Curse

Poison Ivy · Sep 27, 2006, 02:07 PM // 14:07

I've started this topic for a reality cheak

, since I've been playing games ever since, loved them, but now everyone around me, hates me (thinks I'm crazy) because I play video games.

My mom always enjoys shouting at me with my hands over my ears, trying to pull off my hair to direct my nerves and brain to somewhere else other than my ears, telling me what a retard I am, how I live in a little ball, driven only by self non existant motivation, and lieing to my self for more excuses to spend time on playing games. Others I know in real life might be doing the same thing, just behind my back I guess...

I don't really play games all the time on my computer (but in my world, if your on a computer, it's considered playing games), but I do score at least 3 hours of gaming or possibly more daily.

So, please, take a few minutes and share your opinion on video games.

Are they simply an addictive time waster, with almost absolutely no point at all?

Or do they provide some sort of education, do they actually have a point in themselves, and when were spending hours on them were actually gaining something other than xp and gold.

Or should I, and possibly other gamers could consider this, try to quit gaming and get into real life. (Even if it's bad, somehow spend time improving it)

I'll be off for a few minutes to blow off some steam by trying to smash my keyboard or something...hopefully I'll get some replies by then

Electric Sky · Sep 27, 2006, 03:48 PM // 15:48

For me being Chinese, means my parents are totally against me playing any sorts of PC games or consoles that ever exists, they believe it distracts my concentration from school work. But just ask any Asian parent and the majority would give you the same reply "PC Games/PS2 etc=Bad".

Games can be highly addictive, but it is still the sole purpose of the player to have responsibilty to make sure they dont make their life dependant on it ! Dont go blaming the company for creating an excellent game, blame yourself for not being able to just stop for a moment and say "Its time for a short break." or " Time to finish my essays/work/housechores etc".
*NOTE* That was not directed at you, Poison Ivy

To be honest, i dont see any forms of education gained through playing games. But hey, thats just me. Games are just meant to be for fun and relaxation - not more workload !

I wouldnt say "Quit Gaming ! ", but just try to cut down the amount of time you spend playing on the pc if it actually interfers with your life/study etc. I know i have to

warren_kn · Sep 27, 2006, 07:10 PM // 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poison Ivy

I don't really play games all the time on my computer (but in my world, if your on a computer, it's considered playing games), but I do score at least 3 hours of gaming or possibly more daily.

Are they simply an addictive time waster, with almost absolutely no point at all?

The first bit above is so true. I could be sitting on my chair (which is in front of my desk on which my PC sits), PC could even be OFF but if someone sees me sitting there its "playing games again?".

Games are addictive, the MMO genre has worsened it. They do have a point however, which is to entertain. Some people read, some people play sports, others play video games. Yes playing sports keeps you fit, but as long as you're not welded to your desk playing 24/7 and keep healthy there's no problem.

Malice Black · Sep 27, 2006, 08:20 PM // 20:20

For me gaming is just a way to pass time.

However since you are still in school your school work should come first, I f*cked around during my time at school and have no real education beside a few GCSE's and a Diploma in Information Technology.

You just need to find a healthy balance between playing around n the computer and doing real life activities.

Join a social group of some kind, doesn't really matter what it is just show a interest in the world outside and your parent might lighten up a bit...if all fails frag em

xxSilhouette · Sep 27, 2006, 09:17 PM // 21:17

I've played video games forever, and the ones i used to play (such as mario, donkey kong, crash) where simply time wasters, the only thing i learned was how to make my fingers and hands cramp up after hours of playing.

And this made sound reeeally cheesy, but i can honestly say i have gotten some education out of online games, such as guild wars. For example i learned an entire new set of terms, that before i had never heard. My first day in my english 101 class we read something and it had the word 'fortitude' in it - although english 101 is boring as hell, beacuse i reconized the word and knew what it meant, i was able to read the paragraph and know what was going on.

Another thing, I have made a lot of friends through playing guild wars. I have learned what it means to work as a team, and what happens when someone screws up and aggros everything o_O.

