When children pop in their favorite video shooting games, they get to "blow stuff up" or be a ninja---all this while getting visually and aurally stimulated. They get to let their overactive imaginations run wild without breaking
things around the house or being limited age- or privilege-wise.
Adults, however, get to inject variety and fun into a sometimes routine and mundane life. Video games can be a great form of escapism. For those minutes or hours, they can forget about the stresses of work, paying bills, or being proper. It can serve as a breath of fresh air before taking the plunge into real life again.
Not only that, but every adult on some level has competitive urges that go ignored. Sure, you can hit a few tennis balls around with a friend, but these are mostly friendly, social times. Often, you consciously stop yourself from being overly competitive or basking in the glory of victory out of respect. In video games, you can be as competitive as you want without worrying about backlash or etiquette.
Myth #3: Gaming is a waste of money.
It is true that games cost money. Systems and peripherals, such as fake drum sets or arcade joysticks, can add to the cost. There definitely does need to be some level of consideration for personal finances.
However, unlike going out to bars and drinking, gaming titles and products are a tangible good. Once you buy that Guitar Hero guitar, it stays with you basically for as long as you want it. There's always the option to resell games or peripherals you don't want. Unless you're a gamer with a short attention span, generally, play games purchases are fairly long-term investments---the return being months or even years of enjoyment.
In the end, your wallet (and your liver) may thank you for being a gamer.
Myth #4: Stuff like dragons and magic are for nerdy teens.
Most games do not follow fantasy themes like this, but even if they did, our mainstream culture has shown that it is surprisingly open-minded toward less-realistic genres in entertainment. It baffles me that the same people saying video games are for pimply-faced dweebs are the same ones who rush out to get the latest Harry Potter book or stand in line to see the next Marvel movie (e.g., X-Men, Spiderman). The Lord of the Rings, anyone?
