28 December 2008

Why I Hate Computer Games

I've replied to some recent comments to the effect that I prefer tabletop games to computer/video/console games. This might leads someone to conclude that I don't like computer games, and nothing could be farther from the truth: I love computer games.

More than that, I tend to obsess over them. I have had to set some games aside, never playing them again or refusing to buy them in the first place, otherwise I would spend all my time playing or thinking about them. Games in the Civilization, Warcraft/Starcraft series are maybe the most recent examples of this, but there are plenty of others (Doom!, Quake, etc), and the next one is calling to me from underneath the Christmas tree where I stashed it along with other gifts.

I wrote about Gran Turismo 2 a while back, and how I set up spreadsheets to calculate optimal gearing ratios for my cars in the game. This is something a serious gearhead or racer might do, but for a game? Objectively I'd have to say this is just way too much effort spent on a game. On the other hand, I think this is part of how I like to play a game - I really want to understand at a very basic level. In this case I actually learned a lot about the application of physics that I had never really thought about before. I had a lot of fun creating those spreadsheets tinkering with the real world physics as it applies to automobiles, both real and virtual. (This is also a real testament to the physics engine driving games such as Gran Turismo, it's so good you can study the real world by studying the game!)

I also spent a lot of time alone playing and working on Gran Turismo 2 (or Civilization, etc.), and contributing little to my household, my family, and my life in general. Those are some great games, enormous fun and I can play them for hours or days, but they tend to leave me feeling like I've wasted my time when I am done playing. I hate that feeling. Therefore I now budget my time to those games that give me back the most socially, creatively, and intellectually. For me, the games that give back the most are the tabletop games, and that is why I tend to focus on them in this blog.

So not to dis computer games, it's just that I love them too much.

17 comments:

Justin Smith said...

Yeah I know the feeling of having wasted your time on video games. I tend to get that more on RPGs and Action oriented games more than I get on strategy games. I guess I get more of a feeling of accomplishment on the latter.

Sabiq said...

you are gamer? :D

Brandon Hansen said...

What's the game that leaves you with the worst sense of accomplishment. Mine is always Madden, I win the Super Bowl on franchise mode and it just goes into another season. No cut scene. No congrats, Nothing. Thanks.

Anonymous said...
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Patrick D Elliott said...

Hey, to reiterate the previous comment this is indeed an interesting blog; I like your theme.

There is something very post-coital about finishing a massive civilization session; It's a hollow feeling, not entirely rooted in positivity or negativity.

I tend to feel more 'worthy' having played something engendering a sense of emotional involvement, say, a good adventure game like 'The Longest Journey'. Civ games, and strategy games in general have the potential to be extremely involving without engendering emotional reactions.

I suppose that, abstractly, strategy games help us develop problem solving and risk assessment skills and so on, but i can't escape from the nagging feeling that they just pander to my instinct as a hoarder and perfectionist.

Dan Eastwood said...

Phonomancer: "... that they just pander to my instinct as a hoarder and perfectionist."

Good point! I'll follow up on that one of these days.
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Private said...

can't say either way....my son loves computer games

http://racheteapaintersdiary.blogspot.com/

Tiffany said...

I know just how you feel!! I love computer games but I know that other games are more educational and I can't help but to always play the computer games. I sure that there is some Educational Online Computer Games if you just search them up on Google or Yahoo or something like that.

Wev said...

In response to your spreadsheet thing with Gran Turismo 2, I've done something similar with Forza Motorsport 2 on XBox 360, although admittedly this was purely because I'd entered into an online competition amongst some people on a forum and things were getting very competetive. So having the best set up I could possible put together was highly important, didn't stop me finishing mid table over all though, mainly due to some unlucky incidents on the track!

Miggoy said...

Hey, I know how you feel, I was too obsessed with this game (persona 3 FES) on the ps2 that Every morning I would wake up earlier than everyone in my family just to secretly play that game. But . . . . that phase of my life is over, Now I still play some video games but just those little browser games like Diner dash and fitness dash.

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David said...

Hey I did a little Guitar Hero: World Tour for Wii overview. Have you tried Guitar Hero?

http://thezoodle.blogspot.com/2008/12/guitar-hero-world-tour-how-this-game.html

Unknown said...

I can definitely relate to being sucked into a game. Suddenly all your free time is devoted to completing every level or finding every detail, and you forgot about your friends! It's easier to manage a hobby when it involves social interaction, rather than something that you can hide in your basement and play all day.

What over games have you figured out the stats for? I find it interesting that GT is that accurate scientifically.

Elephanties07 said...

I guess some computer games are kinda boring. But some online games are fun. But when you play online you don't really get into it because its juts on a screen and not right in front of you on a table or floor.,

5windsOfvenus said...

hahaha awesome

I relate.... I failed a few university courses due to the level of obsession and distraction that computer games provided... Eventually I re-assessed my life and realized that if I put that same amount of energy, focus and thought into real life that I would achieve in life experiences to keep me as captivated as the computer games did..... I also don't have enough self-control so quitting the gaming world cold turkey was the only way..... hehehe ... I am glad I did...

Thanks for sharing!!!

Cheers;
April-Anna
http://theartofapril-anna.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

basically any game made by blizzard falls under this category in my opinion. i can't even imagine how many hours i've spent playing diablo 2. jeeeeeez.