I don't game

By Wreybies · Feb 18, 2014 · ·
  1. I don't game.

    I've been around for all of it. The entire phenomenon. From Pong to whatever it is that's happening right now. I had an Atari 2600 Gaming Console when they were brand spanking new. I had an Atari 800 computer when they were brand spanking new. I traded Pole Position and Frogger and DigDug and Avenger with friends on floppy disks that were actually floppy. I did all of that. All of it. And yet, I don't game. After the crash of '83 (I was only 13) I just couldn't be bothered. Yet, it seems I display some characteristic to other gamers that says I game because gamers often start chatting at me in Gamenese and I have to stop them with a polite "Sorry, man. I don't game" which evinces the same look as the just got friendzoned look. I actually feel bad when it happens. The look of disappointment is real and sometimes the guy keeps at it like no, you are not gamezoning me. We were totally talking and you gave all the signs that you wanted to game and now you say you don't and I don't accept it. I'm a cool guy, I think you're a cool guy, we should totally game. You cannot stand there in your Thundercats tee shirt and tell me you don't game. Why won't you game with me? What's wrong with me?

    Seriously, it's happened.

    I don't game and I don't know why.
    Andrae Smith and Pheonix like this.

Comments

  1. Robert_S
    I game too much.
      Wreybies likes this.
  2. Alesia
    I used to game a lot, like 12-14 hours a day. Once I grew up, I quit all that, but I still do enjoy turning on the XBOX every now and then :D
      Wreybies likes this.
  3. thirdwind
    It's good you don't game actually. I've lost countless hours playing video games. To be honest, I didn't really get any productive out of it. I'll still play every once in a while, though certainly not to the extent I did back in high school/college.
      Wreybies likes this.
  4. obsidian_cicatrix
    I'm definitely a gamer. But that's ok, I'm also a reader, a watcher of films, a rider of horses, a guitarist...

    It all comes down to balance really, doesn't it? Some people would spend more time watching sports than I do playing my Xbox. We all have our vices, and as vices go, gaming's not so bad.

    For me it started, not in my own childhood, but during that of my kids. The Sega Mega Drive I bought my stepson that one Xmas has a lot to answer for.

    I've noticed that my taste in games has changed in the last ten years. I especially love the interactive storytelling aspect of some games. At this moment in time I'm working my way through L.A. Noire again. Yes, it's flawed, but the likes of this game, Red Dead Redemption and the Mass Effect trilogy have really upped the storytelling, world building nature of gaming. I enjoy a first person shooter as much as the next person, but I play for much the same reason I read. I want to be entertained, moved, challenged and and a good game can deliver that, just like a book, play, poem or film can. (And some of the musical scores are incredible.)

    It's great too that the standard of voice acting has improved and the newest capture technology has kicked the characterisation up a notch.

    As for why you don't game, @Wreybies. Perhaps you've just not exposed yourself to a genre that goes hand in hand with your other interests.

    It's interesting as a writer that you bring this up. There's been much talk of late of the newest generation of consoles and the quality of the graphics. I have a collection of old consoles and games. For each gen one particular game or franchise really stood out for me. The reason I allow these consoles and games to take up so much space when there is little to spare is that, for me, replaying any one of those games is like re-reading a favourite book. It doesn't matter that the game is old. It doesn't matter that the graphics are a bit meh compared to games today. The game play is where it's at, and the biggest part of feeling emotionally charged when it comes to it is all down to good writing and good characterisation.

    Sound familiar? :D
  5. thirdwind
    @obsidian_cicatrix, you're absolutely right about how technology has improved. Some of the graphics in games today are more realistic than real life itself. :p
  6. Alesia
    @obsidian_cicatrix have you tried the Fallout series? All (with the exception of 3 and Tactics) have very intriguing story lines. New Vegas almost consumed my life to the point of addiction lol.
      Robert_S likes this.
  7. obsidian_cicatrix
    And that in itself is very interesting @thirdwind. If you haven't already heard of "uncanny valley" you should Google it. It seems there comes a point when the human brain just goes, uh, no, when it comes to realism. It literally gets 'too close for comfort.' I've been more than a bit creeped out on several occasions.
  8. obsidian_cicatrix
    @Alesia. Oh dear me, yes. I lost about a month when New Vegas came out. Kinda worried for the next though. There's been little revealed, and I have a horrid feeling I may need to buy a new console.

    I do tend to veer toward RPG's in a big way, especially Bethesda's stuff. I just appreciate the fact that the games are so obviously labours of love and the length and scope of the games allow for some great sub plots as well as the main story arcs. I really feel like I'm getting my moneys worth.

    Talking of which, I miss my friendly super mutant bud. ;)
  9. Alesia
    I refuse to buy a next-gen console. I will play on PC thank you very much. I already play 3 and Vegas on PC anyway because I like to mod clothing, weapons, and other attributes. My favorite for New Vegas is the mod that allows you to actually use those packs of cigarettes you see lying around. Your character will actually be animated smoking as well.

    [​IMG]
  10. Wreybies
    (this is like a sociological or anthropological field-trip for me) :)
  11. obsidian_cicatrix
    Ach, @Alesia. Don't get me started. I used to game on PC but it's just not affordable atm. I started off modding Morrowind, due to the Elder Scrolls Construction Set and became really hooked. Taught me a lot about just what it takes to put a game together. If I were better financially fixed, that's the way I'd go too.

    I can just picture @Wreybies doing his best David Attenborough RP.

    "And here we have gamers geeking out in their natural habitat.... ;)
      Alesia likes this.
  12. Alesia
    Not really. All my mods were simple downloads from sites like nexusmods.com. Just download the folder, unzip it, and plug the files into the appropriate spots in the game folder. It all happens on a cheap Toshiba laptop too ;)
  13. obsidian_cicatrix
    I really don't think my p.c. would be capable of running an rpg plus an assortment of mods. But then again, I haven't tried, just assumed the graphics would be too much for it to handle. I might pick up a second hand copy and give it a go.
  14. Alesia
    It probably could. My PC is a $350 Toshiba from Wal-Mart and I can run Fallout, 100+ mods, Windows Media Player, Chrome, and Fraps all at the same time without issue.
      obsidian_cicatrix likes this.
  15. Duchess-Yukine-Suoh
    I game, but usually only otome.
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