Any participation is appreciated. The context is I am examining if video games are useful and good for society, or if they are detrimental and a waste of time. I do appreciate humor but I'm looking for more serious answers. Thanks!
1) Do you consider yourself to be a gamer?
Yes, but does the term really matter? I've been playing video games since I was four, games of all shapes and sizes so to speak. But my relatives who sometimes play some Facebook or Mobile games are just as much of a gamer as I am. The term is meaningless.
2) How often do you play video games?
I have slowed down as I've gotten "older" (only 21) but I still love to dig into something worth my time every chance I get. I'd say at least 10-20 hours a week.
3) If you do play, are you proud, ashamed, or indifferent?
Honestly, I've felt embarassed and ashamed of what I've been playing when some friends walked in. An example would be Star Ocean 3. A buddy of mine walked in (he's nto familiar with video games at all) and immediately started giving me shit because of how.. "anime" it was. He's right, and I absolutely despise anime styled media (with notable exceptions) but I thought I'd at least give it a shot to enjoy it from a gameplay perspective. I didn't end up enjoiying the game in the end, but that's not the point., damn was I cringing when my buddy walked in.
4) Do you enjoy playing with others online or in person? Neither/Both?
I enjoy playing damn good single player games I'd say 80% of the time. Multiplayer is something I've not given a shit about in a long time, except with close buds or relatives. I absolutely relish every opportunity I get to play local multiplayer with friends. It has led to some of my favorite memories of not only video games, but of old friendships and periods of my life.
5) Do you feel that gaming has affected your life in a way that is more positive, negative, or neither?
Gaming has absolutely affected me in a positive way. I want to avoid a needless sob story, but to provide context, I didn't grow up in a very good home as a young'n, and I had really low self esteem because of it. Any time I started feeling like shit or just wanted to run away, I'd go into my room, turn on the SNES, and become Megaman X for the next several hours (it was one of the only 3 games we owned at the time). God I spent so much time playing X as a tike, just letting all the "bad stuff" currently happening around me get blown away by some sweet X Buster action. Any time I had to get away I'd boot up the SNES, and feel like I could take on anything after I got done playing. There's a million more examples, but that one shoudl suffice.
6) How does playing games tend to make you feel?
If it's a good game, I feel pretty good. If it's a bad game, I get irritated. Simple as that.
7) Have you learned anything from gaming?
I learned that video games are good at killing time and engaging me in a really interactive way, but not much else.
8) How much gaming do you consider to be too much? Why?
I consider my buddies ridiculous MMO addiction to be too much. Dude doesn't come with us to the gym, or go out to the bar to spend more time with his internet guild and people he's never met rather than hang out with his life long friends. I swear the dude must be going at least 50-60 hours a week on that thing. He doesn't have a job either.
9) What is your favorite thing about gaming or the games industry?
Games can engage us with such unique interactive entertainment that movies and books simply can't. Not to say that games are going to replace either of those two forms of media, as each have their place and have the edge over gaming in a lot of entertainment aspects, (pretty much anything story related imo), games are my go to.
10) What is the worst in your opinion?
The worst what?
11) What do you picture when you think of a gamer?
A dude playing SNES.
12) Have you any memorable gaming experiences?
Too many to count bro, way too many.
13) Have you formed any friendships or relationships through games?
I actually met my to this day best friend from my high school football team, I overheard him talking about some PC game that came out recently, and I mentioned that I also had interest in it. 8 years later, and over 10 states away, I still talk to this guy every day. Even has keys to my house/car. All started over a conversation about some random Steam game that I think ended up being shit. Lots of other friends too, just an example.
14) What is your opinion of gaming?
It's a pretty good time to be a gamer. With all the tools and resources at our disposal currently, we can enjoy almost any game from any era, as well as all the new games coming out. An emerging indie market as well also spices things up. As long as games continue to strive to deliver better gameplay experiences and not more god damn graphics or story telling pretentious bullshit, I'll keep buying em.
15) What did your parents think of video games?
My parents thought it was a good way to keep us kids occupied. My dad did love Doom, Wolfenstein, Farcry 1, and Deus Ex though. Other than that, naw.
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