Playing games can teach you a lot in a "playful" way. Accepting defeat, seeing when someone is trying to cheat or lie, makeing your own strategy.... I think it really is good for the brain and social skills. I am talking about board games obviously.
I enjoy role-playing, so it's a great way to get creative. It also challenges my critical thinking skills, forces me to keep on learning new programming languages, etc. See? Who says that video games are mindless fun?
after school, after work.....sometimes we have a stressfull day. at this time i'd like to play my favorite MMORPG game. i can socialize with other people without worry about "things" in real world. but of course i must know my limit so i wouldn't play too deep inside those game (i called this situation as "diving mode")
Games are great and now they say it could be called a drug. Lots of people are addicted and don't seem to give it a break.