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Video Games are Killing my Relationship

PlanetXbox360 Writes: The following article was sent to us by one of our readers, who has gone through multiple girlfriends and is now sitting on the edge of a major breakup. I asked him to write down his feelings and send them over, the following is what I received word for word. His real name must remain anonymous to protect his relationship, or what's left of it.

I know what you're thinking. Your thinking, "how can a video game affect your relationship at all?" Well, be a little patient and I'll tell you. Note that this is not a personal stab at video games in general, so I can only hope that the first person shooters and the real time strategy games don't come hunting me down in the night. Hopefully no Silent Hill nurses are hiding in my closet this evening, or Master Chief doesn't come barreling through my balcony window with a personal vendetta on his hands.
Alternative Sources:
Video Games are Killing my ... - vgwatchdog.com | By: Jack007
UltimaEnder - contributor
Published: 440 days 1 hour ago | News | PlayStation 3 | Xbox 360 | Wii
 
 

Showing: 1 - 41 of 41 Comments
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sinncross - 440 days 5 hours ago
1 -
It's called getting priorities straight.

I never understand how someone can let video games ruin aspects of their lives... there is more to life then games. Besides, its better to be able to diversify yourself instead of remaining stuck on one medium.

Hopefully this guy can get a gf who just wants to play games, i dunno.
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Capt CHAOS - 440 days 4 hours ago
1.1 - So true.
Maybe gaming is filling a gap in his relationship that just isn't there?

Maybe if he had a relationship that was fulfilling, he'd not have to fill the gaps with gaming?

Dr Chaos.
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ongbakurhead - 440 days 3 hours ago
1.2 - Did you guys even read the article
the bloke is complaining that his girlfriend doesn't pay any attention to him because SHE has started to play video games. The guy in this story needs to grow up. It's alright for him to play games but gets insanely jealous because his girlfriend starts playing games.
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claney - 440 days 2 hours ago
1.3 - @ 1.2
Isn't that how life works?

your allowed to annoy someone but as soon as they do it to you they have crossed the line?

or your allowed to do it, but as soon as they do it its not right?
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nieto2 - 439 days 19 hours ago
1.4 - "there is more to life then games"
like what? i have never came to understand that statement because you can apply that to anything.

at the end what is life anyway?
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kunit22c - 439 days 11 hours ago
1.5 - Dont
wanna sound like some major preacher or something but nieto 2 is right you can say "theres more to life then (about anything)" sports, work, girls, boys, friends, fun, games, school, and isnt that what we all revolve our lives around? so sorry but when you say "Theres more to life when gaming" i think your wrong, if you say that about anything your wrong, because you can say it about everything.
2 XSUP3R DRAKENX | 440 days 3 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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xecutey - 440 days 1 hour ago
3 -
Wow what an idiot he is.

I mean us lads have been doing this to the girls for years and most of us get away with it... yeaaaaah!

Now he has a girl in to gaming and stuff he is complaining?

I'd be right beside her playing the games TOGETHER.

It beats watching TV, Movies or expensive nights out.

Just you and your girlfriend playing computer games together..... bloody hell thats a perfect relationship for me!!!
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villevalorox - 440 days 1 hour ago
4 -
i do not even have a relationship because of video games. lol. not even a relationship with my family. Only relationship i have is with my ps3, chair, and tv.
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Ace-Jury - 440 days ago
5 - lol at above
i like your honesty.

i have a gf i live with, i love games and she doesnt, i just play when she is not around or when she is sleeping. she still hates it but loves me more so she'll put up with it.
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DRUDOG - 439 days 22 hours ago
5.1 -
Get her a Wii or some casual computer games (Cake Mania FTW)! I was basically in the same boat (teacher wife who hated video games) and tried to get her to play some Sims or Cake Mania on the laptop to much success. Then I dropped a Wii on her and now there are times when she plays more than me. It took time, but now she just shrugs when I want to play games and she's in the room. Complete 180 from when we met. I don't even mind when she's hoarding the TV playing a game, I just power up the PSP or jump on the laptop and encourage her to game to her heart's content.
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theturk - 440 days ago
6 - Simple Solution
Take a crowbar to the console(s)

They'll soon find other ways to pass the time
unless gaming is a way to avoid getting close - whether because they are scared of a real relationships or just hate each other (because of the fear brought up by the potential of real emotional intimacy or because they really can't stand each other)
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nqabassist26 - 439 days 23 hours ago
7 - The dudes a wimp..
I have a girlfriend with, coincidentally, a macbook and a nintendo Wii and I have no complaints like this dude. My girlfriend, just like this guys, plays video games, goes on her macbook for myspace, and does a bunch of other things to keep herself occupied and I only seem to fall for her more and more.

I think the fact is he's overreacting because she's just a bit excited about her new toys and is getting way too jealous. I can say that I spent alot of time with my ps3 and xbox360 when I first got them and my girlfriend didn't panic about it, same with me when she got her new things.

