So says John Lim (not his real name), the 32-year-old associate director of a local law firm.
"I game because I enjoy it. It relaxes me. I don't game because I need to," says the World Of Warcraft (WOW) fan.
"I have two level 80s," he reveals with pride of his attaining the top WOW level twice.
John also plays games like Manhunt and GTA4, which he says seem to glorify violence and theft.
"If you are not mature enough to see that these are merely fiction, you shouldn't be playing these games," he says.
He agrees that such violent games tend to influence what the public think of gamers, which is why he chooses not to disclose his identity for this story.
"I don't need this kind of prejudices levelled at me," he says.
The lawyer, who puts in a 60- to 70- hour work week, plays the piano in a band twice a week.
He is also a voracious reader, currently reading the Millennium Falcon by James Luceno.
Would you tell your client that you are a gamer?
My clients hardly ask me what I do in my spare time but if the question comes up, I won't hide it.
What was your longest record for playing video games non-stop?
Thirty five hours playing Deux Ex when I was in university.
Now, I spend about five to 10 hours a week.
My guild mates are my friends; I have known some of them since 2003 when we were playing Star Wars Galaxies.
I will log in every night just to stay current with what's happening with them.
Purely for social reasons, I am also a lowly level 17 on another WOW server - it's cheaper than going out.
What do you think of a peer who is a gamer?
I think half my cohort in law school are now playing either WOW or mahjong.
There is nothing to be ashamed about gaming.
I don't take drugs.
It keeps me off the streets.
I don't get drunk.
How would you feel if you found out that your surgeon or lawyer spent the previous day playing video games, before an important operation or a case?
Gaming is a hobby.
I control my hobby.
If I have a court session the next day, it is my responsibility to my client to get as much rest as I can before that.
And I would probably be staying up the night before preparing for the case.
As a professional, you should be responsible and not do anything that will affect your judgment.
