Getting older. Not enjoying gaming like I used to
Discussion
I'm finding myself getting a little bored with gaming lately, but I think it could be for a few reasons.
I've been a shift worker for four years now, and prior to that it was many years of the regular Monday to Friday malarkey. Back in those days I would play games whenever I could, but I think it was evened out by being at work in the weekdays and sometimes out doing things at the weekend. These days however with four in every eight days off, which are generally weekdays, I'm playing games a lot, so I think perhaps I'm just burned out with gaming a bit?
Then you throw into the mix that there don't seem to be as many games that tickle my fancy that there used to be. I don't know whether that's because I don't have the money to just 'gamble' on a game like I used to (I could buy a couple every month, and no worries if they were rubbish), or whether they just don't make games that really appeal to me any more.
I think the biggest shift I've seen lately is that I don't seem to have the attention span I used to. Go back to the late nineties up to five or six years ago, I would happily sit down and figure out a complex game, or read a manual to learn a game - these days however if it doesn't grab my attention within a few minutes, or be quickly learned I lose interest and forget about it. Crusader Kings II is a recent example. Its just the kind of game I like, but because its complex and not easily accessed, despite numerous attempts at getting into it I just can't play it.
I've been a shift worker for four years now, and prior to that it was many years of the regular Monday to Friday malarkey. Back in those days I would play games whenever I could, but I think it was evened out by being at work in the weekdays and sometimes out doing things at the weekend. These days however with four in every eight days off, which are generally weekdays, I'm playing games a lot, so I think perhaps I'm just burned out with gaming a bit?
Then you throw into the mix that there don't seem to be as many games that tickle my fancy that there used to be. I don't know whether that's because I don't have the money to just 'gamble' on a game like I used to (I could buy a couple every month, and no worries if they were rubbish), or whether they just don't make games that really appeal to me any more.
I think the biggest shift I've seen lately is that I don't seem to have the attention span I used to. Go back to the late nineties up to five or six years ago, I would happily sit down and figure out a complex game, or read a manual to learn a game - these days however if it doesn't grab my attention within a few minutes, or be quickly learned I lose interest and forget about it. Crusader Kings II is a recent example. Its just the kind of game I like, but because its complex and not easily accessed, despite numerous attempts at getting into it I just can't play it.
croyde said:
stuff...then:
Last week I asked my son to show me what to do and within minutes I was hooked
He went home and around midnight I thought I'd have a quick go on my own. Next thing I knew it was 4am and I was watching the sun rise on my distant glittering skyscrapers from the terrace of my castle that I had built in the middle of a lake. My railway stretched off to the far reaches of my land crossing marble bridges and tunneling through mountains. I also have a vast network of tunnels that go out to the sea and head across the seabed in glass corridors.
I'm 52.
Made me LOL :-) Last week I asked my son to show me what to do and within minutes I was hooked
He went home and around midnight I thought I'd have a quick go on my own. Next thing I knew it was 4am and I was watching the sun rise on my distant glittering skyscrapers from the terrace of my castle that I had built in the middle of a lake. My railway stretched off to the far reaches of my land crossing marble bridges and tunneling through mountains. I also have a vast network of tunnels that go out to the sea and head across the seabed in glass corridors.
I'm 52.
I have Minecraft on vita and ps4 but it didn't bite me yet. I am similarly unimpressed with most new games and tend to buy them then pass them on immediately. HOWEVER....Skyrim was the one that bit me bad. Once you get the volume up loud on a big screen and sound system, walk into the wilds and explore, completely ignoring the story and finding your own adventures, you don't look back (well not for around 300 hours of gameplay..).
Highly recommended for some fun adventuring.
RW
I've spent longer on my nintendo emulator (nes and snes) than on my ps3 by far (over the last year or so). The gameplay isnt fancy, but its there in droves - I'm actually thinking of buying a CRT TV (hello B&O Avant) and an NES and SNES.
I've really enjoyed a few titles on the Xbox and PS3, but very few have really grabbed me. Skyrim and Oblivion are probably the last two - maybe The Last of Us too.
I might build a PC for gaming next - I wonder if thats the next logical step?
