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Post by Umbra on Oct 8, 2012 22:49:19 GMT -5
Video games, of course. Why do you play them? One could answer "because they're fun" but there are lot of other fun hobbies out there. So why video games?
Also, do you or did you ever plan to give them up?
I suppose the first reason I should note for why I play video games still is because I've always been exposed to them from an early age. I could watch TV, but there's hardly any shows I like nowadays, and I don't read books that much (with the exception of nonfiction) because the lack of anything-but-words puts me to sleep.
Also, for the most part, I've been around gamer friends instead of, say, athletic people. So our hobbies became tied together.
Probably the biggest reason I play video games is because they are extremely immersive. Now this is a good and bad thing. It's a good thing because an immersive environment provides a form of "escape" from reality, which serves to lessen the rigors of everyday life. It's bad thing for the same reason. One can take that drug, overdose on it, and disconnect from everything and everyone, kill their sense of reality, and bury their future aspirations. It'd be a lie to say this bad side hasn't affected me--it still does. And it probably has affected a lot of people at some point.
In the end, I still decide to play video games, even though the bad seems to overweight the good. Why? I'll say it. Because they're fun and I got nothing else to do with my life. (better stop here before this turns to rant)
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Post by Youngster Joey on Oct 9, 2012 1:21:31 GMT -5
Hm, I'm not sure why I play them, other than that I have fun playing. They're a nice way to pass the time, and as you said, they're immersive and interactive. I guess maybe part of the reason I picked them up and continued playing them was because they were something I could do by myself? I was painfully shy as a kid, so video games were something fun I could do by myself. After all, aside from reading (which I also love doing), it can be hard to keep yourself entertained by yourself.
Nowadays, of course, it's also a social thing. All of my friends play video games, and it's something we can do together. So, I guess I play video games nowadays because it's something interesting to do both when I'm alone and with other people.
And, hm, I've never consciously decided to stop playing video games, but I did go through a period of high school (2008-2010, thereabouts) where I didn't really play video games much. I went to a very preppy all-girls school, and the derision I got made me ashamed to play. I'm pretty solidly back into it now, though, and no, I don't have any plans of giving it up. I've long since gotten past the point of caring whether people judge me for playing video games. It's as legitimate a past-time as watching TV, so f*ck 'em. I'll play video games for as long as they're fun for me.
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Post by AokiShizuku on Oct 9, 2012 2:08:07 GMT -5
Like everyone else, I was exposed to video games at an early age. Though when I was still a child, I was a casual gamer and I was too 'afraid' I guess to try high difficulties (I remember I picked beginner mode for KHII and Earth mode for SO3...). I mainly played for the different stories that were shown in games
Aside from being immersed in the story and world of the game, I also play it for the challenge. It wasn't until a year ago that I started to love playing on hard difficulties blind. Though the only game I regret playing on the hardest difficulty is Fire Emblem Awakening. Lunatic mode is just downright unfair... So I switched to hard mode for that.
I remember trying out different hobbies such as collecting Gundam models, playing bass (I still do, just not as much) but none of them appealed to me as much as video games
I highly doubt I'll stop playing video games entirely but the time may come where I'll have stop temporarily for academic reasons of course. Other than that, I'll never stop!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2012 9:15:35 GMT -5
Video Games made me a better person, if you go back in time 7 years ago you'd see that I'm the worst guy ever, I was a difination of the word "criminal"...
then I started to play video game by accident (that's another story) & little by little I stopped doing bad stuff without knowing....
so you can say that games saved me from myself...I found peace in games
that's why I play...
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Post by supersonic1453 on Oct 9, 2012 9:44:12 GMT -5
I don't actually play any games. Just a giant poser.
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Post by Umbra on Oct 9, 2012 15:05:57 GMT -5
Video Games made me a better person, if you go back in time 7 years ago you'd see that I'm the worst guy ever, I was a difination of the word "criminal"... then I started to play video game by accident (that's another story) & little by little I stopped doing bad stuff without knowing.... so you can say that games saved me from myself...I found peace in games that's why I play... What kind of person were you, Kindo? I find it hard to believe that you of all people could have been the "worst guy ever." I don't actually play any games. Just a giant poser. Well, your Backloggery sure doesn't lie on that notion. ;D
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Post by supersonic1453 on Oct 9, 2012 21:24:02 GMT -5
To be fair, those are games I haven't beaten; not played.
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Post by sukotsuto on Oct 10, 2012 0:44:45 GMT -5
For fun. It can encompass anything, but bottom line is, whether it's for the sake of competition, an excuse to hang out with friends, or something to pass the time, it will always be for fun, and that's how I see it.
It's that, and(or?) to satisfy a certain need inside of you, like obsessive compulsive folks who absolutely must collect and do everything within a game, adrenaline junkies who wants to simulate being in a racecar or a jet, those who want to have a bit of escape from reality by playing a hero in a story or live in a sci-fi/medieval/cyberpunk/etc. world that they can never experience from the real world. You can probably think of many other examples, but I reckon the point is clear.
There are times when playing a game can no longer be fun, maybe because of some frustrating boss battle or tricky platforms, but we may still play to earn the satisfaction of finally getting past that obstacle that had been frustrating you.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2012 20:42:38 GMT -5
What kind of person were you, Kindo? I find it hard to believe that you of all people could have been the "worst guy ever." I was bad enough to try to commit a murder.... I'd really love to meet people who are like me. Did games made you guys better people?
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Post by Umbra on Oct 10, 2012 22:53:34 GMT -5
@kindo: Ah, I see what you mean, then. And I'm glad you didn't, or else we wouldn't have the Kindo we all know here.
To answer your question, though, I think video games might have been a contributor toward making me a better person. The moral lessons in games, particular RPGs, have challenged (and even changed to some degree) my ethics.
Of course, there are particular games that could have put me down the wrong track that I'm glad I hadn't had exposure to. (Gorey shooters, etc.)
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Post by Youngster Joey on Oct 10, 2012 23:04:19 GMT -5
I don't think video games have changed me, no. Most of the games I play are pretty mindless.
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Post by Captain Zelar on Oct 10, 2012 23:16:45 GMT -5
My addiction to video games, as well as other forms of fiction, probably stems from my dysfunctional family. Games were a way to hide from the screaming and yelling.
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Post by AokiShizuku on Oct 11, 2012 2:25:47 GMT -5
Well games had a bit of influence on me when I was growing up, considering that quite a few of my morals came from RPGs I played as a child.
It's nice to know that games solved a few problems for people. Video games aren't so bad.
ლ(́◉◞౪◟◉‵ლ)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2012 16:33:03 GMT -5
My addiction to video games, as well as other forms of fiction, probably stems from my dysfunctional family. Games were a way to hide from the screaming and yelling. Here is another person saved by games! I fixed that for you because I'm like this.
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