Curse

Tahlia Tane · Aug 05, 2009, 10:20 AM // 10:20

First of all, it's not what you think. I thought about making this thread in off-topic, but I decided it's too related to GW and gaming in general, so I decided to do it here.

Anyway. I need some thoughts and advice from my fellow Guild Wars players. I've been playing GW for several years now and I've put a grand total of 1,300 hours into my account. There was a time when I played 6 hours a day easily. And the only thing I did was play. This was also the case with WoW. I played WoW, quit; played GW, loved it, quit; played WoW again, quit; went back to GW and sort of quit again because I wasn't interested and lately I've picked it up again. Here's the thing, though. Things have changed a lot. I no longer play a long time, and generally I don't spend a long time on the computer anymore. It used to be the only thing I had, sadly, but now I spend like 2 hours a day or less on my computer. That is, until recently.

I picked up Guild Wars again and I thought that I shouldn't play much. I thought, well, I can play casually. The problem was that I couldn't do it. I can't play casually. I started playing and I just kept on playing and playing and next thing I know, for the first time in a very long time, I played for quit a while. It first started with the recent AB weekend. I kept playing and playing and ended up playing a grand total of 6 hours straight, with very few breaks. Things that I usually do like reading and learning languages, which I enjoy immensely and do everyday, I ended up not doing. I guess sometimes plans just fall through, right?

But it didn't stop with AB. I just kept on playing more and more. And it took a while for me to realize that what I was doing was not very good for me. Yesterday, I did a hardmode mission. And then I did some more and then some more, and next thing I know I've been playing for 5 hours and I did absolutely nothing that day that I was totally planning on doing. Everyday I read for about 2 hours (two books at the moment) and I did nothing of that. What's even worse is that I didn't even really enjoy doing those hardmode missions. Me and my party members failed many times. Even worse still, I got frustrated with my party members, and was reminded of how I don't seem to enjoy playing with other people when what we do involves discussing and deploying a strategy. Allow me to take a minor detour to explain.

About a year or two ago I played a lot of Team Fortress 2, well into the night at times. This was when I exclusively did stuff on the PC (10, 12 hours a day). I just kept on playing it more and more and put many hours into it. I think the total time played now stands at 600 hours or so. I was pretty pro at it (although I certainly hope so, with all that time put into it). The problem was that I got increasingly frustrated with my fellow players. TF2 is a game that requires teamwork, not entirely unlike Guild Wars. The more and more I played, the more I got frustrated. Unfortunately, I didn't take my conclusions as I got frustrated. I just kept on playing more and more until it drove me insane. Now, mind you, not as insane as that german kid on youtube, but still pretty darn crazy. Playing games at the time was the only thing I had.

This is something I have put behind me. At least, something I thought I had put behind me. I have things to do now. I read my books, I play my guitar, I study foreign languages and I love it. I especially love reading about history and so on. And it's making me a better person. I get something out of it that is deeply satisfying.

I thought that I had put this permanently behind me, but it seems I'm having a relapse. I interrupted this relapse yesterday when I deleted GW on my PC. (I did this before I realized I could just give away my money, about 40k or so, and then delete my characters to be absolutely sure, but who cares.)

How did I end up screwing things up like this? It first started with me picking up Guild Wars. I thought to myself: "Well, I don't play hardcore anymore. But I can play casually, can't I? Yeah, I think I can. I think I'll do that... I just got to make sure I don't play much, and I'll be fine. Casual gaming ftw. GW is casual-friendly." At times this went well, like RA, but at times it went disastrously, like AB (6 hours on end). I couldn't understand why I had such a hard time just playing for a little bit and then just quit and continue with the stuff I do I usually do for the rest of the day. I didn't want to admit it, but I think I might be addicted somehow. It's an unusual addiction, not like drugs, because I don't enjoy it that much. I end up playing so much and I don't enjoy... what's up with that? That is unsettling. (I never did drugs, by the way.)

It dawned on me that with Guild Wars-type games, games that can also be seen as 3D chatrooms if you're not doing any questing, I have trouble playing moderately. And as I thought of this, I thought of Guild Wars 2, which I was looking forward to. What will I do now? I demurred at the thought of never playing Guild Wars 2 . For some reason I see it as 'essential' to play certain games. It seems I am utterly obsessed with games and I didn't want to acknowledge that until recently.

Another reason why I picked up GW and thought I might be able to play it casually was that I have a Nintendo DS that I play games on everyday. Now I'm just chillin' with Brain Training and do the occasional sudoku puzzle which I love, but I used to play some other games. I did some Kirby Canvas Curse and I played it very moderately, 20 minutes a day tops, and it worked very well. Handheld games seem to be the best when playing casually. Because of this, I thought I could play GW casually too. But it seems it's an entirely different beast. Having thought about it some more, I think I should stick to handheld games and always be very, very careful with games that are on main systems such as PC and consoles.

