Gaming essay

[Swenomorph]

Hello fellow gamers!
I’m a Swedish 17-year-old writing an essay in school about why people play videogames (of all sorts) and the benefits of doing so. I would be thankful if you wanted to answer some questions for me. If you want, feel free to tell me your age and country since it would be very helpful!



* What kinds of games do you play, and why?

* Has the type of games you play changed over time? If so, how and why?

* What do you gain from gaming (entertainment, knowledge, friends…)?

* What is your fondest gaming memory?



Thanks for all your responses at least all serious ones

[Blackops]

You should keep your essay more simplistic. Pick 3 things to talk about then in 3 separate paragraphs detail each of those.

Personally, I'm an action kind of guy. I'm not into stories as much as I am jumping into multiplayer and killing people right away. Generally I play FPS games and start with multiplayer and if I hear anything good about the singleplayer I go back to it.

Fondest memory is playing PS1 then N64 all night with friends when I was younger.

[bluz74]

* What kinds of games do you play, and why?
FPS. They really make you feel like you are part of the game.

* Has the type of games you play changed over time? If so, how and why?
Yes. They have become redundant and predictable and a way to waste time instead of something to experience.

* How would you like the games to evolve in the nearest 20 years?
However Valve decides they should.

* Do you think games can and should be used for educational purposes? If so, how should they be implemented?
No. Games are for entertainment.

* What do you gain from gaming (entertainment, knowledge, friends…)?
Entertainment, friends, great stories.

* What is your fondest gaming memory?
I was out of gaming for 6-7 years and when I got back into it my brother told me about the Orange Box. I fell in love.....with the orange Box not my brother.....I mean, I love my brother but not like that ya creeps!

[Talisker]

* Do you think games can and should be used for educational purposes? If so, how should they be implemented?
[COLOR="red"]

University studies have been carried out and proven that some of the people who play computer games have the ability to make quicker decisions than those who don't.

[Swenomorph]

Good point. Do you feel that's the case with you?

[λLλN]

What kinds of games do you play, and why?
FPS. Because killing virtual people is not illegal as in real life people, which is illegal

* Has the type of games you play changed over time? If so, how and why?
Yes. better graphics but poorer gameplay

* How would you like the games to evolve in the nearest 20 years?
better graphics AND better gameplay

* Do you think games can and should be used for educational purposes? If so, how should they be implemented?
Yes. How to survive WW3

* What do you gain from gaming (entertainment, knowledge, friends…)?
How to be a successful stalker/predator/sociopath

* What is your fondest gaming memory?
Getting GODLIKE in Unreal Tournament GOTY multiplayer on Deathmatch instagib....30 kills 0 deaths

[MrSage86]

Originally Posted by Swenomorph

Hello fellow gamers!
I’m a Swedish 17-year-old writing an essay in school about why people play videogames (of all sorts) and the benefits of doing so. I would be thankful if you wanted to answer some questions for me. If you want, feel free to tell me your age and country since it would be very helpful!



* What kinds of games do you play, and why?
Mostly FPS games, as they are more of a contest of skill then any other kind of game, but at the same time can be laid back. (Like in games such as TF2)*

Has the type of games you play changed over time? If so, how and why?

They have changed and I can't say it is for the better. Whiney communities and the prevailance of consoles make for half-assed PC games.

* What do you gain from gaming (entertainment, knowledge, friends…)?

Entertainment. I generally play with friends I know.

* What is your fondest gaming memory?

I played through the first Ratchet and Clank game when I was about 10. I still remember the whole thing like it was last week

Thanks for all your responses at least all serious ones

derp.

[Talisker]

Originally Posted by Swenomorph

Good point. Do you feel that's the case with you?

Yes, I think over the years I have become sharper when making decisions.

Good luck... I hope you get an A for your marks!

[wakeless0]

Originally Posted by Swenomorph

Hello fellow gamers!
I’m a Swedish 17-year-old writing an essay in school about why people play videogames (of all sorts) and the benefits of doing so. I would be thankful if you wanted to answer some questions for me. If you want, feel free to tell me your age and country since it would be very helpful!



