Why do you game?

The person you responded to stated that games were a form of art, games != gaming. Although gaming could be compared to enjoying a good piece of art.

To be quite honest, I've never understood the fascination with 'art'. You look at it...and thats about it. In games, you can watch, interact with, play, solve puzzles, challenge yourself, and play against others.

I'll answer your question with another question. Why is art so popular?

 

That's easy...

Because life, is beautiful.

Cheers!

 

Many forms of art suchs as paintings, food, sculptures, clothes (fashion), music were so popular in the past because they were the only nice things in life, people (the higher elite, not the peasant who had to pay taxes and worked all day doing backbreaking work to survive) didn't have much entertainment and art made them 'escape' reality, or atleast make reality prettier.

 

I'm having a hard time taking it in the right spirit when you are negatively portraying gaming in your first paragraph compared to walking/biking/swimming or bar hopping. I would go as far to say you are implying those who game are unsuccessful and those who do outdoor activities and bar hop are.

I game because I enjoy it, just as I also enjoy doing those outdoor activities you mentioned and going downtown. Its a past time, just like watching TV, reading the newspaper, going golfing, etc. There is nothing wrong with it unless you are doing it excessively, just like there is nothing wrong with bar hopping unless you do it excessively....then you are 'just' an 'unproductive' alcoholic.

For your future threads that have a question relating to the topic of this sub-forum, try not to insult us in the original post.

Thanks,
LinK

 

Wow. (10 char)

 

wow I actually like how I called what the intentions of this guy were all along before reading anything beyond the first post/replying, then I went and read posts #85-#102.

Go Me!

Cheers!

(what a troll)

 

Yea it does seem weird he asks why we game, and then say he rather will do something outside. As for me, its simple, I like going outside, but I don't like the rain, the cold, and heat...so for a part of the year I enjoy gaming, and for the other part, I enjoy working out. Its all about being pragmatic.

Also, people who work in construction all day, come home and usual don't feel like going outside anymore, all you want to do then is sit in your couch and watch tv, or game. So going outside is great and all, but the things you do during your free time depend on the things what you do during work for example. When you sit behind your desk al day (for work), I doubt people still want to sit all night playing a game or watch tv, and would rather do sports.


Off topic PS: I see you are an old skool gamer by the look of your avatar ^^ I'm not sure if its true but I heard they were going to make a remake of final fantasy 7 for the ps3.

 

For fun
                                

 

I game just for the thrill of it. The only real time I have to game is when I'm not hanging out with friends.

For me, gaming is a great way to relieve stress.

 

thanks for clarifying. i think i had a negative image on how this thread would turn out when you phrased the OP something like, "what thought process goes through you for the ones that game" or something, which i assumed you were implying there was some childish manner about gaming and games.

for modern contemporary and more so conceptual art, gaming can be considered a form of art.

art is so subjective, that often now many artists are 'performers' that the art work is some method of performance. in the same sense, a gamer who dominates a match publicly could be considered a modern conceptual artist as the performance would be the art piece. there is an artist who cooks food at an exhibit and the art is the the people who come to visit the art gallery and eat the food together and share the experience.

you might not understand traditional art (paintings and sculptures), but it's more likely you don't appreciate it. art can be many things: a display of wealth, a display of prestige, a display of style, or a simple decoration. there is more to art than viewing it. especially now with how diverse the concept of 'art' is, you will often see that art exhibits are more conceptual and contain rich history and more reason for the creation of a piece.

 

I suppose I should have specified the art i was referring to was paintings and sculptures. The only artist I can really appreciate is Da Vinci, the man was a genius.

And I'm not quite sure but the context of your post makes it sound like you think I don't think gaming is art but on the contrary I do.

 

i perfer to hang out with freinds or actually do something, but sometimes you cant. i work out every day, go to school, then i hang out with someone, but on days i cant gaming is a good way to waste time.

 

link1313, you really are insightful, huh?

That is how you get ahead in life - make inane assumptions (even when the post says not to...), go find the 'proof' you need to make yourself right and then, pat yourself on the back. Sigh...

Thank you for at least replying to my question, but next time you think you are being insulted, just ask for clarification (or, simply read the whole thread with an open mind), or at least, don't be insulting yourself.

Just like you mention in your quote above YOU are the one that is saying/implying those things. Don't put words in my mouth that I did not say, nor imply.

Cheers!

 

We can all agree that we each appreciate different art forms to differing degrees. Thanks for the additional info - btw, I too agree about Da Vinci.

Cheers!

 

Don't take this the wrong way tiller, but I fail to see what you're asking nor why you're asking it.

