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Have you ever stopped to think about the way in which games we play sometimes affect our perceptions of the real world ?
Lets take a few examples to illustrate the point:
An obvious one is violence. So I won't start there....
Take driving games. Have you ever played a driving game for an extended period of time and then actually sat behind the driving wheel of a real car ? It's weird isn't it ?
Yesterday I was playing GTA3 for about 3 hours, when in a fit of gaming-induced hunger I decided to go out for food. I got into my car and drove to the exit of the apartment complex where I live.
As I was waiting for a gap in the traffic (so that I could get out) it struck me how easy it would be to just drive straight on, regardless of what cars were oncoming, or what pedestrians were on the road. This is true. I actually considered just driving like I own the road, and like my car was indestructible. Of course this feeling only lasted a few seconds, but it did happen.
Also, I remember another occasion when I played Sega Rally in the arcades a lot. I found myself driving home and swerving a bit to take corners (where no swerving of any kind was necessary !). I've even done this after a good session with SSX.
Why is this ? Does the human brain get so accustomed to doing things in a certain way in a game that it seems natural to carry this behaviour into our real lives ?
I know a lot of people out there will think - This guy is just plain weird. But consider this, if you have ever driven whilst abroad (in a country where cars drive on the opposite side to what you are used to)... at first this feels totally unnatural, but give it an hour or so and suddenly it is second nature. Then when back and ready to drive in our home country we get a brief moment of doubt as to which side of the road we are supposed to be on. Same thing ?
OK. Violence.
I've made this point before so I'm not going to go into too much detail but it is a known fact that playing violent games does affect our perception of violence in the real world. The Sept.11 attack on the World Trade Centre is a case in point. To many people this actually looked cool, until they realised that it was real, and not just another element from a game or a movie. I'm not saying that game violence causes us to be violent, but it does soften our perception of real violence to a certain extent.
Also the opposite is true. How many times have you felt in a bad mood for some reason... next thing you know you are playing a video game in a violent manner. It is great to vent our frustration on these video game characters ever now and again..... Go on, admit it, you know you do it.
That's enough about violence, since that topic has been done to death.
What about games involving the use of our brains. Take the scenario where we have reached a point in a game and we cannot figure out how to progress. (Example, Zelda Majoras Mask has a few moments like this). Do you ever stop playing and suddenly maybe hours later a thought pops into your head with a possible solution to whatever problem was hindering us. Does this mean that subconsciously we are thinking over the problem, in much the same way as we do in real life ?
Also there is the emotional side. Take game guides. Sometimes we get stuck in a game and decide to resort (oh the horror) to a game guide for help. This can affect us on two levels:
Guilt - Ever feel guilty for cheating in a game ? We shouldn't really. It is only a computer game after all. It is not hurting anyone ! This is a guilt I think we feel for cheating ourselves.
Stupidity - This has happened me a lot. There is nothing worse than looking up a guide, and finding that the solution to the particular problem was so obvious that only a complete idiot would not figure it out. How stupid does that make us feel ?!
There is also a point to be made about how our personal emotions affect the games we play.
If we are angry we (or at least, I) tend to go for games that are fast paced (not necessarily violent), such as fast racing games.
If we are pensive we may go for the more subtle activities like those found on games that involve a bit of thought.
If we are tired or lazy we'll go for something that is simplistic and brief.
If we are relaxed we may go for a game that takes a lot of effort to complete (e.g. Resident Evil / Silent Hill).
If we are happy, we'll play anything !
In summary, games do give us a way to escape from the reality of our (mostly) dreary lives. But is this a good thing ? I think it is... a bit of escapism never hurt anyone....
What do you think ?
Lets take a few examples to illustrate the point:
An obvious one is violence. So I won't start there....
Take driving games. Have you ever played a driving game for an extended period of time and then actually sat behind the driving wheel of a real car ? It's weird isn't it ?
Yesterday I was playing GTA3 for about 3 hours, when in a fit of gaming-induced hunger I decided to go out for food. I got into my car and drove to the exit of the apartment complex where I live.
