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This is a good point. It even speaks world about why some games are considered good and some considered bad. I don't know that it speaks to emergent gameplay, though, which for some games is a lot more fun than playing a game with strict mechanics. There are times where I -want- unexpected things to happen.
Great write up! For some, videogames are definitely all about entering a world where things always makes sense.
But isn't that just another kind of "power fantasy"?
But isn't that just another kind of "power fantasy"?
Very nice post. This is an angle that I had never really considered, and a very valid one. I guess there's a lot of comfort in knowing that there's a balance and fairness in gaming that simply doesn't exist in the real world.
Now if you don't mind I'm going to go surf for porn and mask my self loathing by trolling some forums.
Now if you don't mind I'm going to go surf for porn and mask my self loathing by trolling some forums.
@Alex -- thx!
@Matt -- Interesting, I hadn't given much thought to emergent gameplay. I absolutely want my games to surprise and delight me. However, I still want to know that there is an "answer" to everything that the game throws at me (preferably multiple "solutions").
@Jonathan -- Thx for the read! You know, it is a type of power fantasy. I never thought about it that way, because you never hear people say "I just want my efforts to count every time" as often as you hear "I want to fly and fire beams out of my eyes." But they both qualify, don't they?
@Timmeh -- Yeah, there's an aspect of justice and order in gaming that draws us in, I think. Also, I like your self-loathing just fine. . . own it. :D
@Matt -- Interesting, I hadn't given much thought to emergent gameplay. I absolutely want my games to surprise and delight me. However, I still want to know that there is an "answer" to everything that the game throws at me (preferably multiple "solutions").
@Jonathan -- Thx for the read! You know, it is a type of power fantasy. I never thought about it that way, because you never hear people say "I just want my efforts to count every time" as often as you hear "I want to fly and fire beams out of my eyes." But they both qualify, don't they?
@Timmeh -- Yeah, there's an aspect of justice and order in gaming that draws us in, I think. Also, I like your self-loathing just fine. . . own it. :D
The world does need to make some logical sense in most cases. But you can still have a "solution" and lose the game. I.E. multi-player games.
While I readilly agree with most of what you just wrote, I feel you seem to have ignored a fourth point, that is that Video Games(much like Books and Movies) allow us to broaden our horizons and give us experiences that we might not encounter along our usual lives.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
@Matt -- I definitely hear what you're saying. "Solution" was probably the wrong term. Maybe formula is better. In the case of multiplayer, the formula would be (reaction time + reflexes + map knowledge + etc). Even in a multiplayer game, the greatest skill and reaction time generally results in a win. In life, your gun might backfire or jam, or some other factor intrudes even if you're the most skilled.
@Palidi -- I absolutely agree that games broaden our horizons like books and movies. I didn't include it in my list just because most non-gamers I've discussed this with have considered that point a form of escapism as well. A way to do something you couldn't otherwise. Thx for adding to the discussion!
@Palidi -- I absolutely agree that games broaden our horizons like books and movies. I didn't include it in my list just because most non-gamers I've discussed this with have considered that point a form of escapism as well. A way to do something you couldn't otherwise. Thx for adding to the discussion!
Great write-up and you made an excellent point. I usually balk when people talk about games as a means of escapism because in my mind there was always the stigma that escapism meant you were somehow so unhappy with your life that you had to indulge in fantasy worlds just to make it from one day to the next.
I think your idea holds much more weight in that it is nice to be able to figure out what is expected of you and work at it until you get the desired outcome, all the while being entertained. In life your goals are usually determined by others; your boss, your coworkers, family, that dude you owe money to, but if you are playing a game you can set your own expectations of yourself and modify them as you see fit. Want to collect all the stars? Sure why not. Want to skip all the side-quests and go right after the final boss, hey it's your funeral buddy.
Also, "As far as you all know, I never succeeded." made me smile because I used to try the same thing when I was younger.
I think your idea holds much more weight in that it is nice to be able to figure out what is expected of you and work at it until you get the desired outcome, all the while being entertained. In life your goals are usually determined by others; your boss, your coworkers, family, that dude you owe money to, but if you are playing a game you can set your own expectations of yourself and modify them as you see fit. Want to collect all the stars? Sure why not. Want to skip all the side-quests and go right after the final boss, hey it's your funeral buddy.
Also, "As far as you all know, I never succeeded." made me smile because I used to try the same thing when I was younger.
I've always struggled to come up with "reasons" that I play video games. I mean, it's obvious that I play them because I think that they're fun, but there's more to it than that; I think a ton of things are fun, yet video games has become more of a passion.
