Nobody ever changed the world getting over 13k karma on HN, either. Recreation is an important part of being human, and choosing to spend some of your recreation time playing games does not make you a loser.
Some people take it too far, but that's true of pretty much every recreational activity.
If you're talking about my karma; in my time on HN, I made friends, learned something, made business acquaintances, made money, helped others, hired some people, etc.
How could I have accomplished those things shredding sprites?
I think you’re overlooking the potential rewards that such a “loser thing to do” can have. There can be quite a bit of overlap between a like-minded gaming community and Hacker News.
It may not be possible to accomplish all of the things you’ve got on HN while playing video games themselves. But it is when you have a chance to meet other creators that share a passion for this hobby and how can you have the passion to create if you don’t consume a little? I’ve met my share of talented creatives and entrepreneurs through my hobby, which have lead to business acquaintances, contract work and also hiring other ”losers” to help me create.
I assume you’ve done the same thing I’ve done through gaming, by having a genuine interest in startups/creating and sharing that interest with others here.
Just a little perspective: I was replying to someone who admitted that playing a video game was killing his creativity.
In your case, you work for a game company, hardly a typical gamer. My experience with gamers, usually friends, roommates and acquaintances is not that flattering.
I am sure there are "functional gamers", but let's not confuse being functional despite of something, for being functional because of it.
It's my experience that the less work people do, the more serious they are about taking their breaks.
I would need to plow a field with my bare hands before I can justify a weekend of mindless gaming.
Let's face it, countless people, often at the prime of their age, devote substantial amount of their time moving simple geometric objects around a screen. Their entire being under the control of a switch statement.
Instead of playing games, MAKE THEM. Code demos. Crack DRM. Build your own console and sell it as kits. Open your own gaming cafe, etc. But sitting down for 5 hour stretches is unacceptable.
How come you're so outspoken against what others choose to do?
Who are you to declare whether or not 5 hours of gaming is unacceptable? If that's what someone chooses to do it's pretty arrogant to think they are lesser than you because they don't do what you would do in that situation.
There are plenty of things I probably like that you don't. Should I criticize you, because you choose to do other things than what I'd do?
You don't understand value. There is no other explanation for why you can't seem to understand why people choose things you personally don't approve of.
We live in a world of scarce resources. You need to create at least as much value for others as you consume, but beyond that point you can choose to do whatever you want that doesn't infringe on the law or other people (well, you only need to worry about the law, but ethically you should think of others too). Some people just don't care about the things you value. Why is that such a problem for you?
Some people take it too far, but that's true of pretty much every recreational activity.