No matter what you play, how you play, etc. Why do you love to play?

For me: it’s the escapism and addictiveness to certain games. They make you explore. See things you’re never going to see in real life (unless you do the Sims and stuff). It’s just good wholesome, escapist fun. I also love the ingenuity some games use. I mean they are so brilliant and exquisitely put together. The stories, the characters, the gameplay. It’s just amazing what they can do and come up with now.

Well...to me it's my...outlet....some might do sports, exercise, go bar hoping, clubs, hiking, off-roading, surfing, mountain climbing, movies, out eating...but for me especially now with my wife's health, just staying in the comfort of our home, not really spending money and worried about something might happen bad like a wreck, or crime or whatever.....is it.

Sadly though seems a lot of those times of playing with lots of friends seem to have faded some....some grew up, families to raise and take care of, work more and found less time for themselves....that part I really miss but that's part of life. Without going into detail, we pretty much can't go out much more except for family outings anyways. So for me it's either watch Blu-Ray Movies or Game...and hopefully with friends....like I said it's my outlet....

Sending best health wishes to Mrs. Jones.

Sorry to hear about your wife's health K&AJones.

I really enjoy exploring open worlds.

My best friend lives two hours away and we play online at least once a month to keep in touch. That's the whole reason I got back into gaming and got a PS4 back in 2018 to keep in touch with him.

Thank you both and will pass on to the Wife...sorry to say but it's...The Big C....she'll try to smile a bit when I tell her some fellow Gamers wished her well...for some close ones she's called...Hawkgirl....so let me tell you the story behind it....

Awhile back when my grandson was say 12, he came over and wanted to play one of those...Fighting Games....which I'm not really into. So I joked and said, "Ask MaMa...maybe she'll play"...well MaMa (Wife) was in a good mood that day and said sure, I'll play just tell me what to do. Now my Grandson likes to win...not exactly keen on losing so he setup the game and tried to pick the Wife's Character and every one she didn't like...until she asked, "Hey...what's that character?"....which my Grandson said, "Oh that's just Hawkgirl, she's no good and bad"...well the Wife was insistent on taking Hawkgirl so Zane said fine and set up the match. Wife asked ok, what buttons do I use and of course he told her which got her confused. So he said just hit these two buttons and you're fine. So they started the match and Zane kept telling her "How to Play...basically How to Lose...so the Wife decided to take matters into her own hands and next thing I know started kicking his butt and winning. After losing the 3rd-4th round Zane got flustered and asked..."What are you doing MaMa?....She saisd, "I'm just hitting this one button"....He said, "Don't do that, stop Spamming!".....in which the Wife replied, "I don't even know what spamming is...I'm just hitting this one button"....at that point Zane quit out and ever since then we remind him, "Hey, Do you want to fight Hawkgirl"...... and other online friends will ask, "Hey, hows Hawkgirl doing?"

Wow. So sorry K&A. Hopes and prayers.

Hate the diagnosis, love the story.

Sorry to hear that and I hope things will get better for you.

Sadly my wife passed away peacefully in her sleep this morning after 1.5 years of battling Tongue Cancer. This was her second bout; previously 5 years ago she had Bladder Cancer that resulted in having that replaced with a ...Neo Bladder. I've lost my dad, Stepdad and now Wife to a form of Cancer associated with Tobacco....it is something that deeply effects me and wish more would educate themselves on before the permanent dangers et in and effect their lives....

i will continue gaming as it's my outlet...probably more than ever now....along with enjoying other aspects of lfe...mainly Family. Thank you all for the kind words and best wishes....Long Live Hawkgirl....

So sorry to hear that, but at least her pain is over. May your family take peace and comfort in your memories of Hawkgirl and the good times you had.

So sorry K&A. Seriously. This really makes me sad.

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife passing away K&AJones. RIP Hawkgirl

Thank you all for the kind words...and I'm sure...Hawkgirl...up there is patting her heart and pointing back....she couldn't really talk except hand motions and tablet but that was her way of saying 'I love it".....

I've tried to play a few nights, not really, there yet but friend asked if I could help her in Diablo 4 before Season 1 ends, so I did. I've just had real conversations with co-workers, doctors and nurses every Wednesday and friends gaming at night....and those of us who play have pretty much agreed; gaming is a sort of...stress relief from the hecti9c and turmoil day-to-day life you experience. Everyone has their share of...Bad Days...that comes in all forms be it work, family, house, kids, weather, money, health...whatever and each has a way to get some relief......for me there's only so much I can clean and straighten up...so gaming is a bit of Therapy & Relief right now...

on a side note not sure if other games are doing anything but Warframe has their annual Fight Cancer month going with Pink Stuff to get and wear, real life and characters. It's now become a favorite color of mine so please wear Pink for all those fighting it and their families and friends standing beside them....

thanks again guys for the thoughts...

Kenny A. Jones

My heart breaks for you K&A and I’m at a loss for words. Makes you wish you could find a 1UP mushroom to remedy the situation.

Hawkgirl

I’m sorry K&A. I lost my Dad to cancer in 2007 and my Mom in 2009. My wife lost her sister back in 1995 and her Aunt in 2016. Cancer sucks ass.

She’s definitely looking down on you.

Heartfelt condolences K&A. I lost my mother two weeks ago to a stroke. Gaming has always been my escape since I was a kid with NES and that's still true today as an adult. When emotions were getting high and I needed to clear my mind, I still go straight to a game that can consume me. It's really the only thing that can take my mind off things. Movies/Books/TV don't have the same effect.

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Your gaming community is really important to give you some relief and human contact, especially if you’re a caregiver who can’t get out much. I’m glad you had them there for you.