As I was waiting for a gap in the traffic (so that I could get out) it struck me how easy it would be to just drive straight on, regardless of what cars were oncoming, or what pedestrians were on the road. This is true. I actually considered just driving like I own the road, and like my car was indestructible. Of course this feeling only lasted a few seconds, but it did happen.
Also, I remember another occasion when I played Sega Rally in the arcades a lot. I found myself driving home and swerving a bit to take corners (where no swerving of any kind was necessary !). I've even done this after a good session with SSX.
Why is this ? Does the human brain get so accustomed to doing things in a certain way in a game that it seems natural to carry this behaviour into our real lives ?
I know a lot of people out there will think - This guy is just plain weird. But consider this, if you have ever driven whilst abroad (in a country where cars drive on the opposite side to what you are used to)... at first this feels totally unnatural, but give it an hour or so and suddenly it is second nature. Then when back and ready to drive in our home country we get a brief moment of doubt as to which side of the road we are supposed to be on. Same thing ?
OK. Violence.
I've made this point before so I'm not going to go into too much detail but it is a known fact that playing violent games does affect our perception of violence in the real world. The Sept.11 attack on the World Trade Centre is a case in point. To many people this actually looked cool, until they realised that it was real, and not just another element from a game or a movie. I'm not saying that game violence causes us to be violent, but it does soften our perception of real violence to a certain extent.
Also the opposite is true. How many times have you felt in a bad mood for some reason... next thing you know you are playing a video game in a violent manner. It is great to vent our frustration on these video game characters ever now and again..... Go on, admit it, you know you do it.
That's enough about violence, since that topic has been done to death.
What about games involving the use of our brains. Take the scenario where we have reached a point in a game and we cannot figure out how to progress. (Example, Zelda Majoras Mask has a few moments like this). Do you ever stop playing and suddenly maybe hours later a thought pops into your head with a possible solution to whatever problem was hindering us. Does this mean that subconsciously we are thinking over the problem, in much the same way as we do in real life ?
Also there is the emotional side. Take game guides. Sometimes we get stuck in a game and decide to resort (oh the horror) to a game guide for help. This can affect us on two levels:
Guilt - Ever feel guilty for cheating in a game ? We shouldn't really. It is only a computer game after all. It is not hurting anyone ! This is a guilt I think we feel for cheating ourselves.
Stupidity - This has happened me a lot. There is nothing worse than looking up a guide, and finding that the solution to the particular problem was so obvious that only a complete idiot would not figure it out. How stupid does that make us feel ?!
There is also a point to be made about how our personal emotions affect the games we play.
If we are angry we (or at least, I) tend to go for games that are fast paced (not necessarily violent), such as fast racing games.
If we are pensive we may go for the more subtle activities like those found on games that involve a bit of thought.
If we are tired or lazy we'll go for something that is simplistic and brief.
If we are relaxed we may go for a game that takes a lot of effort to complete (e.g. Resident Evil / Silent Hill).
If we are happy, we'll play anything !
In summary, games do give us a way to escape from the reality of our (mostly) dreary lives. But is this a good thing ? I think it is... a bit of escapism never hurt anyone....
What do you think ?
Well, whenever it was posted, it was a good post.
I have also thought to myself, while walking down the street "Wouldn't it be cool to just nick that car" like you do in GTA3.
Of course, I've never done it, I don't think I would ever do something like that, but for a brief moment, it seems like a good idea.
Same with the driving thing generally.
I don't have my own car, but I'm insured on my dads so I only drive when I go home for a bit. If I've been playing a driving game for a bit, or even watching F1 on the telly, I start to take the racing lines around corners. Pathetic, isn't it?
I have also thought to myself, while walking down the street "Wouldn't it be cool to just nick that car" like you do in GTA3.
Of course, I've never done it, I don't think I would ever do something like that, but for a brief moment, it seems like a good idea.
Same with the driving thing generally.
I don't have my own car, but I'm insured on my dads so I only drive when I go home for a bit. If I've been playing a driving game for a bit, or even watching F1 on the telly, I start to take the racing lines around corners. Pathetic, isn't it?
I don't get it.
Why didn't I win?
Why didn't I win?
