Please tell me why games are attractive

[DMB]

I mean that sincerely. I started with computers back in the 1960s and have used computer applications of various sorts. I suppose I vaguely became aware of the existence of games back in the 1980s or 1990s but the ones I looked at seemed a boring to me. I even have a son who changed from being a games addict when at school to being a games programmer for several years. And yet here I am occasionally playing solitaire or more frequently sudoku on my computer and that's it. What am I missing?

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by DMB

What am I missing?

Losing a large chunk of your free time?

Painful headaches when you step into the sunlight?

[cfo]

Originally Posted by DMB

I even have a son who changed from being a games addict when at school to being a games programmer for several years.

What is your son's reply to your thread question? I think he could probably explain it better to you as he has made gaming not only his hobby but his career.

Also, I'm guessing you have never played Bejeweled, Angry Birds, or similar.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...98&postcount=1

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by cfo

Also, I'm guessing you have never played Bejeweled, Angry Birds, or similar.

Those games, I just can't stand...

I do play games, but only games tha don't require mindless shooting. Of the First Person Shooters (FPS), my favourite is Deus Ex, followed closely by the Thief series. Both of these required you to think before going into action. In Thief, one of the high difficulty goals was actually steal stuff without even leaving a trace (instead of leaving a trail of corpses and unconsious guards ).

I then moved on to Role Playing Games (RPG). And I still love those. A well-made RPG can be read like any good book, except you actually play a part in it. As a matter of fact, my first ever RPG was Betrayal at Krondor. Which was co-written by Raymond E. Feist. I then found out it was based on a book by him and I've loved his world ever since.

Losing a large chunk of your free time?

Painful headaches when you step into the sunlight?

Actually, I lose more of my free time due to work and reading... It's all about balancing your time. Sometimes I don't read a lot (don't feel the need) and other times I won't sit behind my PC a lot (again, don't feel the need). Or I'll sit behind the TV and watch a few good documentaries or movies. Or we'll go to town and watch a movie there (though, neither of us are really going-out types).

[MJK2111]

Upon first read, I thought the title was "Please tell me why gams are attractive"...

[Greg Anos]

You could ask the same question about chess or bridge or other non-computer games. Some people like the intellectual challenge. Others like the interperson interactions. (Beat that!, Hotshot!)

A computer just automates much of the process, and adds complexity to the process without the humans having to do more "donkey work".

Solitare is no less inferior that the most fancy Massively Multiplayer online Game. It's just a matter of taste for complexity.

I personally like games that last only a few minutes to an hour - 1 1/2 hour max. The same as a block of reading time, or listening to music, a TV show, or a short movie. I consider all equal - just entertainment.

Shrug - some people prefer fishing....(or tennis, or golf....)

[Shimarenda]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I do play games, but only games tha don't require mindless shooting. Of the First Person Shooters (FPS), my favourite is Deus Ex, followed closely by the Thief series. Both of these required you to think before going into action. In Thief, one of the high difficulty goals was actually steal stuff without even leaving a trace (instead of leaving a trail of corpses and unconsious guards ).

I then moved on to Role Playing Games (RPG). And I still love those. A well-made RPG can be read like any good book, except you actually play a part in it. As a matter of fact, my first ever RPG was Betrayal at Krondor. Which was co-written by Raymond E. Feist. I then found out it was based on a book by him and I've loved his world ever since.

Deus Ex is my favorite computer game. I love the intellectual challenge of both the gameplay and the story. I spent a good bit of time alone and on the PlanetDeusEx forum piecing together the various emails, notes, and conversations to try to figure out the background of the story. It also lead me to my favorite novel, The Man Who Was Thursday.

And Betrayal at Krondor was my wife's first computer game. It's one of her all-time favorites. Of course, we now own almost all of Feist's books.