Asking people why they game is the same as asking someone why they do any other leisure activity which has no physical/intellectual stimulation yet I don't recall a mention of asking people why they collect things, why they shop, why they gamble, why they wash their car(in an obsessive manner that is), why they eat all the time, why they write poetry, etc. Basically, leisure is what it does i.e. entertain in one way or another(whether as an outlet, escaping reality etc.). I think most of the posts in this thread pretty much sum up the same answer: gaming is fun to most people so they play games. For some it's a lifestyle true, but you can argue that about just about anything in life(that there are those who are addicted to it).

 

Levenly,

I really enjoy your contributions to this thread.

Although I 'know' all the points you make above, somehow, the way the words are put together make the concepts crystal clear and tangible to me. Thank you very much!

Unlike some on this thread that think that resorting to name calling is a mature form of debating, your posts and similar ones by a few others take the position that I may want to learn something new, (accurate, btw, but for whatever reason, can't be experienced first hand) and the explanations you've collectively come up with make for tremendously worthwhile reading.

Looking forward to more.

Cheers!

 

Forever_Melody,

I'm taking your input in the right context; but simply I ask because I'm curious/interested, but can't experience it first hand (just the way my mind/brain works).

The post above this one (quoting Levenly) may help you understand my curiosity more?

Sure, I guessed/expected the 'its fun, its enjoyable, its escapism' comments and I appreciate the effort for all who replied. What has made the thread enjoyable to me (and to some others as mentioned by someone else here) is the in-depth and very interesting tangents this topic has brought up.

Although I may never game, I certainly see the attraction in a much different light than when I first asked the question. Not in a good/bad way either (as some seem keen to jump on), but as an activity that I have a few more insights into now because of some excellent posters that is almost (at a mental level) as if I was able to play it myself.

Cheers!

 

Well I understand your curiosity, I'm just questioning why gaming and not any other activity(which would in fact yield just as interesting answers if not more due a different sample of people)? I mean, given the context of the subforum we're in it's obvious, but I'm just inquiring if you've had the curiosity of other such questionings.

 

When you're curious, it isn't limited to certain areas. We're just limited by time. And the appropriate sub-forum to post on.

Cheers!

 

True, I was just wondering if it was random or if there was some specific reason behind it that's all ^_^

By personal standards I game for the same reason I do any other thing: to bring people together. Arguably, there aren't all that many activities which the whole family can partake in at any given random time(which excludes things like planned outings or vacations). I mean, watching TV is probably the most popular activity in today's society in which families partake all together bar eating together(and sadly, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot more families who did the former together than the latter).

Anyhow, going back to the topic, games in our family(be it video games or board games) are an easy way for us to spend time together and just enjoy each others' company regardless of outside circumstances and it's stimulating in more ways than one.

In a sense my parents chose to play games with me, my brother and my bf as to actually destroy the social standard of families becoming more distant from each other and where conversations don't stem all too much deeper than "how was your day?".

For lack of a better term, my reason is that there is no reason!

 

Oh please, how could you think someone would not take your original post in the wrong 'spirit'?

Let me give an alternative example of what you did:

I go to a forum where the topic of the sub-forum is "drinking/partying" and make a thread called "why do you drink?". Within my thread I ask "what are everyones reasons for drinking?". Instead of ending the question there like I should have, I feel I should write in my own thoughts on drinking, such as; "I would rather study and get ahead on my homework than 'getting wasted' and 'just' partying".

If you did not find any implications in my example, I suggest you go take a communications course at your local college/university.

 

I was going to say "for fun" but this is the right answer.

 

No examples needed. You're simply wrong but don't want to admit it.

Of course I'm going to put my thoughts on the subject - that's the first thing I would ask if I bothered to answer a post like this. I certainly wouldn't waste my time on it if I truly believed what you do about me.

No need to agree with me, but when its asked politely, I fully expect people to respond to a question in a positive manner - as so many have already done before you.

You can choose any course of action you want, but that doesn't make me guilty of any wrong doing, it just makes you inconsiderate and possibly in need of the very same communication course you recommend for me.

You can try to defend your inane position (you know what my intentions are better than me), but I feel there is no point in responding to you further on this issue.

If you have a question, ask and I'll answer. If you have more assumptions and conclusions of why I posted this question I don't think I, nor anybody else wants to hear it?

I'm here for a specific conversation - if you don't like it, you shouldn't have joined, but I appreciate the little on-topic input you've offered so far.

Cheers!

 

I'm closing this thread because of the arguments.

OP, ask a more unbiased question next time.