What's with all these "quitting gaming" threads I see popping up?

[Oly J]

Hi, now maybe it's just me, but every time I log onto The Escapist lately I see at least one thread wherein the OP either announces an intention to quit gaming (we both know you won't) or asks if it would be the best thing to do. I'll just reiterate that. posters on the forums of what is primarily a video game centred website, put out the question to what I would assume is a community of many avid players of video games, asking if quitting gaming is a good idea or for them to convince them otherwise. I mean first of all, what answer are these people expecting?

Sorry, I'd better rein this in before it becomes any more inflammatory, the point I wanted to get to was this question. why would you want to quit games? I mean take a break from them sure but I think that to actively avoid them would be more hassle than it's worth.

For example, after seeing the effect alcohol has on members of my family (on my mother's side they generally are NOT fun drunks, Dad however is hillarious) I decided that alcohol wasn't worth it (I tried it, after 5 minutes of light-headedness I got depressed, I don't see the appeal.) but that has been a constant struggle given that most of my friends drink. Also my dad actually thinks I'm really wierd and tries to get me to drink at any time he can.

now that's the decision to not drink alcohol, completely different thing I know, it's just an example of not doing something requiring more effort than doing it.

I don't like to use the term "Gamer" it just doesn't sound so good anymore, but I am a keen player of video games and most other people I hang out with also play video games a lot, and I also know people that don't, you wanna know what they do all day? Facebook, and text messaging, yeah I'll stick to my games thanks.

sorry to get up on my soapbox so to speak but I just don't understand the logic here, if you quit gaming, what would you do with your free time? even if you have a full-time job you need some way to unwind, personally I would probably read more books but I already read quite a bit and still find time for games. I understand that the state of the industry isn't great right now, but that's no reason to be eyeing the exit,

so basically, do you think of quitting gaming? if so, why?

 

[BloodSquirrel]

Sorry, I'd better rein this in before it becomes any more inflammatory, the point I wanted to get to was this question. why would you want to quit games? I mean take a break from them sure but I think that to actively avoid them would be more hassle than it's worth.

1) The AAA game industry has decided that it's only interested in making one type of game. If that type of game doesn't interest you, and you're only still playing because of habit, then maybe it's time to re-examine how you spend your time.

2) No, it's a little depressing at first to give up a hobby, but afterwards you realize that there are plenty of other things you could be doing with your time. I haven't bought nearly as many games over the past two years as I used to. I've gone from actively looking for games to play to only bothering when something rises above the sea of bland, button-mashing action games and COD sequels and wanna-be sequels and really makes me want to play it.

It's actually much nicer once you don't care as much about gaming anymore, and sometimes it takes an "I'M QUITTING GAMING FOREVER!" stage to get there.

 

[BeeGeenie]

If I ever quit gaming, it will be because I'm just too busy doing other things. I also can't really fathom consciously choosing not to game, unless you already have something else you want to do with your time. Otherwise, like OP said, you're just gonna end up on facebook or something.
Not gaming =/= automatic productivity and success button.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

Gaming isn't the only thing there is in existence. For me, since I only had a few hours a week to play games anyway, I decided to stop to do things that were more productive (like get better with programming). Games have just been taking up too much of my time if I get into them.

 

[Tom_green_day]

Can you really quit gaming? I haven't played my PS3 for a few months due to studying, but I still visit sites like this most days and keep up on all the news. It's not like it's a job and there is a clear divide where you're either a 'gamer' or a 'not a gamer'. There are shades between the two, and just because you haven't bought a few games recently doesn't stop you being a fan of games.

 

[Lilani]

I liken such public and proud announcements to the way teenagers will sometimes make a big deal about going vegan or becoming an anarchist. The ones who make the most noise tend to want more attention given to themselves than to the actual causes they claim to support. So whenever I see someone making a bold announcement that "I'm no longer playing games because the industry is a pile of shit and doesn't regard me as a customer!" what I see reads more like "I think very highly of myself and I'm very ignorant of anything that doesn't come from EA or Ubisoft, so I'm going to make a very ignorant and childish choice that looks very bold but won't even catch the eye of even the lowliest EA or Ubisoft employee."

It's not that whether or not someone is playing games is a big deal. It's that when they choose to make a huge deal of stopping that makes them a blowhard.

 

[itsthesheppy]

This is the only thread I've seen on the subject so it might not be as critical a situation as you might think. Chin up.

 

[MammothBlade]

I think it's a seasonal thing. Oh no, everyone else seems to be starting to enjoy the summer when I'm not, time to quit gaming altogether.

 

[Smooth Operator]

People get older and their priorities change, mostly they need some nookie when spring and hormones hit the hardest.
So gaming will need to be left aside until such matters are resolved, also because most of the audience is young they need a stage anouncement and confirmation that their decision is acceptable in the public eye.

 

[CloudAtlas]

Sorry, I'd better rein this in before it becomes any more inflammatory, the point I wanted to get to was this question. why would you want to quit games? I mean take a break from them sure but I think that to actively avoid them would be more hassle than it's worth.

1) The AAA game industry has decided that it's only interested in making one type of game. If that type of game doesn't interest you, and you're only still playing because of habit, then maybe it's time to re-examine how you spend your time.

And what type of game would that be?

But, on topic, it's never a bad idea to question old habits.

