For as long as I can remember, I've been using games, books, movies and TV to run away from all my problems. I am really bad at dealing with certain things, even if I am slowly learning to do so.
All of these things makes all my problems fade away. Books are particularily effective, and once I start reading I do not want to return to reality. Naturally, this has brought its own problems, like a somewhat limited social life.
So I don't game just because it's fun, I game because it takes me away from all my problems, it makes me feel in control and I do not need to feel powerless, useless or stupid. Games that do not make me feel in control does not appeal to me, usually.
Or at least this was how it was when I was growing up. Nowadays I feel more in control of my life (though still not fully...) and that may be contributing to the fact that I play less and less, and that my taste is changing. Social games appeal more and more to me, such as Guitar Hero and Wii Sports.
@OP
That was a great post. I feel that those are three very well thought out reasons that do apply to me as well.
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