Why do you play videogames?

[ghalleon0915]

Gaming is a part of who I am, it is part of my identity. That's what happens when you game at such an early age. Besides, it's a good way to relax and make-believe you're a knight, or a magician, or in some games a bad guy who lures in unwitting folks to their deaths
( I'm looking at you Tecmo Deception). As a few have said, it is an escapist paradise for us. It is similar to why I enjoy reading books - I like getting lost in the story and ambience of whatever game I am playing. It is why I mostly play RPG's or tactical games.

Besides, it's a good way to bond with mates; whether it's with your significant other or just your buddies its a swell time to enjoy each other's company. As much as I hate dance mats and motion controls, the amount of stupid fun I've had playing DDR or Wii sports or Mario Party with my girl and friends makes for cherished memories.

And let's face it, playing video games is fun. Something that a lot of people forget.

 

[MordreadRN]

A few different reasons.. Sometimes as an escape for a while, sometimes to relieve stress/tension, sometimes because I'm bored and most often to have fun. I like many different kinds of games though mostly the ones where a little thinking is required, be it in form of grand strategy in Civilization/Total War, rpg games like Baldurs Gate/Wasteland 2 or puzzles in Monkey Island. A good shooter or MMORPG to blow off some steam is good from time to time as well.

 

[Adam Lester]

Because they're fun?

 

[Ian Howell]

Getting introduced to sonic the hedgehog on the master system for my fourth birthday hooked from there.

 

[Emcee_N]

Different genres for different reasons, really. I play fighting games or the better class of platformers for a challenge, Civ or grand strategy like EU4 to relax and for world-building, and games like Phoenix Wright or Layton for the story.

Oh, and Smash Bros. Because Smash Bros.

 

[Emcee_N]

Getting introduced to sonic the hedgehog on the master system for my fourth birthday hooked from there.

OH man, I was eight when I first played Sonic on the MS. That damn jungle waterfall stage. And then I finally got to the top of it, about to hit the signpost, and... *plip* blackout.

The rest was history.

 

[Guy_of_wonder]

I have been playing games since i can remember on every platform possible. TV is absolute garbage except for rare shows that end up on netflix anyways, sports are dumb, and movies cannot entertain the way games do. Games are also a great way to unwind from days of work or school. i could not imagine my life if i just quit video games tomorrow.

 

[ColaWarVeteran]

I used to play them because they're fun but now I play them so I can keep up with all the important discussions such as the socio-political implications of playing as a horned vs hornless Qunari in the upcoming Dragon Age Inquisition and how the choice shows the world my opinion on every other social and political topic I get accused of being for/against.

 

[happyninja42]

Because I always have for one. Seriously my earliest memories are of playing in my local Alladin's Castle arcade after getting out of kindergarten class.

Also because I enjoy being a hero. Most games are heroic fantasy, letting you save the day, and be noble and heroic and stuff. I enjoy doing that.

I like playing as the good guy, who risks his life to save others, and make their world/life better. Even though I know they are just pixels and code, I find it enjoyable and rewarding to be able to be the hero in their digital world for a time.

 

[FPLOON]

Oh jeez... So many reasons... But, I'll try to narrow it down [to just 5]:

EscapismSometimes I don't feel like myself and only video games can cure that...
Passing the TimeBored? Video games cures that for me...
GameplaySo much interactivity... I just FUCKING LOVE IT, YO!
GeneticsBoth my parents played all those arcade games back in the day... (That's how I learned about Atari, Namco, and Nintendo...)
Endless WonderEven some the most linear of games can still have various ways of playing them... and that facinates me more than I could even imagine the more I continue to play video game...

Overall, gaming has become a part of me for as long as I can remember... I can't imagine myself not playing video games at this point... (unless I end up getting amnesia or something...)

 

[Denamic]

Because it's entertaining? When I land that perfectly timed phase shift in dota 2 and get a double kill on the people who try to gank me, I get an erection. I don't need any deep philosophical reasons to do shit I like to do. It's not rocket science.

Escapism.

 

[Danny Dowling]

Nearly everyone in my social circle doesn't like me so I needed something to do on my own instead of staring at the walls and they're pretty good.

it's been like that since the beginning pretty much. Now though I'm so invested I'm basically a "gamer"

 

[Pink Gregory]

Right now?

Mainly because it's more enjoyable than listening to people talk about them.

Games are so entrenched in my life that I don't really question why I do it.