As for the original question, it's a bit hard to answer, DMB. There are a great variety of games now. It's like books or movies that way. Some genres or subjects I enjoy reading or watching, and others hold no attraction for me at all. I enjoy many computer games, but some kinds don't interest me. There are pastimes, tests of skill, challenging or charming stories, works of abstract art, and a number of other approaches to the possibilities of an interactive medium. And since the medium is both young historically and interactive, it is still changing rapidly as developers test what the medium can do and express.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by MJK2111

Upon first read, I thought the title was "Please tell me why gams are attractive"...

Ha! I can answer that one.

But the actual question I'm not so sure. I suspect it's like any other game whether computer or not, it's the challenge of playing and winning, learning, getting better.

I was into a few console games for a bit and was really keen on Myst when it first appeared (because it was so different) but wasn't and am not really into any computer games these days. Even the stupid Angry Birds games that have been such a hit. I've played a couple of rounds on my phone or tablet, but mehhh...

[JeremyR]

I think in many cases, it's really not any different from reading - a form of escapism. RPGs and adventure games in particular.

And in some cases, it's simply getting to do things you can't do in everyday life. Racing games, shooters, flight simulators, strategy games (I mean, I wish I had my own intergalactic empire, but alas...)

And it's also an outlet for creativity. Games like The Sims let you do things like build houses or (with a paint program) clothes. And lots of people like to make stories with it. Sort of like playing with dolls, but sort of like making a live (well, computer) action soap opera...

That's actually got me writing novels. I used to play the Sims all the time, then I realized I was just making up my own stories - why not try writing them down, instead? But I guess writing is another form of escapism, actually...

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

I personally like games that last only a few minutes to an hour - 1 1/2 hour max. The same as a block of reading time, or listening to music, a TV show, or a short movie. I consider all equal - just entertainment.

You mean a short time need to finish the game, or a game where you can spend short amounts of time without constantly losing progress?


When I was still young, I have played away entire nights... First with Civilization, and also with Betrayal at Krondor (hearing bird sounds and finding out they aren't from the game...) These days, I don't do that anymore. Not because I don't want to, but rather because I can't . I love games that are longer, where I can immerse myself into the story/game play. But then, I also love the longer novels...

[xg4bx]

i've been gaming for as long as i've been reading.

i just beat the game Dead Island after putting about 30 hours into it. it allowed me to explore an open tropical island, infested with the undead. i engaged them in melee combat, crafted my own weapons, helped survivors, allowed me to increase my in-game skills and become more powerful, etc.

it was an escape. it allowed me to do things i can't do in real life (yet lol) namely:kill zombies. i enjoyed the subject matter and as someone who reads a lot of zombie novels, it was a chance to see one come to "life" before my very eyes.

its really no different than reading or watching a movie, you just have a tad more leeway on how the story flows.

[afa]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Of the First Person Shooters (FPS), my favourite is Deus Ex, followed closely by the Thief series.

Oh my GOD!!! Finally! FINALLY!

Someone other than me who appreciates the brilliance of Thief. One of my all-time favourite series (along with Metal Gear Solid). You're getting Karma just for mentioning that.

(Although I don't know if I would qualify it as a FPS, since there really isn't any shooting. In fact, the whole point of the game is to *avoid* direct confrontation as much as possible.)

As for the OP - I agree with what JeremyR said about escapism. We love playing games for much the same reason we love reading books; it's a chance to immerse ourselves in an intriguing alternate reality where we get to follow the adventures and stories of a cast of interesting characters and get to share their experiences.

Think of them as serving a similar purpose as reading (at least, reading for enjoyment), except instead of being a passive observer, you are immersed in the actual storyline.

[Daithi]

Originally Posted by MJK2111

Upon first read, I thought the title was "Please tell me why gams are attractive"...

I thought it was "Please tell me why dames are attractive"...

[Freeshadow]

well basically Sweetpea put it in a nutshell
I have no interest in plsying short-time puzzles god knows how long.
but there are games out there (mostly RPG, simulations, etc, pp) which due to their complexity are both time-consuming and interesting

[RainingLemur]

Originally Posted by xg4bx

its really no different than reading or watching a movie, you just have a tad more leeway on how the story flows.

This pretty much sums it up to me.

Well, that and being a form of entertainment I can play with friends and family.