* What kinds of games do you play, and why?
First person shooters, and real time strategy. They're more difficult and require more skill. Do not consume as much time as Role Playing Games do.

* Has the type of games you play changed over time? If so, how and why?
Yes. I've alternated. Order of my PC Gaming interests in "chronological" order:

First PC Game: Age of Empires (RTS)
Second: Diablo 1 and 2 (RPG)
Third: Startcraft (RTS)
Fourth: Counter-Strike: Source (FPS)
Fifth: World of Warcraft (RPG)
Sixth: Starcraft 2 (RTS)
Seventh: League of Legends (RTS)

My interests in games alternates a lot. I do my best to avoid team-based games. I am a person who plays to win, and I hate relying on others, which is a good possibility to why I keep leaning towards RTS games. League of Legends is iffy, however. You are still reliant on teamates. I moved away from RPGS because they consume too much time.

Note: I've only listed games I've spent a lot of time on.

* What do you gain from gaming (entertainment, knowledge, friends…)?

All of what you mentioned. I love meeting new people. I also look to gaming as a way to get away from the stresses of work and life. When I game and am enjoying it, I experience "Flow."
I gain happiness, as well.

* What is your fondest gaming memory?
My strongest/fondest memories probably reside with Counter-Strike: Source. I've played on some great teams, and met awesome people. The original people I played with were great, and i deeply miss them. I cant think of one fond memory, because they were all great.

I am 21 years old, and I live in the USA.



Thanks for all your responses at least all serious ones

Here are my answers! You should PM your essay to those you used!

[real4xor]

Country: Netherlands
Age : 28

* What kinds of games do you play, and why?
ALL, because they`re all fun in their own way
* Has the type of games you play changed over time? If so, how and why?
I used to play alot of Fighting games, RTS, adventure games and RPG`s.

Nowadays I kinda keep myself busy with all the other genres as well, even FPS, which I have steered clear from for years. Why? Well, eventually you`ve been there, done that, and a complete genre becomes boring for a while. I just go explore another genre in that case.

* What do you gain from gaming (entertainment, knowledge, friends…)?
games. Some games have grand stories. Multiplayer games have added a few friends. Other than that, it`s just an entertaining waste of time ^^

* What is your fondest gaming memory?
The good ol` days. When Playstation1 was cool, Dreamcast was still on the market, PC RPG`s were MASSIVE, and Amiga was still alive.
Funny thing is, all those "childhood games" really look alot better in my memory, than when I boot them up again.

[wakeless0]

I think when he says "have the games you play changed?" he means, "Has your choice in game style changed over time?"

Example:
You use to like RTS
NOw you like FPS

Right?

[Achillies]

Originally Posted by Swenomorph

* What kinds of games do you play, and why?
I mainly play FPS games such as Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike: Source, Left 4 Dead, and Killing Floor. I enjoy those because of the challenge and since I play in a clan, I always have a good time with my friends. Though, I am addicted to Minecraft, at the moment. But if I had to chose my favorite all-time game, it'd be Fallout 3. I've sunk more hours into that game than what's healthy.

* Has the type of games you play changed over time? If so, how and why?
Yes. When I first started playing on the PSone, I was playing Spyro and Crash Bandicoot and the like. I then moved up to the PS2 and the Star Wars Battlefront series and Ratchet and Clank were my two favorites. Then, up to the Xbox 360 where I first got Halo 3, which was fun, but too slow paced. I got Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and loved it. I still play it quite often. Back in September 2010 I got into PC gaming and rarely look back. I only go onto my 360 to play with my friends who don't do PC gaming, which is a shame.

* What do you gain from gaming (entertainment, knowledge, friends…)
I have made a lot of friends in my clan, and I talk to them all daily. I also have learned much more about my computer, and computers in general. Now my parents and friends always ask me about their technical problems.

* What is your fondest gaming memory?
Probably when I first went into my clan's server (at the time, I wasn't a member) in TF2 and almost instantly got a duel request from one of the clan members. I foolishly assumed it was a trade request and accepted. About a second later I realized it was a duel request, and everyone in the server had a good laugh.

My answers are in blue. Hope I could help. I'm 15 and live in the USA.

