Isn't this site called 'The Escapist'?

[jamail77]

Let's talk about escapism, eh?

When you do play games to escape from something OR to escape into something, what are you usually trying to escape from or escape into?

I have some pretty typical ones(IMPORTANT EDIT: These are not the only options. The early responses make me think that people might think is a sort of poll and these are choices. There's a reason I didn't add a poll. There are just my reasons and I thought numbering them made it cleaner. And with people still citing these as categories, here is another re-edit that removes the numbers to prevent confusion. Please feel free to state your own reasons for escapism from life and into games if you have any and they are different from mine.)[footnote]Not necessarily ordered by how frequent a reason to escape it is[/footnote]:

Procrastinating from important life issues whether they're work, school, or family related
Trying to escape from stress or bad events in my life of some kind
Wanting to escape the chug of the daily routine
Wanting an excuse to be left alone
Craving adventure

 

[Keoul]

I'm always option 1
And it's always work.

I will do it just... not now...

 

[NeutralDrow]

I'm a fan of Nightwish, does that count?


But yes, all of those things you mentioned. If I'm bored and unable to focus, I'll game. If I'm really upset, or stressed, or feeling like my social batteries are dead and need recharging, I'll game. If I want to hang out in a pretty area and don't feel up to driving somewhere, I'll load up a game. If I want to build or decorate something, I'll load up a specific game (toss-up between Terraria or Minecraft).

It's what I do, really. Besides accounting.

 

[jamail77]

I'm always option 1
And it's always work.

I will do it just... not now...

HEY! I recognize you! You're that person who posted on my Korra thread who thought I was trying to dismiss anyone who still dislikes Korra on some level when I was just trying to gauge how much of the negative discussions (voicing dislike, that is) that go on in the Korra community had become irrational, disrespectful, and petty compared to when there were more remaining respectful and well founded negative discussions that now seem so few. Sorry, I just had to do that. I mean, what are the chances that when I start a new topic, someone from that discussion is the first to respond, you know?

Anyway, hope there aren't any misunderstandings here that lead to an infinite number of clarification edits on my part like there were there. Just in case, to clarify, those weren't necessarily options, just my typical gaming for escapism's reasons. You probably knew that though and just related to my first reason.

I feel like a lot of people are going to say work. Nobody really likes "work work". If you manage to find a long lasting career you love, you're great. BUT, if you're just doing "work work", a temporary job, something you do to make money when you're not focusing on school despite low pay, for example then ehhhh. Gamers, like everyone else, are going to want to escape from that.

I'm a fan of Nightwish, does that count?

[small] I don't know what that is...[/small]

If I'm bored and unable to focus, I'll game.

Hmm, does that count as escapism, I wonder? Technically, you're trying to escape boredom and a lack of will to focus, but isn't that more wanting fun rather than escaping into fun? Eh, this thread will probably profit from taking on a more general, vague definition, but now I'm just going to be thinking about this conundrum for a while

 

[Fat Hippo]

"4) Wanting an excuse to be left alone"

Well, for me, it's not like I need an excuse to do so, but it is definitely one of my "alone" activities which I require to stay sane. I've noticed that when I spend prolonged periods away from home with other people that it starts getting hard for me to always be with someone else, forced into social interaction when I need at least 2 hours a day when I don't have to talk to anyone. It doesn't even necessarily need to be gaming, and in these situations it tends not to be an option, but otherwise it is more or less my standard method of temporary social isolation.

"2) Trying to escape from stress or bad events in my life of some kind"

Aside from that, it's a great way to alleviate stress. To do something with clear-cut progress of some kind, any kind, which we so rarely feel in our daily lives. And sure, it might only be temporary, not real, but after an entire day of trying to sponge as much information into your brain as possible, it can be nice to do something less demanding and with clearer incentives. And that's coming from someone who enjoys his studies, so I can only imagine for people who dislike their school/job this aspect can be even more important.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I like to stay in the positive when gaming. I try not to treat gaming as a means of escape, but rather an end in itself. So adventure it is for me.

 

[jamail77]

snip.

