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Why is it, a nearly 17 year old, chooses gaming over going out drinking, playing football, and 'hanging around' with friends just staring into the distance without purpose?
There are a number of key reasons why I do it. Ofcourse I still like to see my friends and have a laugh, but it's just the way I am. I like games just as much.
When I was around three years old, I first had a go on my Uncle's ZX Spectrum which he had given to me. My first gaming experience was that of fuzzy blue and red/blue and yellow loading lines and very simple graphics and colours. I played games like 'Finders Keepers' by the brilliant developers Mastertronic and Alcatrazz Harry where you ahd to escape from Alcatrazz prison. This I would consider to be the most important reason as I started torturing the lenses of my eyes at a young age and got addicted to computers. Without the ZX Spectrum I would probably get out more!
However, a few years later, I was obsessed with bike riding, be that only around the close I lived in at the time, I enjoyed it so much. Every day I could whether it be briliant sunshine or very cloudy, I'd go out on my bike with my brother and we'd race each other, play games together and just have fun like all kids do. I didn't miss out on my childhood due to gaming, it just made it more interesting.
There was another reason though, why I became the obsessive gamer I am today. Most of you can probably still remember my topic that I posted about bullying, which had many a personal story about my past in it. Well, I found videogames from age around 6 to present day a really good way of escaping it all. When I was younger, I didn't feel the anger build up I feel now as I didn't know how to stand up for myself, so I used gaming just as a way to take things off my mind. It was perfect for me! I already enjoyed gaming, and I could use it to cheer myself up after the verbal abuse that I got from fellow pupils at school. However, nearing the age I am now I developed the confidence to start fighting back, to stand up for myself, though I didn't use physical violence, I preferred using my mind. But the anger still built up and I needed an excuse to vent it all. Gaming was my answer. I could take out some Cacodemons in Doom, or kill a few guards in Goldeneye, and I got a buzz out of doing it. I could imagine the people who had tried to make my life hell throughout the past being the enemies in the games I played, and I would turn the tables against them.
Note: Although I was like that, I never once considered doing it in real life. I understand the consequences of a death, and taking lives is just something I can not do.
There are less dramatic reasons why I am so obsessed with gaming though. For one it's a cheap source of long term entertainment. Cheap? - you may question my words but in comparison to other sources of pleasure others get their kicks from, gaming is cheap! It's cheaper than Smoking, cheaper than going out drinking and providing you play for fun and not just for the sake of it, games can last much longer than a smoke or a night out drinking. Ofcourse, there is the social loss if you play games instead of going out, but do I really want to hang out with a load of drunken slobs in a smokey bar? Nah, I'd rather play games to be honest.
Another reason is because I like gaming. It's become more than a hobby or an addiction, it's become a part of me. I would probably find it difficult to go a week without seeing a computer or TV screen. I'd probably feel withdrawel symptoms if I knew I was trying to keep away from my favourite form of entertainment when all I'd have to do is press a button to turn on that TV and console. I find gaming better than TV, better than watching a movie (depending on the game and movie) and it's something that someone like me, who is absolutely crap at all sports, can do! Infact my thumbs are probably the fittest parts of my body.
So that's why I choose games. Why do you?
There are a number of key reasons why I do it. Ofcourse I still like to see my friends and have a laugh, but it's just the way I am. I like games just as much.
When I was around three years old, I first had a go on my Uncle's ZX Spectrum which he had given to me. My first gaming experience was that of fuzzy blue and red/blue and yellow loading lines and very simple graphics and colours. I played games like 'Finders Keepers' by the brilliant developers Mastertronic and Alcatrazz Harry where you ahd to escape from Alcatrazz prison. This I would consider to be the most important reason as I started torturing the lenses of my eyes at a young age and got addicted to computers. Without the ZX Spectrum I would probably get out more!
However, a few years later, I was obsessed with bike riding, be that only around the close I lived in at the time, I enjoyed it so much. Every day I could whether it be briliant sunshine or very cloudy, I'd go out on my bike with my brother and we'd race each other, play games together and just have fun like all kids do. I didn't miss out on my childhood due to gaming, it just made it more interesting.
