How many people put in a GTA game to just cruise around and listen to the radio? 
How Many people Play Chibi Robo just to clean up around the house?
 
In all my years of playing video games, the most enjoyment I get out of them is when I'm doing mundane things. not to say that I can't buckle up and be awesome when I have to. I like to think I have a natural talent when it comes to playing video games ( You can't let my skills at SSF4 fool you). I enjoy picking up and playing Bad company 2 and rocking the top of the match. (which actually surprises me, and I often think my team did poorly if I'm number one.)
 
But when a video game likes to be a little more open, and offers the gamer these chances to explore, or participate in a mindless mini games, it automatically becomes my favorite part. I always keep one of those games handy when I'm playing something big. I'm going through Demon's Souls and I'm rocking Sims 3 on the macbook at the same time. A game that lets you play as boring as fucking possible.

I spent hours looking for the best place to jump off a high ledge into a pool of water in Elder Scrolls Oblivion. Sometimes I would climb up and just dive and do it again and again. I do like to play something routine and slow when also having something else more exciting on the side. 
 
Sims 3 would be a good game for me. I just need something exciting to compliment it. Batman Arkham Asylum seems like a nice fit. Damn, I'm so far behind the times.

I'm in the same boat with some games -- the GTAs being a good example. I'd steal a car, drive to some quiet area and just listen to the chat radio stations. That was more enjoyable than actually doing missions >.> 
 
I suppose WoW would be another good example. I spent more time just messing around with my Horde character in alliance cities than I did raiding or questing. Good times, good times.

Should try MMOs, ive spent god knows how many hours sitting in Ironforge just jumping around trying not to hit the cracks for no reason.

OH MY GOD SOMEONE ELSE PLAYED CHIBI-ROBO! Every single scrap of garbage of stupid footprint...I gotta get that...
 
I'm rarely like that with games. I play games to play them, and the added realism in so many is actually something I don't like. That's why games like Bayonetta was so awesome, because it's a GAME and it knows it and kicks your dick in the dirt about it.

I play GTA: San Andreas so I can play territory wars

I like playing dress up and collecting clothes.  I take my characters in games like Oblivion or Saints Row 2 and just go shopping.  In the Sims 3, I spend more time designing outfits than I do playing the game itself.  I find these self-created "quests" (collect all clothing types) more enjoyable than saving the universe or whatever the main story is.

In Bioware and Atlus games I always have the most fun when I'm just sitting in a campfire talking to my party members, and I always have the least fun when I'm fighting bad guys.

I usually watch the movies I saved of me kicking ass in Halo 3. I also like to simulate seasons when I play a sports game like NBA 2K9 or MLB Power Pros.

" I always have the most fun when I'm just sitting in a campfire talking to my party members"

" Put it this way... 16 hours of gameplay in Just Cause 2 and I've only done the intro mission. "

" @RiotBananas said:

" Put it this way... 16 hours of gameplay in Just Cause 2 and I've only done the intro mission. "

Talk about getting more game for the buck. At that rate, you might rack up 100 hours of playtime. "

" @Fallen189 said:

" @Claude said:

" @RiotBananas said:

" Put it this way... 16 hours of gameplay in Just Cause 2 and I've only done the intro mission. "

Talk about getting more game for the buck. At that rate, you might rack up 100 hours of playtime. "

My main wow character had over 500 hours when I stopped playing him.  One character. I'm the worst. "

Dude, My level 77 Mage has 30 days of play.  30 days and I'm not even 80. "

I can definitely relate.    A good amount of time playing GTA IV was spent just driving around, or otherwise goofing off.  Same for Saint's Row 1 and 2 (especially 2, since I played in co-op). In Crackdown I spent way more time jumping around on buildings, or driving around like a crazy person than actually taking out the gangs.

In RPGs, most of the time I find the combat to be the least interesting thing.  Wandering, looking at scenery, talking to people, learning more about the world -- those things are more fun, and I spend more time doing them, than combat.
 
One of the big reasons I'm not a huge RTS fan (besides not having a great computer, and refusing to play the shitty console versions) is that there has been a change of focus lately towards combat, and away from base-building.  Back when I played a lot of RTS (mostly Warcraft, Starcraft and Age of Empires) I always enjoyed exploring, gathering resources, and building my tech tree. You still had to win most maps through combat, but I would turtle until I was good and ready, which usually meant I had clear cut the forest and mined all the ore available.
 
I used to play the hell out of Sim City 4, which is an excellent chill game.  I'm actually planning to reinstall it this weekend.