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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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I do enjoy having my friends over for gaming, but most of the best multiplayer games I've got are on PC, and because of the way PC games are made, there's no split screen like on the old PC's (ZX Spectrum) so to play multiplayer my friend would also need a copy of the game to play against me from their homes.
The N64 and Dreamcast are great for multiplayer gaming mind, having already 4 controller ports, and I'm looking forward to GameCube multiplayer gaming in the future (3 weeks time hopefully :) ).
So don't worry, I'll still be getting my friends over, and not just sitting on my own in my room all day lol. Though I am looking forward to getting Resident Evil (hope the speech is better than the PSX version) and playing it in the middle of the night when it's dark...
The N64 and Dreamcast are great for multiplayer gaming mind, having already 4 controller ports, and I'm looking forward to GameCube multiplayer gaming in the future (3 weeks time hopefully :) ).
So don't worry, I'll still be getting my friends over, and not just sitting on my own in my room all day lol. Though I am looking forward to getting Resident Evil (hope the speech is better than the PSX version) and playing it in the middle of the night when it's dark...
Cool post Edgy, I guess it all comes down to the person. I go out, get drunk and have a laugh as much as I can when the chance arises just because I know I can play the games when I am not doing anything else.
Combining the two ie inviting mates over for some games, drink, food and multiplayers is some of the best nights that can be had.
I don't know why I choose gaming to be a big part, probably because I have a big interest in it, but also because there ain't really much else that you can do a lot of the time.
One thing I would say is don't take it too far and only game, get out and enjoy other things too and get your mates over for some proper gaming. :-)
Combining the two ie inviting mates over for some games, drink, food and multiplayers is some of the best nights that can be had.
I don't know why I choose gaming to be a big part, probably because I have a big interest in it, but also because there ain't really much else that you can do a lot of the time.
One thing I would say is don't take it too far and only game, get out and enjoy other things too and get your mates over for some proper gaming. :-)
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?
Page: