Poll of the Day > Do you play games to relax or to challenge yourself

(+) Yeah! (+)

Question was willed into my brain thanks to reddit. Decided to post it here to see if we can get ourselves a good old fashioned discussion going.
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btw I switched over to an alt just to see if I got different users replying to this thread than normal.
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Relax which might be why I'm terrible at committing to games. Once it starts getting really hard, I lose interest. I'm typically off work or just starting my day when I play, so I wanna have fun, not punch the wall.
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Some games to relax and others for the challenge. And others to enjoy art or story.
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pedro45 posted...

Relax which might be why I'm terrible at committing to games. Once it starts getting really hard, I lose interest. I'm typically off work or just starting my day when I play, so I wanna have fun, not punch the wall.

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pedro45 posted...

Relax which might be why I'm terrible at committing to games. Once it starts getting really hard, I lose interest. I'm typically off work or just starting my day when I play, so I wanna have fun, not punch the wall.

I do the same thing too.
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What if I play games to have fun? I don't care about relaxing or challenging most of the time.
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I've mentioned in the past that I can't relate to the appeal of "frustration gaming". I understand why people enjoy it, but in a world where free time is scarcer than ever and dozens of media sources are constantly clamoring for attention, I can't justify playing a game where you "lose" 99 times just so that the rush when you win once is way more intense. I'd rather just win a dozen times in a row with far less effort and far lower payoff, but still maximize the entertainment efficiency of my time.

The same goes for competitive gaming. I understand why some people get a thrill from playing against other people and proving their superiority, or winning against opponents of an equal or similar skill level, but I'm secure enough in myself not to need the validation, and the effort never seems worth the payoff for me. I'd far rather enjoy an experience where I'm allowed to feel powerful or narratively invested, or even a more cooperative multiplayer experience where I can help other players (and vice-versa) than straight up deathmatch or other PvP mechanics (the same reason why I've never really enjoyed being a "griefer" in games - I'm far more likely to walk up to total strangers and offer to help or give them free stuff than I am to fuck with them).



Judgmenl posted...

btw I switched over to an alt just to see if I got different users replying to this thread than normal.

Doesn't admitting to that completely negate the value of doing so?

Or are you just assuming that a lot of users have your ignored, and would only see the topic this way, but knowledge of who posted it isn't itself a factor?


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I will admit, quality arcade games can deliver a challenge while not going overboard; I include sports ganes in that.
When losing doesn't make me frustrated, then I typically enjoy the game more. Baseball is a great example of that. It can offer a challenge, while I stay physically relaxed and lose with just a little disappointment. Mentally though I might stress a lil towards the final innings.
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Both I guess? Really depends on the game. Like some said above there's a limit where challenge turns into 'not fun' and I'm not into the types of things where you fail for hours at a time. With the size of this backlog I like to keep making progress in my games even if it's not the toughest challenge. However I don't choose easy mode and have drudged through some pain in the ass games just to get past things others couldn't.

A couple examples would be I've finished all the Megaman games and most of the X's. Finished Furi, Ninja Gaiden, Demon's Souls. Got the trophy for beating Zico in Wipeout. Come to think of it there isn't much pattern. Depends on my mood at the time. Ha.

Relax of the two i guess. Challenge is rarely fun and so i avoid it most of the time.
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I play games to relax and have fun, because im a grown up adult who have full time job and real life challenges

Relax.

Destiny 1-2 is one of the first online games to allow me to relax. I practically ignore PvP, and have fun playing PvE with others.
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Metalsonic66 posted...

Some games to relax and others for the challenge. And others to enjoy art or story.

Exactly this. There are so many types of games, why lock yourself into a single part of it?
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Little of column A, little of column B, depending on the game and what I'm in the mood for.
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I don't play games that are frustrating on purpose if that's what you mean.

That said, I play games to experience another world.

Some games can be fun even if they are easy, if they can get you immersed enough.

However, some games have both a sub par story and low difficulty, so they are just boring.
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Both.
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ParanoidObsessive posted...

I've mentioned in the past that I can't relate to the appeal of "frustration gaming". I understand why people enjoy it, but in a world where free time is scarcer than ever and dozens of media sources are constantly clamoring for attention, I can't justify playing a game where you "lose" 99 times just so that the rush when you win once is way more intense

I'm a big fan of games that are challenging, but fair. I don't mind dying over and over as long as I feel like the deaths are due to my own mistakes or shortcomings. As opposed to stuff that's unfair or cheap or random. Games like DMC3, Scott Pilgrim, Shinobi, Mega Man Classic, etc.
ParanoidObsessive posted...

The same goes for competitive gaming. I understand why some people get a thrill from playing against other people and proving their superiority, or winning against opponents of an equal or similar skill level, but I'm secure enough in myself not to need the validation, and the effort never seems worth the payoff for me. I'd far rather enjoy an experience where I'm allowed to feel powerful or narratively invested, or even a more cooperative multiplayer experience where I can help other players (and vice-versa) than straight up deathmatch or other PvP mechanics

I've never cared much for multiplayer games that are strictly team deathmatch. But I do like some that have different classes or objectives, so you can get that competitive rush while also feeling like you're contributing to a team effort.
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Mostly to relax but I usually just play halo whenever i get the rare opportunity to actually sit down and play a game and when I play anything competitive I wanna win... so I guess both

I play games to fill the empty void in my life.
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challenge - I play to win
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Depends on my mood I guess though I'll never be in a mood to play a game that's difficulty level is out right unfair.

