Can Video Games Ruin a Relationship?

by SodaHead Gaming Posted 2012/02/16 14:00:00

Related Topics: Games, Video Games, Relationship, Brigham Young, Facebook, Online Games, Couples, Divorce, Marriage, Online, News, Video, Game, Video Game

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778 votes
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	Yes	551 votes	71%
	No	227 votes	29%

Last year, a study found that Facebook has becoming a "primary cause" of divorce -- or, more precisely, it has played an increasingly major part in relationship problems that lead to divorce. Now a Brigham Young University study is claiming the same thing about video games, claiming the hobby can lead to fighting, neglect, and ultimately, divorce.

According to U.S. News, the study found that 65 percent of spouses who do not share their partner's gaming interest fight about video games, and 75 percent claim the habit has negatively affected their marriage. However, games seem to have the opposite effect when both partners share the hobby: 74 percent of couples who play multiplayer online games together say it has had a positive effect on their relationship.

+20

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SunshineSprinkles 2012/02/16 17:51:12

No

+13
I love video games just as much as my bf and we both play them, they can't ruin a relationship...Lack of understanding, effort and respect can...but games, no!

And to all the girls that nag about how your bf plays games all day..stop whining for gods sake! While he's playing you have the time for yourself, and why don't you try playing and see how fun it is instead of complaining...takes two to make a relationship work
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More polls by SodaHead Gaming

Nathaniel Hoover 2013/05/07 00:06:36

Yes

Girlfriend is a moderator for a minecraft community and has to be on for a certain amount of time each day. Yes this hurts the relationship! When more time is spent moderating a game vs talking/spending time with your SO its going to hurt.

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Ser ylis 2013/04/06 20:48:35

Yes

they can easily be ruin a relationship if time is not being managed enough between the relationship and games

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FortunaVeritas 2012/09/01 15:32:03

Yes

Addiction is addiction, and so on that front a whole lot of havoc can be wrought.

Add in people inimical to the hobby and many competing concerns for time and the possibility that the hobby wins out over necessary life functions and duties.

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daniel.graue 2012/08/13 07:05:00

Yes

if you do go overboard with it.

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cassandra 2012/07/27 00:44:35

No

as long as you don't go overboard with it.

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showe274 2012/07/13 22:13:18

Yes

It depends on the person but if your significant other doesn't like you playing it can be an issue. I think the problem is a huge lack of understanding the player needs to put the sticks down sometimes and the GF or BF need to chill and find something to occupy their time while the gamer is gaming.

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camii126 2012/07/06 20:42:30

Yes

+1
yes it can my uncle is inlove with video games and hi ex wife told him hes not paying attention to her and he said its hes space and enjoys it she got pisse just for that and divorced him what a bitch videogames is just an escape and entertaiment wtf are wrong with girls now these days!

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Tylurr 2012/03/03 07:21:11

No

I need an in the middle answer, damnit! Come on, guys =P

I've seen it ruin the people around me, but at the same time, it depends on who's behind the controller. Generally, if they let it ruin their relationship, it would have fallen apart anyway. Video games end up just acting as a scapegoat.

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Christi 2012/03/02 01:27:40

Yes

yes I think that they can ruin a relationship

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13_JunkyardDog 2012/03/01 21:12:37

No

Did the video game forget the anniversary? NO. Did the video game ignore your loved one? NO. Did the video. game make any real life decisions for you? NO.

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aLABiM75 2012/03/01 07:44:50

No

Video Games can be blamed for ruining the relationship, but they are not the real cause.

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robbt1 2012/02/29 17:38:44

No

If a video game is more important to you than the relationship you're in, it isn't much of a relationship. People over-estimate the 'power' of gaming; if you can't put down the controller to spend time with someone they probably aren't as important to you as you would like to believe.

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Sarah 2012/02/29 03:40:26

No

No way!

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budgerigar42 2012/02/29 02:29:33

No

Well, if you're the male counterpart and you start playing World of Warcraft, then yes...
But I wouldn't care really, since I consider myself a gamer. Sure. Play some Minecraft. Play some Assassin's Creed. I don't care.

