I can´t get no satisfaction

[Wonderboy-]

Hello gamers!

I used to be a hard core gamer I suppose. I used to put my gaming skills in front of my social or academic skills. My main game was Team Fortess 1. Clan matches were much more important than school exams for example. I used to get "high" from getting the game winning capture. Those were good times. But thinking about it now... it seems stupid.
Why waste time on something that doesn't actually accomplish anything concrete? I used to love "fragging" on public servers just to show my skills. It was important, gaining respect. I can´t even believe my words which are coming from describing my past life. It just seems so.. illogical.
My reason for writing this topic is that I'd like to hear from people like me in the past days, to tell me, why are you doing what you are doing? How do you rationalize spending hours upon hours honing your skills in killing online? I just spent about 30 minutes playing TF 2 and got a bit more kills than deaths and I consider that to be a good result with this training. I just didn´t get ANY satisfaction. It seemed pointless. And I wish it didn´t feel like that because it used to feel so good to get some frags in the past.
I suppose I might be growing up. In a way it feels good, but wistful at the same time. Any thoughts?

 

[SaikyoKid]

Welcome to the world of adulthood! You shall now find your satisfaction in reading the paper, complaining about how cheap gas prices were in your day, and yelling at kids to get off your lawn.

Seriously though, I hit this point a while back too. I still do enjoy a good game of LoL once in a while, but I honestly enjoy it more as it gives me something to do with my brothers and friends as everyone's moved away now. It's just a fun way to kill some time when I've got it, just not 24/7 like back in the day.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Welcome to getting older mate, ya I was like that as a kid aswell, now I'm not easily impressed and my hotheaded competitive nature is near gone.

You might want to consider different hobbies to mix it up a little, otherwise you can burn out on gaming and you start hating it, it's a bit like eating too much chocolate and making yourself sick.

 

[Cowabungaa]

It's not really growing up, it's just having a change of perspective and mentality. You used to play competitively, you lost the drive to do that but, going by your post, you still seem to try playing games the same way you used to.

I was in the same situation with WoW a few years back. I used to be a typical hardcore raider until guild trouble put an end to it. I just couldn't get any more satisfaction out of WoW without it, I was so stuck in the hardcore/competitive mindset.

After a few months I came back to WoW again, but this time with a completely different set of expectations and mentality; the result isn't what matters, it's playing itself. The following months were the best I ever had in WoW, it was like playing a completely different game.

I'd suggest the same thing for you; don't pay attention on that kill/death ratio (especially in TF2), don't see it as a 'training', stop looking at it like that and start looking at it like a game again. Screw around, have fun, just play. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy that.

Also, obligatory post:

 

[Westaway]

You know why? Because you only live once, and the only that matters at the end of the day is did you spend most of your time doing something you enjoy. I like gaming. Mit makes me happy. So I do it. Because working seems illogical if you think about it. You are on earth once, then you die and there is only emptyness. So have fun while it's physically possible.

 

[Beat14]

I think I am also going through the same, I tend to play 20-40 minutes of a game then stop because it just feels hollow. I used to enjoy game in the way you described, but it seems to have faded. I also agree with it feeling good and bad.

The only way I can rationalise gaming is the good old arguement of "If I wasn't doing this I would just be wasting time another way" I only apply that when I've done something in the day that was wasting time so to speak.

Looking back at the days when I used to game loads it does seem stupid, and I am curious to how crazed I must have looked over all those hours, seems like I was a fanatic. Nowadays gaming to me appears to use time that I could be using to do something more rewarding, but that requires more effort.

 

[lacktheknack]

As a student, I haven't played games much in the past three months. That's how I justify my game playing.

And when I DO play games, I only ever play story-driven ones. I never play multiplayer, so I never have the opportunity to flaunt my "skills" (implying I have skill). I feel satisfaction because I completed a structured narrative, sort of how I feel when I finish a book or movie.

