Well, something can be a diversion, while still being important to someone though. For example, when I play a sports game, I only do one player, offline franchise. I play every game, and really, really get into the offseason GM aspects. The whole process is meaningful to me.
That could be opposed to someone who only plays single games online, where each game is only meaningful in that moment, and has little to no long term value to the individual. For that person, the game is more light hearted and fun than it would be for me, though we both are playing the same title.