Sure, I'd use the word escapism, but so many people seem to believe that escapism necessarily means "escaping from your life, which sucks." That's really not it at all for me. I love to escape into a new world with different rules, but only because I love the experience of new places and actions. It's like calling traveling escapism. If a desire to see and experience new places is escapism, then consider me chief escapist.
Either way, I'm sure that I could come up with a bunch of extremely complicated reasons that I play video games, tracing my personal history back to childhood, family troubles, friends, etc. But, hey, I'm here, and I'm enjoying myself.
Sure, I'd use the word escapism, but so many people seem to believe that escapism necessarily means "escaping from your life, which sucks." That's really not it at all for me. I love to escape into a new world with different rules, but only because I love the experience of new places and actions. It's like calling traveling escapism. If a desire to see and experience new places is escapism, then consider me chief escapist.
Either way, I'm sure that I could come up with a bunch of extremely complicated reasons that I play video games, tracing my personal history back to childhood, family troubles, friends, etc. But, hey, I'm here, and I'm enjoying myself.
@Zodiac -- I always thought it was bogus that many people assumed that I played games because I was somehow depressed about my real life. Their loss!!
Also, we'll figure out the whole telekinesis thing someday. Keep the faith! :)
@Kauza -- I'm enjoying myself too! I like the comparison to travel. The next time I buy a game I'll refer to it as "my ticket".
Also, we'll figure out the whole telekinesis thing someday. Keep the faith! :)
@Kauza -- I'm enjoying myself too! I like the comparison to travel. The next time I buy a game I'll refer to it as "my ticket".
Interesting post, indeed. When I read the title it reminded me of something I said on the short pondercast episode 7 preview (http://pondercast.podbean.com/ , I'm the last one to talk) which is that the reasons why we play games are probably a little bit more complicated than just to 'escape reality' and 'have fun'.
To me, that's always seemed like a short hand, lazy answer. It's easy to see why, there's some truth in it, and the truer answer is probably more difficult to get a handle on.
As for your cause/effect answer, I don't know. There is a comfort in the rule-based predictability in gaming, but it's equally exciting when something entirely unpredictable happens, something that emerges out of a series of complex rules. I find myself most drawn into a game when the established rules are subverted in a clever manner. After our conversation on IRC and reading this, I think I can recommend 'The Path' as a good example of this.
To me, that's always seemed like a short hand, lazy answer. It's easy to see why, there's some truth in it, and the truer answer is probably more difficult to get a handle on.
As for your cause/effect answer, I don't know. There is a comfort in the rule-based predictability in gaming, but it's equally exciting when something entirely unpredictable happens, something that emerges out of a series of complex rules. I find myself most drawn into a game when the established rules are subverted in a clever manner. After our conversation on IRC and reading this, I think I can recommend 'The Path' as a good example of this.
@Surplus -- It looks like my PC can actually handle this game! I'll have to check it out.
Also, I think my statement about cause & effect might have been misleading. My point was not that we are attracted to games because they are predictable, but rather because in games you always have the ability to succeed.
Thx for the read & suggestion!
Also, I think my statement about cause & effect might have been misleading. My point was not that we are attracted to games because they are predictable, but rather because in games you always have the ability to succeed.
Thx for the read & suggestion!
Now I want a game that doesn't follow those rules.
I'd probably kill myself after playing it for awhile, but it would be a mind trip beyond mind trips.
I'd probably kill myself after playing it for awhile, but it would be a mind trip beyond mind trips.
Outstanding article!
Although I only "Troll internet" TWICE a day. Three times would simply be excessive.
I love my video games because they will always allow me to retreat from reality. I'll never save the world in real life or probably ever be "The Hero", so any chance I get to be something other than a crummy warehouse worker surrounded by under achievers, half-wits, and The Inept I take it. Even if it's virtual, it's still my escape.
*goes off to play more Fallout...*
Although I only "Troll internet" TWICE a day. Three times would simply be excessive.
I love my video games because they will always allow me to retreat from reality. I'll never save the world in real life or probably ever be "The Hero", so any chance I get to be something other than a crummy warehouse worker surrounded by under achievers, half-wits, and The Inept I take it. Even if it's virtual, it's still my escape.
*goes off to play more Fallout...*
I have to agree with most of this post, except, "There's nothing unique that videogames provide in that category. " I have to adamantly disagree with this point. Some games force the player to empathize more with characters than any other medium. Games have a higher potential for immersion than any other medium, and in that way, are unique in the possibilities for entertainment. Though that may only contribute to games being labeled as escapist, it is something to consider.
