> He's a good kid all in all, actively engaged in competitive rowing, with good grades etc. Plays chess also

If he's actually passionate about rowing, it's unlikely he's going to drop it to play video games all day. If he does, then its only a matter of time until he finds his true passions. I was a real gaming vegetable for years until I discovered some outdoor activities I actually enjoyed. I mostly rock climb now, though I still enjoy playing games.

> And, with real-world war going on in Ukraine, I can't stand watching him actually using those ultra-realistic knives or pump action guns for, well, killing "terrorists" as a recreational activity.

I can't blame you on that one, but for what its worth, I played plenty of violent video games and I've always been a staunch pacifist. If he can't separate games from reality, there's a larger issue at hand.

Wanting to play video games with his friends is a normal thing for a boy of his age to want to do. It may help him develop deeper bonds with them. The violence can be a cathartic release and doesn’t mean he’s going to bring that into the real world.

It’s quite a leap to assume he’ll become an addict. There are many possible scenarios, including that he’ll grow out of it in a few years. Perhaps see how it goes and step in if you feel his usage is unhealthy? It’s probably a good idea to put limits on screen time anyway, with or without video games.

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