Murdock Sampson
01-12-2009, 10:13 PM
So on multiple occasions I've asked myself: "Why is it that I find my so addicted to controlling a tiny man on the screen and helping him collect diamonds?"
I mean maybe its just me, but I'm sure at some point most of you have wondered why you spent so much time playing video games as opposed to other skill building activities. Some may argue that you have many other interests, and I'm not arguing that, but the fact that you're reading this means that you've come to a gaming site, so video games are a major interest in your life.
Anyways here are a few of my theories to answer both the questions "Why videogames?" and "Why so much?":
1. That Good-Old Godly Feeling. Video games, such as Grand Theft Auto, allow the player to commit felonies that the gamer, supposing he has common sense, normally wouldn't do. I mean who can honestly say they would steal a helicopter and rocket launcher and go around blowing up buildings? Or steal a car, stab the driver, then drive down main street and jump out of the car as it shoots down the road at 100+ mph? Especially with cheats like "GOD MODE" or "noclip" (the one that lets you fly), games allow the player to act out scenarios that they are not usually faced with.
2. The Challenge. Remember that kid who told you you couldn't beat him in a race or shove more crayons in your nose or whatever? I mean normally you wouldn't run around or shove crayons in your nose, but who can resist that rush you get when your running on the line between glory and defeat. Even if it meant a trip to the ER. Games say "bet you can't get here this fast" and then get increasingly harder and throw obstacles at you. Should you overcome them, then you can challenge other gamers for hi-scores. Game designers add bonus content and other things to keep us hooked. Looks like its working.
3. Attachment and Addiction. I mean everyone (except maybe the Amish and poor little African children) plays games at least once. But once you start, it "kills your attention span" and "makes the world around you more interesting." So it may possibly have the same affect as a drug does on the user. Except where drug users can't make it through the day without their fix due to physical or emotional needs (like they can't take the pressure of the day-to-day), gamers can't deal with the boredom of life. This isn't one of my main theories, but I have found myself thinking in Fallout 3 logic occasionally.
4. Interactivity is Good. It's that same thing with the big red button and you wanna push it but it says "do not push". In my experience at least, pushing a button and seeing something happen is, for whatever reason considered "fun." I think that plays a role in it. I mean especially back in the days of pong when nothing like it had been done. It's like "I control that pad! And I can keep that ball away from my goal. Humans like interaction. Whether it be electronic, with humans, or what-have-you.
5. Easy Creation. A notable factor as video games become more and more popular is that games have become more sandbox. Games implement "create a character", or map creators more and more often. And people since the beginning of time have wanted to create. Games make it easy to create. Even things like "select your equipment" in games sparks the creativity in people. And didn't we all unite here for the reason of creation and our creativity?
Those are my theories. I think its a really interesting thing to ask why we do what we do and why it interests us.
So go ahead and discuss.
I mean maybe its just me, but I'm sure at some point most of you have wondered why you spent so much time playing video games as opposed to other skill building activities. Some may argue that you have many other interests, and I'm not arguing that, but the fact that you're reading this means that you've come to a gaming site, so video games are a major interest in your life.
Anyways here are a few of my theories to answer both the questions "Why videogames?" and "Why so much?":
1. That Good-Old Godly Feeling. Video games, such as Grand Theft Auto, allow the player to commit felonies that the gamer, supposing he has common sense, normally wouldn't do. I mean who can honestly say they would steal a helicopter and rocket launcher and go around blowing up buildings? Or steal a car, stab the driver, then drive down main street and jump out of the car as it shoots down the road at 100+ mph? Especially with cheats like "GOD MODE" or "noclip" (the one that lets you fly), games allow the player to act out scenarios that they are not usually faced with.
2. The Challenge. Remember that kid who told you you couldn't beat him in a race or shove more crayons in your nose or whatever? I mean normally you wouldn't run around or shove crayons in your nose, but who can resist that rush you get when your running on the line between glory and defeat. Even if it meant a trip to the ER. Games say "bet you can't get here this fast" and then get increasingly harder and throw obstacles at you. Should you overcome them, then you can challenge other gamers for hi-scores. Game designers add bonus content and other things to keep us hooked. Looks like its working.
3. Attachment and Addiction. I mean everyone (except maybe the Amish and poor little African children) plays games at least once. But once you start, it "kills your attention span" and "makes the world around you more interesting." So it may possibly have the same affect as a drug does on the user. Except where drug users can't make it through the day without their fix due to physical or emotional needs (like they can't take the pressure of the day-to-day), gamers can't deal with the boredom of life. This isn't one of my main theories, but I have found myself thinking in Fallout 3 logic occasionally.
4. Interactivity is Good. It's that same thing with the big red button and you wanna push it but it says "do not push". In my experience at least, pushing a button and seeing something happen is, for whatever reason considered "fun." I think that plays a role in it. I mean especially back in the days of pong when nothing like it had been done. It's like "I control that pad! And I can keep that ball away from my goal. Humans like interaction. Whether it be electronic, with humans, or what-have-you.
5. Easy Creation. A notable factor as video games become more and more popular is that games have become more sandbox. Games implement "create a character", or map creators more and more often. And people since the beginning of time have wanted to create. Games make it easy to create. Even things like "select your equipment" in games sparks the creativity in people. And didn't we all unite here for the reason of creation and our creativity?
Those are my theories. I think its a really interesting thing to ask why we do what we do and why it interests us.
So go ahead and discuss.