I definitely find what you said very relate-able. I feel like I could be by myself for long periods of time and not be adversely affected like many people would be. Regardless whether they call themselves introverts or extroverts, most people can't stay away from people for ridiculously long periods of time. I've never been given the opportunity to test whether I could do it though, so it's just speculation on my part. I especially relate your comment on escaping stress. Gaming even when a struggle due to difficulty or some annoying aspect has always been one of my big stress relievers.

I like to stay in the positive when gaming. I try not to treat gaming as a means of escape, but rather an end in itself. So adventure it is for me.

Yet, you have an account on a site literally called The Escapist. I feel like if this isn't irony it should be. Since you mention you don't really play to escape anything, I did question whether my craving for adventure should be up there. It's one of those "Does this really count as a form of escapism?" reasons. But, like I said to NeutralDrow, the thread will probably benefit from a more general, vague definition of escapism.

It all depends on context and whether you feel like you're escaping anything and you say you don't feel you're escaping anything and try not to. It's rather impressive actually, at least to me. It seems a lot of people from all walks of life try to escape something by diving into one of their hobbies or career or something. To not have to do it is an interesting phenomenon to me. Though, I don't think that just because escaping something often has negative connotations means it has to be negative. You can be escaping from something in a positive way like when you need a break from life, but nothing is wrong with how life is treating you.

 

[Casual Shinji]

5) Crafting adventure

When I feel genuinely shit I tend to not game at all or watch a movie or anything, because I feel my shitty state will infect the joy I extract from it. Like, I wouldn't want to play Ratchet and Clank when a loved one is the hospital, because then I'll just link that horrible moment to a piece of entertainment that I love.

So yeah, it's just for the sake of escaping to a world where I can follow a grand adventure.

 

[CaptainCoxwaggle]

I play games to experience strife and turbulence in my otherwise perfectly comfortable and unchallenged life. The thrill of overcoming adversity is unfortunately absent and looked down upon in the life of customer service.

 

[Vendor-Lazarus]

1) Procrastinating from important life issues whether they're work, school, or family related
2) Trying to escape from stress or bad events in my life of some kind
3) Wanting to escape the chug of the daily routine
4) Wanting an excuse to be left alone
5) Craving adventure

I'll have to say yes, to everything on the list.

I'm not in it for the challenge, unless I know I can beat it beforehand.
I want to get away from expectations and the rigid life formula we all adhere to.
I want to be free.
I want a cause to burn for, to do what I love.
Sadly, I don't know what I love, nor have any cause engaged me enough to really care, for long.

I read books, I watch shows/movies/anime, play games, listen to music.
Everything I can to escape my "life".

Wow, what a downer post this turned out to be. Sorry.

 

[Keoul]

HEY! I recognize you! You're that person who posted on my Korra thread who thought I was trying to dismiss anyone who still dislikes Korra on some level when I was just trying to gauge how much of the negative discussions (voicing dislike, that is) that go on in the Korra community had become irrational, disrespectful, and petty compared to when there were more remaining respectful and well founded negative discussions that now seem so few. Sorry, I just had to do that. I mean, what are the chances that when I start a new topic, someone from that discussion is the first to respond, you know?

Anyway, hope there aren't any misunderstandings here that lead to an infinite number of clarification edits on my part like there were there. Just in case, to clarify, those weren't necessarily options, just my typical gaming for escapism's reasons. You probably knew that though and just related to my first reason.

I feel like a lot of people are going to say work. Nobody really likes "work work". If you manage to find a long lasting career you love, you're great. BUT, if you're just doing "work work", a temporary job, something you do to make money when you're not focusing on school despite low pay, for example then ehhhh. Gamers, like everyone else, are going to want to escape from that.

Nah all water under the bridge mate.
For me if the opportunity arises to procrastinate I take it. If I know I have to do it or I'm in an environment where work is the only thing I can do (eg at work) then I just get it done.

 

[Someone Depressing]

A combination of 1 and 3.

God, do I hate real life. The sky is grey, there aren't any knights who can shoot concentrated light beams out of their eyeballs, and there certainly aren't enough dragons.