[Dancing Muton]

* What kinds of games do you play, and why?
I would have to think hard of a type of game I don't play. Shooter, strategy, RPG, adventure, platform, sports, simulation.

* Has the type of games you play changed over time? If so, how and why?
Yes, I play sports and simulation games much less nowadays. I don't have a good reason, I just don't.

* What do you gain from gaming (entertainment, knowledge, friends…)?
Mostly entertainment and a bit of knowledge. Friends... not really. I don't really associate with my online "friends" that much on a regular basis, so in all honesty I wouldn't put them in the friends category. Not that they're bad people or anything, mind you.

* What is your fondest gaming memory?
That's a difficult question, there's a lot of them, but probably the first time I've beaten X-COM: UFO Defense. I was so excited I phoned my friend and told him. He never even played the game, so he was like: "OK...". Yeah, that was pretty stupid of me. I was a kid, so sue me!

[Simonicus]

Country: United Kingdom, England.
Age: 32

What kind of games do you play, and why?

My favorite genres are Racing - both arcade and simulation because I find racing to be one of the purer types of competition amongst friends who know the cars and circuits as well as myself and love the accurate feedback from my g25 wheel in games like Live for Speed. I also enjoy strategy for a slower paced game but being able to out think your opponent like chess and being able to gather resources and build cities and bases. Also thats part of the reason I love to play Civ 5 and Sim City 4. I love taking time to get the perfect and most optimal layout of roads and buildings. Games such as Torchlight cater to my need to gather shiny loot which really kicked off with the wargear awarded in Dawn of war 2.
I enjoy fighting games because its fun to fight an equally skilled player and counter their moves, lure them in and generally play mind games with them etc like a boxer might?
I cant play chess for the life of me but when you find the right opponent or a skilled friend in some of these games its like the controller fades away and its just your mind against his mind in a battle of skill, reflexes and wits.

For me that is a very pure form of competition or game play. The fighters on the screen or the race car just becomes a natural extension of yourself so it can become quite personal when another driver slams you off the road or a yellow ninja from hell delivers a killer uppercut reducing your vitality to a mere slither on an energy bar. But depending how I am playing -casually there is much swearing and its funny, -seriously or for a bet or personal challenge there is much swearing and more swearing and you focus becomes as sharp as a needle as you fight to reclaim the glory or destroy your opponent.
But like other past times you might try something fancy to finish them off but it will be a high risk and you could end up with egg on your face but if you win, you win in style, or you could just play it safe...

But I also enjoy playing casually with friends many games can be played just for laughs and chilling out or stepping up to the challenge of someone else and played seriously.
I enjoy games like Fallout series, Elder scrolls series and Knights of the old republic for the story, length of play and freedom. The Sandbox styled games such as Garrys mod are great but I personally need to be in the mood. Freedom is good, but without defined goals or rewards such environments can quickly become dull and so you need to create your own.

Retrogaming is another favorite type of game. I have always loved the classic side scrolling beat em ups like Final fight, golden axe, and especially the recently completed Streets of Rage remake v5. The dont look as smart but I love the gameplay of one very angry man against an entire army of thugs. Gotta clean up those streets lol.
But even with these games there are strategies and layers of depth. I think thats one of the main things for me - is getting some game I like the look of and exploring totally every possible area, every quest and discovering new strategies and skills. Then returning to the start of a completed game and getting a perfectly clean run for example but thats just one of my own challenges I give myself from playing some games which I enjoyed but which were too short or easy for my liking as a means to extend their life or get more value out of the product.

Has the type of game you play changed over time? If so how and why?

I used to play a lot more platformers, fighting games and rpg games in the 90s when I was younger, but this was likely because I owned a snes (beautiful machine) and a generation one Playstation back then. I bought my first PC in 2000, built them all since, but from that point I never really went back to consoles and continue to play the games mentioned in my first answer. With the exception of a Nintendo dsi, I stick to the PC games since 2000 although I still have all my old consoles, Snes, Playstation 1, Wii in a cupboard and occasionally set them up.
One type of game that has been consistent with me is the metroidvania kind of gameplay - explore areas, some areas you cant reach, explore further, recieve a new tool, able to backtrack and pass through previous barriers with new skills. I loved Super Metroid and the Castlevania games and still play many Castlevania titles on my Dsi like Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia. There is so much to discover in these games and completion reveals further modes like survival etc a feature seen in Batman AA, with its excellent fighting implementation. In a similar way I found my Dawn of War 2 gameplay massively extended simply due to the Last Stand game mode. And that is just one map.