There was another reason though, why I became the obsessive gamer I am today. Most of you can probably still remember my topic that I posted about bullying, which had many a personal story about my past in it. Well, I found videogames from age around 6 to present day a really good way of escaping it all. When I was younger, I didn't feel the anger build up I feel now as I didn't know how to stand up for myself, so I used gaming just as a way to take things off my mind. It was perfect for me! I already enjoyed gaming, and I could use it to cheer myself up after the verbal abuse that I got from fellow pupils at school. However, nearing the age I am now I developed the confidence to start fighting back, to stand up for myself, though I didn't use physical violence, I preferred using my mind. But the anger still built up and I needed an excuse to vent it all. Gaming was my answer. I could take out some Cacodemons in Doom, or kill a few guards in Goldeneye, and I got a buzz out of doing it. I could imagine the people who had tried to make my life hell throughout the past being the enemies in the games I played, and I would turn the tables against them.
Note: Although I was like that, I never once considered doing it in real life. I understand the consequences of a death, and taking lives is just something I can not do.
There are less dramatic reasons why I am so obsessed with gaming though. For one it's a cheap source of long term entertainment. Cheap? - you may question my words but in comparison to other sources of pleasure others get their kicks from, gaming is cheap! It's cheaper than Smoking, cheaper than going out drinking and providing you play for fun and not just for the sake of it, games can last much longer than a smoke or a night out drinking. Ofcourse, there is the social loss if you play games instead of going out, but do I really want to hang out with a load of drunken slobs in a smokey bar? Nah, I'd rather play games to be honest.
Another reason is because I like gaming. It's become more than a hobby or an addiction, it's become a part of me. I would probably find it difficult to go a week without seeing a computer or TV screen. I'd probably feel withdrawel symptoms if I knew I was trying to keep away from my favourite form of entertainment when all I'd have to do is press a button to turn on that TV and console. I find gaming better than TV, better than watching a movie (depending on the game and movie) and it's something that someone like me, who is absolutely crap at all sports, can do! Infact my thumbs are probably the fittest parts of my body.
So that's why I choose games. Why do you?
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Great post, Edgy.
I'd have to say that the reason I choose gaming over most things is the fact that even though my dodgy eyesight (don't ask, people!) prevents me from being only remotely successful at any outdoor activities (except Kirby, eh Edgy?), it doesn't prevent me from having fun in front of a TV screen.
In response to Nomad_Soul's post... the idea of actually stepping into an imaginary character's shoes is also another vastly appealing reason for me to choose videogames over anything else. I've just got off Resident Evil - Code: Veronica on the Dreamcast to come on here and have a nose around, and I'm still seeing those "handsome" zombies in my mind. A game like Resident Evil, where you actually do explore your surroundings and work out puzzles for yourself is definately the best way to "get away from it all".
And, staying on the subject of Resident Evil, the aformentioned game is also a prime example of a game where you really do feel like you're there in the character's shoes. Not playing the game, but living it.
Anyway, see ya! I'm off down the Rovers for a scotch and threat!
I'd have to say that the reason I choose gaming over most things is the fact that even though my dodgy eyesight (don't ask, people!) prevents me from being only remotely successful at any outdoor activities (except Kirby, eh Edgy?), it doesn't prevent me from having fun in front of a TV screen.
In response to Nomad_Soul's post... the idea of actually stepping into an imaginary character's shoes is also another vastly appealing reason for me to choose videogames over anything else. I've just got off Resident Evil - Code: Veronica on the Dreamcast to come on here and have a nose around, and I'm still seeing those "handsome" zombies in my mind. A game like Resident Evil, where you actually do explore your surroundings and work out puzzles for yourself is definately the best way to "get away from it all".
And, staying on the subject of Resident Evil, the aformentioned game is also a prime example of a game where you really do feel like you're there in the character's shoes. Not playing the game, but living it.
Anyway, see ya! I'm off down the Rovers for a scotch and threat!
17 in two weeks lol :)
It doesn't stop me drinking cider mind...
Just for the laws sake, I'm not actually buying the alcohol, my dad is, but it is legal for under 18s to drink at home. :)
It doesn't stop me drinking cider mind...
Just for the laws sake, I'm not actually buying the alcohol, my dad is, but it is legal for under 18s to drink at home. :)
Well, that'll teach you not to drink cider! What are you, twelve? Heh
MoJoJoJo wrote:
> Edgy wrote:
> got drunk after one can of cider not long ago
>
> --------
>
> I read that, and didn't bother wasting time to read the rest of the
> post. I've lost all respect for you! Heh
Hehe, ah well...