I don't know, I don't see all this people announcing their wish to quit that negatively. Yea, some surely do that because they crave for attention, or because they hated game X so much that they feel like all games are shit and the gaming industry is shit and there won't ever be any good games anymore, ever.
But sometimes the desire to quit will be genuine. Perhaps someone is addicted to games, plays way too much for his own good and feels that quitting is the only way to cope with his addiction. That's not any different from other addictions really.And to publicly announce one's resolution to do something can be a powerful motivator to stick to this resolution. It's just psychology. In this case such an announcement is just a tool to help oneself, nothing more.

 

[Azwrath]

I don't like to use the term "Gamer" it just doesn't sound so good anymore, but I am a keen player of video games and most other people I hang out with also play video games a lot, and I also know people that don't, you wanna know what they do all day? Facebook, and text messaging, yeah I'll stick to my games thanks.

The term gamer never sounded good. Actually it sounds alot better nowdays then it did any other time in history.

Now to answer your first question: Drama queens. Unless you are quitting gaming because you have to sell you platform in order to buy food so you can survive another month then it is just that... drama queens. Some people love attention and they will do anything to get it, including exaggerating with the usage of words such as quit, over, kill, death and so on.

To answer your last question: Not unless i am forced by circumstances.

 

[Tazzman]

I liken such public and proud announcements to the way teenagers will sometimes make a big deal about going vegan or becoming an anarchist. The ones who make the most noise tend to want more attention given to themselves than to the actual causes they claim to support. So whenever I see someone making a bold announcement that "I'm no longer playing games because the industry is a pile of shit and doesn't regard me as a customer!" what I see reads more like "I think very highly of myself and I'm very ignorant of anything that doesn't come from EA or Ubisoft, so I'm going to make a very ignorant and childish choice that looks very bold but won't even catch the eye of even the lowliest EA or Ubisoft employee."

It's not that whether or not someone is playing games is a big deal. It's that when they choose to make a huge deal of stopping that makes them a blowhard.

Yeah this sounds about right. If I was going to stop gaming I'd just put down the controler, stop buying games, and find a new hobby or somethingto take up my time. No need to make some grand announcement in case the whole world would fallapart based on my decision.

 

[KeyMaster45]

Summer is coming.

With school terms beginning to reach their annual end some people probably just start thinking about their lives and whether they're wasting their potential on their chosen hobby. Then of course old habits kick in and they run to the internet to proclaim their woe and sorrow to any potential listeners. In the end nothing is really gained and a scant few actually make good on breaking away.

Then another year passes and the cycle repeats. It's a vicious one, just like the song that never ends. Yes it goes on and on my friends. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because this is the song that never ends. Yes it goes[small] on and on my friends...[/small]

 

[47_Ronin]

Most modern games have just become super boring. Thats at least from my perspective.

 

[Headsprouter]

Can you really quit gaming? I haven't played my PS3 for a few months due to studying, but I still visit sites like this most days and keep up on all the news. It's not like it's a job and there is a clear divide where you're either a 'gamer' or a 'not a gamer'. There are shades between the two, and just because you haven't bought a few games recently doesn't stop you being a fan of games.

Ye, dood. I'm in the same position. I gave up my pc till my exams are over. I'm slacking off, right now! Woop!

I've questioned whether gaming is a worthy use of my time, but I've never really considered giving it up. I know I'm happy when I play video games. It's a big distraction from everything else but being in front of my computer is my favourite place to be. It's my comfort zone, and that's just who I am.

It's hardly a massive drain on cash, either, I don't buy new games that often, at least not at full price. Last game I bought was Bioshock: Infinite. And that was, like 1 and a half months ago? And I hadn't spent that much since Borderlands 2, I don't think. So I'm hardly concerned when it comes to money. I may buy a 3DS when the exams are over, though...yeah..that'll be a pain to the wallet.

 

[ViciousTide]

Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because this is the song that never ends. Yes it goes on and on my friends...

I used to be apart of XGC, then I took an Arrow to the knee, a Creeper to the Face, and needed to find a Wife for some amazing nookie, while exploring my potential in engineering the world's wants and needs!

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

Its attention seeking, if you quit then just quit. Why tell a bunch of strangers as if we give a shit whether you game or not? We dont care. Go get attention else where you loser. As for quitting gaming, only thing that would make me quit is lack of interesting and new experiences on the next gen consoles. If all they show bores me then i wont get them consoles and thus wont game and well use my money to do something else.

 

[krazykidd]

I liken such public and proud announcements to the way teenagers will sometimes make a big deal about going vegan or becoming an anarchist. The ones who make the most noise tend to want more attention given to themselves than to the actual causes they claim to support. So whenever I see someone making a bold announcement that "I'm no longer playing games because the industry is a pile of shit and doesn't regard me as a customer!" what I see reads more like "I think very highly of myself and I'm very ignorant of anything that doesn't come from EA or Ubisoft, so I'm going to make a very ignorant and childish choice that looks very bold but won't even catch the eye of even the lowliest EA or Ubisoft employee."

It's not that whether or not someone is playing games is a big deal. It's that when they choose to make a huge deal of stopping that makes them a blowhard.

While i agree , can you really deny the industry treats us badly ? I mean not many people would go through all the BS gamers have just to do their hobby .

OT: iunno , new fad?