Ben Affleck lost 3 years to Starcraft, has strong Valorant opinions, and mourns RTSes as a genre, so there's solid odds he's one of our regular commenters

Actor Ben Affleck revealed on the October 12 episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast that the real-time strategy game Starcraft consumed three years of his life shortly after gaining fame. He described the period as isolating, with little else occupying his time beyond playing the game. Affleck’s remarks reflect a personal connection to the genre, which he now views with a mix of nostalgia and regret.

During the same interview, Affleck praised Valorant as a strong tactical shooter but expressed frustration with the skill disparity between himself and younger players. He recounted humiliating defeats, joking about accusations of cheating from opponents as young as 11. His comments highlight the generational divide in competitive gaming experiences.

Affleck also reflected on his long-standing love for classic games, including Doom, Quake, and 2K, which he played during breaks while filming Good Will Hunting. He noted the enduring influence of Doom, released in 1993, and its role in shaping first-person shooters. His gaming history spans decades, from Myst to Donkey Kong, showcasing a broad range of interests.

The actor lamented the decline of real-time strategy games, calling them a genre that has "sort of gone out of style." He cited Command and Conquer remasters as a rare modern resurgence of RTS titles. Affleck’s comments underscore a broader cultural shift away from the genre he once deeply engaged with.