF early this year, and at first I had zero time to game. I think there was a point when I didn't turn on my 360 for months. Between my relationship, work and art stuff gaming went down the toilet. Now that we're shacking up I boot up the 360 (my PS3 seems lifeless to me) every other day or so, sometimes for a few hours at a time. My GF actually encourages me to game as she thinks it's important to have fun. And I rented GoW2 so we could kick some alien ass together, so that will also help me incorporate her into gaming time.

Now I'm starting working on a short film, so my gaming time will be cut back again. I honestly feel guilty if I'm not working on art shit while I'm gaming.

[Dark Prince]

I've mostly been working nights but I have some free time during the afternoons before work to get some gaming in. I'm just finishing up my last semester of college so I haven't had too much time lately with studying and the like for finals.

Once the winter break comes though I'll have plenty of time to spend and catch up with a lot of stuff I've been meaning to get back to. Still can't believe I haven't started on LittleBigPlanet yet.

[LongStepMantis]

My ex-wife and I separated in the beginning of 2005. I started living in my own place that fall and had as much gaming time as I wanted (which was a lot). When I was married my ex would give me a guilt trip if I ever gamed while she was around/awake (claimed it was anti-social). So for three years I was gaming quite a bit, guilt-free.

Then I started dating my GF early this year, and at first I had zero time to game. I think there was a point when I didn't turn on my 360 for months. Between my relationship, work and art stuff gaming went down the toilet. Now that we're shacking up I boot up the 360 (my PS3 seems lifeless to me) every other day or so, sometimes for a few hours at a time. My GF actually encourages me to game as she thinks it's important to have fun. And I rented GoW2 so we could kick some alien ass together, so that will also help me incorporate her into gaming time.

Now I'm starting working on a short film, so my gaming time will be cut back again. I honestly feel guilty if I'm not working on art shit while I'm gaming.

I can relate to that. My previous ex before my wife hated the fact I played video games. She would roll their eyes and talk about how I was playing "kid's games"...while she spent most of the week smashed off her ass at the local bars. Shortly before we broke it off, I told her I would not play games for a week if she didn't drink for a week. Her response was "That's different." K... bye bye bitch. ;)

My wife probably wouldn't be my wife right now if she didn't enjoy games as much as I do. She never gamed before she met me, but she's taken to them very well. There's just something magical about a wife who says "So do you want to play PlayStation, or maybe some Diablo? I'm up for whatever."

*sniff* I love that woman.

[Ghostbear]

I dunno, I go to work, come home, play games, and sleep. Its not exactly science.

[civil]

I dunno, I go to work, come home, play games, and sleep. Its not exactly science.
I want your life.










If it includes pooty tang, that is.

[Sl1pstream]

I stay up way too late. It's not unusual for me to stay up until 1am/2am on weekdays. I'm trying to do that less often lately but it still happens.

[Purple Santa]

Maybe that's part of why gaming has become harder for me to accomplish. The older I get and the less time I actually have to game, the more I'm drawn to games that require a lot of time.



Thanks for the support about my lit finals...nothing like having a 3-hour all essay exam on Paradise Lost, Samson Agonistes, and the Doctrine of Discipline and Divorce...all in original middle English. And that's just for one class. I had 32 books this semester. :(
I find it ironic, as i've gotten older I have found more time to game. Partially, it's just making time for my favorite past time. I didn't have gaming marathons earlier in my life...so maybe i'm not burned out of it or making up for lost time. It also helps to have someone who understands and shares my interest. But I knew going into any relationship after my own disaster of a marriage...the person would at least understand my addiction to gaming.

And that list of readings...gave me chills. Nightmares...those bring back some awful nights writing papers. I have to stop thinking about that...to scary...I rather go visit Silent Hill or something...
I'm old and grumpy and no longer care for a social life. Well, I do go out occasionaly, but not often these days. I kind of burnt myself out on sex n drugs n rock n roll when I was in my 20s.
Now I just stay at home and play games. Works for me, I had a great time and now I just relax.
I love being a shut in. I have ADD and my cats. It's all i need :).
My ex-wife and I separated in the beginning of 2005. I started living in my own place that fall and had as much gaming time as I wanted (which was a lot). When I was married my ex would give me a guilt trip if I ever gamed while she was around/awake (claimed it was anti-social). So for three years I was gaming quite a bit, guilt-free.

