For every gamer couple, where the duo is composed of two people who both play games, there are at least 5 non-gamer couples, and probably more. Of these, a good portion are likely composed of a gamer and a non-gamer. In stereotypical fashion, the non-gamer might feel resentful of the time the gamer spends 'playing that stupid game'. Or worse, the gamer herself feels guilty for enjoying her hobby, and spends more time not playing, but wishing she were. Those of us with the great fortune to be professional game bloggers have an easy out: if we don't play, we can't write -- if we don't write, we don't get paid. "Sorry, honey, I have to spend the next couple of hours leveling up; my next feature depends on it, and I'm on a deadline!" But for the rest of you, is it enough to tell your significant other that you work hard, and need your alone time with your favorite MMO? Do you manage to make equal time for your children and spouse? Do you ever suddenly stop to count the days and weeks of game labor, with nothing physically substantial to show for it except for repetitive strain injury? How do you justify your game time?
