This article is written in partnership with ExpressVPN
When someone tells you to think about a gamer, you will probably think of a teenager sitting on a gaming chair, raging and grinding their way in the game. However, ExpressVPN’s survey has revealed a surprising truth, i.e., Millennials (people currently in their late 20s to early 40s) tend to spend more time gaming than Gen Z (teenagers to early 20s).
Not only this, but older people also have a stronger emotional connection to gaming in comparison to youngsters. More Millennials than GenZ even admitted to spending a whole day gaming each week, and the surprises don’t end here. Even though older people in the age group 45 to 55 don’t play games daily, they do spend more than 24 hours doing it in a single session.
Astra, a member of Ninjas in Pyjamas, told ExpressVPN that professionals generally have 6,000 hours of playtime behind them, which is a lot. Thus, going pro is not possible for everyone. However, all these facts raise the question about addiction to gaming as there is a sudden release of dopamine when a player achieves a goal in a game wanting him to do that even more which can ultimately lead to addiction.
Stats shared in the survey have supported this argument, as 30% of players admitted that they think about video games all the time, and half of them find everything else boring.
“I’ve been addicted to games, and I’m still addicted to games,” Aleksib from Ninjas in Pyjamas explained. “I feel like there should always be a balance, though, if you need to try to tone down [your gaming].”
Thus, it is suggested that everyone should have hobbies and passions other than gaming to maintain a balance between all aspects of life by taking breaks, stretching the body, and going outside.
