Video games are brilliant for escapism, getting away from situations you are commited to but currently cannot change. They are though just a repetitive challenge, but also they provide immediate feedback on skills aquired, and level acheived, which is why they are so addictive, especially if in the real world, everything looks so difficult.
It has been shown for some very withdrawn people games can be a self affirming experience.
It appears from your description you had gone over the top.
My son used games as a way to participate with friends to have fun together, like any group activity. My daughters are simply not interested, though have played together with friends a bit. I would suggest this is probably mainly a boy problem, and more of a symtom of life issues that are already present in someones life, and gaming is merely an expression of it.
I am therefore happy you spend your time enjoying something else, but that does not mean what you did before did not serve a purpose for you etc.
It has been shown for some very withdrawn people games can be a self affirming experience.
It appears from your description you had gone over the top.
My son used games as a way to participate with friends to have fun together, like any group activity. My daughters are simply not interested, though have played together with friends a bit. I would suggest this is probably mainly a boy problem, and more of a symtom of life issues that are already present in someones life, and gaming is merely an expression of it.
I am therefore happy you spend your time enjoying something else, but that does not mean what you did before did not serve a purpose for you etc.