"Entertainment . . . . There's nothing unique that videogames provide in that category."
Whoa whoa whoa. Really? I know you just want to take about that escapism category, but I don't know if you can write off games as a non-unique medium.
----------On an unrelated note:------------
Before we started playing games to "reaffirm our belief in the laws of cause and effect," games had to be designed. How would you design a game in the first place, if not by the laws of cause and effect?
Imagine picking up Megaman and pushing A. Megaman self-destructs. Imagine bumping into an enemy and recovering all of your life. Imagine walking over spikes. And imagine if that stuff got mixed up every other life. That doesn't make sense. Cause and effect, as well as input and result, need a logical relationship.
This doesn't detract from your argument. I'm just proposing that the correct thing to say might be "Games, by their design, can reaffirm our belief in the laws of cause and effect," rather than "This is why everyone subconsciously plays games."
Whoa whoa whoa. Really? I know you just want to take about that escapism category, but I don't know if you can write off games as a non-unique medium.
----------On an unrelated note:------------
Before we started playing games to "reaffirm our belief in the laws of cause and effect," games had to be designed. How would you design a game in the first place, if not by the laws of cause and effect?
Imagine picking up Megaman and pushing A. Megaman self-destructs. Imagine bumping into an enemy and recovering all of your life. Imagine walking over spikes. And imagine if that stuff got mixed up every other life. That doesn't make sense. Cause and effect, as well as input and result, need a logical relationship.
This doesn't detract from your argument. I'm just proposing that the correct thing to say might be "Games, by their design, can reaffirm our belief in the laws of cause and effect," rather than "This is why everyone subconsciously plays games."
Good read. I never thought of video games being always about getting the desired outcome. I've sometimes thought about how they're just patterns of button presses and such and that there's always a few set outcomes but not as an escape from a world where there are no set outcomes. Huh.
As Daxelman said, this makes me want a game where there are no set outcomes and where no matter what you try, you'll never get what you want. And I'm sure that might be possible if we have a huge game beyond the scope of current open-world games and no pre-release coverage whatsoever.
As Daxelman said, this makes me want a game where there are no set outcomes and where no matter what you try, you'll never get what you want. And I'm sure that might be possible if we have a huge game beyond the scope of current open-world games and no pre-release coverage whatsoever.
@Daxelman/Trebz -- there's already a great web-browser based game, where no matter what you try, you'll never get what you want. You can even play it on Dtoid. It's called "arguing with trolls". :P
@vava/MountainGorilla -- Regarding the "nothing unique" statement, I can definitely see how that could leave a bad taste in your mouth. A more apt phrasing probably would have been "not the only effective means of entertainment". Vidya games are obviously my drug of choice.
I agree that VG have a unique ability to provide immersion. Unfortunately, it is a largely untapped potential, as we haven't quite figured out how to fully balance those elements with the overriding gameplay concerns just yet. I also like the rephrasing of "Games, by their design, can reaffim our belief in cause and effect". The language I used was a bit absolute. Excellent points!
@Elysse -- Thx! Not many players in FP last night. Too many bots = stalemate. Vault 106 is a trip. . . "Purple Haze, all in my brain!"
@vava/MountainGorilla -- Regarding the "nothing unique" statement, I can definitely see how that could leave a bad taste in your mouth. A more apt phrasing probably would have been "not the only effective means of entertainment". Vidya games are obviously my drug of choice.
I agree that VG have a unique ability to provide immersion. Unfortunately, it is a largely untapped potential, as we haven't quite figured out how to fully balance those elements with the overriding gameplay concerns just yet. I also like the rephrasing of "Games, by their design, can reaffim our belief in cause and effect". The language I used was a bit absolute. Excellent points!
@Elysse -- Thx! Not many players in FP last night. Too many bots = stalemate. Vault 106 is a trip. . . "Purple Haze, all in my brain!"
"I spent an embarrassing number of hours in my adolescence attempting to move objects with the sheer force of my mind and spirit."
Its nice to know I'm not the only one who did that. Actually in my case i still randomly try to see if i can.
Its nice to know I'm not the only one who did that. Actually in my case i still randomly try to see if i can.
Great article. Confidently put forth and superbly phrased.
I don't agree with everything, but I agree with most of it and to argue would be to nit-pick. I'll also add that I've always wanted to see a game where, just once through the whole game, you press the button and the character fucks up. Just to break that perfect recall for a moment.
I don't agree with everything, but I agree with most of it and to argue would be to nit-pick. I'll also add that I've always wanted to see a game where, just once through the whole game, you press the button and the character fucks up. Just to break that perfect recall for a moment.
