Video games feel different. Like I feel like I’ve accomplished something good for myself after playing a game. Shows just make me restless for the most part.
People are so different, I feel exactly the opposite. There’s a bunch of games I’d want to play, but most of the time when I’m about to start playing, I’m just overcome with the feeling of “What’s the point? It’s just a waste of time”. When I’m watching a show I’m processing a shit-ton of stuff, emotions, life, depression. Games are just “for fun”. I just don’t seem to get the same out of games no matter how “deep” or whatever they are. I accomplish something in a game, 99% of the time I just feel “Well, I could’ve used all that time and energy doing something real and now I just wasted all that time for some virtual character in a virtual world.”.
Objectively I know I’m not accomplishing anything real when I play a game, but they still capture my “whole brain” like what you describe when watching a show.
I wonder where the difference comes from. Maybe I’m just more fidgety, so having something tactile to work on while watching the screen does it for me. :P
I’ve thought about that. Games, especially ones with development like RPGs, provide that sense of accomplishment that life rarely gives or doesn’t give clearly. Promotions at work might be years apart, buying a house, etc but I can feel like I got something done on a daily basis in games, plus I get a little chime sound and a popup when I do!
I think the (mostly) simplified morality is appealing too. Like in an RPG I know exactly what the right thing to do is, it’s the one that’s clearly marked at the “good” dialogue choice.
Whereas in real life it’s like… am I doing the right thing? Should I be an engineer and donate to good causes, or should I be actively contributing to good causes and choose to earn less money? Should I become an eco-terrorist?? Lol stuff like that
Video games feel different. Like I feel like I’ve accomplished something good for myself after playing a game. Shows just make me restless for the most part.
People are so different, I feel exactly the opposite. There’s a bunch of games I’d want to play, but most of the time when I’m about to start playing, I’m just overcome with the feeling of “What’s the point? It’s just a waste of time”. When I’m watching a show I’m processing a shit-ton of stuff, emotions, life, depression. Games are just “for fun”. I just don’t seem to get the same out of games no matter how “deep” or whatever they are. I accomplish something in a game, 99% of the time I just feel “Well, I could’ve used all that time and energy doing something real and now I just wasted all that time for some virtual character in a virtual world.”.
Wow yeah we really are total opposites!
Objectively I know I’m not accomplishing anything real when I play a game, but they still capture my “whole brain” like what you describe when watching a show.
I wonder where the difference comes from. Maybe I’m just more fidgety, so having something tactile to work on while watching the screen does it for me. :P
I’ve thought about that. Games, especially ones with development like RPGs, provide that sense of accomplishment that life rarely gives or doesn’t give clearly. Promotions at work might be years apart, buying a house, etc but I can feel like I got something done on a daily basis in games, plus I get a little chime sound and a popup when I do!
Life would be so much better if I could pick up random crap on the ground and sell it to any merchant.
I think the (mostly) simplified morality is appealing too. Like in an RPG I know exactly what the right thing to do is, it’s the one that’s clearly marked at the “good” dialogue choice.
Whereas in real life it’s like… am I doing the right thing? Should I be an engineer and donate to good causes, or should I be actively contributing to good causes and choose to earn less money? Should I become an eco-terrorist?? Lol stuff like that