So, I don't think that it is a complete waste of time, But it's definatley more of a way to entertain.

Opeth11 · Sep 27, 2006, 11:34 PM // 23:34

Or go outside sometime >_>

Methinks games are just time-wasters. Sure, you could learn a few words here and there, but they are fairly common and should be known in the first place more often than not.

Relambrien · Sep 28, 2006, 12:59 AM // 00:59

Many people believe that anything anyone does should have some educational value. This is why people say, "Is that game teaching you anything? No? Then GET OFF OF IT!" I, however, believe that not everything is meant to be educational (and this coming from a guy with seven co-curricular activities and a 4.15 GPA). Video games, such as Guild Wars, are meant to be played for entertainment value. It's the same thing as watching television or reading a book. You're entertained by what you're doing. Most people prefer reading to video games, however, because books often have some hidden moral somewhere.

I am an avid Guild Wars player. I go to bed at 11 PM each night and wake up at 5 AM each morning for school. I get my homework done, even if it's not the first thing I do. I'll play Guild Wars but then go do my homework, and play some more. I'll exercise by playing DDR (which I'm really good at :P) and I'll read any book I deem entertaining.

But if you're desperate to find educational value in Guild Wars, here are some things to think about:

Guilds. Guilds are the epitome of team playing. When playing with your guildies, you have to learn to work as a team and support each other in order to succeed. If this isn't a lesson a parent wouldn't like their kid to learn, I don't know what is.
Theme. The theme of both Guild Wars games released so far is good versus evil. More importantly, it's that those with the power to change something for the better (the Chosen in Prophecies, for instance) have the responsibility to do so. Personally, ever since I've started playing Guild Wars, I've been helping more than I used to. I believe this is due to Guild Wars.

Finally, and this is the most imortant thing. I will quote the famous Greek saying "All things in moderation." This means that one's life should be balanced between work, play, and all other facets of living in today's world. Prioritize in a way that suits you. For me, my priorities are to make sure that I have my work done on time. It doesn't matter to me when I do it, so long as I have it ready when I'm supposed to. After I've ensured that, I will move to entertainment. That doesn't mean I finish my homework before playing Guild Wars, but it means that I allot time for homework. If I lose sleep due to a miscalculation in the amount of time my homework will take, then that's my fault, and I will take the blame for it. I will still complete my work.

What I'm trying to say is, think about your priorities. Find out what is most important to you, and make sure that that goal isn't jeopardized before you do anything else. After you've made sure that everything you want to do is still on track, you can move on to the less-useful, but more entertaining things such as game playing. And if your parents object, here's what you do. Make a bet with them. It's what I did, and my parents *never* harass me for playing. Bet them that even with playing Guild Wars avidly, you can do what you need to do. For one school marking period, my parents promised not to harass me about getting work done, playing Guild Wars, or going to bed at a specific time. I did my work the night before it was due, went to bed six hours before I had to get up, played Guild Wars for hours a day, and STILL managed a 4.15 GPA. Your goal doesn't have to be this high. Just say, "If I can get a C or better in all my classes while still playing Guild Wars for one marking period, will you believe that I am responsible enough to take care of myself?" Succeed, and your parents have no reason to bother you any further, because you've proven to them that even with Guild Wars, you can do what is required of you. Fail, however, and you're likely to be subject to more strict rules than those that govern your life now. But I have faith in you, you can do it!

Opeth11 · Sep 28, 2006, 01:07 AM // 01:07

Relambrien wins this thread.

awesome sauce · Sep 28, 2006, 01:33 AM // 01:33

Games have been beneficial to me. I was a 'c' student until around the time I started playing GW. I've had a 3.9 gpa average ever since. I dont know if there's a direct correlation there or not. It clears my mind I think. After just a half an hour of it or so, I can function better.

The only problem I have with it is if you try to talk to a friend that plays it, it makes you sound like an idiot. A statement like: "I added a rune to boost my attribute points by 3 on my necromancer and now my blood magic skills are powerful" will get you beat up at my school.

