[reitzensteinm]

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.

[mahmud]

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?

[eswat]

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.

[mahmud]

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.