[ericmcer]

There is a certain difficult to quantify benefit to video games vs sleep and exercise though. I have done 4-6 week stints of extreme discipline with a strict keto diet, 6X a week gym and no video games. I usually end up a little depressed after a few weeks. I think it is because we need to feel some enthusiasm or emotion in our day to day life, and if you combine a 40hr work week with disciplined free time you are just void of that. Video games and Movies allow you to feel a high level of engagement and escape in a 2 hour window. There aren't too many other activities that generate that feeling and can be slotted into the constrained time windows that working full time allow.

[rubidium]

Essential needs: fun, Freedom, friendship, power and purpose.

Different people have them in different amounts and ways. But everyone has these.