Two servers, one old one new. Original message posted on old server, kevd posts message on new server so they both get seen. Original message wins GAD for 7th. Simple.
Yeah he won on the 7th, but not before.
I dont see what the problem is.
I dont see what the problem is.
I just checked and you definitely won for the 7th.
Anyone back me up?
I'm not pulling yer leg here, kevd.
Anyone back me up?
I'm not pulling yer leg here, kevd.
wrote:
> Did I ?!!
I posted this two days ago but when I went to look at it in the forums it wasn't there ! So I decided to post it again today...
I looked at GAD and all I can see are the winners up to November 6th.... !
If you are correct, then let me offer my apologies ! I only posted it again because I didn't think it got posted due to the server changeover !!!
Sorry for wasting your time folks.
> Did I ?!!
I posted this two days ago but when I went to look at it in the forums it wasn't there ! So I decided to post it again today...
I looked at GAD and all I can see are the winners up to November 6th.... !
If you are correct, then let me offer my apologies ! I only posted it again because I didn't think it got posted due to the server changeover !!!
Sorry for wasting your time folks.
Confused now - didn't you win a GAD for this 2 days ago??
Have you ever stopped to think about the way in which games we play sometimes affect our perceptions of the real world ?
Lets take a few examples to illustrate the point:
An obvious one is violence. So I won't start there....
Take driving games. Have you ever played a driving game for an extended period of time and then actually sat behind the driving wheel of a real car ? It's weird isn't it ?
Yesterday I was playing GTA3 for about 3 hours, when in a fit of gaming-induced hunger I decided to go out for food. I got into my car and drove to the exit of the apartment complex where I live.
As I was waiting for a gap in the traffic (so that I could get out) it struck me how easy it would be to just drive straight on, regardless of what cars were oncoming, or what pedestrians were on the road. This is true. I actually considered just driving like I own the road, and like my car was indestructible. Of course this feeling only lasted a few seconds, but it did happen.
Also, I remember another occasion when I played Sega Rally in the arcades a lot. I found myself driving home and swerving a bit to take corners (where no swerving of any kind was necessary !). I've even done this after a good session with SSX.
Why is this ? Does the human brain get so accustomed to doing things in a certain way in a game that it seems natural to carry this behaviour into our real lives ?
I know a lot of people out there will think - This guy is just plain weird. But consider this, if you have ever driven whilst abroad (in a country where cars drive on the opposite side to what you are used to)... at first this feels totally unnatural, but give it an hour or so and suddenly it is second nature. Then when back and ready to drive in our home country we get a brief moment of doubt as to which side of the road we are supposed to be on. Same thing ?
OK. Violence.
I've made this point before so I'm not going to go into too much detail but it is a known fact that playing violent games does affect our perception of violence in the real world. The Sept.11 attack on the World Trade Centre is a case in point. To many people this actually looked cool, until they realised that it was real, and not just another element from a game or a movie. I'm not saying that game violence causes us to be violent, but it does soften our perception of real violence to a certain extent.
Also the opposite is true. How many times have you felt in a bad mood for some reason... next thing you know you are playing a video game in a violent manner. It is great to vent our frustration on these video game characters ever now and again..... Go on, admit it, you know you do it.
That's enough about violence, since that topic has been done to death.
What about games involving the use of our brains. Take the scenario where we have reached a point in a game and we cannot figure out how to progress. (Example, Zelda Majoras Mask has a few moments like this). Do you ever stop playing and suddenly maybe hours later a thought pops into your head with a possible solution to whatever problem was hindering us. Does this mean that subconsciously we are thinking over the problem, in much the same way as we do in real life ?
Also there is the emotional side. Take game guides. Sometimes we get stuck in a game and decide to resort (oh the horror) to a game guide for help. This can affect us on two levels:
Guilt - Ever feel guilty for cheating in a game ? We shouldn't really. It is only a computer game after all. It is not hurting anyone ! This is a guilt I think we feel for cheating ourselves.
Stupidity - This has happened me a lot. There is nothing worse than looking up a guide, and finding that the solution to the particular problem was so obvious that only a complete idiot would not figure it out. How stupid does that make us feel ?!
There is also a point to be made about how our personal emotions affect the games we play.
