OK! Escaping reality?

[Anti Matter]

So it's 7:15am, I just finished playing through the new DLC for Mass effect 2 Was....amazing to say the least. Anyway my point being, does anybody else find sources of entertainment such as video games an escape from reality?

Is it dangerous to cut yourself off even more to escape the truth from life? Or is it healthy to get lost in imagination? Does it stimulate the mind? You see I have a dilemma, I don't know whether to continue this hobby of mine and enjoy it if I do or wash it away and try something new that I may or may not like. Time is precious to me and I want to make the most of it I have enjoying myself and not giving my mind and body more stress thanks to my SA. (I only got a week off before I have to go back to work and do constant 11 hour shifts.)

Anyway on a side note, do you play video games? If so what's your favorite? Do you loath them? Or do you simply not care? ::

My answer at the moment: Of course I play WAAAY too much Mass effect 2, and the occasional online fps shooter .

 

[lunaticbinge]

I love video games. Grew up on them actually. I'd say theres advantages and disadvantages. I think they have probably worsened my social anxiety because your just sitting there looking at a box. But I also get a sense of achievement from playing them that gives me a self esteem boost I guess (confidence from video games? I'm pathetic!:. In a way it is escapism but I enjoy it and life is short so who cares?

 

[fuzzylogic]

So it's 7:15am, I just finished playing through the new DLC for Mass effect 2 Was....amazing to say the least. Anyway my point being, does anybody else find sources of entertainment such as video games an escape from reality?

Is it dangerous to cut yourself off even more to escape the truth from life? Or is it healthy to get lost in imagination? Does it stimulate the mind? You see I have a dilemma, I don't know whether to continue this hobby of mine and enjoy it if I do or wash it away and try something new that I may or may not like. Time is precious to me and I want to make the most of it I have enjoying myself and not giving my mind and body more stress thanks to my SA. (I only got a week off before I have to go back to work and do constant 11 hour shifts.)

Anyway on a side note, do you play video games? If so what's your favorite? Do you loath them? Or do you simply not care? ::

My answer at the moment: Of course I play WAAAY too much Mass effect 2, and the occasional online fps shooter .

I know what you mean but I think most people use some form of escape when they are not doing the essential things to survive like making money or cooking. People watch tv, listen to music, drink booze, take drugs, daydream, party, socialize, play games, look at porn, play sport.

But I believe that human existance is utterly boring and unsatisfying and people do things - anything - to stave off that deep-seated feeling of being unhappy with existance. They pound after pleasure, run away from pain at every chance, and ignore everything else in between. But the fact is that most people live inside their own head, looking at the world through their own rigid concepts and don't really see reality.

Favorite videogame is perhaps none of them, though I did enjoy the first few games I ever played which was THEMEPARK & BLAKE STONE. I don't really play videogames all that much because I get so bored with them really easily and don't ever finish the games anyway.

 

[Anti Matter]

I love video games. Grew up on them actually. I'd say theres advantages and disadvantages. I think they have probably worsened my social anxiety because your just sitting there looking at a box. But I also get a sense of achievement from playing them that gives me a self esteem boost I guess (confidence from video games? I'm pathetic!:. In a way it is escapism but I enjoy it and life is short so who cares?

I actually have the same thoughts at this moment in time but conflicting ones are creeping in to the back of my mind. Do I continue to enjoy this entertainment that is blessed on our generation? Or try to work on my SA correctly (according to my mom)? I dunno I just want to enjoy myself and not get pis*ed off at what is around me on an everyday basis.

 

[N0D]

Of course they are. I used to do more drugs than the rolling stones, now I just play videogames all day. Replace one addiction with another. At least I can't OD and end up in a coma or dead from videogames.

 

[Anti Matter]

I know what you mean but I think most people use some form of escape when they are not doing the essential things to survive like making money or cooking. People watch tv, listen to music, drink booze, take drugs, daydream, party, socialize, play games, look at porn, play sport.

But I believe that human existance is utterly boring and unsatisfying and people do things - anything - to stave off that deep-seated feeling of being unhappy with existance. They pound after pleasure, run away from pain at every chance, and ignore everything else in between. But the fact is that most people live inside their own head, looking at the world through their own rigid concepts and don't really see reality.

Favorite videogame is perhaps none of them, though I did enjoy the first few games I ever played which was THEMEPARK & BLAKE STONE. I don't really play videogames all that much because I get so bored with them really easily and don't ever finish the games anyway.

Interesting, never thought of society as a whole being a boring one. Just an annoying one. Very informative.

Also you should try some video games now man, they're like movies. Seriously.

