why do we play games?

I think that people (mainly me) like to play video games because it lets us be what we can be in real life. take for instance sora from kingdom hearts. Holding keyblades and slashing away at the darkness of the world. the N+ ninja, Who doesn’t want to have god-like speed, dexterity, the ability to reincarnate, etc. can’t say the same for thier unfortunate 90 second lifetime though, and last but not least (to me) billy hatcher!?!?!? yes I actually want to be the guy in the chicken suit, having control over various eggs and rolling over my enemies with a giant egg. (if you don’t know what it is go to youtube or play the game.)

oh yeah and one other thing. TRON 2.0, I’m all about the cyber.

why do you think we play games. what would yo like to be in?

my list of current want life types in the ones I currently want more. remember that my list changes everyday (or hour)

1.)Billy hatcher and the giant egg
2.)N+
3.)kingdom hearts 1&2
4.)TRON 2.0
5.)Jet Set Radio & Jet Set Radio Future

Move to GG, please. Mainly because we have a couple threads like this and I’ll merge those buggers together.

Um…I play them cause they can be fun and significant and pretty and give me a thrill?

And stuff…

Let it stay here.

It’s not like anybody goes to GG anyway.

I don’t play games anymore unfortunately, I just putz around here for the community.

My gaming career died the day I got my license.

I think it’s a legit GD thread. It’s not about video games so much why people like to play question which is more of a psychology thing.

Also, I disagree that we like to play video games because it allows us to pretend to be people with magic powers. That would not apply very well to games like Tetris, or like… pong. Plus, none of the things we do in video games really come anywhere close to making us feel like we are the character we are controlling in the game. Pushing buttons and moving joysticks isn’t much of a simulation.

It’s mainly a combination of the mental stimulation we receive by playing any kind of game in general with the aesthetic value of the game, I’d reckon.

the challenge too. and the reward of finishing. and bragging rights (for some people apparently).

the challenge too. and the reward of finishing. and bragging rights (for some people apparently).

No idea what the hell you’re talking about.

No idea what the hell you’re talking about.

Bragging right is a term commonly used in terms of tournaments or in completion of something that is hard to do. lets say that I was #1 on the N+ xbox 360 leaderboards (I use) to be for a while until more people started to play it. if I still did I could brag about it and say I conquered everyone. thoses there would be braging right for the time bieng. that is until I got topped.

Move to GG, please. Mainly because we have a couple threads like this and I’ll merge those buggers together.

Keep it here because it’s like chewey said. no one goes to that thread as much as these threads. I need some info

Because it’s something you can unequivocally win without compromise, unlike most challenges in life.

In a lot of instances, I would say stress relief. Let’s face it: at least 90% of us work or interact with someone we can’t stand(perhaps SEVERAL someones we can’t stand). My method of dealing with these people is swallowing whatever they irritate me with, coming home, popping in Resident Evil or House of the Dead, or ANY game that allows me to shoot the **** out of things, and go buck wild.
Understandably, mine was just one example. The general idea, however, remains the same; most games we play(especially the ones we enjoy) relax us greatly…unless you’re playing at a difficulty level you have no business playing, at which point much rage can be had, and my entire post is moot.:D

Redbat’s thread of a similar vein is a bit old and didn’t go very far anyway. Oh well, w/e.

If GD is my Lakeview Hotel, GG is Venus Tears.

What’re y’all drinking, this round’s on the bartender~

It’s not like anybody goes to GG anyway.

Really? When did this start happening?

And, in short, I play video games to have fun and relax. It’s something I have done since I was little, and I’ve always had a passion for it. It might not be the most healthy/interesting hobby, but I have others for that.

People play games for many different reasons: stress, fun, challenges, accomplishment.

I play for pure enjoyment, and the accomplishment factor.

Sometimes, it helps you escape the reality of your real problems. You can just kick back with no worries.

It’s fun and educational!

I play games because they entertain me and that’s about it really.

BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE A GIRLFRIEND.

Actually I still would if I did. Keeps the boredom away.

I read in some magazine (reliable source) that playing games is psychologically rewarding and healthy in moderation.
Something like that!

The question is basically the same as "why do we read books", or "why do we watch movies". Because we enjoy them.

For the music and fun, or boredom

i play them for many reasons.
oh, wait, IDX just stole my words.

For entertainment, a challenge, an engrossing story and something interactive and fun to do.

Also me on Skype playing Xbox360 with friends I went to school with who live four hours away, it makes communicating and adds a social and sometimes frustratingly irritating aspect (Thanks to my BFF who keeps kicking my arse at Soul Calibur IV, I wipe the floor with you at Ridge Racer 6) to your otherwise anti-social and loner gaming.

For the music.

Obviously everyone has his own reasons and therefore there are different games.
For me if I want to release stress or hatred i play some shooter like serious sam or painkiller. Strategic games I play for the challenge, which sometimes produces anger instead, but its a rewarding feeling when you accomplish a goal. And advanture games and rpgs and other i play for the esthetic/artistic enjoyment.
But lets face it, we do it so that we dont have to think about the hardship of real life. Its transports our thoughts to a nicer, more righteous place, where everything is possible…
And I play ace combat and wipeout only for the music 🙂