This dude just needs to take a chill pill..
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shovelbum - 439 days 18 hours ago
7.1 -
The only game that ever gave me problems with my wife is WOW. She basically showed me my addiction and I haven't touched it in nearly two years. She likes games (Bioshock, COD4, Wii Fit :) etc.) and all but Warcraft is a curse for anyone who picks it up for the first time. (just one more level then I'm done for tonight...)
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kesvalk - 439 days 23 hours ago
8 -
Ah go to hell!

the guys is jealous that his girls is a better gamer than he expected?
if it would be that she had put the Xbox on his place, this is one thing...

but he is only jealous that she is better than him...

this is not only a idiot thing to think (that girls can't be better than guys), it's imature...

like i said, just go to hell and disapear!
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UltimaEnder - 439 days 23 hours ago
9 -
I think it's a tough situation he's in, I know that my wife never plays video games and because of that I do miss out on something we could have in common but at the same time I am not constantly fighting with her for time at the 360 or PS3, which could cause a ton of problems when I want to get my time in with Dead Space or Fable 2.

Just think of all the games coming out over the next few months, now imagine that you had to share your console of choice with another person, and that person is someone your trying to create a long-lasting relationship with.

It's tough... ... ...
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christian hour - 439 days 23 hours ago
9.1 -
Read the article. She has her OWN 360. They're not sharing the console at all. They each have thier own one. The guys just been a moany immature prick if you ask me :)
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Dan_eire - 439 days 23 hours ago
10 -
Whatever about the article, that picture is hot! :-)
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christian hour - 439 days 23 hours ago
11 -
this guys an idiot. His problem is that shes gaming more than him, or that most of her xbl friends are guys... maybe thats because it is rarer than a blue moon to find a girl on xbl :P But seriously, his relationship is going sour for him because, she games more than him, and her gamerscore is getting better than his.

Grow up, seriously. Such a superficial Ship! just replace that P with a T
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Kratos Spartan - 439 days 23 hours ago
12 - oh yeah
relationships are killing my video games
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TerrorJ - 439 days 22 hours ago
12.1 -
LMAO. I like that. Don't agree, but it's funny a hell.
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bakagaijin78 - 439 days 22 hours ago
13 -
I think this guy has some valid concerns. I'm a girl gamer, been married 11 years, have a daughter, and I have a husband who gets jealous of any time I may spend online. He's talked his issues out with me, and I cut back on certain aspects of gaming, because I respect & care about the relationship.

This guy just needs to talk with his girlfriend about it, if she cares enough for him she'll agree to a compromise.

This applies to both girl and guy gamers.
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TerrorJ - 439 days 22 hours ago
13.1 -
Just curious, what aspects of gaming did you have to give up. I'm just trying to imagine giving any part of it up.
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bakagaijin78 - 439 days 21 hours ago
13.2 -
I stopped playing MMO games. I would get far too addicted and into those games, so I just won't let myself play them. I play just about every other type of game though, and often. Sometimes he'll even join me, but he is definitely not an avid gamer like I am.
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Smacktard - 439 days 22 hours ago
14 -
Sounds to me like relationships are killing his gaming time. Less girlfriends = more gaming time! Just kidding, though. My girlfriend actually enjoys watching me play some games (Mercury Meltdown Revolution, for example).
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TerrorJ - 439 days 22 hours ago
15 - Issues Much??
He does sound quite whiny doesn't he? He is obviously the jealous type, he had issues when it was just her macbook, and having other guys talk to her on xbox live didn't help the situation. I'm a female gamer on the PSN. I come back from work, and I distress by going online and blowing up stuff.

I like what the guy who commented on the article said, and I quote "... It sounds more like you are having some prepubecent measuring contest with your spoiled girlfriend. So whos really at fault? The spoiled girl, or the jealous little boy? Instead of jumping in her games and acting like an ass, why dont you guys team up and spend some quality gaming time killing other people? i have a whole clan on CoD4 of us gamers, our girls (who some are better than me) and their children (who are also better than me). We all have our own xboxes and play together. Use the games as a way to bring you closer together not tear you apart because shes entered your "territory". IDIOT! If your relationship is failing its because of your own stupidity ..."

