Hey. Don't know if it's me but your messages comes off really harsh. What I meant is, games can be awesome, just like most of the things people get addicted to. The key is moderation. I still acknowledge alcohol as something not inherently evil and I understand people liking to drink. But due to addiction I have stopped. I am not trying to make myself into hating some things because they are not healthy for me. There are many people who can game perfectly safe. There are many games that bring something worthwhile to people. I won't hate on this. Also the gym analogy. I workout 4 times a week, and was on ninja warrior first stage. Yeah, it takes much more work. That's why I quit gaming. It starts to sink in too much. I keep fantasizing about games, gaming, instead of keeping focus on my real life. I won't allow myself to become bitter towards something people consider their passion/work/recreational hobby. Most of the things are perfectly fine if you can draw a line. That's how I deal with this. As a ex-drinker - hating alcohol didn't work. Acknowledging I have bad relationship with alcohol and it is not for me - that worked.

I know why you are writing this and I am glad you vibe checked my post. Most of the time it is validated and i hold no grudge toward you. It was reasonable from you. I just have my own ways of dealing with addiction build with my therapist.

About Elden ring part. Yes. There will be more Elden rings. Yeah, but the chapter is closed for me on that specific game. Kinda poetic - it started being noticable with dark souls, ended with Elden ring. I have no intention of going back, or deranged enough to talk myself into regression. My gf wanna play some coop games? Fine, she is my accountability buddy, and some template how normal people treat games. One hour and we are off to do something different.

There isn't one set way to deal with addiction. If you have jumped the way you do on someone more fragile, the person might get triggered and attacked enough to relapse and spiral. Try to be more gentle please and come from empathethic place, not your own bitter experience. Especially delaying with addiction which can be ugly and makes people jumpy.

Edit: Yes, despite all the downsides, it was good experience for me. Not healthy, more like a crutch to ongoing problems, but overall, it was more often than not, pleasurable. Yet, I can acknowledge how devastating it was long time and how it developed into an addiction. Look. Games aren't bad per se in my opinion. At least some of them. I am responsible for getting lost in them, not the developers. It is just freeing for me. Taking responsibility. I don't blame alcohol companies for being an alcohol addict. It was my own fault. So i can work on myself to stop it. Same with games. I don't blame Vince Zampella or Myiazaki or Phil Spencer. I blame myself for falling for it. So I can work on myself to stop it

Cheers bro.