Back to Guild Wars 2. It's confirmed that there's no way I can play GW moderately and never again have a relapse and end up playing many hours on end. So what of GW2? Well, I think that a new game is easily played moderately, although I'm not sure. Again, I recall my experience with TF2. In the beginning, I didn't play that much, but the more I played, gradually, the longer my playing sessions lasted. This might be because of my own enjoyment. When something is new, you enjoy it easily. When a game introduces novelties, like Guild Wars did, it is enjoyable more easily and because of that, is more casual-friendly. That sounds counter-intuitive, because you'd think a more fun game would be more conducive to playing more and more. On the other hand, I'm not so sure of this either.

And if I'm not so sure of this, I shouldn't risk anything. I think I should never touch Guild Wars 2, and for that matter ANY game that resembles GW, GW2, WoW or any other MMO. Still, some doubt lingers. What if I can play GW2 moderately? I have no doubt it will be so awesome. Well, I think I should just think of the current GW and take my conclusions. I can't play moderately because of how the game works. Then what makes me think I will be able to play GW2 moderately? What will be different? I'm an adult, aren't I? What makes me think in a few years it will be different? Why couldn't I play GW moderately in the first place? What makes me think that, if I'm older, somehow, I will be able to control myself? I took my conclusions, and concluded that I wouldn't, couldn't, and therefore shouldn't.

It seems the element of communication is a huge problem for me. How many single-player games are there where I have put in this much time? None. There are none. Are there any MMO-type games that I ever played moderately? Nope. So maybe that's it, isn't it? The multiplayer element is something I should stay far, far away from. That means I won't—nay—can't play Guild Wars 2.

It's a very sad situation. And perhaps you might think "whoa.." when you read this. But I think I should at least be proud of myself for saying this to myself, and making this decision.

Some of the games I still play, luckily, are very easily played moderately. One genre that I absolutely must play on a non-handheld is hardcore racing (simulation). The great thing here is that racing like this really makes you sweat and turning a steering wheel and controlling input with pedals can make you much more tired than simple clicking and button-pressing. I've never had any problem moderating my time spent racing.

The gaming hobby for me is a strange hobby. I hate it and love it at the same time, although I can't call it a love-hate relationship. The vast majority of games are games I don't enjoy playing, because it's all so predictable and/or flawed. I don't think I'll ever quit playing games, though, because it seems to be in my blood. I think games can give you great experience and I think that most people play games, but they're not aware of it. I know that some older people who say they don't play games actually do; solitaire, for instance. Everyone loves interactions.

superraptors · Aug 05, 2009, 10:31 AM // 10:31

good read 123
________
BABE ARAB

cainthered · Aug 05, 2009, 10:37 AM // 10:37

There's always ToR coming out

English Warrior · Aug 05, 2009, 11:06 AM // 11:06

I give the plot 3/5, the ending 2/5 but the length 5/5 on a overall basis a 3.5/5.
If u wer quitting GW why on earth wud u come on here and tell us trolls like me have a feeding frenzy.

*Darcy* · Aug 05, 2009, 11:13 AM // 11:13

You need to keep your gaming as a reward after you have done your reading, languages, guitar practice, etc. It is very easy to lose yourself in something enjoyable, no matter what it is. I have stayed up all night reading in the past, using the "just to the end of this chapter" theory of stopping.

My solution for "too much" is to have scheduled stopping periods - meals, trip to the store, etc. This means that no matter what activity becomes obsessive, I have a system in place to control it.

Avarre · Aug 05, 2009, 11:22 AM // 11:22

For myself, I've never considered myself in your position because gaming was something I used to fill gaps in my schedule, rather than take priority. Although I definitely played far more than you (12-16 hours a day on holidays).

I'd pick up something very skirmish-based (RTS/FPS) that you can play in bursts and not get caught up in the improvement cycle that MMO games have. Especially as you can cut out the frustration of team play and organization that way.

Gl with what you do.

Shayne Hawke · Aug 05, 2009, 11:22 AM // 11:22

This is more about your quitting GW for your reasons rather than anything that has happened in, with, or to the game.

Faer · Aug 05, 2009, 11:26 AM // 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avarre

I'd pick up StarCraft if I were you.

This is basically Avarre's advice, and I agree with him.

Tahlia Tane · Aug 05, 2009, 11:33 AM // 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shayne Hawke

This is more about your quitting GW for your reasons rather than anything that has happened in, with, or to the game.

