131 réponses à ce sujet

[EADanke]

If my only hobby was playing games I'd probably take crap for it, but mostly for just being dull and single minded, not because what I was being obsessed with was games, just that there was an obsession.

[Seruka]

Oddly, of my friends I'm the only one who isn't obsessed with everything and anything that originated in the far east. They can't really say anything about my gaming habit, and I really don't care what anyone else thinks.

[Sshodan]

Hmmm... It's actually interesting how people don't see the benefits of gaming as a hobby. As fare as hobbies go in our day and time it's one of the most useful ones for several reasons:

1st. And biggest - computers are complexly structured interactive environment. Which make them one of the best "work out" sources for ones brain. Computer stimulates logical thinking, analytical processes, attention, memory and problem solving skills all in one go. It although has an added benefit of keyboard - stimulation of nerve endings in fingertips is one of the best neural exercises.

Average IQ of children that are interested in computers is higher than thous who are not (I have data only in my country on that, but I'm reasonably sure it's the same tendency in other parts of the world).

Working with computers is although a recommended pastime for older people - it stimulates brain activity, like not much other pastimes do, which makes it a good prophylactic for many brain function problems that come with age. Our brain needs workouts as much as our bodies do, if not more, other ways it can't stay healthy and in top shape.

Essentially computer is capable of performing the same function for us adults that blocks and logical game preform for small kids - stimulate neural processes and development.

2. Playing computer games eventually leads to people being more proficient with other computer based tasks, in modern day being comfortable working with computers is a big + for carier development.

3. Language skills - if your native language is not English good chances are than after several years on line you'll start at last reading in English. Typing in English soon after and if you play voiced games you get listening practice as well. Playing on-line and using teamspeak can help with speaking practice And for obvious reasons languages are very important our days.

4. Creativity. Yes, games develop that too (to tired to go in to details).



The list goes on and on, you will although notice that a people pick up interests in reading and watching good movies in RPG gaming communities, just several days ago I talked with a teen who refused to read when his mother or teachers told him... But suddenly some of his gaming friends started to talk about some book and he felt left out... The next day he got that book and red it The best thing is that he liked it and now is on "reading spree"



So on, as fare as hobbies go, gaming is one of the good once Especially if you are a PC gamer - consoles regretfully while easy to use are although more limited in functionality, and require less skills to operate. (and no it's not an insult to console gamers, it's just a lot of the things I mentioned above are based on computers both more "problematic" and "flexible" nature)

[eurohunk2]

not really parents hate that I play so much and my friends play games so as long that I don't spend all my time playing no one gives me crap

[NewYears1978]

Great post Sshodan!

[Sshodan]

Thank you

[KethWolfheart]

For some reason I have never had to defend it.  Maybe because I am one of the old gamers (45).  While growing up as a kid I had to instead defend myself constantly about my reading.  I would read 3-5 books a week easy.  My mom was always "It is such a nice day, put that book down and go play" or my Dad, "Whats with all the fantasy book reading, go live in the real world for a change".

I got into computer games for a short while in college and more afterwards, at which point I was on my own.  My partners never really cared as I seldom got obsessed with it - I played games they drank beer and watched stuff on TV.

The only time it was ever a problem was my first MMORPG, EQ1, where I was playing 40 hours a week.  I finally realized what a waste that was.  So now my friends just consider it amusing how I turn into a little kid when a game comes out ...but then some of my friends are now gamers so they know what it is like

Sshodhan makes some great points.  I did a research paper on Role Playing and MMORPG games and there was a lot of benefit to it as far as identity exploration and learning about oneself in a more secure environment (and dangers of course).

Its a pretty dry read, and based on WoW for some of the examples, but it was a fun paper and took a semester to research - did it for a grad seminar on personality psychology.  If you are really bored ...

Research Paper on Role Playing in an MMORPG

Modifié par KethWolfheart, 15 octobre 2009 - 11:00 .

[Malikar Raken]

So long as you enjoy it, does it matter?

But to answer the question, no generally I don't have to defend gaming...I'll just attack the attackers hobby! =P

Modifié par Malikar Raken, 15 octobre 2009 - 10:56 .

[Ansem62]

Everyone has different distractions, and no matter what it is everyone has one; games just seem to be generally seen as nothing but a waste of time but that's usually seen from the perspective of those who think they spend their time better than we gamers do.

[aerows]

If you consider it, a movie with snacks costs nearly half as much as a game, and is over in 2 hours. If you get 4-6 hours of joy out of a game, it's paid for itself. Most games last longer than that, at least.

[NewYears1978]

Malikar Raken wrote...

So long as you enjoy it, does it matter?

Simple huh?  It shouldn't..but yet people still go out of their way to tell you that you are in the wrong, just because you play games.

What if we start telling people who read books they are in the wrong, or who do <insert something besides gaming>

[Seagloom]

I used to have this problem with my dad. Of course I was teenager slacking off from my studies to engage in marathon gaming sessions, so it was entirely justified. Nowadays no one cares. Everyone in my life is aware I'm into games, but no one questions it. Now that it no longer affects my ability to deal with my responsibilities there's no reason to.

What I *do* tend to avoid telling others about is tabletop gaming. That still gets me funny looks whenever I dare bring it up. I once tried to explain the concept to one of my older sisters; a fairly intelligent and educated person, and while she understood me, she still couldn't overcome some illogical stigmas about it.

Modifié par Seagloom, 15 octobre 2009 - 11:13 .

