Adults who are into gaming - why?

The Gallant Pig Man wrote:

I haven't really played video games in quite a while, but I don't understand the hate for people who do. A little Halo online multiplayer is a damn good time. I'm getting nostalgic just thinking about it.

Some Very Serious people here seem to be of the opinion that any free time should be occupied with yard work, bible study, and shopping for bargains on health foods. Now that's living! I'd rather blow my brains out than spend time around them.

Ummm, just who is it that is expressing hate? Charges of hatred, racism, and sexism are flung with such abandon these days.

And I don't hear too many people who do yard work, study the Bible, or shop for bargains talk about blowing their brains out as you do.

I think a lot of people here don't realize how much video games have improved in recent years. Since around 10 years ago, it's been really easy to get access to highly competitive multiplayer online play. If you have a modern video game system and an internet connection, you can compete in infinitely many competitive games against real people while sitting on your couch.

I don't game anymore because I'm too cheap to buy them, but it can be very satisfying to compete against and dominate people in whatever your game of choice is. That's why first person shooters like call of duty became so popular around a decade ago. There is no other competitive outlet that's so convenient and accessible. Contrast with running, where to actually compete against real people, I have to sign up for a race, pay, wait for weeks, then travel.

Rockstar Games wrote:

It's just a hobby. Same as reading, watching a movie, playing piano or doing snowboard. (and you can do them all too)

If you give it a shot, you might be surprised on what they can offer.

I do agree that in excess it's a bad thing, but I like to play something every other day for 2/3 hours, it's relieving.

That's what I'm interested in; what do they offer. I visited the top three gaming sites a few weeks ago, and all they had plastered across their pages were violent activities, such as wars, angry sports players, huge guns etc etc. Seeing that gave me a very low impression of gaming, as I have no interest at all in such things.

I'd be more interesting in learning and/or working things out in much more positive manners. Of the things you mentioned, I played piano and read a lot in my youth but not much anymore, and mostly use the internet for sources of information. I might watch a movie once a month, and it's very hard to find a good movie these days. Snow boarding was the only fun thing you mentioned, which I'd probably not ever do anyway.

What I might be interested in: learning about things that I'm interested in, learning real life problem resolution, coping skills, not sure anything like that could be put into games, as they'd be very opinion orientated and contrived. Choices between healthy and unhealthy growing of vegetables, information about more healthy, frugal lifestyles, living a long time, how to create an inexpensive off the grid house in the city, things like this.

I think death is imminent, so I want to do things with life while I'm here, living and breathing. I feel that I'm here to learn and resolve things in real life, and to not waste my time.

Video games are fun, that's why.

Look I started playing piano a couple months ago. By playing Gta I met a lot of good music, music that maybe indirectly got me started towards learning piano, who knows.

Also the (genious) satire in those same radio stations is really the game developers speaking their mind so to speak, and by doing it they force you to think about a lot of issues too. (environment, politics, healthcare, ads...)

And I never tough about ramming a bunch of people or go on a random rampage because the games depict the actual violence, they don't create it.

Maybe they won't develop your physical skills in order to build things but everything, (motivation included) starts with ideas and I think that some games are very advanced in that regard.

Being active is more important for me and I would never prioritize a game towards any sort of physical activities.

If my post made you want to go play a bit of piano for the sake of old times then I'm happy for it.

Considering options wrote:

I think death is imminent, so I want to do things with life while I'm here, living and breathing. I feel that I'm here to learn and resolve things in real life, and to not waste my time.

Everybody is going to die anyway. There is nothing that has any absolute value. Gaming is one enjoyable way of passing time.

Considering options wrote:

What I might be interested in: learning about things that I'm interested in, learning real life problem resolution, coping skills, not sure anything like that could be put into games, as they'd be very opinion orientated and contrived. Choices between healthy and unhealthy growing of vegetables, information about more healthy, frugal lifestyles, living a long time, how to create an inexpensive off the grid house in the city, things like this.

I think death is imminent, so I want to do things with life while I'm here, living and breathing. I feel that I'm here to learn and resolve things in real life, and to not waste my time.

And when you die, nobody is going to care if you grew your own veggies (i.e. wasted time playing in the dirt) or bought them in the store. And living frugally isn't something that require time. You just have to decide not to spend money. That is incredibly easy.

Gaming is a cheap hobby. You buy a system every 3 or 4 years for 500 bucks, buy 200-300 bucks of games/year, and you get 100's of hours of entertainment. Compare that to things like books (10 bucks for 5-6 hours) and movies (15 bucks for 2 hours) and it is right in line. Even running (4 pairs of shoes 100s each) costs about the same. Yes some people spend crazy money. You don't have to.