Which is my first line reads: "First of all, it's not what you think". I understand this subforum gets a lot of whining threads. For the record, I don't think ArenaNet has ever screwed up GW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitchel

Take it to Dr. Phil.

Pro tip: don't post if you don't have anything useful to say. I just had to get it off my mind, that's all. And btw I already got a useful PM, so posting this topic was worth it.

And no I won't give my stuff to noobs. It's not like I'm rich anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avarre

For myself, I've never considered myself in your position because gaming was something I used to fill gaps in my schedule, rather than take priority. Although I definitely played far more than you (12-16 hours a day on holidays).

I'd pick up something very skirmish-based (RTS/FPS) that you can play in bursts and not get caught up in the improvement cycle that MMO games have. Especially as you can cut out the frustration of team play and organization that way.

Gl with what you do.

Ok, thanks. Haven't played RTS games in a while. Like I wrote in the OP, there is no doubt I should stick to games I can get tired of. Unfortunately, games like Guild Wars aren't like that.

This thread really, really shouldn't be looked at as some kind of a negative threads towards Guild Wars. GW is awesome, too awesome. And Guild Wars 2 will be amazing, but it's just not for me.

Solas · Aug 05, 2009, 11:53 AM // 11:53

I'm the same tbh, It kinda consumes your day and you don't know where the time goes.
Playing even though you don't really feel up for it/ want to is something I can relate.
I play because there really isn't that much to do really.
What kind of sites do you use for History and what kinda of timeline?(not sure how to go about it as a hobby)
Recently attempting guitar myself just for something to do.

Anet could bring in something like Blizz's parental controls and set a period in which the game can only be played, that way you can stick to your schedule. As in only allow play from 9-11pm, As long as your don't cheat and change it it should be ok.

Test Me · Aug 05, 2009, 12:04 PM // 12:04

I keep wondering why am I still playing myself

I've put more hours into it than you, ups

And I really freaking hate the game today. All it gives me is stress, frustration and boredom. It has (at this point at least) none of the relaxation and enjoyment *games* are supposed to provide.

I've always blamed ANet for not making more of an effort to keep this game fun... I really think they should hire a consultant on human psychology to understand what people think it's fun in a game

However I can't be bothered to start playing another game and invest same time in it ever again, like WoW or so. But after so much time I can't really leave either since I'm hoping at this utopia GW2 is going to be and get me out of my boredom

Hope dies last, was it?

But the more time passes and the more I get bored and frustrated I kind of realize, like you do, that I actually don't really want GW2 either, as that would be a totally different game requiring a lot of time investment where I would start from 0 as it will discard all time I've spent in GW1... so... the fact that I don't want to start another game might as well mean I don't want GW2. So I'll wait and see what they come up with and that transitions are possible between my GW1 account and GW2 to really make up my mind.

But as you mention, I'm not looking forward for picking up a new MMO... be that even brand new shinny GW2.

kupp · Aug 05, 2009, 12:08 PM // 12:08

I was in the same boat as you OP. I've been playing video games god knows for how long, and for about the last year GW, TF2 and other games got so addictive that I started skipping some classes and didn't start studying to some exams that are going to decide my life until it was almost too late. Like you, games were all I had at the time.

Still, this is something completely manageble. Like Darcy said, setting up a schedule for yourself is a very good way to deal with it even though I know it gets hard to stop playing sometimes and follow that schedule. The solution is to find something else that you enjoy as much, that way stop playing in order to do anything else shouldn't really be a problem.

I wasn't in that position because all I had a few months ago were studies and games, and studying isn't exactly considered a fun activity regardless of how important it is, so I sort of fell into that routine ending up playing 3-4 hours a day and easily 6-7 when I had some more free time.

Hope it helps anyway. Also like Avarre said, GW has this continuous improvement cycle that can hold on to players for a long time, something that can easily be played in bursts is an excellent choice, when one games is over, that's it unless you start a new one.

Still, at the end it's all up to you and your capability of self-control. No matter how addictive games can be, it's up to you to break the cycle and set up boundaries as to how much of it you play. Those tips like some kind of games, schedules, other as fun/rewarding activities to break away from it are just some tools to help you out.

Btw I stopped playing GW around 2 months ago and even though I installed it I don't feel like playing it anymore, so taking a good break can help you as well. Latelly all I've been doing gaming-wise, is playing through all the Half-Life games and the ocasional TF2 session wich doesn't go for more than an hour. The less you play, the easier it gets for you when you start feeling less and less need.

Zodiak · Aug 05, 2009, 12:08 PM // 12:08

One thing that MAY sound silly but actually works is, get a timer, an Egg timer perhaps.