Your xbitch sounds a lot like my xbitch...my condolences on your previous part of your life...


My wife probably wouldn't be my wife right now if she didn't enjoy games as much as I do. She never gamed before she met me, but she's taken to them very well. There's just something magical about a wife who says "So do you want to play PlayStation, or maybe some Diablo? I'm up for whatever."

*sniff* I love that woman.
That sounds a lot like ADD. She told me this past weekend..."let's try some Left4Dead co-op". We were going to practice some before trying to find Spigot and play with him...of course Spigot was no where to be found...but not much more than you can ask from a significant other than wanting to play L4D...

[Ghostbear]

I want your life.










If it includes pooty tang, that is.

It does, on occasion :D

[KingGorilla]

I want your life.
If it includes pooty tang, that is.

Not so much, but I have impossibly high standards.

[NoName]

Two words: Ritual Sacrifice. Get on the gods good sides and they can grant extra juicy gaming hours for your day!

[Stmfuller]

I'm pretty strictly a weekend/late night gamer. Playing during the day is nearly impossible.
Too much graphic content for the kid to see.

[pronounconnoun]

I feel like I had more time to play when I was a kid, but we didn't have the money to get new games. We had our birthdays or Christmas; unfortunately my birthday is a week before Christmas so I only got one big present (one game for example). Now I have the money but I don't have the time.


I like to cook a lot of food so that we'll have leftovers. So the next day we have more time to play because we don't have to cook. But most of my gaming is done on the weekend. I barely finished MGS4 and I started the first week it came out.

[Rakael]

I really don't have time for gaming anymore. I'll get in a little bit of L4D a couple of nights a week, but otherwise nothing. I work 12 hour shifts, but only 3-4 days a week alternating. On those days there is no gaming, as once I get my son put down for the night I have to do a few things and crash. On my days off I usually give my girl a break and watch my son, so no time for any real gaming then. Keeping up with an 8 month old boy is a game itself.

Still, I don't really miss it all that much. As someone said earlier, Fallout was the last game to catch my attention, and I played the shit out of it. Still haven't finished it though, and will probably send it back to Gamefly unfinished. I just find it hard to get into most games anymore, and mostly stick to multiplayer titles. I've been really thinking that the rest of my Gamefly rentals will be for the DS. It is easier to get in gaming time on it. May also snag a PSP on the cheap.

[SilentScreams]

I've been really thinking that the rest of my Gamefly rentals will be for the DS. It is easier to get in gaming time on it. May also snag a PSP on the cheap.

Yeah the DS and PSP are great for sneaking in gaming sessions due to their sleep modes. Just open it up, play for 15 minutes, then close it again without the need for saving or anything like that.
I have a DS because when I finish work on an evening I catch the bus home (I don't drive anymore), but it's an hour wait for the next bus by the time I get to the bus station. The DS is a great time killer while I wait.

Also: Eddie Izzard is awesome :D

[pseudopseudo]

I barely finished MGS4 and I started the first week it came out.

Don't feel bad. I just got to the end of Act 2, and I've had the game since 3 days before it came out. :(

[Jeffool]

I want your life.
If it includes pooty tang, that is.Everyone needs Pootie Tang in their lives.
http://pictures.jeffool.com/pootie_tang.jpg

Also, aside from my recent venture into Fallout 3, I just don't game. But that has less to do with my time available (I have no life,) and more to do with my complete and permeating disgust for the quality of the vast majority games. I want better.

[Gwinny]

I'm a student, so weekends provide easy gaming time, except during busy portions of the semester. During the school week I play my DS for fifteen, twenty minutes before going to bed or during a dinner break to distract and relax.

[pseudopseudo]

Everyone needs Pootie Tang in their lives.
http://pictures.jeffool.com/pootie_tang.jpg

WATCH FOR FLYING BELTS.

(I'm surprised no one had referenced THE Pootie Tang until just now.)

