5 Ways To Support Your Boyfriend's Video Game Habit

Chenda Ngak, GamePro


Video games are as much a part of our lives as movies and television, and in some cases more. For some women, this is more of an annoyance than dirty socks on the living room floor. But, life doesn't have to be so black and white; you can use his habit to your advantage. If your man can't stop talking about Kill Zone 2 or MadWorld, here are 5 Ways To Support Your Boyfriend's Video Game Habit.


5. Create a gaming schedule
If you feel like video games are taking over your lives, sit your boyfriend down and work out a schedule. Make the decision to block out a period of time for him to play video games. This will force the both of you to know exactly what you're going to get for the upcoming week, month, or year. He'll appreciate your concern and will be relieved to know that he's got guilt-free playtime. And you will be able to take control of your schedule if you know his availability.

4. Use the free time for you time
The one thing that women in relationships lack is free time. Balancing friends, family, work, and your relationship can leave your hobbies in the dust. After you've established a schedule with your partner, you can take the classes that you've been putting off. How many of our boyfriends want to take yoga, jewelry making, or dance class? Even if you're dating a sensitive man, it is so important for us to maintain our independence, right ladies? It's also a great opportunity to go back to school for an advanced degree without feeling the guilt of neglecting your man. Win-win!

3. Buy him video games
Small gestures go a long way, so buying your boyfriend a game that he's been dying to play will score you some major points. It'll make you feel good to give him something he wants and he'll probably brag to his friends about your gift. This is his hobby, so you should treat it like you would if he were doing something like art classes.

2. Play along with him
Most games are multiple-player games, so jump in the action with him. There are a lot of great multiple-player games that will work for couples. The easiest go-to games are Wii games like Wii Sports or Super Smash Bros. Brawl. On the PS3 it's a no-brainer: LittleBigPlanet is a must. Scene It? on the Xbox 360 is especially fun for movie lovers. Don't forget the multi-platform game, Street Fighter IV. It's almost a requirement for those of us who grew up in the 1990s.

1. Set up your own gaming station
If you're dating a true gamer, chances are you probably play video games, yourself. If you're fortunate enough to have the extra equipment, get your own gaming system set up. You can set up two televisions or a PC and a television. We cannot deny the visceral appeal of video games and shouldn't feel guilty about our hobbies. So, go ahead and play!

Chenda Ngak has contributed to GamePro magazine, Star Wars Insider, OMGlists.com, Nerve.com, Flixster.com, Yahoo! Shine, and OrbitzInsider.com. Read her brilliantly illogical tweets at: Twitter.com/ChendaNgak.