 

[repeating integers]

Am I wrong for reading this title to the tune of "Another Brick in the Wall"?

Anyway, I... find video games fun. I'm not sure I can explain why, I just do. Of course, I am quite young, so this probably factors into it.

 

[Ordinaryundone]

Am I wrong for reading this title to the tune of "Another Brick in the Wall"?

Yes, because you are supposed to read it to the tune of Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones >_>

 

[Hitokiri_Gensai]

Id say its just part of the teenager mentality. When i was younger, i played TONS of CS 1.5, went into the CPL leagues and competed in tournaments around the US. But now i barely play at all. I just kinda didnt see the point anymore. It was fun while it lasted but now, i have more important things to do and more important things to concentrate on.

 

[repeating integers]

Am I wrong for reading this title to the tune of "Another Brick in the Wall"?

Yes, because you are supposed to read it to the tune of Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones >_>

Yeah, I was thinking that. I guess I've just listened to The Wall one too many times.

 

[Wonderboy-]

As a student, I haven't played games much in the past three months. That's how I justify my game playing.

And when I DO play games, I only ever play story-driven ones. I never play multiplayer, so I never have the opportunity to flaunt my "skills" (implying I have skill). I feel satisfaction because I completed a structured narrative, sort of how I feel when I finish a book or movie.

You know what... I love games with a good story. It´s just that those games are quite sparse. But you remind me as a gamer. These days I want to play a game that tells a good story. Multiplayer's importance is so secondary. But when you look at games today... so multiplayer driven.

 

[Wonderboy-]

It's not really growing up, it's just having a change of perspective and mentality. You used to play competitively, you lost the drive to do that but, going by your post, you still seem to try playing games the same way you used to.

I was in the same situation with WoW a few years back. I used to be a typical hardcore raider until guild trouble put an end to it. I just couldn't get any more satisfaction out of WoW without it, I was so stuck in the hardcore/competitive mindset.

After a few months I came back to WoW again, but this time with a completely different set of expectations and mentality; the result isn't what matters, it's playing itself. The following months were the best I ever had in WoW, it was like playing a completely different game.

I'd suggest the same thing for you; don't pay attention on that kill/death ratio (especially in TF2), don't see it as a 'training', stop looking at it like that and start looking at it like a game again. Screw around, have fun, just play. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy that.

Also, obligatory post:

Well said man. I should try that

 

[lacktheknack]

As a student, I haven't played games much in the past three months. That's how I justify my game playing.

And when I DO play games, I only ever play story-driven ones. I never play multiplayer, so I never have the opportunity to flaunt my "skills" (implying I have skill). I feel satisfaction because I completed a structured narrative, sort of how I feel when I finish a book or movie.

You know what... I love games with a good story. It´s just that those games are quite sparse. But you remind me as a gamer. These days I want to play a game that tells a good story. Multiplayer's importance is so secondary. But when you look at games today... so multiplayer driven.

Indies, man. No one pays attention to the indies.

 

[Wonderboy-]

Quit your job, then. Because, you know, what's the point? All that'll happen is you get money, and what will you use that for? You'd get enough food if you just lounged around on benefits, you don't need that expensive boiler - because what's that doing apart from keeping you warm? Sure, it'll stop stuff like hypothermia, but what's the difference between hospitals and home?

The answer?

Home's more enjoyable. Everything we do, we do to enjoy ourselves more. If you aren't getting a kick out of online games, then you're not enjoying them. Do something else that's enjoyable. Because if we're really getting down to it, the meaning of life is to have fun

I´m so with you on that the meaning of life is to have fun. It´s just such a different path for everyone. That´s basically what I´m trying to tell here. I used to think that gaming excellence was the path to happiness. These days.. not so much. But I can´t argue with anyone who says that winning in COD, WOW, or TF makes you happy as you can be. People are different. I was hoping to hear the reasoning behind that, or the lack of it. In the end, I suppose we are all trying to figure out what it is that we should do with our lives. For some people it might be gaming.. I just think that for the majority it might not be the best possible solution.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Well said man. I should try that

Mind you, that's usually not just some switch you flip. When you're stuck in a pattern it takes some time to get out of it. But it all starts with relaxing and changing your mindset, change what you want to get out of a gaming session.