[Johan]

I find myself wondering not just about how people have the time, but how people have the money to continually buy all of these full-priced-new-at-retail games for $50+ a pop. I have to say, it's a rare game anymore that will pry that kind of cash out of my hand. In the past six months, I've purchased ONE game for that price; Gears of War 2. I own a ton of games (several hundred, I suppose...don't know, and don't want to know), but most were $20 or less. Some were freebies (hand-me-downs from my brother).

As for time, I do what others in here do. I game after the kids are in bed. Now if I could just figure out how to get them sleepy at like 5 p.m. or so! :D

[Karak]

I find myself wondering not just about how people have the time, but how people have the money to continually buy all of these full-priced-new-at-retail games for $50+ a pop. I have to say, it's a rare game anymore that will pry that kind of cash out of my hand. In the past six months,

As for time, I do what others in here do. I game after the kids are in bed. Now if I could just figure out how to get them sleepy at like 5 p.m. or so! :D
I also was wondering...how I had the money. I guess I ignore other things to get it. I want a game, I don't get an energy drink a day like usual. Twenty days later the cash is there. I get paid pretty damn well but that doesn't mean I just spend it.

I am also like others on here. Right now I am getting about 4 hours of sleep every night. It used to be 5. Been like that for about 22 years. Its a good life. Weird but good.
That's where I get my time.

[Squidbot]

I love being a shut in. I have ADD and my cats. It's all i need :).


I like you Santa, always have...
http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/true_romance.jpg

Always will.

[Xerxes]

I have a list of 26 games to play to completion or atleast take a huge bite out of during my two week vacation come Saturday. Off until the next year. ^_^

[Rakael]

Yeah the DS and PSP are great for sneaking in gaming sessions due to their sleep modes. Just open it up, play for 15 minutes, then close it again without the need for saving or anything like that.
I have a DS because when I finish work on an evening I catch the bus home (I don't drive anymore), but it's an hour wait for the next bus by the time I get to the bus station. The DS is a great time killer while I wait.

Also: Eddie Izzard is awesome :D

Yeah, I've picked up Children of Mana again while watching my son tear into everything today (lots of closing the DS). I don't think I'll be playing much of CoM however, as it seems to be pretty much the same thing over and over. Hopefully Chrono Trigger will get here in a week or so.

Yeah, Eddie kicks so much ass it hurts. Badass comedian and an amazing actor.

[Sonic Alpha]

But how do you folks find time for it?

I'm self employed and work from home, so I pretty much choose when I work. Also, I don't sleep much. So, when I'm not eating, working, or shopping, I'm pretty much guaranteed to be gaming.

Though, I'm thinking of switching to a regular job, as business is extremely slow at the moment :(

[Kelegacy]

My girlfriend doesn't game, but hogs the tv (or, I feel bad and don't want her to watch her shows in the other room). So, we bought a second, cheap HDTV. I hooked it up in the living room and I can game while she watches tv. We're almost within touching distance and she can turn to me at any time and talk to me. My game time improved 300% after this smart move. I can even use headphones so I don't distract her.

Life is good. :) ....until the baby comes along. I'll have to keep a crib by the television. :)

[Gorvi]

Life is good. :) ....until the baby comes along. I'll have to keep a crib by the television. :)
That first month or two with the baby won't change much other than late night feedings, they sleep a lot. After that, well, you used to be a gamer. ;)

[Johan]

That first month or two with the baby won't change much other than late night feedings, they sleep a lot. After that, well, you used to be a gamer. ;)

You appear to have had the good fortune of not having a baby with colic! :) I've been similarly fortunate (all of mine have slept...LIKE BABIES!...;)), but those who do have babies with colic quickly learn the meaning of the term "misery." I wouldn't wish it on any parent. We had a brief, brief window into what it could be like for a few days with one of our kids, and it was hell. Not colic, but similar...and hell for just a few days.

[Kelegacy]

Not so much, but I have impossibly high standards.

I have standards too. Boobs and a vagina.

Seriously, lower the bar! You don't have to settle, you just need to be realistic. A ridiculously high bar is usually set to smooth away all our own shortcomings or insecurities.

