How I used to feel about video games

[MrBubbles]

I'm a gamer; it's what I enjoy doing quite a bit. :) I've been a gamer since about the age of 9 when my mom brought home a Super Nintendo with Donkey Kong Country (BEST GAME EVER FOR THAT SYSTEM!), and from then on I was hooked. A year or so passed and we got a PlayStation 1 - MGS1, Gran Turismo, the original Tomb Raider, and Spyro... ah, fond memories. ^_^ Well anyway, for years I've always felt that everyone else hates video games and prefers outdoor/other hobbies - that there's a stigma in our culture about video games. :( My ex (8 years ago) hated them as well, which didn't help.

Household video games were kinda new in the 90's, so many kids (like myself prior) played outside/did other things (I was big into arts/crafts/drawing/legos). I think a lot of some people's issue is with older games - that they're rather limited in way of "depth" (in my opinion). Now-days though, video games involve complex stories, loads of depth, character development, musical scores, life-like graphics, originality, not to mention the level of customization, and obvious interactivity.

I used to feel ashamed if a girl (or even an employer recently) asked me what I liked to do for fun, rushing over 'video games' and listing another hobby. :/ I don't feel that way anymore. :) Take Skyrim for example. Lots of girls LOVE Skyrim! The Elder Scrolls games are well-known for their... well lots of things, but that title is very much liked. Stereotypically, women enjoy reading more(?) than men (might be stretch there). Why do women (or men) enjoy reading? As for me, video games are similar to many books, both featuring of a few key elements as I listed above. There isn't a stigma about reading (as far as I've seen anyway), so why is one hobby viewed differently that the other (my perception)? I enjoy video games for many of the same reasons as to why women (generally) enjoy books - the overall plot, setting, character development, interactivity, diversity, (and other story elements). Again, Skyrim... gorgeous landscape, endless (kinda) character development, interesting plot (not the greatest, but the plot isn't the focus of many RPGs), absolutely beautiful soundtrack (bravo once again, Mr. Jeremy Soul), and the interactivity of the people, and the environment. Video games to me are like interactive movies, in a way.

To conclude, I've grown far less ashamed of my enjoyment of video games in recent years. I still enjoy other things, bowling, putt-putt, writing (fiction and non), volleyball, jogging, listening to classical/instrumental music (soundtracks mostly), and various things with friends. Admittedly, video games take a large chunk of hobby-time, but no worse than any other. ;) Every gamer would love a spouse who's a gamer, too. :D

What are your guy's/gal's thoughts on the matter? :)

[energizerbunny]

I'm a major gamer. My guy friends think that I play those girl games... (What are these anyways). Really into the CODS, racing, and wrestling games. Just too name a few. There is nothing wrong with video games. Its even better when you and your partner likes the same game.

[MrBubbles]

You just got quite sexy. ;) Hehehehehe. :p That's cool. I love the COD games, and Gran Turismo. :)

[energizerbunny]

I prefer a lot of "guy activities" not just video games. Never got along with the gals from school.. Too girly for my liking.

[MrBubbles]

Cool. :)

[Unit1]

Awesome :)
@energizerbunny which CODs do you like ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ? My favs are Modern Warfare 2, Black Ops and Black Ops 2 (=

[MrBubbles]

MW2 was the best! 3 is okay. Black Ops is 3rd (for me), Ghosts is okay, BO2 blows. WaW is fun, and COD4 is hacked worse than WaW. :(

[energizerbunny]

Agreed. Mw2 was very fun. I didn't care for three as much. B. O. was great. B. O.2 seems to be better then Ghost. I do like all the features Ghost has to offer. At first I thought the new C. C. would be a pain, but I did enjoy it. The maps in Ghost are very well designed. Only problem is they r way to large for a runner, and campers heaven. I will say I do both play stays. But when I do camp its with a sniper rifle and at least 4 people have to be runners. Now if its a smaller map, I'll run it.
The clan I was in would get all pissy if we took a lost. The whole nagging really ruined it for me. After that I haven't played since October. I was thinking about playing again but I don't know if I will join another clan.

[YourFutureEx]

You're so me. Thanks for sharing.
cdn.alltheragefaces.com/.../...that-feel-bro-l.png

[MrBubbles]

Lol, right? :)

[YourFutureEx]

This take touched my heart, it was like I'm reading my own letter to myself. :)

[MrBubbles]

Well you're not alone, brother. :)

[Unit1]

I know I love my hobby too. Well yeah, PC Gaming >is< my hobby. It seems like for some people that is an issue. We simply deal with it.

I also have trouble responding to the question: What do you like to do? What are your hobbies?

I feel like if I say "Online PC Gaming" then they would turn hostile towards me and consider me as something I am absolutely not.

I don't know if it's just me or my locals, that the society has such a hatred for our hobby. Well yeah, stress simply builds and stacks up. Where else to discharge this pressure? Correct. Hobby! Let's you forget the trouble way faster than boredom. A reminder: Everyone has their own hobby! Sports won't work for everyone, so does PC Gaming. And the big deal on it is, that it's all only natural, yet people don't understand it. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[Watermelonoma]

Gaming has come a long way since the 90's. Best game i ever played was the Last of Us, made like a couple or so years ago on the ps3. I've never read a book or watched a movie (well, maybe lotr) with a better story. Truly a masterpiece.

[MrBubbles]

I've never played that game. I've heard it's good though. My favorite game for story is either MGS1, Uncharted, or Bioshock.

[Watermelonoma]

i have bioshock infinite but i haven't touched it yet. Uncharted is pretty good i hear too. Naughty Dog has been killing it over the years

[MrBubbles]

Infinite is okay, but Infinite takes place in Columbia and not Rapture (if you're familiar). I loved Rapture.

[Watermelonoma]

yea i know. i haven't been able to play it because my pc isn't really made for gaming. But one of these days ill have something to play all these bioshock games on ^_^

[MrBubbles]

Awesome, bro. They're really cool. :) Very unique.

[Anonymous]

Well it's definitely a lot more accepted as a legitimate form of entertainment these days. But i still feel we have more to go.

If anyone here has seen the Law And order SVU episode about gamers, you might know what i mean. they totally just ran with stereotypes as if they were the truth. I think that is how people outside of gaming still views gamers and we need to some how shed this perception if we are to be taken more seriously

[MrBubbles]

I agree that gaming is a much more accepted pastime today. I haven't seen that episode, no.

[Opinion Owner]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGmmYQ7dpGo This guy explains that episode well. i never saw it myself either.

[Pinkbeauty]

I'm in to games too I play games like shiya online imvu and second life before that I would play games on my PS3 but I kinda stoped playing that and started playing second life imvu and shiya online instead

[Anonymous]

I've never made the comparison between reading (esp. fiction) and gaming before, but that is strange that it's ok to read a lot yet there's a stigma about gaming. What the fudge.

[MrBubbles]

I know, right? :/