[DeviantJoker]

Viz79 wrote...
The only thing I have to do is balance my time playing with spending time with my wife! Not always easy when you come home from work and want to play an hour of Dragon Age but your wife is expecting you spent time with her after you have been away all day Compromise I have reached is that she plays something she likes on our laptop (shes a gamer in the making, even if shes just working on easy Windows games at the moment ) while I play a game I like on my desktop and we chatter away while we play for the hour/hour and a half.  Seems to work

Totally agree! I've known my wife for seven years and been married for two and evolving to find that balance was something that took me a while as well. For me, it took me time to stop being utterly neglectful of all events around me when I'd dump hours into a game. Now I've learned what works best for us, such as you mentioned game with her and the room - actively listen and keep conversation with her aas well as taking small breaks from my actual game. It didn't all come together in a snap, but for the past couple years, I really have no worries of my gaming needs around her.

As for other people, they generally do get it or don't, but don't often pursue it so much to make me feel on the "defensive".

[Todsicher]

aerows wrote...

If you consider it, a movie with snacks costs nearly half as much as a game, and is over in 2 hours. If you get 4-6 hours of joy out of a game, it's paid for itself. Most games last longer than that, at least.

Bah, you beat me to it!

I have had to be on the defensive at times over playing video games, and as someone stated before, it often times will cause reflection over it.  There is gaming responsibly, and neglectfully.  As people, we still require social interaction with other individuals; although, this has been simulated with MMO's, but they lack the other thing that we as humans require: phyiscal touch.  Be it a handshake, a pat on the back, or a hug, there are many studies showing that simple interactions with other individuals help with mental health. 

That being said, aerow's makes a point I was going to get to.  A typical MMO costs $16~ with tax to maintain an account.  With this, you have full interaction with players socially, you have nearly unlimited access in terms of the time availability, and strangely enough there is normally a lot of story, and relative information to that of life (i.e World of Warcraft makes a great many references to literature characters, famous individuals, and also plays off much that is relative to social events).  $16 will hardly get two people into a matinee film, for two hours worth of entertainment, and more than likely, you aren't watching something to stimulate your brain.  RPG's are about as interactive as you get with indepth games, and through the various lore created, the problem solving, and critical thinking involved can be no different than that of a fantasy book.  Even with reading, it's shown that it is best if 90% of the works you read are below your capabilities, and the rest should be that which is challenging.  I'd say that RPG's definately need you to be involved mentally, even if it doesn't challege you to think about parables, or overly tricky content.

While video games can be a wonderful form of self entertainment, most everything is done best in moderation.

Modifié par Todsicher, 15 octobre 2009 - 11:40 .

[Sshodan]

KethWolfheart wrote...
 I did a research paper on Role Playing and MMORPG games and there was a lot of benefit to it as far as identity exploration and learning about oneself in a more secure environment (and dangers of course).

Its a pretty dry read, and based on WoW for some of the examples, but it was a fun paper and took a semester to research - did it for a grad seminar on personality psychology.  If you are really bored ...

Research Paper on Role Playing in an MMORPG

A good paper, and an interesting read, (at last for a geek like me ) and a good research idea. Made me analyse some of my own observations anew. On-line RPGs my be a great thing... As long as it doesn't go overbord. I did some research in general interactions with computer environment and games, and it's implications for long term development, but hven't payed as mcuh attention to on line gaming for now, great to know that there are more and more people digging in that derection.

[Supremelackey]

My mom is almost insane about my playing video games.  She didn't let me bring my awesome new computer to college for my first semester and instead bought me a laptop.  The laptop money could have bought my books for goodness sakes, and I can still play video games on my laptop.  It's probably able to run DA anyways.  She is just absolutely paranoid about it, which is weird cause I get A's in all my classes and have quite a few friends. 

I think the people who don't accept video games as a hobby are people who are afraid of new things.  This may or may not be the case with my mom, but she is a massive control freak because she regrets not strangling my brother with her nagging .

[PandaThief]

my mom also is a control freak, hell she would freak if she knew i was talken to all of you because she thinks you all will rape me-_0

[AClockworkMelon]

PandaThief wrote...

she would freak if she knew i was talken to all of you because she thinks you all will rape me-_0

"Thinks"?

:innocent:

[dragoager]

My friend has a bumper sticker that reads - "My gamer fragged your honor student."

The best defense is a good offense.

As long as gaming doesn't become an addiction to the point where it impairs your work / school/ social life, then log on and live it up.

Modifié par dragoager, 16 octobre 2009 - 01:31 .

[NewYears1978]

AClockworkMelon wrote...

PandaThief wrote...

she would freak if she knew i was talken to all of you because she thinks you all will rape me-_0

"Thinks"?

:innocent:

Haha

[Urifat]

I'm a chicken

[Seagloom]

Urifat wrote...

I'm a chicken

Yum. That reminds me: dinner's ready...

[GithCheater]

Compooturs 'n vidio gamez ar stoooopid. Thay will rot yer mind. the word iz goin to hell cuz people don't talk to each other any more ...



I've heard it all - especially from my wife ... However, yacking on the phone or watching TV for hours is ok.

[PandaThief]

NewYears1978 wrote...

AClockworkMelon wrote...

PandaThief wrote...

she would freak if she knew i was talken to all of you because she thinks you all will rape me-_0

"Thinks"?

:innocent:

Haha

ok she knows all of you will rape me XD