A highly enjoyable time waster is still a time waster. I don't mean that in a pejorative sense, that's literally what games are supposed to do. Video games lack the benefits of other hobbies (useful skills, social contacts, cultural capital, increased health, or actual products, e.g. paintings or furniture). They cannot be enjoyed in short 30 minute sessions unless it's a very casual game. They're a large time investment with nothing of value to show for it besides temporary gratification. And that's exactly what they should be. It's the hobby of Doritos and Mountain Dew --- purposefully manufactured for consumption, but providing little sustenance.
Personally, I experienced a sudden shift about two years ago, away from anything digital. Even when I was having lots of fun, it always felt hollow in hindsight. So now it's board games and jigsaw puzzles instead of video games, ebooks have been ditched for the local library, I don't code anymore in my spare time, no more Youtube, and no more streaming (except the occasional episode of TNG). Instead: lots of hiking, camping, kayaking, evening strolls, dancing lessons, and cross stitching. Not sure what prompted it, many of those things are definitely duller than video games. And yet... it's much more satisfying.