Gwmaster · Sep 28, 2006, 01:42 AM // 01:42

believe it or not but i learned to write in english while playing Diablo2.
wen i started, i could only write in french but today im not bad in english...
i only need more practice

Paul Mahdi · Sep 28, 2006, 01:52 AM // 01:52

GAMES ARE THE DEVIL TRYING TO EAT OUR CHIDREN'S SOULS OVER THE ENTER-NET! WE MUST DESTROY THE EVIL GAMING COMPANY TO RID OUR KIDS OF SIN! [/southern preacher accent]

Just wanted to add a differeny perspective due to the fact that it'll be widely one sided on a Guild Wars Forum

awesome sauce · Sep 28, 2006, 02:01 AM // 02:01

Quote:

believe it or not but i learned to write in english while playing Diablo2.
wen i started, i could only write in french but today im not bad in english...
i only need more practice

. I wish there was a french game i could play. That's my worst subject.

Poison Ivy · Sep 28, 2006, 04:37 AM // 04:37

Thanks to everyone who replied, espeacially to Relambrien

I think I should try to limit myself from now on to 1 hour of Guild Wars per day, and actually do more sports/study/reading.

As for my mom, she's not the nagociatable type, and I think I should simply try to avoid my mom's anger. (Since I've already tried to reason with her countless times).

And sauce, try French districts

More opinions are always welcome, I hope I'm not the only guy who fell into the hole he dug.

Opeth11 · Sep 28, 2006, 04:43 AM // 04:43

More sports, indeed!

I pwnd U · Sep 28, 2006, 05:10 AM // 05:10

GAmes are good in moderation. Too much is a bad thing. You lose friends and all kinds of social stuff goes down the drain. It can really effect your grades too. Gameing is fun but can be bad if their is too much done.

Opeth11 · Sep 28, 2006, 05:13 AM // 05:13

When I was in my Guild Wars binge, I got straight A's o.o

Of course, having PE, Guitar, English and Math in one semester made everything easy..

Never needed to study, ever. I'm asian, so math isn't that bad for me, although I do make several mistakes. English? Psh, I let my group do most of the work.

bart · Sep 28, 2006, 07:17 AM // 07:17

just yesterday i read an article about online game addiction and how companies producing this kind of games use psychology to make a player addicted to playing the game.

For example, the reward system only drops greens now and then. This causes a player to farm it constantly because "it is going to drop anytime now". This is one of the ways they keep you playing and i think those who don't realise it easily gets sucked in and spend more time than they should in the game.

My advice is play for fun but when it starts to control your life stop playing for awhile and do other stuff.

Opeth11 · Sep 28, 2006, 07:20 AM // 07:20

I honestly believe that setting limits would be the best solution. It is very easy to get caried away in a game like Guild Wars, or any other game that offers item drops to the player. Games that are fairly passive, like sports games, strategy games, all have less attention-sustaining powers.

Never more than two hours of gaming a day. This was easy for me to set up for myself because of the amount of school work that I have been getting, and many times I go all day without playing a game at all.

The Real Roy Keane · Sep 28, 2006, 10:56 PM // 22:56

While there have been some studies that have suggested that games are beneficial to one's life, they are rather one sided and are generally carried out by people sympathetic to gamers. That some peope have compared games to sports is laughable.
You can claim that games improve hand-eye coordination, but so will baseball or tennis, while improving strength and fitness at at the same time. You can argue that games will improve your puzzle solving ability, but so will doing your damn Maths homework. And while you argue that MMo's like Guild Wars are sociable, they're the very opposite when you go out less as a result of playing them too much.
Games are pure entertainment, nothing more.

Opeth11 · Sep 29, 2006, 01:36 AM // 01:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Real Roy Keane

And while you argue that MMo's like Guild Wars are sociable, they're the very opposite when you go out less as a result of playing them too much.

I'm totally charming over teh internetz!