“Get a life. It’s just a video game.” This is an all-too-familiar response to those of us who dare to share that we have a connection to Destiny that is emotionally deeper than simply a way to pass the time or unwind after work. When I read these sorts of responses, it occurs to me that what is sad is that people insist on judging us (and thinking themselves somehow [i]better than[/i]) simply because we have an [u]emotional investment [/u]to a video game. I really enjoy being invested in video games (I also enjoy being invested in hunting, basketball, and baseball - my other hobbies). In fact, my emotional investment to a game is why I tend to be a one-game-at-a-time player. I love it that my family enjoys video games, too. My sons love video games - my 10 year-old is deep into Ark Survival Evolved and my 14 year-old is loving Fallout 4 (so is my wife, who also has an amazing career). I enjoy it so much when they share those worlds with me; when they articulate their emotional connection to them. They are also A/B students who play sports, and are the best hunting buddies a dad could ask for. Do video games keep us from going sledding or out to movies? Never. But we all get excited for a cold winter Saturday spent in PJs playing video games! Side note: My 14 year-old daughter has no interest in video games or hunting, which is perfectly fine. The best part, though, is that she LOVES target shooting, and can outshoot the boys any day of the week (talk about a proud dad!). And, when a couple of us are playing, she’s often in charge of the music. It’s rad the way she’ll try to find music that fits the mood of the game we’re playing – her choosing The Chemical Brothers while I was racing the SRL was simply sublime. Another side note: If your gaming is creating a disconnect between you and your family: first, know that you are not alone (most, if not all, of us have felt that disconnect at some point), second, try to find ways to include them, even if it’s not by them playing the actual game (e.g. my daughter doing the music), and third, recognize that this may require you to [i]take off the headphones[/i]. This last one can be hard for some of us, but it's important that video games add to my life, not detract from it. I digress: So, I ask you not to discount my emotional connection to Destiny (or any other game) simply because you don't feel it, or because, for reasons I can't quite put my finger on, you simply can't accept it because “[i]it's just a video game[/i]." Honestly, one of the primary reasons I enjoy video games is [i]because[/i] I become emotionally invested in them. I enjoy great video games for the same reason I enjoy great books: [i]they transport me to places I cannot go in my real life[/i]. What's wrong with that? Answer: nothing. Absolutely nothing. In fact, I'd say it's [i]enriching[/i] my life. Now, if playing video games negatively affects my marriage, my job, my interpersonal relationships, my health, then obviously I need to step back and reevaluate things. But until it does, I will enjoy losing myself in the incredible worlds of video games (and sharing my adventures with my family, my friends, and you folks). Judge me if you must, but when you do, I’ll simply suggest to you that you look in the mirror and ask yourself why you feel the need to judge. Try immersing yourself in a video game. [i]Become connected[/i]. You might be surprised by what you experience. I promise I won't judge you for it. [spoiler]Bungie, fix your shit. There, it’s feedback. [/spoiler] [spoiler]Ninja Edit: Moving this to Destiny[/spoiler]