If we are angry we (or at least, I) tend to go for games that are fast paced (not necessarily violent), such as fast racing games.
If we are pensive we may go for the more subtle activities like those found on games that involve a bit of thought.
If we are tired or lazy we'll go for something that is simplistic and brief.
If we are relaxed we may go for a game that takes a lot of effort to complete (e.g. Resident Evil / Silent Hill).
If we are happy, we'll play anything !
In summary, games do give us a way to escape from the reality of our (mostly) dreary lives. But is this a good thing ? I think it is... a bit of escapism never hurt anyone....
What do you think ?
Lets take a few examples to illustrate the point:
An obvious one is violence. So I won't start there....
Take driving games. Have you ever played a driving game for an extended period of time and then actually sat behind the driving wheel of a real car ? It's weird isn't it ?
Yesterday I was playing GTA3 for about 3 hours, when in a fit of gaming-induced hunger I decided to go out for food. I got into my car and drove to the exit of the apartment complex where I live.
As I was waiting for a gap in the traffic (so that I could get out) it struck me how easy it would be to just drive straight on, regardless of what cars were oncoming, or what pedestrians were on the road. This is true. I actually considered just driving like I own the road, and like my car was indestructible. Of course this feeling only lasted a few seconds, but it did happen.
Also, I remember another occasion when I played Sega Rally in the arcades a lot. I found myself driving home and swerving a bit to take corners (where no swerving of any kind was necessary !). I've even done this after a good session with SSX.
Why is this ? Does the human brain get so accustomed to doing things in a certain way in a game that it seems natural to carry this behaviour into our real lives ?
I know a lot of people out there will think - This guy is just plain weird. But consider this, if you have ever driven whilst abroad (in a country where cars drive on the opposite side to what you are used to)... at first this feels totally unnatural, but give it an hour or so and suddenly it is second nature. Then when back and ready to drive in our home country we get a brief moment of doubt as to which side of the road we are supposed to be on. Same thing ?
OK. Violence.
I've made this point before so I'm not going to go into too much detail but it is a known fact that playing violent games does affect our perception of violence in the real world. The Sept.11 attack on the World Trade Centre is a case in point. To many people this actually looked cool, until they realised that it was real, and not just another element from a game or a movie. I'm not saying that game violence causes us to be violent, but it does soften our perception of real violence to a certain extent.
Also the opposite is true. How many times have you felt in a bad mood for some reason... next thing you know you are playing a video game in a violent manner. It is great to vent our frustration on these video game characters ever now and again..... Go on, admit it, you know you do it.
That's enough about violence, since that topic has been done to death.
What about games involving the use of our brains. Take the scenario where we have reached a point in a game and we cannot figure out how to progress. (Example, Zelda Majoras Mask has a few moments like this). Do you ever stop playing and suddenly maybe hours later a thought pops into your head with a possible solution to whatever problem was hindering us. Does this mean that subconsciously we are thinking over the problem, in much the same way as we do in real life ?
Also there is the emotional side. Take game guides. Sometimes we get stuck in a game and decide to resort (oh the horror) to a game guide for help. This can affect us on two levels:
Guilt - Ever feel guilty for cheating in a game ? We shouldn't really. It is only a computer game after all. It is not hurting anyone ! This is a guilt I think we feel for cheating ourselves.
Stupidity - This has happened me a lot. There is nothing worse than looking up a guide, and finding that the solution to the particular problem was so obvious that only a complete idiot would not figure it out. How stupid does that make us feel ?!
There is also a point to be made about how our personal emotions affect the games we play.
If we are angry we (or at least, I) tend to go for games that are fast paced (not necessarily violent), such as fast racing games.
If we are pensive we may go for the more subtle activities like those found on games that involve a bit of thought.
If we are tired or lazy we'll go for something that is simplistic and brief.
If we are relaxed we may go for a game that takes a lot of effort to complete (e.g. Resident Evil / Silent Hill).
If we are happy, we'll play anything !
In summary, games do give us a way to escape from the reality of our (mostly) dreary lives. But is this a good thing ? I think it is... a bit of escapism never hurt anyone....
What do you think ?