I drink one can of Woodpecker cider, and I'm drunk....though after three Bacardi's I'm still sober.....
Thanks Liquid H²O for the congrats :)
> Edgy wrote:
> got drunk after one can of cider not long ago
>
> --------
>
> I read that, and didn't bother wasting time to read the rest of the
> post. I've lost all respect for you! Heh
Hehe, ah well...
I drink one can of Woodpecker cider, and I'm drunk....though after three Bacardi's I'm still sober.....
Thanks Liquid H²O for the congrats :)
Good post. Well done on the GAD edgy!
Edgy wrote:
got drunk after one can of cider not long ago
--------
I read that, and didn't bother wasting time to read the rest of the post. I've lost all respect for you! Heh
got drunk after one can of cider not long ago
--------
I read that, and didn't bother wasting time to read the rest of the post. I've lost all respect for you! Heh
I personally don't mind drinking alcohol, though I've got a low alchohol intake (got drunk after one can of cider not long ago).
However, I can't afford to go out drinking very often, and I personally don't see what's so good about messing up your mind and throwing up everywhere.
I'd rather spend the money I'd spend in a bar on a game, or a few budget games, and spend my time playing against my friends on either the N64, Dreamcast or very soon GameCube.
However, I can't afford to go out drinking very often, and I personally don't see what's so good about messing up your mind and throwing up everywhere.
I'd rather spend the money I'd spend in a bar on a game, or a few budget games, and spend my time playing against my friends on either the N64, Dreamcast or very soon GameCube.
I love gaming. The reason I've chosen it over everything else is because it’s completely interactive. Playing games lets you take the role of characters and then gives you the chance to make whatever decisions you see fit. There like movies, only you control what’s happening. That kind of interactivity can't be found anywhere else. Plus there is the fact most of these games can be very addictive.
I too have friends who go out drinking every couple of weeks, and they do like games but not as much as I do. I also don’t see the appeal in going out and getting drunk, although I can’t stand the taste of alcohol so I guess that contributes in a way. I still play multiplayer games with my friends or brother and sister, because I think there a much better form of entertainment than going out and getting drunk.
I wasn’t always such a huge fan of gaming; I spent more time outside than inside my house in the days of the C64 and mega drive. Now though games have got more advanced, they provide challenges backed up by proper storylines which give you a purpose to play the games. Its that kind of emersion that can’t be found anywhere else.
Good post Edgy, its nice to see I’m not the only one who chooses gaming tings such as going out and getting drunk. Some of my friends make it sound like that ‘I’ am the only one.
I too have friends who go out drinking every couple of weeks, and they do like games but not as much as I do. I also don’t see the appeal in going out and getting drunk, although I can’t stand the taste of alcohol so I guess that contributes in a way. I still play multiplayer games with my friends or brother and sister, because I think there a much better form of entertainment than going out and getting drunk.
I wasn’t always such a huge fan of gaming; I spent more time outside than inside my house in the days of the C64 and mega drive. Now though games have got more advanced, they provide challenges backed up by proper storylines which give you a purpose to play the games. Its that kind of emersion that can’t be found anywhere else.
Good post Edgy, its nice to see I’m not the only one who chooses gaming tings such as going out and getting drunk. Some of my friends make it sound like that ‘I’ am the only one.
I just don't see the appeal in going out and getting drunk - I know people do, but I don't. Unfortunately all my friends do, and hate games. That's why I was so happy to find this place, a place to talk about games and overall have fun. I agree with you completely Edgy, good post.
I think I choose gaming over most things because I love fantasy.
When I was a younger I used to read a lot of fantasy books, but with books I was always just a passive observer [if you know what I mean], but with games [especially recent games]I can enter into wondrous worlds and be the lead character. I like fun and addictive games, but my favourite games are always the ones which put me in the shoes of an intrepid adventurer.
For me, it's purely a fantasy thing.... deep down I'm just a wannabe explorer.
When I was a younger I used to read a lot of fantasy books, but with books I was always just a passive observer [if you know what I mean], but with games [especially recent games]I can enter into wondrous worlds and be the lead character. I like fun and addictive games, but my favourite games are always the ones which put me in the shoes of an intrepid adventurer.
For me, it's purely a fantasy thing.... deep down I'm just a wannabe explorer.
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