Why do we play games? Game Informer has a great video explaining how games meet some of our psychological needs as psychologists and sociologists continue to study the affects of games on us. Check out the embedded video!
This is a very good question! I feel like it's entertainment. Some people watch TV, I play video games instead. Without video games, I feel lost actually. Playing video games is a bit of a hobby or occupation for me. I can agree with what's said in the video. However, I think there are other pieces that weren't mentioned. I think some people want to feel powerful or challenged. I don't like to be challenged at all, but I do like the feeling of successfully completing a task, even if it's very challenging. Video games can be very frustrating to me, but I learn and improve and that feels good. Video games greatly capture my interest, not just for the games themselves, but also for the the hardware that runs them. I'm not just a video gamer, but I'm also a PC enthusiast. I could easily talk for hours about a single video game. I often look up things about a game I'm playing, especially if it's something I really enjoy or want to find help with. Sometimes, I even enjoy the social aspect of it, like participating in an Early Access community.
So, why do you play games? What does it do for you? What do you like or dislike about games? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section!
This is a very good question! I feel like it's entertainment. Some people watch TV, I play video games instead. Without video games, I feel lost actually. Playing video games is a bit of a hobby or occupation for me. I can agree with what's said in the video. However, I think there are other pieces that weren't mentioned. I think some people want to feel powerful or challenged. I don't like to be challenged at all, but I do like the feeling of successfully completing a task, even if it's very challenging. Video games can be very frustrating to me, but I learn and improve and that feels good. Video games greatly capture my interest, not just for the games themselves, but also for the the hardware that runs them. I'm not just a video gamer, but I'm also a PC enthusiast. I could easily talk for hours about a single video game. I often look up things about a game I'm playing, especially if it's something I really enjoy or want to find help with. Sometimes, I even enjoy the social aspect of it, like participating in an Early Access community.
So, why do you play games? What does it do for you? What do you like or dislike about games? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section!
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I really enjoy films and TV but one downside is they are passive entertainment. I love running because I can take part in where I go, how far I go and such. I view video games in a similar way to running and adding on that I think video games are more replayable and you can, typically spend a bit more time with them.
I've really enjoyed making the switch to making games and have really found a lot of personal value in creating and continuing to improve Tale of the White Wyvern. Making a game is a lot like playing a game about making a game except it's way harder and more rewarding.
All that said, nothing beats kicking back on the couch in the evening with the Switch.
:) Sounds good! I'm sure making a game takes a lot more of your time than playing a game. Just think about it, we waited so long for Terraria's 1.3 update. It came and within 1-3 months, I was done with it. Kind of sad. I can see various ways in which developing and playing a game are similar, both can be frustrating, but also rewarding at times. I think it would be cool to be a part of something like that, but I lack the programming skills. Many Math courses are required along with programming courses in college and I hate Math! So, I felt like programming isn't really for me. I like the easy, basic (no pun intended), stuff, but once it gets more complex, I get frustrated. Still, as I said in my post, I have enjoyed being part of some communities for Early Access games.
I also see video games as a means to escape. I think you're right about films and TV. I don't think they incite brain activity as much as a video game, although I guess that depends on what you're watching.
Again, I think this question of why we play is really a tough one to answer, even though I've been playing video games just about all of my memorable life and I continue to do so. Honestly, I can't even imagine a time in the future where I'm not playing video games. I don't think I'm "addicted" though. When my Alienware PC failed me and I had to wait for new parts to come for my new build, I didn't play any games at all. Instead, I watched YouTube and surprisingly, I didn't even watch videos about video games, I watched videos about PC tech. :)
Thanks for your input and for all you've done to add to the experience of video gaming!