But prior to all of this hardware wise was around 3 years with an Atari ST, playing games like Monkey Island series, Populous 2 and Lemmings and before that my ZX Spectrum +2 days. I had literally thousands of games for that machine as they all came on audio cassetes and cost in the region of £2.00 for a high quality brand new Codemasters game like Fantasy world Dizzy or Bmx simulator. The most expensive titles were Batman the movie or Robocop, which retailed for around £12.

What do you gain from gaming?

Partly explained earlier however speaking for me personally there are a number of things I gain. Sometimes its purely entertainment or a challenge. You might say that when I play certain games with friends, I can learn their tactics etc so that would be knowledge. Sometimes I play for stress relief to take my mind of things for a while, a form of escapism similar a good movie, book, alcohol, nightclub etc but cheaper and without the regrets, debt and std... um hangovers.

Some games really do draw me right in to its world and alone or with friends that can be a beautiful experience.
I like to try new things not just with games, but whilst playing Defence Grid, and liking it so much I discovered that there were many other similar games under "tower defence" genre. That was really cool like discovering you like a particular kind of music and then learning there is a whole genre full of exactly that to explore? Or the work of a particular film director, maybe an author. That's an awesome feeling!
I play many of the realistic world war x themed games and developed an interest in the history of warfare and the various theatres of war and weapons and equipment etc. As such I have aquired a number of books on the subject and research often. Also now I watch the history/yesterday channel which previously I had no interest in. By extension Ive also taken an interest in other cultures and their battles and delved a little deeper into the world of Che Guevara other than just the iconic status so popular with students and beyond the excellent films "Che" parts 1 and 2 and the motorcycle diaries.

Fondest gaming memory.
My fondest gaming memory is one of three. The first, opening my christmas presents as a kid and finding a Sinclair Spectrum 128+2a with an Ocean Hits bonus pack and a copy of Outrun. That was a turning point in my life when I decided what my new hobby was going to be lol.
The second was me and 3 friends regularly meeting up at someones house in their garage, each bringing their own N64 controller to play endless bouts of Goldeneye 007 on a giant size crt telly, cheap floor standing hifi speakers and a crummy old sofa with supplies of pot noodle, dr pepper and peanut m and m's in abundance. Ahh the innocence of youth lol .
The third was queing up in my local town at 4am with said friends to get an N64 on the day it was released in the UK. There were not many to go round and if you were lucky there might have been 2 in a shop. Seriously it was that bad. We were waiting for ages and saw a dejected guy come out before us and sussed there were none left in the shop and there were at least another forty people behind us. So we slowly walked off pretending a friends sister just got called into hospital (couldnt give the game away or word would get out and they would all leave seeking the next shop reducing our chances to zero see).
8am by now - One of us remembered a record shop up some stairs down an alley that apparently sold playstations which was actually out of sight of the masses. We went up the stairs and to our delight the man at the counter had exactly 5 nintendo 64s in stock and for some reason was keen to sell them to us because it was his sons birthday and he hated the crowds which were sure to come his way to his tiny record shop?
He said something like "sod it lads you take 4 of these consoles off me and I will give you all a free blaze memory pack each. That leaves one left for me to give to my son on his tenth birthday, then I can close up shop put an out of stock sign up and celebrate with my lad for the day so I don't have to keep telling people we are out of stock all day."
At the time back then all four of us were really hyped about the new machine and saved up for ages. We all felt so lucky that day, and quite pleased too but there were lots of evil looking glances as we walked back down the street.

We wanted to celebrate in mcdonalds but we actually thought a mad crowd would come smashing through the windows and nick our consoles lol. They may have been the last consoles in the town for a while.

[wakeless0]

You may as well have just written his essay for him!