99% of my friends list are guys. You guys go crazy over a female gamer, so the question then is, is she flirting back and really ignoring him, which in turn is making him more insecure? There are 2 sides of the story. Personally I just want to tell him to shut the heck up and be grateful he has someone who shares his interesting in gaming.
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thirstycamel - 439 days 22 hours ago
16 - Buddy has to either get over it, or move on.
I've been gaming for months with my girlfriend, and it's been a great way for us to spend time together, at a low cost. At first, when I told her I was a gamer, she sighed and rolled her eyes at me. But one night, when we couldn't find a movie worth renting, she noticed Heavenly Sword. She has never looked back since. I had to laugh yesterday, because I had picked up DeadSpace, and she had started playing it before I even had a chance to sit down. I can also remember the smile on her face, when she beat my nieghbor in a game of NHL09, with never playing any hockey game before(I knock it upto beginners luck). The way I see it, it gives us one more thing we can do together, and can only make our relationship stronger.
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UltimaEnder - 439 days 21 hours ago
16.1 -
I agree with what you're saying, we can use gaming as a way to spend more quality time together with our partner; sometimes I just want to do my own thing though and I actually like that she is not "that" into gaming. Other than the occasional game of Rock Band or Scene It she steers clear of games that take 10+ hours to complete, if she played those how would I ever get to finish Dead Space, Fable 2, Fallout 3, and more all in one month?
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Product - 439 days 20 hours ago
17 -
How much time is she on Myspace talking and making friends with guys?
Ive seen Myspace break up more relationships then anything else nowadays especially not games.
"oh look my girl has ever ex boyfriend on her myspace.......my relationships safe."
haha time to start looking fro a more mature girl.
If games is his biggest gripe he has it good she could be out doing drugs or screwing around.
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Sitdown - 439 days 20 hours ago
18 - As a therapist...
I would argue that video games are not killing his relationship, but are illuminating the flaws that exist in the relationship. If I was looking to get a rise out of the client....I would say, "how are you so inadequate that your girlfriend chooses to play with a toy rather than with you".
19 Radiodread | 439 days 20 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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UltimaEnder - 439 days 16 hours ago
19.1 -
maybe she will cut into his play time of all the triple A titles?
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Denocao - 439 days 20 hours ago
20 - Mmm...
Whatever.
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lewis - 439 days 19 hours ago
21 - how
is this possibe.
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proArchy - 439 days 16 hours ago
22 -
he's jealous of her gamerscore? come on now, it seems to me this guy suffers from massive insecurity, and that stifles his ability to grab his girl's attention. She only JUST got a new console; after a little while she'll readjust to the living world and start spending less time on both the macbook and the 360. His job is to not be a putz and ruin his relationship by being threatened over consumer electronics. Instead of complaining about his girlfriend taking an honest interest in something he too enjoys, he should attempt to use it to his relationship's advantage. A common interest can be a couple's greatest strength. My girlfriend starts napping if i try to talk to her about games.
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lamigol - 439 days 16 hours ago
23 -
It is a well known fact that women can multi-task and do to keep themselves active and free from boredom. Maybe if he wasnt such a boring d**k and kept her interested, she wouldnt get so wrapped up in her own world. He wants to be thankful that the two things she does at the same time are play on 360 and use mac, and not 2 of his friends !
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M_Prime - 439 days 16 hours ago
24 -
my girlfriend who i now live with used to HATE video games with a passion except for her MARIO3 on the GBA. This was because her EX played the PS2 non stop and ignored her. Now she is buying me games and encouraging me to get certain games. Talk about a turn around. It wasn't all my doing either, it was a bit of my friends too. i have a few friend that are girl gamers because their boyfriends are gamers. My girlfriend started out with games like RAYMAN RAVING RABBIDS, she loves WII SPORTS and she has a thing for DDR but usually we are too tired to play that. She isn't bad at Galaxy and she plays pretty good in GUITAR HERO, she is splitting GH4 with me.. (yes i was surprised when she proposed it cause i couldn't afford it alone)

basically she started casual and is getting more and more hardcore.. late nights i play ALONE IN THE DARK as she watches.. at least 1 of us has to be scared.. (it ain't me lol.. the wii version is MEH) when i play games she doesn't like she is on the computer on facebook or taking a nap or watching TV in the bedroom, but is always up for a game of GH3.

so this guy has an issue.. i wish i had a girlfriend that played as much as he did and had a 360.. since nobody in my house has a PS3 or 360 (price point when launched) and now i have way too much to play on my WII and PC, and PSP on the go. She even inquired if i was going to get the next NINTENDO console and i answered that more then likely YES and she got more excited then me!..

She loves me.. I love her.. and we make things work.. we have rough patches.. especially when we moved in but overall we are managing and games are definitly not relationship ruiners
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scissor_runner - 439 days 14 hours ago
25 -
Fanboys just can't win. He is an xbox fanboy I believe and girls playing video games is like girl playing football in the same league. Hd gamers would have to have a problem with that.

This is partly why the Wii gets slammed. These guys are afraid of Girls getting into gaming. Even more pissed that they may actually be better! I mean really if your games where not so easy then a girl couldn't just jump in. Try getting a girl to play quake 3 these days! It's not happening hell most Hardcore gamers won't play me in it. If you are game then I'll see you at CROM2's server and yes you will die!
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TheDeadMetalhead - 439 days 7 hours ago
26 - Um
Here's a crazy thought: DON'T PLAY AS MUCH. XD
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lamigol - 437 days 18 hours ago
27 -
Quake 3 is poo
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irish1 - 407 days 10 hours ago
28 - The shoe is on the other foot, jealous of her ranking up
Now he knows how a lot of women feel in the world. I just wish I was good at any of the games my other half plays, like GOW etc. I play the stupid girly/kids games.

I really got into gaming when he played on the Playstation but with Xbox live I ain't allowed to say a thing (wish they would make the head set so the sound from the TV goes through them). I was good at the tactical games, maybe I need to find one on the Xbox and do as that blokes GF has done and buy my own Xbox.
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