 

[Anti Matter]

Of course they are. I used to do more drugs than the rolling stones, now I just play videogames all day. Replace one addiction with another. At least I can't OD and end up in a coma or dead from videogames.

I kind of still have both those addictions, I won't OD, but I certainly might just trip balls with paranoia. ::

 

[Kiwong]

I like to write speculative fiction stories, and some poetry. I think imagination is a great thing to have. I used to submit my stories to magazines, and had a few published online and others in print. I haven't written anything for a few years. I stopped due to ill health and knee pain. I'm better now and I put all my energy into running. That's my current escape.

 

[CosmicNeurotica]

Yes!
I just bought and played that last night lol.
I agree, probably the best dlc so far for Mass Effect. I got caught up on the ship though looking at the beautiful vista. I said "oooo pretty clou.. *SHOTS FIRED* oh crap! Enemies!
As far as your topic is concerned, I don't think it's a healthy thing.
I'm addicted to video games, and it doesn't stimulate anything at all. I just like to get lost in the world and level up and so forth.
We should play sometime though Anti Matter. Judging by your name, and my gamertag (CosmicNeurotica) we have a lot in common!
Play any Battlefield Bad Company?

Edit: oh sorry, I guess I just assumed you played on xbox. I know there's a PC version as well.

 

[R3K]

i'm a recovered WoW addict... all i can say is that video games these days (especially mmos) are designed to sap your money, time and health. they lure you in with small rewards that gradually lead to bigger, more difficult rewards until you're grinding away for 100s of hours just to get one shiny new doodad to put on your character so you can strut around other people and show off in a virtual environment. i used to love it, but then i'd unplug from the comp and my back would be aching, my neck all contorted, malnourished, sleep-deprived...

one small positve i got from WoW was a small social confidence boost, as you're often forced to "communicate" with other people in order to advance in the game. but if i could get those 9 million hours back that i spent playing that game, i would.

@kiwong, where and how did you post/publish your writings? i been dabbling with writing myself lately.

 

[BlackPuma]

No, I don't think there is anything wrong with playing video games to comfort yourself. As long as it doesn't get in your way of your education/job. I am perfectly happy not having a social life and playing video games to fill my time.

And as soon as I get a job, I'll be most likely do that again (haven't played anything special since my X360 fried. :/ ).


Oh, and I grew a special affinity towards BioShock, The Darkness and Dead Space. I don't know why, but those Horror/FPS/RPG hybrids games are especially enjoyable to me. I hope to play the sequels of BioShock and Dead Space soon, but for now my compromised financial state (and fried Xbox) is preventing that.

Fingers crossed. :B

 

[Anti Matter]

Yes!
I just bought and played that last night lol.
I agree, probably the best dlc so far for Mass Effect. I got caught up on the ship though looking at the beautiful vista. I said "oooo pretty clou.. *SHOTS FIRED* oh crap! Enemies!
As far as your topic is concerned, I don't think it's a healthy thing.
I'm addicted to video games, and it doesn't stimulate anything at all. I just like to get lost in the world and level up and so forth.
We should play sometime though Anti Matter. Judging by your name, and my gamertag (CosmicNeurotica) we have a lot in common!
Play any Battlefield Bad Company?

Edit: oh sorry, I guess I just assumed you played on xbox. I know there's a PC version as well.

DUDE! yes I do, but only on PC You on xbox live? If so I will buy a xbox live subscription and get bfbc2 (It's only £15 here). My gamer tag on xbox live.....now I can't remember that...I'll post it later today lol, and yes the shadow broker dlc, right at the end where you meet him I was like ok...wait...you're that big? Oh shi- haha. Anyway yeah back on topic I think also to a point they can be unhealthy but the mind gets stimulated by thought and imagination which builds creative structure in anyone's mind, they do have positive aspects, but maybe I think that's to mask the all out negative which can be a big negative. For example killing people on Call of Duty, getting to max rank then never playing it again didn't stimulate me that much.

 

[Anti Matter]

I like to write speculative fiction stories, and some poetry. I think imagination is a great thing to have. I used to submit my stories to magazines, and had a few published online and others in print. I haven't written anything for a few years. I stopped due to ill health and knee pain. I'm better now and I put all my energy into running. That's my current escape.

Interesting I would like to read some of your writings if possible. The other thing I used to do was to create things in photoshop, not exactly the same as writing but it did help and was a nice sub escape from gaming. I used to do a bit of running but now I really can't be botherd haha. Usually really tired after work.

 

[Anti Matter]

No, I don't think there is anything wrong with playing video games to comfort yourself. As long as it doesn't get in your way of your education/job. I am perfectly happy not having a social life and playing video games to fill my time.

And as soon as I get a job, I'll be most likely do that again (haven't played anything special since my X360 fried. :/ ).