I've really enjoyed a few titles on the Xbox and PS3, but very few have really grabbed me. Skyrim and Oblivion are probably the last two - maybe The Last of Us too.
I might build a PC for gaming next - I wonder if thats the next logical step?
I used to spend hours and hours gaming. Ever since I had a MB Vectrex as a kid I've loved gaming. Spent far too long in arcades as a kid and since the PS1 came out I've been hooked.
But for a long while now I'm not feeling the latest games. I've never been one for online gaming and maybe the single player aspect is taking a step back?
I remember Halo and being wowed at its single player story. But then getting Halo 2 and hitting the split screen multi player was huge fun but that might be due to actually being with your mates rather than just online with them.
Ive got Megadrive and Snes emus, plus I still have my Vectrex and Atari Lynx but I think what I really miss is the mass gatherings at peoples hoses to game together.
But for a long while now I'm not feeling the latest games. I've never been one for online gaming and maybe the single player aspect is taking a step back?
I remember Halo and being wowed at its single player story. But then getting Halo 2 and hitting the split screen multi player was huge fun but that might be due to actually being with your mates rather than just online with them.
Ive got Megadrive and Snes emus, plus I still have my Vectrex and Atari Lynx but I think what I really miss is the mass gatherings at peoples hoses to game together.
Steven_RW said:
What is it you like about world of tanks? IE what is the draw?
Steven_RW
In a nutshell, you don't need CODkiddie reflexes, and each game lasts a maximum of 15 minutes (usually 10 minutes), allowing many opportunities for putting your slippers on, or making Horlicks. There are tech trees to work up to satisfy the inner geek in you. It's free if you want it to be, although some people pay for a premium account. And you get to drive a tank and blow other people up.Steven_RW
Fane said:
In a nutshell, you don't need CODkiddie reflexes, and each game lasts a maximum of 15 minutes (usually 10 minutes), allowing many opportunities for putting your slippers on, or making Horlicks. There are tech trees to work up to satisfy the inner geek in you. It's free if you want it to be, although some people pay for a premium account. And you get to drive a tank and blow other people up.
Sounds like good fun. Now I guess I need a gaming pc built and installed in the living room next to the ps3, ps4 and wii u. Wife to be will love me more I expect ;-).
I'll get to it.
Regards,
Steven
Perhaps the OP has finally realised what a total and utter waste of time/life computer gaming is.
I can see the attraction of defeating/killing others in combat. We can't do that for real in normal society, so games are a substitute to assuage our instincts and lust for blood.
It's what we are programmed to do after all, and it could be Chess or COD4 it's all basically the same thing.
There is a a great "Mitchell & Webb" sketch were one of them arrives at the pearly gates and is interrogated about the number of hours he wasted playing solitaire against his computer.
Sound familiar?
Now don't get me wrong, I wasted thousands of hours on Wolfenstein, Quake, Duke Nukem, and finally Half Life and Counterstrike on line!!
But at about 50 years old, 4 years ago, I pulled myself together and realised what a complete waste of time the whole thing was.
Telling the wife I was going into the computer room to kill some kids via counterstrike for a few minutes, but then emerging bleary eyed four hours later wears a bit thin for partners as well.
I very occasionally dip back in for a couple of hours of 3D Shooter action, but I'm down to about 0.01% of where I was time wise.
So get a life, and get out in the real world and do something productive.
You don't get bonus lives, save slots or God Mode in the real world, you get one life, so use it wisely.
I can see the attraction of defeating/killing others in combat. We can't do that for real in normal society, so games are a substitute to assuage our instincts and lust for blood.
It's what we are programmed to do after all, and it could be Chess or COD4 it's all basically the same thing.
There is a a great "Mitchell & Webb" sketch were one of them arrives at the pearly gates and is interrogated about the number of hours he wasted playing solitaire against his computer.
Sound familiar?
Now don't get me wrong, I wasted thousands of hours on Wolfenstein, Quake, Duke Nukem, and finally Half Life and Counterstrike on line!!
But at about 50 years old, 4 years ago, I pulled myself together and realised what a complete waste of time the whole thing was.
