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I had the same with Factorio, only I actually did get divorced. I went through many attempts to quit - including deleting my Steam account. Eventually I set up

I had the same with Factorio, only I actually did get divorced. I went through many attempts to quit - including deleting my Steam account. Eventually I set up the household to Mac & Linux only to help increase the friction. Along with a lifestyle overhaul - new hobbies, and actual sport played outside, non-gaming seems to stick. Gaming addiction is real and it can truly destroy a life.

Elinvynia 4y ago
Factorio is Linux native though.
- FredPret 4y ago
  I can probably figure it out, but I use Linux for servers only. I’d have to jump through some hoops to get it running. The lifestyle changes I mentioned have displaced gaming in my dopamine system. I also never want to get sucked in again. That is my main defence.
  - gremlinsinc 4y ago
    On arch Linux: Yay steam .... Installing... Alt d Type steam Click or hit enter on app from dmenu. Done. Hardly something one figures out or learns to do, esp if they already use Linux.
  - kraig911 4y ago
    Just interested but could I get a list of those things you used? I don't want a divorce myself.
    - FredPret 4y ago
      Exercise is the main one for me. Pick something progressive and addictive, like weightlifting or distance running. You’ll get hooked but there’s a built-in limit to how much you can do per day and per week. I try to get out of the house on various adventures or even regular walks at every opportunity now. Also I took up some hobbies like reading and photography. Some people golf fanatically and they seem to be better off for it. At first, I unconsciously replaced game time with social media time, doomscrolling, news. Don’t do this. Be conscious and deliberate about subbing in quality leisure time. The main thing is to treat games like a serious addiction if it is one, and replace it with a full and rich life. This is obviously not easy, but that is, in part, the point.
      - shortstuffsushi 4y ago
        Hmm, this seems like a mixed bag. Exercise is great, but given your mention of it becoming addictive, it seems like you're replacing one thing with another - there are plenty of people who spend too much time in the gym, or marathon training, etc, to the detriment of relationships and other life responsibilities. People who are "fanatic golfers" often do so at some expense, both emotional and monetary, of their family. Replacing addiction with addiction is still addiction, albeit potentially better for your health.
        jdmichal 4y ago
        That goes to cranium's point here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33036297 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33036297 > I like this rule of thumb to know if a behavior can be a psychiatric disorder: "when it interferes with normal functioning". It's purposely vague and subject to interpretation but it's a good first filter. If these new "addictions" aren't interfering with "normal functioning", then they're not disorders. They're just normal parts of that person's life.
KptMarchewa 4y ago
There is zero friction to play Factorio on Mac or Linux.
- paledot 4y ago
  "My gambling problem got so bad that I had to move to Linuxville." "Oh, Linuxville! I love that place, it has a great casino."
thejosh 4y ago
Funny enough, this is why I switched to Linux. In 2006 I was playing too many games (MMOs..) and not doing enough study at my course (was 16 at the time enrolled in an education you can go to after year 10 called TAFE here in Australia). Haven't looked back since, barely play games anymore (I did go through a stint of WoW). Amused Linux is super supportive of games now. :-)
- acomjean 4y ago
  One of the reasons I bought a Linux box as well, but can confirm Steam works well on linux now.. I "game" about a 2-3 hour per week gamer though I'll go a few months not playing at all. Board games with friends works well on steam (tabletop sim/teraforming mars/wingspan and lords of water deep.. ).. with video chat back channel which is the best part. Black Mesa/Portal/Alien Isolation which work well on my intel/Nvidia based laptop from 4 years ago (PopOS). With the steam deck being linux based, I suspect using linux will be better and better for gaming.

Elinvynia 4y ago

Factorio is Linux native though.

FredPret 4y ago
I can probably figure it out, but I use Linux for servers only. I’d have to jump through some hoops to get it running. The lifestyle changes I mentioned have displaced gaming in my dopamine system. I also never want to get sucked in again. That is my main defence.
- gremlinsinc 4y ago
  On arch Linux: Yay steam .... Installing... Alt d Type steam Click or hit enter on app from dmenu. Done. Hardly something one figures out or learns to do, esp if they already use Linux.
- kraig911 4y ago
  Just interested but could I get a list of those things you used? I don't want a divorce myself.
  - FredPret 4y ago
    Exercise is the main one for me. Pick something progressive and addictive, like weightlifting or distance running. You’ll get hooked but there’s a built-in limit to how much you can do per day and per week. I try to get out of the house on various adventures or even regular walks at every opportunity now. Also I took up some hobbies like reading and photography. Some people golf fanatically and they seem to be better off for it. At first, I unconsciously replaced game time with social media time, doomscrolling, news. Don’t do this. Be conscious and deliberate about subbing in quality leisure time. The main thing is to treat games like a serious addiction if it is one, and replace it with a full and rich life. This is obviously not easy, but that is, in part, the point.
    - shortstuffsushi 4y ago
      Hmm, this seems like a mixed bag. Exercise is great, but given your mention of it becoming addictive, it seems like you're replacing one thing with another - there are plenty of people who spend too much time in the gym, or marathon training, etc, to the detriment of relationships and other life responsibilities. People who are "fanatic golfers" often do so at some expense, both emotional and monetary, of their family. Replacing addiction with addiction is still addiction, albeit potentially better for your health.
      - jdmichal 4y ago
        That goes to cranium's point here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33036297 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33036297 > I like this rule of thumb to know if a behavior can be a psychiatric disorder: "when it interferes with normal functioning". It's purposely vague and subject to interpretation but it's a good first filter. If these new "addictions" aren't interfering with "normal functioning", then they're not disorders. They're just normal parts of that person's life.

KptMarchewa 4y ago

There is zero friction to play Factorio on Mac or Linux.

paledot 4y ago
"My gambling problem got so bad that I had to move to Linuxville." "Oh, Linuxville! I love that place, it has a great casino."

thejosh 4y ago

Funny enough, this is why I switched to Linux. In 2006 I was playing too many games (MMOs..) and not doing enough study at my course (was 16 at the time enrolled in an education you can go to after year 10 called TAFE here in Australia). Haven't looked back since, barely play games anymore (I did go through a stint of WoW). Amused Linux is super supportive of games now. :-)

acomjean 4y ago
One of the reasons I bought a Linux box as well, but can confirm Steam works well on linux now.. I "game" about a 2-3 hour per week gamer though I'll go a few months not playing at all. Board games with friends works well on steam (tabletop sim/teraforming mars/wingspan and lords of water deep.. ).. with video chat back channel which is the best part. Black Mesa/Portal/Alien Isolation which work well on my intel/Nvidia based laptop from 4 years ago (PopOS). With the steam deck being linux based, I suspect using linux will be better and better for gaming.