Just try to not want to win with TF2 once, instead just try what you think is fun. See how that changes the entire game. WoW did with me at least.

 

[ZehMadScientist]

Yeah, about 2 years ago I would find myself playing hardcore online multiplayer matches for a multitude of games for hours a day. In this span of two years, I've changed from a young hot-blooded multiplayer youngster into an old, story driven singleplayer loving geezer.

Looking back, I think I enjoy games a lot more right now.

I do play online occasionally, but the amount of invested time in comparison with my hardcore former self (lol) is neglectable.

 

[Wonderboy-]

As a student, I haven't played games much in the past three months. That's how I justify my game playing.

And when I DO play games, I only ever play story-driven ones. I never play multiplayer, so I never have the opportunity to flaunt my "skills" (implying I have skill). I feel satisfaction because I completed a structured narrative, sort of how I feel when I finish a book or movie.

You know what... I love games with a good story. It´s just that those games are quite sparse. But you remind me as a gamer. These days I want to play a game that tells a good story. Multiplayer's importance is so secondary. But when you look at games today... so multiplayer driven.

Indies, man. No one pays attention to the indies.

Can you recommend any really good indies? I´m a bit prejudiced towards them. Basically just because they have limited resources. Then again that´s a bit of a paradox because if it´s a big budget game they want to please the masses with a USA kills all the others story. I dont know.. I´m about to lose hope when it comes to games that really make an impact. I hope someone proves me wrong.

 

[lacktheknack]

As a student, I haven't played games much in the past three months. That's how I justify my game playing.

And when I DO play games, I only ever play story-driven ones. I never play multiplayer, so I never have the opportunity to flaunt my "skills" (implying I have skill). I feel satisfaction because I completed a structured narrative, sort of how I feel when I finish a book or movie.

You know what... I love games with a good story. It´s just that those games are quite sparse. But you remind me as a gamer. These days I want to play a game that tells a good story. Multiplayer's importance is so secondary. But when you look at games today... so multiplayer driven.

Indies, man. No one pays attention to the indies.

Can you recommend any really good indies? I´m a bit prejudiced towards them. Basically just because they have limited resources. Then again that´s a bit of a paradox because if it´s a big budget game they want to please the masses with a USA kills all the others story. I dont know.. I´m about to lose hope when it comes to games that really make an impact. I hope someone proves me wrong.

It depends. Which genres do you love and hate? If you adore FPS above all else, indies may not be the best choice.

 

[Wonderboy-]

As a student, I haven't played games much in the past three months. That's how I justify my game playing.

And when I DO play games, I only ever play story-driven ones. I never play multiplayer, so I never have the opportunity to flaunt my "skills" (implying I have skill). I feel satisfaction because I completed a structured narrative, sort of how I feel when I finish a book or movie.

You know what... I love games with a good story. It´s just that those games are quite sparse. But you remind me as a gamer. These days I want to play a game that tells a good story. Multiplayer's importance is so secondary. But when you look at games today... so multiplayer driven.

Indies, man. No one pays attention to the indies.

Can you recommend any really good indies? I´m a bit prejudiced towards them. Basically just because they have limited resources. Then again that´s a bit of a paradox because if it´s a big budget game they want to please the masses with a USA kills all the others story. I dont know.. I´m about to lose hope when it comes to games that really make an impact. I hope someone proves me wrong.

It depends. Which genres do you love and hate?

Hmm.. genres.. I suppose rpg. Games like Planescape: Torment. But I can not ignore games like Wing Commander 4, Heroes of might and magic, Incubation and Day of the Tentacle. I just love good games with kick-ass stories and/or something new to bring to the table.