Telling the wife I was going into the computer room to kill some kids via counterstrike for a few minutes, but then emerging bleary eyed four hours later wears a bit thin for partners as well.
I very occasionally dip back in for a couple of hours of 3D Shooter action, but I'm down to about 0.01% of where I was time wise.
So get a life, and get out in the real world and do something productive.
You don't get bonus lives, save slots or God Mode in the real world, you get one life, so use it wisely.
Edited by peterperkins on Wednesday 24th December 09:57
Interesting statement.
I'm not sure I agree. A mixture of both life outside, with real people, doing real tasks and practicing something competitive via the computer is fine in my eyes.
Reading a fun/fiction book isn't such a bad idea as it gives a little escapism. Same as gaming.
I like to share gaming with good friends. Real people I know in real life. Our Counter Strike Source clan met face to face regularly and had some quality laughs. It's just another sport.
Regards,
Steven
I'm not sure I agree. A mixture of both life outside, with real people, doing real tasks and practicing something competitive via the computer is fine in my eyes.
Reading a fun/fiction book isn't such a bad idea as it gives a little escapism. Same as gaming.
I like to share gaming with good friends. Real people I know in real life. Our Counter Strike Source clan met face to face regularly and had some quality laughs. It's just another sport.
Regards,
Steven
peterperkins said:
Perhaps the OP has finally realised what a total and utter waste of time/life computer gaming is.
I can see the attraction of defeating/killing others in combat. We can't do that for real in normal society, so games are a substitute to assuage our instincts and lust for blood.
It's what we are programmed to do after all, and it could be Chess or COD4 it's all basically the same thing.
There is a a great "Mitchell & Webb" sketch were one of them arrives at the pearly gates and is interrogated about the number of hours he wasted playing solitaire against his computer.
Sound familiar?
Now don't get me wrong, I wasted thousands of hours on Wolfenstein, Quake, Duke Nukem, and finally Half Life and Counterstrike on line!!
But at about 50 years old, 4 years ago, I pulled myself together and realised what a complete waste of time the whole thing was.
Telling the wife I was going into the computer room to kill some kids via counterstrike for a few minutes, but then emerging bleary eyed four hours later wears a bit thin for partners as well.
I very occasionally dip back in for a couple of hours of 3D Shooter action, but I'm down to about 0.01% of where I was time wise.
So get a life, and get out in the real world and do something productive.
You don't get bonus lives, save slots or God Mode in the real world, you get one life, so use it wisely.
I've got a few years yet then PP. I'm already playing a tiny fraction of what I used to, largely because I'm not finding the enjoyment that I used to (rather than a eureka moment where I decided spend my time building orphanages). Hope you find some happiness over Christmas. I can see the attraction of defeating/killing others in combat. We can't do that for real in normal society, so games are a substitute to assuage our instincts and lust for blood.
It's what we are programmed to do after all, and it could be Chess or COD4 it's all basically the same thing.
There is a a great "Mitchell & Webb" sketch were one of them arrives at the pearly gates and is interrogated about the number of hours he wasted playing solitaire against his computer.
Sound familiar?
Now don't get me wrong, I wasted thousands of hours on Wolfenstein, Quake, Duke Nukem, and finally Half Life and Counterstrike on line!!
But at about 50 years old, 4 years ago, I pulled myself together and realised what a complete waste of time the whole thing was.
Telling the wife I was going into the computer room to kill some kids via counterstrike for a few minutes, but then emerging bleary eyed four hours later wears a bit thin for partners as well.
I very occasionally dip back in for a couple of hours of 3D Shooter action, but I'm down to about 0.01% of where I was time wise.
So get a life, and get out in the real world and do something productive.
You don't get bonus lives, save slots or God Mode in the real world, you get one life, so use it wisely.
Edited by peterperkins on Wednesday 24th December 09:57
peterperkins said:
Perhaps the OP has finally realised what a total and utter waste of time/life computer gaming is.
So get a life, and get out in the real world and do something productive.
You don't get bonus lives, save slots or God Mode in the real world, you get one life, so use it wisely.
