DOWNLOADABLE COMMMENT: Recent Comments

Comment on This is a Problem

2009-02-04T20:59:03Z

Sometimes it's just really refreshing to feel like you're making progress in something. :)

Comment on This is a Problem

2009-02-04T20:17:34Z

Oops, I meant "complete quests" not "complete questions." :)

-Jason

Comment on This is a Problem

2009-02-04T20:13:15Z

Hi Erik,

I agree about the compulsion to collect and improve stats. I don't often play RPGs (haven't ever gotten into MMOs) but I was playing a free RPG called "Fate" to kill time at my girlfriend's place the other day, and found it really hard to pull myself away from the game. I wanted to find better items, improve my character's skill level, and complete questions, and had a really hard time putting the game down. It's weird, because now that I'm not playing the game I have little urge to return to it. Yet I know if I start it up again I'll be playing for hours.

-Jason

Comment on This is a Problem

2009-02-04T17:58:04Z

I've always generally been more a fan of exploring the story and the game world, but I've come to understand that loot and character development (e.g., systems of XP and leveling) are fairly common reasons some players enjoy RPGs. I don't think it's really covered in the "New Taxonomy of Gamers," (http://insultswordfighting.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-taxonomy-of-gamers-table-of.html) but those on our (admittedly more pretentious) side often this of this as an orthographic issue: What most would spell "role-playing," some seem to think of as "roll-playing." ;)

I can't really fault someone for using RPGs as a way to indulge in power fantasies, since I use them to indulge potentially escapist daydreams that are not entirely dissimilar.

I'm not writing clearly here.

Some people play RPGs because they feel pulled towards the ideas of gaining power. Others like the puzzle of "speccing" a character to be optimally powerful. Still others play to experience the game's story, characters, or game-world. All three are playing to escape reality to a different world with different dynamics, and often to escape themselves and instead inhabit the mind or body of someone else. Even though I may feel that playing with the intent of learning and exploring makes me a better person, I still ultimately must admit that I am, in fact, running away from the world in which I still need to do my laundry.

I started to think that the real difference is that there is a psychological danger in using a game character's power and prestige as a vicarious source of self-esteem. That's a problem some MMO players face. At the same time, though, I can certainly imagine someone getting obsessed with virtual worlds to such an extent that it becomes a detriment to his or her actual physical health (even if it's just bedsores from sitting down for days on end.)

Comment on Please just STOP IT.

2009-01-30T22:56:05Z

I dunno, I thought the "GO TO HELL" part at the end was pretty funny. This game still has its work ahead of it if it wants to be as over-the-top hilarious as the current beat-em-up series with the name "Dante" attached to it. Games like this or Ninja Gaiden, movies like The International...sometimes I can't tell if it's meant to be funny or if it's just really bad.

Comment on Morality and Bioshock

2007-10-21T22:26:37Z

Thanks, Timber. I think it's great that the game is not only fun to play, but very thought-provoking as well. If you read all my posts about it, you might come away thinking I didn't like it as much as I do, because I talk about how I wish the game were better in this way and that, but the fact that I care so much is a testament to its many successes. At the end of the day, I loved Bioshock and playing through it has been one of the best gaming experiences I've had in years.

Comment on Morality and Bioshock

2007-10-20T01:33:13Z

Great post. The very fact that this game elicits this kind of discussion makes it a success, as far as I am concerned. I am by all definition a casual gamer, but this game MADE me want to finish it, for just a few of the reasons that you mention.

Comment on The Wii and Serious Games

2006-12-08T11:25:22Z

Sheesh. People never cease to amaze me. I'm pretty sure I've had similar reaction to Ian before though. I'll have to dig around and see if I can remember what idiocy he spouted last time I noticed him.

Comment on The New Computer

2006-10-01T00:21:25Z

A new computer is a wonderful thing! I can honestly say the the performance boost has made me more excited than ever to work with programs like Photoshop and 3DS Max. I've moved closer to being able to create whatever comes to mind without having to wait for long loads and slow screen updates that sap the interactivity.

-Jason

Comment on The New Computer

2006-09-27T03:52:40Z

'Bout damn time too! I always looked forward to reinstalling and re-setting up my apps. I invariably made configuration choices that no longer want/need the last time I installed and reinstalling typically means some fun performance gains as well.

Anyway, grats on the new box. I've been drooling after one myself. I'll give Cyber Power a poke and see how much my dreams cost this month!