--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to be quite a big video game…" description: "\"I used to be quite a big video game player at university and post-university in that weird moment in life before you have a proper job and you've got a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/stephen-merchant-15797_before_i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-play_3145786.jpg" --- # I used to be quite a big video game player at university… ![“I used to be quite a big video game player at university and post-university in that weird moment in life before you have a proper job and you've got a lot of idle time.” quote by Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/stephen-merchant-15797_before_i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-play_3145786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/stephen-merchant-15797_before_i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-play_3145786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/stephen-merchant-15797_before_i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-play_3145786.jpg) > “I used to be quite a big video game player at university and post-university in that weird moment in life before you have a proper job and you've got a lot of idle time.” [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on a past period of abundant free time during which he played video games heavily, a phase typical before settling into a stable career. **In simple terms:** He spent a lot of time gaming before getting a regular job. Key Takeaway Balance leisure with future responsibilities. Themes gaming young adulthood time use career transition Mood nostalgic contemplative Type personal career When to use this quote - college life - career planning - leisure management - budgeting Key Concepts sociology media studies Questions to Reflect On - What habits will you keep after entering the workforce? - How can you ensure balanced leisure? A Different Perspective Gaming can become a distraction from professional growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Before](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/before/) [Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Game Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game-play/) [Game Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game-player-676703/) [Got](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/got/) [Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idle/) [Idle time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idle-time/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lot/) [Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment/) [Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player/) [Proper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proper/) [Quite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quite/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [University](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/university/) [University Weird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/university-weird-2825045/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Video](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/video/) [Video game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/video-game/) [Weird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weird/) [Weird Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weird-moment-849889/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [The fact is I never intended to be a chef. After Oxford University I had this weird idea of running a nightclub.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-stein/the-fact-is-i-never-intended-to-be-a-chef-after-oxford-university-i/) [Rick Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-stein/) > [I'm not a video-game player at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/i-m-not-a-video-game-player-at-all/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [Honestly, Flav is not much of a video game player these days. BUT, I used to spend hours on Time Crisis. I beat all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flavor-flav/honestly-flav-is-not-much-of-a-video-game-player-these-days-but-i/) [Flavor Flav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flavor-flav/) > [Kids love me. I can bounce back and forth. I can discipline kids, and I can get into the mind of a kid. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-b-smoove/kids-love-me-i-can-bounce-back-and-forth-i-can-discipline-kids-and-i/) [J. B. Smoove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-b-smoove/) > [We wanted to create an environment where if a game player enjoyed the 'writing style' of a particular game designer, he or she could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-crane/we-wanted-to-create-an-environment-where-if-a-game-player-enjoyed-the/) [David Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-crane/) > [I never was much of a game player, but I loved to be on the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-arcangel/i-never-was-much-of-a-game-player-but-i-loved-to-be-on-the-computer/) [Cory Arcangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-arcangel/) > [I was shooting one day and it struck me that I was the age that Shirley MacLaine was when she played my mother. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/i-was-shooting-one-day-and-it-struck-me-that-i-was-the-age-that/) [Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/) > [That weird moment when the whole class is in noise and then it turns to utter silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly/that-weird-moment-when-the-whole-class-is-in-noise-and-then-it-turns/) [Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly/) > [There was a weird moment whereI was still a drummer, I always saw myself as a drummerand we got nominated for a Grammy, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-stump/there-was-a-weird-moment-wherei-was-still-a-drummer-i-always-saw/) [Patrick Stump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-stump/) > [That weird moment when your listening to music and you hear a noise . You take out your earphones and find everybody starring at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarin/that-weird-moment-when-your-listening-to-music-and-you-hear-a-noise/) [Jarin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarin/) > [That weird moment when you are best friends with a boy then you start having feelings for him!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-weird-moment-when-you-are-best-friends-with-a-boy-then-you-start/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It’s weird how one moment can change everything. Forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindi-madsen/it-s-weird-how-one-moment-can-change-everything-forever/) [Cindi Madsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindi-madsen/) > [I feel really weird at the moment...Like something's missing. I haven't seen my friends in like ages!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-feel-really-weird-at-the-moment-like-something-s-missing-i-haven-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That awkward moment when you run to the streets and the streets running into you…TRANSLATION In real life that weird moment your planing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-d-r-l-testament/that-awkward-moment-when-you-run-to-the-streets-and-the-streets/) [Junior Dè Rèál Testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junior-d-r-l-testament/) > [ It was a weird moment in my life and a weird experience \[doing a theater\]. It made me think, "Gee, I don't know if… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/it-was-a-weird-moment-in-my-life-and-a-weird-experience-doing-a/) [Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/) ## More by Stephen Merchant > [I know that this sounds grand, but I don't try to compete with other people. I like to think there's enough pie for everyone.