@SeckzPanther: There's a first time for everything. Practice makes perfect. (But probably not the first time.)

@Aenean: Stanley for Dunder Mifflin Manager!

@Sublethalend: Ever since the website redesign I feel like we've lost some of the old crowd, shame. But there are still some familiar faces round these parts.

@Pojodin: I love TWEWY to death, but I was never able to beat the secret boss on the hardest mode. I've got some sweet threads—it's probably because I'm a dunce when it comes to controlling the top screen.

@terrybroadway: Indeed, happens in almost any kill-based online game. Some servers have it as a bannable offense, though you rarely see such rules enforced. When that happens I usually just leave the server and join another—no point getting sucked into the other players' griefing.

Great article, Stephen! I've been a bit wary of buying a 3DS and this has made me a little more informed. Also very cool to see some professional input from non-gamers.

Ha, that's true. You rarely see it used in that way on the internet, probably because 1) the internet is for porn, and 2) not many people know its literal Japanese meaning. Like "chikan", for example...it literally means "pervert" but when you hear it you instantly think of dirty old businessmen feeling up girls on…

Bleach started going down for me after the Soul Society arc and it's been downhill ever since. I read it every once in awhile just to see if someone died or something. It feels like nothing ever happens in that manga except fight, fight, fight. It's kinda of a modern-day angsty DBZ.

Thanks for the recommendations! Although I am a little wary taking them from someone named "PoweredByHentai"... >_>;;

@quiddity: Hey, it's the 60 billion double dollar man!

Bingo. There are so many games on the market, but I really don't feel the need to play every single one anymore. I have a few titles I'm really satisfied with and just stick to those. A gamer who knows what he wants and gets it is a happy gamer. :)

That's not what I meant to say at all. And that last quote is a little cliche, don't you think? Real life is much more complicated than that.

I hear you, man. Games I enjoy for story are rare but enjoyable, like a really good book. Nowadays I like pop-in-and-play games like TF2 and Tetris, where I can play an hour or two to relax and de-stress. I'm finding less time for games like Ninja Gaiden or StarCraft 2 that demand a lot of concentration and practice.…

Oh the delights of basic mathematics. Cheers!

Great point. Sometimes I game just to kill time or put off something rather than actively engage and get the most out of my gaming time. I suppose as we grow older we find less spare time to waste and thus need to prioritize.

Fsho fsho

Indeed, and I hope to find that precarious balance as you have good sir. Game on!

The rain falls upon the strong and the weak, the proud and the meek...and cleanses us all.

Indeed, it's just a matter of priorities—but passions definitely are at the top. I can find plenty of time to game if I sacrifice sleep, money, social relationships, family, career advancement, etc. But is it worth it? I like gaming, but I think I need to cut it down in order to make room for bigger things.

Nearing my college graduation, I've really been struggling with striking a balance between gaming as a hobby and a passion. They've been a big part of my life since my earliest childhood days; but perhaps as I venture out into the real world, it's time to let a bit of it go.