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FrozenHeart 2012/02/28 19:55:32

No

+1
No. Girls, if your boyfriend doesn't complain about shopping with you for 5 hours then you should not complain about playing a video game with him for 30 minutes.

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budgeri... to FrozenH... 2012/02/29 02:30:08

true dat.

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Leslie to FrozenH... 2012/02/29 17:18:05

Lol mine definately complains

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SodaBrain 2012/02/28 17:03:03

No

+1
it can to the point where the user is addicted to the game play, of course (tried to switch to 'yes').
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reply
budgeri... to SodaBrain 2012/02/29 02:30:33

i did not just rave you.

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SodaBrain to budgeri... 2012/02/29 13:53:13

I consider myself informed. Thanks.

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Mat 2012/02/28 03:34:25

Yes

Iv seen relationships break up over gaming addiction so yes yes it can

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BryanJoshuaSuharly 2012/02/28 02:14:50

Yes

It depends on the relationship. Some couples actually play together, but if one person is not involved it can seem like they are being ignored. Ultimately, you have to know your partner and try to get them involved. If they really hate video games, you'll need to sacrifice...or get someone new (that's what I'd do)!

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Yoru Azenia 2012/02/27 19:43:15

Yes

Not the games themselves but any addiction can harm a relationship

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tayboo 2012/02/27 19:37:19

No

I DNT THINK SO... ITS NOT THE GAME ITS THE PERSON PLAYIN THE GAME

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showe274 to tayboo 2012/07/13 22:14:20

+1
or the person biching about the person playing the game

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Get Bashed 2012/02/27 17:09:39

Yes

I know a few who don't even have a relationship because they are game addicts. The others that lost their relationships simply chose to spend their money on game systems, game accessories and more games than to help pay for bills. They acted like they didn't need to pay for electricity bills, meanwhile it was the power source for their addictions.

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MigroW 2012/02/27 04:26:32

No

I don't think.

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Krissy 2012/02/26 04:18:09 (edited)

No

Not for me!

I love Video games!! I guess if i had a boyfriend who LOVED video games...id be perfect! Being able to play with him, but being able to also let him play by himself or with friends. I dont play the same game for more tham a couple weeks in a row.

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blox723 to Krissy 2012/02/26 21:15:49

+3
marry me XD

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Krissy to blox723 2012/03/02 00:37:30

y not?...only joking. XD

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rooney 2012/02/26 04:04:17

No

of course not

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Ichigo Erben 2012/02/25 23:27:56 (edited)

Yes

+1
but it shouldn't.

everybody has their own lifestyle. ^^

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VickiVovo 2012/02/25 12:16:28

Yes

+2
They have the ability to, if one or both of the individuals in the relationship don't respect the other's view about the gaming. My partner is an avid gamer, but I'm cool with it. The important thing for me to understand is that it is not me vs his gaming. I even started a blog to encourage others to share this view too: www.mypartnerisagamer.com :)

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That1Guy 2012/02/25 05:48:16

Yes

+1
well of course, but who cares game on!

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Alexandra 2012/02/25 03:57:09

No

He has his MW3 and i have my computer blogs/games we have designated times where we do them and can still chat and not be fighting over tv.

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Joshua Konopka 2012/02/24 22:48:27

Yes

+1
...oh god is it true? what if she plays video games on occasion? oh wait what am I worrying about haha I don't play games in front of her.

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Brispir 2012/02/24 21:29:10

Yes

+1
My last serious relationship got ruined by world of warcraft. She would be totally into that game and ignore me the whole time. I could have easily cheated on her and she would never have known.

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Lil' Devil 2012/02/24 20:49:20

Yes

+1
I think so. If your relationship isn't strong enough, prob anything can start the spiral into singledom? It's fun being single!

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Anthony Hafner 2012/02/24 19:08:01

Yes

+4
I vote yes because I have seen it happen. For some people, gaming is just another drug that will be chosen over attention from one's significant other. Having said that, my wife and I are both gamers and it only causes strife (minimal) when one has hogged Skyrim for too long.

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PonToki 2012/02/24 16:32:13

Yes

+3
If your partner is constantly focusing on video games and not paying attention to you or giving you some amount of time, its going to lead to conflict.

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