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-know-that-this-sounds-grand-but-i-don-t-try-to-compete-with-other/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [It's not like I think: 'By the age of 40 I've got to be an international household name.' When the opportunity to perform comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/it-s-not-like-i-think-by-the-age-of-40-i-ve-got-to-be-an/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [Things don't get better when you become well known or go on TV. I'm just being rejected by a better class of women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/things-don-t-get-better-when-you-become-well-known-or-go-on-tv-i-m/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [There's this way pop culture has been rammed down our throats that people think that if they were just in the right place at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/there-s-this-way-pop-culture-has-been-rammed-down-our-throats-that/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [When I started to mention to people who know about such things, 'I'm doing this game, 'Portal 2', they got very excited, suddenly. More…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/when-i-started-to-mention-to-people-who-know-about-such-things-i-m/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [Once I began doing stand-up, I didn't get a kick out of the applause or being the centre of attention - but I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/once-i-began-doing-stand-up-i-didn-t-get-a-kick-out-of-the-applause/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [I've always been a fan of physical comedy. It kind of hits you in a different way; it bypasses the intellect and hits you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-ve-always-been-a-fan-of-physical-comedy-it-kind-of-hits-you-in-a/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [I wish I could write 'Taxi Driver,' or 'Blue Velvet,' something brave, audacious, dramatic and dark. I don't know if I have the darkness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-wish-i-could-write-taxi-driver-or-blue-velvet-something-brave/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [When I was a teenager, I met a comedian who I admired, and he was very rude to me. That's why when people come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/when-i-was-a-teenager-i-met-a-comedian-who-i-admired-and-he-was-very/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [Remember that film 'Sliding Doors,' when John Hannah woos Gwyneth Paltrow by reciting Monty Python sketches? I can tell you now that doesn't work,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/remember-that-film-sliding-doors-when-john-hannah-woos-gwyneth/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [I very rarely laugh. I remember I used to have a joy at comedy. I remember going to see Sean Lock for the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-very-rarely-laugh-i-remember-i-used-to-have-a-joy-at-comedy-i/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [I don't have any hidden depths; I'm a very superficial person. It's a constant frustration to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-don-t-have-any-hidden-depths-i-m-a-very-superficial-person-it-s-a/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [I'm too tall. I am 6ft 7in, so I've been most people's height at some point in my life, and 6ft 4in is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-m-too-tall-i-am-6ft-7in-so-i-ve-been-most-people-s-height-at-some/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [My heroes - people like Woody Allen - were stand-up comedians. Therefore, I always felt I should give it a go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/my-heroes-people-like-woody-allen-were-stand-up-comedians-therefore-i/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [A lot of my comic influences are distinctly American: Woody Allen and Bob Hope, for example. They were always the underdogs who were using…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/a-lot-of-my-comic-influences-are-distinctly-american-woody-allen-and/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) [Explore all 42 Stephen Merchant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) ## More Before quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I want to make myself and the crowd happy by way of something different, and that makes things difficult. I'm never playing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/i-want-to-make-myself-and-the-crowd-happy-by-way-of-something/) [Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/) > [My writing routine is: get son off to school and sit down at 8 A.M. I read what I wrote the day before, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/my-writing-routine-is-get-son-off-to-school-and-sit-down-at-8-a-m-i/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) > [There aren't traditions of freedom in a place like Iraq. They're going to have to come to grips with a concept that they hadn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-wallop/there-aren-t-traditions-of-freedom-in-a-place-like-iraq-they-re-going/) [Malcolm Wallop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-wallop/) > [I don't like just traveling in for a short time. I've done that before, because sometimes you work for magazines and they have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sacco/i-don-t-like-just-traveling-in-for-a-short-time-i-ve-done-that-before/) [Joe Sacco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sacco/) > [Music is almost like a therapy for me. It helps keep me centered and think straight. Before I discovered it, I was walking around,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/music-is-almost-like-a-therapy-for-me-it-helps-keep-me-centered-and/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [My first company, Pure Software, was exciting and innovative in the first few years and bureaucratic and painful in the last few before it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reed-hastings/my-first-company-pure-software-was-exciting-and-innovative-in-the/) [Reed Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reed-hastings/) > [For the Russian masses, the proletarians, knew for certain, and already saw during the war, and in part before their very eyes, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-gorter/for-the-russian-masses-the-proletarians-knew-for-certain-and-already/) [Herman Gorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-gorter/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. 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I joined the tennis team and played with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrot-top/before-i-got-addicted-to-comedy-i-was-seriously-thinking-about/) [Carrot Top](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrot-top/) > [But even before I was in the military, I was extremely jumpy when asleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/but-even-before-i-was-in-the-military-i-was-extremely-jumpy-when/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) > [When I'm making stuff, the thing that excites me most is not the result, but the process and trying to do something I've never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spike-jonze/when-i-m-making-stuff-the-thing-that-excites-me-most-is-not-the/) [Spike Jonze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spike-jonze/) > [I've pulled ticks off of me before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-ve-pulled-ticks-off-of-me-before/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [You know, before I would think, my cab driver hates me. Now I think my limo driver hates me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-romano/you-know-before-i-would-think-my-cab-driver-hates-me-now-i-think-my/) [Ray Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-romano/) [Browse all 4,123 Before quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/before/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I used to be quite a big video game player at university and post-university in that weird moment in life before you have a proper job and you've got a lot of idle time.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Merchant" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-player-at-university-and-post/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Before" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-player-at-university-and-post/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/stephen-merchant-15797_before_i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-play_3145786.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/stephen-merchant-15797_before_i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-play_3145786.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f7/stephen-merchant-15797_before_i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-play_3145786.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I used to be quite a big video game player at university and post-university in that weird moment in life…” — Stephen Merchant", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stephen Merchant", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I used to be quite a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-player-at-university-and-post/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-used-to-be-quite-a-big-video-game-player-at-university-and-post/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```