Oh, and I grew a special affinity towards BioShock, The Darkness and Dead Space. I don't know why, but those Horror/FPS/RPG hybrids games are especially enjoyable to me. I hope to play the sequels of BioShock and Dead Space soon, but for now my compromised financial state (and fried Xbox) is preventing that.

Fingers crossed. :B

That's the thing, they did help me with escaping reality and society at the time of my education, college was good but video games at some points hindered my education aswell as my SA which was a negative aspect to them in my eyes. It was my own fault (could of been a network engineer). Still I did enjoy playing call of duty 4 on the xbox and fragging little kids that scream down the mic when in a lobby . I just need to figure out if they may do the same in the future I do have a good job at the moment but I think in some points they may be holding me back with "blending" with society as my step brother says.

Also all the 3 games above had a part in my education failure because they were so awesome. Dead space was my favorite.

 

[Anti Matter]

i'm a recovered WoW addict... all i can say is that video games these days (especially mmos) are designed to sap your money, time and health. they lure you in with small rewards that gradually lead to bigger, more difficult rewards until you're grinding away for 100s of hours just to get one shiny new doodad to put on your character so you can strut around other people and show off in a virtual environment. i used to love it, but then i'd unplug from the comp and my back would be aching, my neck all contorted, malnourished, sleep-deprived...

one small positve i got from WoW was a small social confidence boost, as you're often forced to "communicate" with other people in order to advance in the game. but if i could get those 9 million hours back that i spent playing that game, i would.

@kiwong, where and how did you post/publish your writings? i been dabbling with writing myself lately.

Yes I have tried to stay clear of MMORPG's I know a guy that lost his job, his wife and his kid thanks to World of Warcraft, that is the ultimate escape of (Real) Society and reality. Tbh I have had that problem with call of duty, "Hey everyone look I'm prestige 10"....Didn't give me anything else really just people messaging me over Steam (PC) saying I was awesome at the time. So I really didn't get anything positive from my Call of duty addict days. Seems like I do need to consider my options in the future and not let this happen again. This is why I have a job that has long shifts, I didn't even realize I wanted to work in that area of expertise (Fire service). I suppose subconsciously my mind is telling me to get away from video games and start something new and refreshing. Who knows?

 

[BlackPuma]

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, though. ;3 We all need our escapes in hard times. Games is better then, for example, drugs or anything else harmful. The future is still a blank slate, so it not a lost cause yet. I'm sure I could have had a better education too if I tried harder, but I genuinely didn't care for the whole success story. Still don't. I'll be happier if I can just manage. :3

 

[Anti Matter]

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, though. ;3 We all need our escapes in hard times. Games is better then, for example, drugs or anything else harmful. The future is still a blank slate, so it not a lost cause yet. I'm sure I could have had a better education too if I tried harder, but I genuinely didn't care for the whole success story. Still don't. I'll be happier if I can just manage. :3

True I just wish sometimes I didn't feel like a failure sometimes which you do when both of your parents say they had better hopes for you in the future. I'm 22 and still get it daily. It also annoys me that the only thing that has kept my relatively sane over the past few years is shunned by my parents. Like you say it's not like I did heavy drugs or drank to excession. When you try to explain something to certain people ignorance is a blind bliss.

 

[CosmicNeurotica]

Yeah I have live. I still like to play online, I just don't talk to anyone.
But don't get live and the game just to play with me! That'd be silly. Besides, live is going up in price and I already think they charge too much. Microsoft likes ripping us off!
I would rather play PC games, but for 1 my computer doesn't like to cooperate and probably isn't a good gaming PC and 2 it's a living room computer so I can't be playing all day like I like to do lol.

According to my stats, I've played 228 games since December '05 and have a gamerscore over 82,000.
That's not too much is it?
Nah..

 

[Anti Matter]

Yeah I have live. I still like to play online, I just don't talk to anyone.
But don't get live and the game just to play with me! That'd be silly. Besides, live is going up in price and I already think they charge too much. Microsoft likes ripping us off!
I would rather play PC games, but for 1 my computer doesn't like to cooperate and probably isn't a good gaming PC and 2 it's a living room computer so I can't be playing all day like I like to do lol.

According to my stats, I've played 228 games since December '05 and have a gamerscore over 82,000.
That's not too much is it?
Nah..

Holy...haha you are awesome. I can get a 3 month subscription you know and BFBC2 is half of the price of what it used to be. I only got about 45,000 GS and I never play the xbox So that ain't too much is it? ::

Man....I really should get out of this habbit. Haha.

Actually coming to think of it buy a 3 month subscription and BFBC2 won't really help me, thus this thread would be pointless

 

[Anti Matter]