The reason we all play Video Games is because it entertains us, just like how toys and board games were 50 years ago. You play with friends or solo just to entertain themselves. I have an Uncle who's mind is stuck in 1980 said basically that their is more mental play than physical play. Sure, I know a lot more are on Video Games, but what he and the media doesn't realize that we mix our mental and physical works evenly, too much mental work or too much physical works is harsh on the body, that's why we mix the two. And those false research from those colleges saying that people plays too much video games are dumber than dumb and those researches are staged, they either pay them to act it out or just lie about it so it makes video games look bad

I played Video Games for nearly 16 years and during this time, I play them because it's what I like to do, a lot of people are interested in things to pass the time. For people that plays video games either wants to kill the most enemies, get to a certain destination, like creating things (like myself), or other things. You have something that will make you really happy.

zanderlex : I do agree with you about games like GTA, what the media doesn't understand that they think GTA (and other violent video games) causes more violence, it's the other way around because people takes their frustrations on the video game than taking it out on people in real life, that is why the total amount of violence has decreased since before video games were invented.

To me video games are second to books! I love the story but the tactics that go into the game challenge my mind. There's also that addictive feeling you get from accomplishing something. For me it's over running my enemies' armies with mine and winning, but especially if my army basically walks away without a scratch.

I also like to enjoy the unique worlds that are in the game. When I can't go outside there's nothing more relaxing than taking a walk in Elder Scrolls or a like game.

But most of my love for video games is the deep lore!

I use Videogames as a way to escape the stresses of everyday life. To kind of empty my mind. So sure, it's entertainment, but it's also helping keeping my mind sharp.

"retro" games in particular, also help cheer me up if I'm having a bad day. I just start playing a classic game that I loved and haven't played in awhile and I'm able to escape from those stresses.

Although I don't have as much time to game as I used to, it will always be an escape for me.

Well, besides obviously entertainment, I would have to say escapism. Typically,a lot of our lives are fairly boring, so being able to pilot a giant mech, save a princess, or infiltrate a secret base makes us feel like our lives are a little more interesting.

Also bragging rights for getting a high score or bang a game didn't hurt either. xD

As with everyone else, I play games as a form of entertainment. Destroying colossi to save my lover from an eternal sleep, killing alien b@$7@5dards becuase they decided to invade the City of Sin, or wandering around Chicago and saving random citizens from muggings using the cities sophisticated tech systems. These are stories which read differently when acted out by you, the player, and can give hours and hours of entertainment.

I also play games when I'm feeling overwhelmed, just focus all that anger and stress or whatever else into the game. Being able to steal someones soul after vanquishing them using horrible and painful magics works oddly well to help me calm down when I feel like punching a hole through the wall. Alternatively, a game on the PS3 called Flower is amazing at letting stress melt away; to gently waft through a wasteland, giving life to the enviroment and dispelling the cloak of death hanging over it... It's very uplifting.

I play video games for more than just entertainment. Whenever I am emotional whether sad or lonely I hoped on Minecraft in my Xbox One and before I know it 4-5 hours have elapsed and most time I end up going to bed and calling it a day. So, it is a way to escape my emotions from time to time but, mostly I just like playing video games. 

I never really had a bad "gaming addiction" until I was diagnosed with Arrythmia (an irratic heartbeat) which made it difficult to do things I did when I was younger (gym, sports, anything active). So gaming sort of just took up all of my time really, considering I couldn't go out with my friends and play hockey,basketball, etc. And, of course, its cheap entertainment. 

Gaming is my passion. I love video games. They pass time ... they are great entertainment and just overall fun. I think it would be pretty hard for me to give up gaming just in general.

I play video games, because it's an escape from reality that is enjoyable and controllable.

Some people turn to drugs or similar bad vices to escape reality, but they are not controllable substances... they are controlling ones.

In a video game, you can live an alternate life, and just forget you exist for a while. You can let yourself go, and enjoy a relatively stress free alternate existence...

Which is just weird, because many games are inherently more stressful.

Like in Dragon Age or Skyrim, you have f***ing dragons to contend with. I wouldn't want to fight an actual dragon.

But it feels good to beat a virtual one.

I believe this question was answered in a Game Theory episode.

Anyways, I play games because they're fun, and you can do stuff in games that you can't, or wouldn't do (if you were sane) in real life. There's really not much more to it than that.

I play video games because they are usually really fun and they take up time when I am bored. I think there is also a subconscious reason that so many people enjoy playing video games. It may be related to feeling in control or it may be related ,like many others in this thread have said, to escape reality. 

Because they are fun and bring me happiness, but i was addicted when i was younger because i was sheltered and couldnt go out the boundaries of my tiny backyard so after being bored of imagining crap to pretend play. I picked up a controller and discovered amazing worlds that looked way better than what i imagined; the Delta Halo mission in Halo 2 blew me away with the exploration and how it looked and was and still is my favorite level and area in video games

Video Games Has Always Been My Hobby I Have Been Playing It Since I Was 6 I Guess It Always Has Been My Lifestyle.

The reason why I play video games is because I'm sad and lonely with no friends. Thus, they're the only happiness in my life.

I play video games because I think they're fun. They give me something interesting to do when everything else is boring and dull. They're also more interactive than movies, and you can sit down and interact with them and even play them with friends to make them more exciting. It's fun to get your boyfriend or girlfriend, husband, wife, etc, or best friends and sit down and play some Mario Kart and eat chips or something, you know? Good times good times. That's why I play video games.

I play video games because it's a cure for my boredom and because it's fun

This has been said time and time again but repetition doesn't make it any less true- video games are about fun, and that's why we play them.

Sure, there's recently been a surge in belief that games are a form of art. As much as I agree with that sentiment, I think sheer thrill and entertaining(ness?) is the primary reason we play.

Entertainment is a huge factor, of course, but it's not the only one. Some people love to play games because they are challenging. For example, one of my favorite moments of last year was finally beating Dark Souls after about a year of trying and failing. I don't necessarily like a game just because of difficulty, but the harder I have to work for an ending, the sweeter it will be when those credits start rolling.

Another reason, for a lot of people, is that video games provide a nice outlet for built up stress or frustration. Killing virtual bad guys, rescuing the princess, getting all the treasure, or even just being praised as a hero is a big ego boost that some people don't get otherwise in their daily lives.

Some are enjoyable while others are not I play video games because they usually get extremely addicting for me. Too bad not a single game in 2016 has been too addicting. Rather than that I play video games occasionally for nostalgia but unfortunately that's not too often which is probably why I get so nostalgic playing certain games.