Why do you play video games?

Hello, fellow gamers.

Firstly, I hope you didn't read the question in the voice of an angry parent or that of an accusing TV host. If you already did, I am sorry. It wasn't intended. Instead, the question that I've been recently thinking about is the following: what is it that we seek in games?

When I was a little kid, I was told that video games were simply a way to kill time, like playing checkers with your grandma or with friends, or playing football with your friends (or with grandma). However, later I found out that some games were different. They gave an opportunity to escape the "real world" and immerse oneself in a world of fascinating adventures. For the little me, this was amazing! (and for the teenage me, this was a lifesaver).

Now, having discovered that there is more than one purpose to gaming, I am curious about whether anyone else here has thought about and found new answers to why video games are so appealing. What do you think it is that we seek in games? What basic human needs do we want to satisfy? Do we seek a way to kill time, a challanging experience, a tool for escaping reality or, perhaps, a way to connenct with others (in the case of online games) while we can't or do not want to do so in reality? Let's discuss.

Looking forward to your answers.

I play games to escape reality and it's part of my every daily hobby playing games :)

(I know this thread is a hidden stealth advertising, but the question still remains interesting for discussion)

@racersteve: Done, sir!

@theredfox:

Why do you play video games?

Because I like having fun.

Everyone enjoys a hobby, and likely for different reasons.

For me in gaming, is exploring the game mechanics and level design depth/ how much precision is needed and options available, stuff like that excites me. Also a fan of visually being stunned by the art crafted before me in a well-realised world.

*I've commonly read here story in games is what many want to do when it's more an escape from reality but I'm not one of these Gamers. Can appreciate a good plot, no questions; to make the events more practical. However I don't think gaming as a medium really needs it. And many cases a 'good story' in a game is used to ignore its short comings as an actual game.

I am curious about whether anyone else here has thought about and found new answers to why video games are so appealing

No new answers, I know what I like, and highlighted something else that seems common. I like games for the fundamental depth first and foremost. However I'm a straight forward creature that doesn't need a story or interesting characters to motivate my attention-span. That's only a bonus when a game adds that ontop an already excellent game.

Like Chrono Trigger for example_

For the excitement. It gets pretty dull around here.

Also to win in competitive games like MOBA (I just like that feeling of getting better at something). Gaming also helps me to reduce my stress.

Depends on the game

Stealth games I get a real thrill out of, same with horror

Most other games I play to battle boredom, depression but I actually think gaming is a good hobby

I fell in love with video games the first time I saw my friend play on Commodore 64.

I still love games, both old and new.

So, to answer your question, I play games out of love.

Oh, dont worry. There are lot of other things too I love. Women, good food, travelling, books and so on.

Love makes the world go round.

I play for fun and its a hobby and it helps me to pass the time.

Play with friends, the enjoyment it provides, and takes you away from reality which is especially nice for work.

@davillain-: Oh no! I just filled in the survey to help them out. I didn't want it to appear as if I was advertising something :(

@RSM-HQ: It's interesting, because, when I think about it, I've personally liked different games for different reasons at different times. When I was a kid, I prefered games with good stories. I mean, it wasn't just the story. I also loved the atmosphere, the scenery, etc, but storylines and interesting characters were the dealbreakers for me. And I can relate to @davillain- and I can definitely relate to @henrythefifth in that I used to LOVE games. They were my way of completely escaping reality and immersing myself in a new world.

However, recently I've become rather disinterested in most of the storylines that gaming offers. I mean, I'd rather read a book. Nowadays, I play games just to pass time, like @sukraj said. And very recently, I've started playing for some challange. I've been playing a MOBA (and little else) in the previous year and like @bush_dog said, I've just been looking for some fun. I was also looking for something that I can do while communicating with others, because singleplayer had become lonely and wasn't as immersive anymore, but I had no one I wanted to communicate with IRL.

I've been playing for a while now, and I have tried different genres, studios, playforms. But the reason I've played these games has constantly been changing. This is part of the reason I'm curious about what others think on the topic. I mean, I can only guess about what my future motivations to play, or whether I will play at all (and it would be quite said if I didn't).

@bush_dog:Really?! I've started playing a MOBA recently. It's DOTA 2, to be more precise. What do you play?

@darktower: You know, I picked up Dead Space when I was a kid, and I have to say: it was an exciting but terrible experience at the same time. It was really fun and had a decent story. The thing is, I was playing at my friend's place, at night. And then I get to get back home. Alone. AT NIGHT. And it was terrifying. Since then I've been avoiding horror games at all costs. In fact, I don't think I've tried to deliberately feel thrilled ever again. It is exciting to watch youtubers do it though (if it's not at night). The thing is that some horror games actually have pretty good storylines and I want to play these. But I just can't make myself get over the horror elements :(

@theredfox: As a child I went to the arcade for games and would play dancing games and casually play Fighting games, and other genres. For me it was a social obligation and didn't think much past it.

Wasn't till I started playing Tekken 5 that I would state gaming mechanics hit me as my real interest in the hobby.

As for story, was never my go-to but after finishing Makai Senki Disgaea at a young age, mostly playing it for 'again' mechanical depth, got attached towards some of the cast. And suppose this is a spoiler, but Flon dies, this bubbly kind Angel girl, and that's when it hit me that I can enjoy character development as well. Yet, it's still rare for me to care about such things.

Even then I have a 33 X 23 inch poster of Flon, love that character in every way.

The answer is dependant on many factors.

Different games fulfil different needs.