Another great read! I think the reliability of the "cause and effect" factor is why I usually find gaming to be so relaxing.
@Trebz -- Not at all, man! I appreciate your comments. There have been a few stray trolls over the past few months in the cblogs that the community has taken in and lovingly fed. People try all kinds of tactics to get them to change their ways, from gently correcting, to mocking, to outright flaming. That's a game that none of us will ever win.
Good points and very well written. I would like to expand on this in another C-blog post, so keep an eye out for that (if I ever make myself the time to produce it...). Great job, walkyourpath.
I often ponder why I continue to play games, after spending much of my life doing so. Video games have always been a staple in my life, I still vividly remember getting the SNES the Christmas it came out, watching mario's crisp sprite dance across the first level.
I always caught on the spot when people ask me why I play games. Once, I was at a party discussing Fallout 3 with a friend when a girl came up to me and asked me what I would do with my times if it wasn't spent playing video games. I can't remember what I answered because I was suppressing the insurmountable amount of rage welling inside me. It feels like she was telling me that I was wasting my time, but she is wrong, I know this when I play games like Passage and Today is the day I die.
I find your reasoning, reassuring. Worlds in which we get a positive feedback are fine worlds indeed.
I always caught on the spot when people ask me why I play games. Once, I was at a party discussing Fallout 3 with a friend when a girl came up to me and asked me what I would do with my times if it wasn't spent playing video games. I can't remember what I answered because I was suppressing the insurmountable amount of rage welling inside me. It feels like she was telling me that I was wasting my time, but she is wrong, I know this when I play games like Passage and Today is the day I die.
I find your reasoning, reassuring. Worlds in which we get a positive feedback are fine worlds indeed.
Excellent little article - I'd honestly never thought about this before, but it does make near-perfect sense. Well-deserved front page!
@super2j
Me too...
@the article
You're absolutely right... I never fully appreciated it, but there is something reassuring about playing a game and knowing that if you work hard enough, you can eventually have some sort of answer to your effort. There is this reassurance from all game types, whether Picross or Legend of Zelda, that somewhere in this mess of information is a correct answer, a righteous path, an answer to your problems.
Great read :)
Me too...
@the article
You're absolutely right... I never fully appreciated it, but there is something reassuring about playing a game and knowing that if you work hard enough, you can eventually have some sort of answer to your effort. There is this reassurance from all game types, whether Picross or Legend of Zelda, that somewhere in this mess of information is a correct answer, a righteous path, an answer to your problems.
Great read :)
@SadCheese : same here.I feel like there's no need to explain since video game is already a part of our life like and it'll be like explaining why we eat or drink or breathe.
Nice Article!as much as i hate to say that playing game is part of , if not complete , Escapism (since it sounds like we are trying to escape from reality and which is somewhat not cool) , there's no denying about that.
My life is not perfect but it's normal and fine and i can live with it and i don't have any wish to go live in some video game world.
But we feel rewarded for solving the puzzles or pulling out crazy combo and ultra moves or showing off our lv.99 characters and have full confidence in playing with others when we can nail 100% on guitar hero expert.
I guess the most loyal thing to us in the end are video games.Not the evil publishers lol.
Nice Article!as much as i hate to say that playing game is part of , if not complete , Escapism (since it sounds like we are trying to escape from reality and which is somewhat not cool) , there's no denying about that.
My life is not perfect but it's normal and fine and i can live with it and i don't have any wish to go live in some video game world.
But we feel rewarded for solving the puzzles or pulling out crazy combo and ultra moves or showing off our lv.99 characters and have full confidence in playing with others when we can nail 100% on guitar hero expert.
I guess the most loyal thing to us in the end are video games.Not the evil publishers lol.
Wow. That was spot-on. I guess this helps me to realize my enjoyment of the medium more clearly. I was always socially awkward. I am not a poorly liked person. Nobody I know outright hates me. But every time I go to a social situation, I just feel out of place; like if Gordon Freeman was on Gilmore Girls. In games I always do the right thing, or if I screw up, I can reboot my last save and try again.
Holy shit, congrats on getting on the [url=http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/698771/Links-Of-TheFeed-Pinball-Wizards-Escape-To-Best-Buy.html[Feed[/url].
So, have you ever posted anything that doesn't get promoted? ;)
Great read, as always. Walkyourpath for editor!
Great read, as always. Walkyourpath for editor!
gone; those formidable arched curves of lip, nostril, eyebrow, were buy exelon
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