ParanoidObsessive posted...

The same goes for competitive gaming. I understand why some people get a thrill from playing against other people and proving their superiority, or winning against opponents of an equal or similar skill level, but I'm secure enough in myself not to need the validation, and the effort never seems worth the payoff for me. I'd far rather enjoy an experience where I'm allowed to feel powerful or narratively invested, or even a more cooperative multiplayer experience where I can help other players (and vice-versa) than straight up deathmatch or other PvP mechanics (the same reason why I've never really enjoyed being a "griefer" in games - I'm far more likely to walk up to total strangers and offer to help or give them free stuff than I am to fuck with them).

And here I thought you were likely to be a grandmaster at chess =p

Judgmenl posted...

btw I switched over to an alt just to see if I got different users replying to this thread than normal.

Because you're still paranoid about being ignored?
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Both.
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Challenge. I absolutely can't stand simple or easy games.

I play DnD, and can't stand 5th edition because it's ridiculously simplified to get more people into the game. That's not a bad thing mind you, but it's made it much harder to find groups that are playing 3.5, 4e, or Shadowrun.
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Zeus posted...

And here I thought you were likely to be a grandmaster at chess =p

I can never remember how the little horsies move.


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Mario_VS_DK posted...

Metalsonic66 posted...

Some games to relax and others for the challenge. And others to enjoy art or story.

Exactly this. There are so many types of games, why lock yourself into a single part of it?

Yep.

Metalsonic66 posted...

I'm a big fan of games that are challenging, but fair. I don't mind dying over and over as long as I feel like the deaths are due to my own mistakes or shortcomings. As opposed to stuff that's unfair or cheap or random. Games like DMC3, Scott Pilgrim, Shinobi, Mega Man Classic, etc

And this.

I dislike games that are extremely cheap, or ones tha give enemies an absurdly high amount of health.

Judgmenl posted...

btw I switched over to an alt just to see if I got different users replying to this thread than normal.

I don't think you're suppose to tell us. Besides, this would probably get responses because it's a good topic...

ParanoidObsessive posted...

I'm secure enough in myself not to need the validation

I don't think they all need validation. Sometimes, it's just fun. When I first started playing Splatoon, I lost a lot. But it was still really fun... I do agree that I like co-op more than PvP, though...

For games, I usually just play for fun. There are times when I play a game to relax. And there are times when I play a game to challenge myself. I'm surprised to see there wasn't an option for both of other. But that's why I didn't vote. It all depends. Sometimes, I can play a game just to get my frustration out. Or because I just have nothing else to do...

WaffIeElite posted...

Challenge. I absolutely can't stand simple or easy games.

There is a point between easy/simple & challenging, though...
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Mostly challenge but some are to relax
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depends on my mood
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How do you all feel about reading?
I feel like reading is like playing a fun rpg that requires no grinding. Maybe I'd like visual novels...
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LinkPizza posted...

I don't think they all need validation.

Some people do. Not every competitive multiplayer fan, no.

I was just saying that it's not a motivation for me, because I don't feel the need to prove myself better than other people via whether or not I can beat them in online games.

But there are definitely people who are getting that out of PvP (usually the sort of people who scream and rant at you in chat about how you cheated or how they weren't ready or any number of other excuses if you beat them).


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pedro45 posted...

How do you all feel about reading?
I feel like reading is like playing a fun rpg that requires no grinding. Maybe I'd like visual novels...

I feel they are different from visual novels. But I guess that depends on the visual novel and book...

ParanoidObsessive posted...

LinkPizza posted...

I don't think they all need validation.

Some people do. Not every competitive multiplayer fan, no.

I was just saying that it's not a motivation for me, because I don't feel the need to prove myself better than other people via whether or not I can beat them in online games.

But there are definitely people who are getting that out of PvP (usually the sort of people who scream and rant at you in chat about how you cheated or how they weren't ready or any number of other excuses if you beat them).

Oh, yeah. I think that is the case for some. I think I've met them in a couple games before. Haha. I just mean sometimes, I play online because it can give you a different experience every time you play it. And you can play with friends and family far away. Sometimes, that's the only reason I play online. Or because the game is only online... Or a big part of the game. Haha.
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LinkPizza posted...

Judgmenl posted...

btw I switched over to an alt just to see if I got different users replying to this thread than normal.

I don't think you're suppose to tell us. Besides, this would probably get responses because it's a good topic...

ParanoidObsessive posted...

I'm secure enough in myself not to need the validation

I don't think they all need validation. Sometimes, it's just fun. When I first started playing Splatoon, I lost a lot. But it was still really fun... I do agree that I like co-op more than PvP, though...

For games, I usually just play for fun. There are times when I play a game to relax. And there are times when I play a game to challenge myself. I'm surprised to see there wasn't an option for both of other. But that's why I didn't vote. It all depends. Sometimes, I can play a game just to get my frustration out. Or because I just have nothing else to do...

WaffIeElite posted...

Challenge. I absolutely can't stand simple or easy games.

There is a point between easy/simple & challenging, though...

Psh, fuck that. I want balls to the wall.
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