 

[Bug MuIdoon]

Definitely a combination of 1 and 3 for me, however I will say that in the past year and a half this website has become such a chore to visit and really doesn't feel like Escapism anymore.

 

[neokiva]

Let's talk about escapism, eh?

When you do play games to escape from something OR to escape into something, what are you usually trying to escape from or escape into?

I have some pretty typical ones(IMPORTANT EDIT: These are not the only options. The early responses make me think that people might think is a sort of poll and these are choices. There's a reason I didn't add a poll. There are just my reasons and I thought numbering them made it cleaner. Please feel free to state your own reasons for escapism from life and into games if you have any and they are different from mine.)[footnote]Not necessarily ordered by how frequent a reason to escape it is[/footnote]:

1) Procrastinating from important life issues whether they're work, school, or family related
2) Trying to escape from stress or bad events in my life of some kind
3) Wanting to escape the chug of the daily routine
4) Wanting an excuse to be left alone
5) Craving adventure

for me it's 2,3 and 5.

 

[Ferisar]

I play games to experience strife and turbulence in my otherwise perfectly comfortable and unchallenged life. The thrill of overcoming adversity is unfortunately absent and looked down upon in the life of customer service.

That sounds like a challenge, not a point of defeat! You cannot tarry in admission of other people's plight; own their suffering as a pride of a flag which sits upon a pile of solved inquiries.

... You know, maybe games are a better solution.

OT:
It used to be everything. Now-a-days, it's just a past time which I seem to appreciate less and less for some reason. I kind of like the idea of not playing as much, though, as it may lead to doing something productive. That's the hope anyway.

 

[Battenberg]

Escaping how dull and depressing the real world can be. Living though another's eyes. Visiting whole new worlds. Having exceptional adventures. Using skills I'll likely never have the chance to even learn in reality. Meeting new people/ characters. Getting to feel like I've achieved something more incredible than pretty much anyone has (even if it is just a momentary illusion).

The list goes on and on. Honestly if Stargate was real I wouldn't even need video games, I'd just go work there.

 

[Axelotus07]

I would have to say that I'm with all of the reasons the OP mentioned, and also a few other personal ones.

I like to play games to escape a lot of the terrible influences around me. Aside from one other like-minded gamer friend, I don't really know anyone with the same tastes as me. Having someone who shares a bit of common ground with you can make a huge difference in your enthusiasm towards gaming or just entertainment in general.

Depending on the day, or my mood, I like to escape in different ways. Some days I feel like secluding myself from everyone and just diving into a lengthy JRPG, recharging my social batteries and just enjoying all of the tasks of the game while I do. But other times, it's nice to get together with the few friends I have and go ham on some multiplayer. I can't tell you how many awesome nights I've had with my buddy enjoying a few cold ones and screaming profanities at one other while playing Street Fighter.

If I didn't spend as much time as I do playing games, I would most likely be living a much different lifestyle. I would be surrounded by different kinds of people than I am now who would ultimately influence me to make some not-so-wise decisions, I'm sure.

Games are a stress reliever for me, whether it be for competition or leisure, it's just fun to escape for a bit.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

5 and 2. I have a high stress life, due to insomnia and family issues (not drama just medical stuff) that drain the energy out of me. I've no choice but to buck up and go at them head on, so when I've downtime I play games to relieve the stress, regenerate some energy and most of all have some adventure. If a game can entertain me, no matter how it is I'll play it. Thats my escapism. I face the real world with courage because its a scary place, video games are a safe escape to enjoy other things when real life isn't full of drama, stress, worry, work or whatever. Everyone needs time off from their reality in some way, games are one of those for me, thats the core of what escapism means to me.
Sometimes it could be my semi-addiction to roller coasters too.

 

[Rabbitboy]

Usually to be entertained and not have to spend the day hanging around being bored. altough option 1 & 2 also apply from time to time.

 

[JohnZ117]

It's more about "explorism" for me. I like to explore other possibilities, worlds, perspectives when I have the time and opportunity, and the internet and video games are just a couple of ways to journey.