How much video game playing is too much

First of all, the key to anything, and everything, is balance. If you go to the YMCA for 2 hours and come back to play 2 hours or so of video games, it is most likely going to be ok.

One popular misconceptions by parents is that a game like NBA is that much different from a game like Battlefield 3. Sure BF3 has more violence and gore, but the goal(s) is/are still the same, to win the game or get the most points possible. For example a shot made in NBA could be related to a kill in Battlefield or an opponent's shot made in NBA could also be related to a death in Battlefield. All the difference is you use a make virtual gun in your hand to get your points or wins. Your parents wont be AS angry at you if you vary your time. Say you get home and you finished all your homework and you have nothing to do. Go outside (if you can) and try to find someone to play with and get some exercise. Once your done with an 1 or 2 of that, you could play Battlefield for an 1 or 2 also. Now what you want to do do is split up your time WHILE your playing your games. Maybe play 30 mins of video games and do something positive like clean your room or take the dog out for a walk. Then maybe play another 30 mins of video games and do the same kind of thing. It will make your parents see that "Hey, maybe hes not so addicted to it after all, and THEN you might get extra time for going outside. If its a cold day and you dont have anyone to play with, maybe hook up the old Wii and play some games on that or buy Playstation Move for your PS3 or Kinect for your Xbox.

Just like Call of Duty, Balance IS Key:)