I used to play Ultima 4 (SMS) for literally weeks because I could immerse myself in that world. However I still enjoy action games for the thrill of improving my skill level in the game and hence advancing further through the levels to see them and enhance my skill level even more until the skill level is high and game play is rewarding.

I'm playing Icewind Dale but I'm also playing Virtua Racing on Mega Drive which I am currently preferring to MSI on the Dreamcast.

I have a problem that they are getting so real, is it OK for kids to be playing?

It's changed over time I think... so I'm interested to see what role it plays in the future. When I was a kid, N64 games were a way of coming together. My sides would hurt playing Mario Kart, Goldeneye or Mario Party. As I grew up, it became more about the escapism - the role playing element. I'm not interested in the games with customisable characters - I want to be given a fully fleshed out person, in a situation I will likely never be in, and be asked to act as they would. While it's not my favourite game, GTAV was great for this, because I could flick between three characters and three play styles. These days, games are a brief break for me - a reward at the end of the day. I'm pretty time poor so it's usually just a few round on the remastered COD4 or something like that.

@theredfox: Mainly, I play League of Legends but I also play DOTA 2 when my Friends ask me to party with them. Playing at SEA server.

i enjoyed the art, dialogue and fantastical element of games. i think part of us all like to get lost in them and their world

Immersion or as a time killing hobby. I like being involved or immersed in something. Some games offer that reward, the satisfaction of accomplishing something without actually doing anything.

Immersion and escapism I can't wait to see what VR will be like in 10 or 20 years I hope it feels as real as dreams do. Just imagine playing GTAV like that where it's almost impossible to tell the difference between VR and real life it will be the best entertainment ever.

@james_w30: I don't even know, sir. I mean, the liberal me says "just let them do what they like", but then the conservative me says "we need to be caucious". I've written a couple of essays in college regarding this topic (rather, a similar topic, about violence and its influence on kids), and there are good arguments on both sides. So, one needs to thoroughly analyze all (or most) of these arguments and try to identify which side is stronger.

@bush_dog: I've played league a couple of times. I was confused and, I guess, too lazy to get too deep into the mechanics :P. So I went back to Dotes.

I play because they are fun, it's my favourite hobby.

I'm also a huge history nerd, and I love games like Assassin's Creed, Red Orchestra, Battlefield, Age of Empires or Company of Heroes putting me in different times.

Same here

Because video games are my way of having fun, socialize and temporarily escape from reality.

It helped me in many ways over the courses of my life. Whether it was because I had no one to talk to, left feeling disappointed, sad because of past events, or just plain bored, video games were there when I needed something to soothe my mind.

I've grown attached to many video games and the communities it made over the years, but as I grew older, the enjoyment isn't as great anymore. I've taken interest in different hobbies as of lately, one of them is writing. I still enjoy video games, that's why I made a blog about video games, it's like hitting two birds with one stone.

But good things come to an end at some point, and video games will probably become numb to me after a few years. But for now, I'll try to enjoy video games at every chance I get to play it.

It's a cheap hobby that doesn't take much time to enjoy.

game

I love to play Doggy Bubble Shooter , is a free game with bubble ball , i love it

I play mainly to hang out with friends, I used to really love narratives and exploring new worlds etc, but now I don't have the time - and really only want to play with other people.

@pimphand_gamer: Immersion or as a time killing hobby. I like being involved or immersed in something. Some games offer that reward, the satisfaction of accomplishing something without actually doing anything.

I think immersion is key to enjoying games and the ability to focus on the image and world like a meditation to transport yourself into that world is how to enjoy video games, as taking an active part in the narrative even if it's Snow Bros.

That is because that's what I love to do if I have nothing to do and/or if I want to relax to relieve tiredness/stress from school despite staying up late during the weekdays til 11 or 12 am. It also helped me escape reality and forget my problems temporarily. And also, this is what I am almost passionate about.

and also, gaming is the only one that makes me happy the most.

I play games to fix my crippling depression.

Cause I have no life.

To have fun.

Any one willing to help with a dissertation module ??

I like to take ecstasy mash and play a game as it makes me feel like I'm in the game and I'm the main character, but usually when i sober up I'm just staring at a blank wall with a banana in my hand.

@hyperanium: It's sad, but I have to admit that I feel the same. It was rather terrifying when I first felt like I wasn't having "fun" anymore, like something had changed. I was shocked, because games had been my whole life, my whole experience for the previous 10 or more years. And now here I am, in the "grown-up" world, wishing that I wasn't here at all...

Oh man, you made me shed a tear there :'). But enough with my rant, glad that you were able to find another interesting hobby, my friend!

@jenydaman: Looks interesting, I'll give it a try!

@the1truepatriot: I'm sorry to hear that. But at least you've found something that helps. And, having been (and currently being) there, I can tell you that it's great to have something to forget about depression.

I play games for various reasons whether its to kill time, to learn or to socialise. Whatever the reason is the game itself must be entertaining, socialising is becoming very important in the gaming industry. Game developers need to take social play very serious as this is a growing trend.

Jay

Real Media Now Ltd

Love it. Can't help but love it. Not that I am a toxic gamer but everytime i ply games(not every game though), i really feel the joy in my heart. Besides I found that some games really have good stories, which is sometimes i will tell people that playing games is just another way to... shit, i can't find a word to describe. English is my second language. anyways, just like reading comic, manga, novel, watching movie, listening tales from others. It is simply another ways to 'rgesvkhjb(that word)' a story that created by others.

Mostly for the immersion and atmosphere. I love losing myself in a game's rich world and escaping reality. This is why most of my favorite video games are RPGs, immersive sims or story and atmosphere rich first person action games.