While you dont realize how long you have been playing when your enjoying what you are doing. An external timing device will let you know when the pre-determined gaming time has been reached. At which point you can make the conscious decision to wrap things up and close the game.

It works for me, I hope it works for you

poppu16 · Aug 05, 2009, 12:20 PM // 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahlia Tane

I've put a grand total of 1,300 hours into my account.

It seems you haven't done more than 20% of what guild wars could afford you xD
If you are playing that much, isn't that because you get a lot of fun?

If you want to continue your other activities, do them before playing. Like one said some threads ago, video games are here to enjoy the time when you don't have other things to do.

Garreth MacLeod · Aug 05, 2009, 12:39 PM // 12:39

As several folks have said, you just need to use "something" to make you realize how long you've been playing, whether that be a timer, meal time, etc. OR do the other things you enjoy before allowing yourself to play GW.

One thing it sounds like you need to work on a little is your control. You and only you can make the decision that you've been playing long enough, be that one hour or two, and log off. Maybe decide before or right after logging in what you want to achieve that night and how long you will allow yourself to achieve that. AB matches are short enough that you could decide to play only 3-4 matches and then be done for the night. Same with missions, quests, or really anything else you are going to try. Just set a time limit and stick to it.

And expect that at first you might 'cheat' a little on the time. But stick with it and eventually you'll be at the point where you can log off without being in the game longer than you want to.

Tahlia Tane · Aug 05, 2009, 12:51 PM // 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Test Me

I've always blamed ANet for not making more of an effort to keep this game fun...

I really think that's kind of ridiculous... how much did you pay to play Guild Wars? About as much as any other game, no? Then look at how much you've been playing. How many other games in the same price range do you play for over 1,300 hours? Most games of the same price range you probably play 20 hours, maybe 30 hours. So I don't think you can blame anyone for this. If you have a game and you played it so often, why is it a surprise that eventually it gets boring?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garreth MacLeod

As several folks have said, you just need to use "something" to make you realize how long you've been playing, whether that be a timer, meal time, etc. OR do the other things you enjoy before allowing yourself to play GW.

One thing it sounds like you need to work on a little is your control. You and only you can make the decision that you've been playing long enough, be that one hour or two, and log off. Maybe decide before or right after logging in what you want to achieve that night and how long you will allow yourself to achieve that. AB matches are short enough that you could decide to play only 3-4 matches and then be done for the night. Same with missions, quests, or really anything else you are going to try. Just set a time limit and stick to it.

And expect that at first you might 'cheat' a little on the time. But stick with it and eventually you'll be at the point where you can log off without being in the game longer than you want to.

Yeah, but here's the thing. I already tried a million times to control myself. It isn't working. That's why I quit.

I still kind of enjoy GW, especially after a long break. But eventually I'll just have another relapse. That's why I have to quit permanently, IMO. Yeah, gaming is fun. Of course it is. But it becomes an issue if it starts to control my life. The game isn't the problem here, it's me.

bhavv · Aug 05, 2009, 12:53 PM // 12:53

Ive played over 3000 hours on my main account of GW. Im kind of semi quit, just playing when a new update comes along, but I definately will be giving GW2 a try

Make that 4536 hours actually over the past 46 months

And I barely play now, so most of that was in the first 3 years of the game.

Chushingura · Aug 05, 2009, 12:57 PM // 12:57

Well, after reading your latest post, if you seriously want to quit so that your gaming habits don't "control" you, then uninstalling the game isn't enough. You can easily re-install and everything (all characters, money, items etc etc) will still be there. In order to really move away from the game, you should delete everything in the account and then uninstall.

That way, the temptation to play will be fully erased.

If you cannot will yourself to delete your characters, just get yourself perma banned.

Shasgaliel · Aug 05, 2009, 01:06 PM // 13:06

I think what are you describing is called in psychology as "I of enthrallment". It is not an addiction per se but something which takes you out of this world as if time did no exist. I have to say I have exactly the same issue. Even if I plan to play 2 hours I end up playing 7 and thus not doing anything else. This can be damaging to relationships etc. I also play even if it often does not give fun anymore. So not only it is sometimes a waste of time but waste of time on something which does not bring anything back. I think you took a marvellous decision to stop. Good luck with it. I would suggest to take up games which can be finished and not the ones which you can play for an infinite amount of time and there is always something to do. RTS are a good option. I am also a fan of starcraft so I can suggest this one as well.

Actually to make sure it all does not come back better delete all the stuff. One moment of weaknes and you are back in gw wow in 1 hour or less. Now you know you can still go back easily. When you delete your charrs then there would be no way back. There would be some regrets but they will fade with time.

Theus Latius · Aug 05, 2009, 01:11 PM // 13:11

play DotA instead. 45min a game average. sorted