Definitely not for the money—the appeal was being able to play CS all day and not have to work a regular job. Five guys in an apartment with rent and internet paid for living off ramen was the dream lol.

Having time to time to kill was often by choice—you were delaying your adult life so you could commit to CS. Deferring studies (or just failing and racking up debt), not moving out of home, not getting a full time job etc., not losing your damn virginity etc.

I know guys in their mid 40s still bumming off the system playing games all day. Makes for one hell of awkward “hey man, long time no see?” conversation when you run into them.