Plus, you get to have SEX!

[Purple Santa]

I like you Santa, always have...
http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/true_romance.jpg

Always will.
Cool. Then add me to the list of people from here who are going to visit you in the UK someday :D
I have standards too. Boobs and a vagina.


I had those standards too...some of us don't have your Kdawg skills though ;)

[Kelegacy]

I had those standards too...some of us don't have your Kdawg skills though ;)

They call me Special K because ladys get dazed and lose their pants around me.

I'm illegal in 50 states.

[txshurricane]

My wife works one evening per week, and every other weekend. That leaves me a couple of days each week for gaming. In between feeding/changing the baby, that is.

And I sympathize with gamers griping about high prices for games...I have so much trouble going to the store, because I could have $1000 to spend, and never buy one game...trying to determine which one deserves my $60 is such a feat.

[Xerxes]

My wife works one evening per week, and every other weekend. That leaves me a couple of days each week for gaming. In between feeding/changing the baby, that is.

And I sympathize with gamers griping about high prices for games...I have so much trouble going to the store, because I could have $1000 to spend, and never buy one game...trying to determine which one deserves my $60 is such a feat.

You need to figure out ways to get your inner cheap ass gamer working. :)

Cool another Houstonian.

[Wolvie]

Me, I tend to game for an hour or so after work, and on the weekends. It's nowhere near what I used to do, but I get by.

[KSmitty]

I play on the weekends. I have several hobbies. I read books, trade paperbacks (comics), watch anime, watch TV, watch movies, work out, hang out with friends/coworkers/family and oh yeah I have a fiance. So I tend to do most of my gaming sporadically during the week and on the weekends. The college/pro football seasons eat up a lot of my weekend, but after thats over I'm pretty good. I average 6-7 hours sleep per night (unless I have done some heavy drinking). I take my time getting through games as I really enjoy getting the most out of my games. One good game could last me 2 months easy, and don't even get into RPGs... :eek:

Houston Roxxorz!

[txshurricane]

You need to figure out ways to get your inner cheap ass gamer working. :)

Cool another Houstonian.

I know. But considering that I'm fairly big into co-op, it's tough trying to keep up with the online scene...everyone buys the newest, shiniest game before it ever proves itself (example: SOCOM Confrontation pre-orders).

And yes, I'm a proud Houstonian, but only for three years. Spent one year on Westheimer, a little more than one year at Reliant, and working on a year in our first house in Humble.


Houston Roxxorz!

I agree. :)


Hey, some bad news and some good news this weekend for me: bad news is wife is sick and has to stay home now...good news is all this fog has the ship channel blocked up, so I don't have to bring any ships in until the clears up Sunday morning!

[rinichanraar]

I feel like I had more time to play when I was a kid, but we didn't have the money to get new games. We had our birthdays or Christmas; unfortunately my birthday is a week before Christmas so I only got one big present (one game for example). Now I have the money but I don't have the time.

I like to cook a lot of food so that we'll have leftovers. So the next day we have more time to play because we don't have to cook. But most of my gaming is done on the weekend. I barely finished MGS4 and I started the first week it came out.
Don't feel bad. I just got to the end of Act 2, and I've had the game since 3 days before it came out. :(

To be fair, that game is very difficult to find time to play. You can't play it any time you're planning on being somewhere two hours later. The cutscenes are just way too long to be able do that. You seriously have to have several hours available to make any ground in that game. :p

Also, Joey, it'd probably be easier if I just learned how to cook. That way, when you get home, we'd be able to eat, then we could play something afterward. Unfortunately, I'm culinarily inept. Yeah, that's probably not a real word.

[Xerxes]

Also, Joey, it'd probably be easier if I just learned how to cook. That way, when you get home, we'd be able to eat, then we could play something afterward. Unfortunately, I'm culinarily inept. Yeah, that's probably not a real word.

There's a DS program for that. :)

[Goronmon]

I'm 25, my job takes up 40 hours a week or less. I normally don't have anything else to do for the entire rest of the time. Don't really have any friends around here either.

Leaves me a lot of time to game.