You might not enjoy it. But expecting everyone to have your interests just means you are a narcissit who thinks your choices are better than others. There are zillions of hobbies I don't get (growing a flower garden, playing video games, sky diving, fishing,....) but I assume those people get the same enjoyment from them as I do from the things I do enjoy.

This guy I know was into gaming because he claimed it sharpened his reflexes as a securities trader. The only kind of gaming that would appeal to me would be something along the lines of chess or some variation rather than the WoW action types. Are these popular? Recommendations?

merl haggar wrote:

This guy I know was into gaming because he claimed it sharpened his reflexes as a securities trader. The only kind of gaming that would appeal to me would be something along the lines of chess or some variation rather than the WoW action types. Are these popular? Recommendations?

I play the chess.com mobile app daily. You get infinitely many games of whatever length you please (blitz, standard, whatever) for free, against opponents of similar skill based on your chess.com account's Elo rating. There are also lessons, puzzles, tactics exercises. Some premium features, too, if you want to pay.

They usually have somewhat dead end jobs. Lots of grown child types. But I think it makes them happy. Soon we will all be able to play virtual game and live life by it.

I've played WOW hardcore in conjunction with running for 10 years. I play for the community and money. I'm in one of the best raid guilds in the world shooting for top 10 kills each expansion and patch. I get paid to play and love it. It's not 100k a year but it pays my rent and keeps food on the table and i can focus on running. Blizzard has helped to fuel my marathon times down from a 2:34 debut to a 2:19

The only reason I stuck to it was that my friend wanted someone else to play with. We grinded to level 30 and I started my first ranked game. I got hooked . I couldn't lay down the keyboard, mouse, or my wallet. I have probably put some money on that game right now because I want a character to change into a different color (chromes and skins). Season Highest in 7 was Plat 5 but I got deranked to Gold 2 because I didn't give a damn anymore and I was slowly edging off the game. But this my favorite game ever! That's how I'm getting rid of my negative energy. If there any LoL players as me, you can use https://lolepicshop.com that store to boost your character and get boosted accounts.

I love high end competition period.

Running. Stock market. Gaming.

Split second decisions.

The work out in, teamwork, payoff of epic accomplishments.

I’m in my 30s and still love playing Madden and 2K with my friends (of the same age) online. We grew up playing Madden against each other all the time, it’s just fun to go head to head. I throw it in the boat of Fantasy Football leagues and binging Netflix, it’s just entertainment. Nothing too serious.

I have a relationship, career, running, social life, and all that which I focus on. Gaming certainly doesn’t get in the way of any of that. I play only 2-3 games per week though.

I can see how people are obsessive with it, so I do think it needs balance. Also, I didn’t have any gaming access for like 10+ years, so I’m pretty good without it.

I enjoy doing things that I can still do if the internet or power is out for starters. People lose their sh!t when you can't turn on the TV or computer.

I get the social aspect and keeping in touch with friends, and that is great (but you know that you can facetime or use the phone right??) However, I have seen too many people visibly upset and angry after something goes wrong in their virtual world. It is absolutely ridiculous and makes you look extremely childish. I feel the same way about people getting upset when their favorite team loses. Learn what actually matters dingbat.

Once you grow up it makes more sense to be emotionally invested in your relationships and what is tangible versus virtual reality. I can still cuddle up with my spouse when watching TV. Your dumb@ss would be too busy touching your joystick to be able to wrap your arms around your lover.

I wouldn't really consider myself a gamer anymore, but I do enjoy playing games with friends and occasionally by myself. I enjoy playing competitive games with friends, in my mind it's no different than playing a board game and it's far more interactive and interesting than watching TV. In the past I was really into RPGs, and every now and then I'll play an old one I used to like. I liked them because I enjoy a good adventure, a good story, no matter how it is told, and in my experience there are some video games that deliver that adventure far more effectively than any book or movie ever could. I see where the disdain for video games comes from on this site, with all of the athletic chest-thumping and such, but in the end it's just another form of entertainment that some people choose to enjoy while others do not.

I don't get it. Both of my brother in laws have multiple consoles and spend most of their free time doing it. Worst of all, one of my nephews is starting to play with his dad. It pisses me off so much. I'm so glad I see them twice a year, at most. I can understand if your family/friends are around on a cold winter day and you want to have a friendly competition, but if you sit around doing it on any other day, you're a loser. Get a real hobby that makes you and your world a better place.

(In fairness they are both fat losers, so that may be swaying my argument)

Honestly don’t see the point in games anymore, just play the game of life.. I was once addicted to runescape as a kid but now I’d rather spend my time doing clamshells and strengthening if I’m going to avoid socializing

I recently visited my parents. My retired 68-year-old dad is addicted to GTA. My 73-year-old mother still teaches college and reads and socializes in her free time. Guess which one of them is mentally sharp as a tack.