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Adults and videogames... I don't get it...

post #1 of 124
7/21/09 at 11:51pm
Thread Starter 
Sure, when I was a kid I used to play videogames all the time, but once I got to my 20s, I just sort of stopped - seemed like a total waste of time to me, and boring as well. Sure some games/parts of it can seem exciting, but lack of real AI and pre-planning just makes most games seem so... childish and restrictive, repetitive, unfulfilling, etc?

Anyways, so I have not played for a while. While housesitting for friend, I played around with his XBOX360, to see how the games have progressed since I last played for more than 15 minutes. Well, it's the same exact shit. Boring, repetitive, not fun, waste of time. Well, can be fun for the first hour, but that's it.

I really don't get while adults play unless you were locked in a small room with no access to books, internet, or even good movies/TV. And yet I have friends, even my brother in law who is in his mid 40s, who are obsessed with this shit.

Give me liquor and good conversation or a book any time over this shit anytime.. Or a hike, or a bike ride, or one of a million other things you can do.
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post #2 of 124
7/21/09 at 11:56pm
Different strokes, I guess. I don't play video games, but I don't see that much of a difference between someone obsessed with gaming and someone obsessed with lifting weights or someone obsessed with reading books.
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post #3 of 124
7/21/09 at 11:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kwilkinson View Post
Different strokes, I guess. I don't play video games, but I don't see that much of a difference between someone obsessed with gaming and someone obsessed with lifting weights or someone obsessed with reading books.

I see plenty.

Weights = physical fitness, real life.
Books = mental fitness, real life.
Videogames = ?


I did hear that some studies actually show that videogames do sharpen your reflexes/coordination/problem solving skills, but to what degree and at what cost?
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post #4 of 124
7/21/09 at 11:58pm
You and I, are of, one mind.
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post #5 of 124
7/21/09 at 11:58pm
Thread Starter 
I mean I guess I've learned a proper way to clear a room full of terrorists with an M4 and flashbangs...
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post #6 of 124
7/21/09 at 11:58pm
Depends on the game. Some games are great, most are shit. But if you think about it, most books that have been printed are shit as well. I I haven't played anything in about six months, but given the time and the money to get another good PC, I'd probably get back into it. MP can be a lot of fun and is an almost entirely different experience than SP. Also...you have to remember that it's a very, very new medium. I'm sure eventually it will develop into something that can rival books and movies. Edit: It sounds like you're talking about generic FPSes, but you have to remember that those are most analogous to a stupid, summer war film. Any medium has lots of shit. There are games that offer unique, interesting, worthwhile experiences.
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post #7 of 124
7/22/09 at 12:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flambeur View Post
I see plenty.

Weights = physical fitness, real life.
Books = mental fitness, real life.
Videogames = ?


I did hear that some studies actually show that videogames do sharpen your reflexes/coordination/problem solving skills, but to what degree and at what cost?

I think you're changing the terms of the debate a bit. I suspect most of us would agree that -- at least up to a point -- exercise, reading, etc. are better self-improvement tools. But just as a fun diversion or pastime -- it's pretty subjective.

I would note that one could easily substitute "vanity" for "physical fitness" under weight lifting if one were not trying to back into a conclusion.
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post #8 of 124
7/22/09 at 12:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lawyerdad View Post
I think you're changing the terms of the debate a bit. I suspect most of us would agree that -- at least up to a point -- exercise, reading, etc. are better self-improvement tools. But just as a fun diversion or pastime -- it's pretty subjective.

I would note that one could easily substitute "vanity" for "physical fitness" under weight lifting if one were not trying to back into a conclusion.


I get it. I would say I'd prefer a good movie to a videogame, and you could argue that there is no difference, or perhaps the game is better because it's interactive. It's a tough call, but I also think it's about a time investment as well.
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post #9 of 124
7/22/09 at 12:04am
A lot of games are crap, but some are actually interesting and fun. Additionally, a lot of people play online multiplayer games less because of the game play than because of a community, whether folks they've met in the game or other friends they know that they play with.
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post #10 of 124
7/22/09 at 12:05am
I never really got bored of them, but ultimately I came to view them as a sap on my life. When you're gaming you aren't studying, or dating, or working. At this point, even though I have occasional urges to play, I just don't have time for it. As someone that used to be a very competitive gamer, I'd rather not play if I can't be the best, and you can't be the best playing 10 hours a week. I just spend all my free time studying now. I can definitely see myself getting back in to it when I retire though. MMORPGs will be so awesome by then.
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post #11 of 124
7/22/09 at 12:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flambeur View Post
I get it. I would say I'd prefer a good movie to a videogame, and you could argue that there is no difference, or perhaps the game is better because it's interactive. It's a tough call, but I also think it's about a time investment as well.

Yes, that was the point. I come out about the same place as you -- I don't really play video games anymore aside from a bit of wii with my daughter -- but I get the appeal. Then again, I rarely watch tv or movies outside of theaters, either.
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post #12 of 124
7/22/09 at 12:06am
there are many shite movies and books.
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post #13 of 124
7/22/09 at 12:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by eMacPaul View Post
A lot of games are crap, but some are actually interesting and fun. Additionally, a lot of people play online multiplayer games less because of the game play than because of a community, whether folks they've met in the game or other friends they know that they play with.

How sad that they have to turn to the internet to find a "community". Oh wait . . .
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post #14 of 124
7/22/09 at 12:09am
Do you really not understand that some people find them to be an enjoyable diversion, even if they are a "waste of time"? Also I'm sure you got a good survey of the state of modern videogaming in your 15 minutes of playing.
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post #15 of 124
7/22/09 at 12:12am
About once every year I play some Halo for about a week, but otherwise I haven't played video games since I was 17. I actually think the games got too complicated. They became too dependent on graphics and presentation than they were gameplay. Much more "primitive" games that are intuitive and hand eye coordination based are much more fun. Things like Goldeneye, Mario Kart, Frogger, etc. The complexity and steep learning curve of games like Final Fantasy or Metal Gear solid don't interest me.
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