Nice way to try and validate your own life choices.So get a life, and get out in the real world and do something productive.
You don't get bonus lives, save slots or God Mode in the real world, you get one life, so use it wisely.
Edited by peterperkins on Wednesday 24th December 09:57
You could easily argue the all leisure activites are a "Waste of time". So unless you're out volunteering with the homeless instead of pwning n00bs I'd try to be happy with your own choices without trying to make anyone else feel worse about theirs.
As for the OP, I have myself, closing in on 40 given up on twitchy games, I used to be a COD, CS, TF2 fan but switched due to frustration at my lack of ability and/or commitment to get half decent in that competitive environment.
Try something with a slightly less frenetic pace that rewards planning rather than extreme reflexes and muscle memory. There's the military shooters like Insurgency and ARMA. Freemium titles like Warthunder and World of Tanks. Personally I've settled on Mechwarrior online, where a one shot kill is exceeding rare and you can still contibute to your team even when missing half your giant killer robot.
Or go completely mental and try Dwarf Fortress (possibly catagorised as Simcity for Psychopaths)
And continue to be happy wasting your time improving brain plasticity, problem solving and hand-eye coordination.
I've been into computer games for far too long -- from a binatone motorbike thing, Atari VCS to, well, now.
But in the last 10 years my interest has waned. I can't dedicate the time to games and to be honest I find the controls cumbersome and take too long to learn. I'm sure if you put the effort in and get good with the controls the games are great. I remember the original Ridge Racer on the PS1 -- I spent days and days and could eventually get around all the tracks at more or less full speed. Great memories.
But in the last 10 years my interest has waned. I can't dedicate the time to games and to be honest I find the controls cumbersome and take too long to learn. I'm sure if you put the effort in and get good with the controls the games are great. I remember the original Ridge Racer on the PS1 -- I spent days and days and could eventually get around all the tracks at more or less full speed. Great memories.
Same with me OP. I used to love games and spent hours playing various ones. And over 1000 hours playing counter strike source, that was the last game that I truly was hooked on and it's because it took skill and knowledge that only could be gained through hours of play to be good at. I play the occasional game of FIFA at work and after a game or two I am bored.
I played the COD series which were ok but too glitzy and not as raw as CS:S for me.
Oh team fortress was quite run too.
I played the COD series which were ok but too glitzy and not as raw as CS:S for me.
Oh team fortress was quite run too.
I am the same, got 2 * PS3, an Xbox, Xbox One, Desktop pc, 2 laptops, Ipad, PS Vita etc and cant be arsed gaming nowadays, I try occasionally but lose interest.
I see guys at work coming in bleary eyed after playing Warcraft until 3am, chatting about the "raid" last night, or crafting which seems like tedium, life has enough repetetive, boring tasks without making more for yourself.
I want to like it but never find anything I like enough to bother, played GTA5 ont eh Xbox one and its impressive but I cant be bothered following missions, I just drive around aimlessly, steal a plane, shoot someone, have a battle with the cops and thats me done, 40 mins later.
I want to get into something but dont think I will now.
I see guys at work coming in bleary eyed after playing Warcraft until 3am, chatting about the "raid" last night, or crafting which seems like tedium, life has enough repetetive, boring tasks without making more for yourself.
I want to like it but never find anything I like enough to bother, played GTA5 ont eh Xbox one and its impressive but I cant be bothered following missions, I just drive around aimlessly, steal a plane, shoot someone, have a battle with the cops and thats me done, 40 mins later.
I want to get into something but dont think I will now.
I've loved gaming ever since we got an atari 2600 when i was 7 in the late 70's. I don't think I'll ever beat the addiction! Lol. I've had pretty much every system since. The only generation I missed was the amiga/st as i had just discovered booze and birds! I've Recently bought a ps4 with gra5, last of us and farcry 4. Ive also bought loads of stuff on steam(skyrim, morrowind etc efc) I've barely touched it though as I'm too addicted to gt6!! Luckily i have loads of spare time so they'll all get played eventually. OP maybe you've just grown out of it, I don't think i ever will as I'm too much of a big kid!!!
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