Simple question. If you don't play video games, why not? Doesn't necessarily require some long, thought out answer, or even one that is technically correct (EX: "Only kids/guys/D&D nerds play games."). Basically, I got this idea from a few discussions I attended that included people from the video game industry. Long story short, a lot of them are concerned that the industry is not growing like it could be. For the most part, people who play video games and those who work in the industry are of only one demographic: white males between the ages of 18-35 or so. Obviously, they'd rather have a much more diverse makeup, similar to those in the music and movie industry, or else they would risk experiencing another video game crash. Several of them had great facts and figures that explained why the market could, or should be bigger. For example, women are obviously a demographic that these companies would love to have, yet for some reason, not too many women play video games. They had some stats that showed a LARGE percentage of women today use the internet, and a large percentage of them play internet games. A few years ago, some Barbie game came out and sold like 600K copies in the first week (when 100K was a blockbuster at the time). They also had examples where they basically forced women to play games like Warcraft, Max Payne, Battlefield and other popular games that weren't actually their type of game, or so they thought. After a couple of hours though, they were hooked on the games, especially Warcraft. FWIW, this "experiment" also showed similar results among other demographics, such as grandparents. Similarly, I think this board may share similar conditions as the stats they showed about women. For example, everyone here seems intelligent and tech-savvy enough to use the Internet or other "complicated" technologies (torrents, DVR's, iPods, PC's, etc). Great internet games are popular here. Unlike other boards, a large portion of great video games are out there specifically with your interests in mind (sports). And of course, given the number of threads about music, movies, and even books, people here have the time and money to spend on various forms of entertainment. Yet from what I could gather, it seems like the actual percentage of people on the board who do play video games is a lot smaller than those who do not. So again, why is that? IOW, what does the industry need to do in order to grow? Are there too many games with white male heroes or big-breasted women that are "ready for sex," as one of the developers put it? Do the controls and/or tutorials dissuade you from playing? Maybe something else I didn't think of? After all, I'm a gamer that is using ideas from game developers, not people who don't play games.
I spend too much time playing this reality based video game, it's kind of like the sims except with better graphics. I think they call it "life" or something.
When I do play I don’t want to have to work (Spend Time) to get all the good stuff (Weapons, Powers) I want to turn on the console/PC and kick some ass right away.. I think that's what keeps me from playing more, if I didn’t have to spend a few weeks (10-20) mins a day getting all the great functions of the game I would play more.. Sure, I like looking forward to rewards in the game, but if there aren’t cheat codes in the game I really don’t pick it up unless it's a multiplayer type game or MMORPG. I'm in my mid 20s and don’t really have time to "work" toward another meaningless goal (I do enough meaningless posting here as it is ) I want to do all the cool things off the bat.. the last thing on my mind is going through a 15 min. tut on how to play a game..
I play alot of games now, but I didn't get a console until college, so I'm catching up for lost time. My wife loves GAMES magazine, but other than Lumines and Tetris, dislikes all video games.
I play video games from time to time, but have lost all interest in "console gaming." If I play a game it is on my PC because the interaction is what I play for, and the PC gives you far more ways to interact. I don't play console games because I'd rather be on another system that gives me unlimited access to people and settings. Yes with Xbox Live the console systems are becoming more multiplayer then single player, but the PC is the ultimate multiplayer box. With that said, i dont' really even play PC games that often anymore because I did so much for so long I go burnt out and decided to live my life for once. It should be noted that that video games are a HUGE money saver, if you are going to be broke for a while purchase an addicting multiplayer game and you won't waste money going out drinking, partying or eating out.
It seems like a waste of my time. I want to be doing something more productive. And at age 35 I just don't care about solving these games anymore, it doesn't have any meaning. I just ask myself "why do you care about saving the princess etc". I just don't. I still like playing a freind in basketball/football etc from time to time, but my wife isn't that much fun to play 2-player games with. Maybe they should have more adventure games that couples could play. PLus the sports game seem the same from the past 15 years but with better graphics. It's all the same crap to me. I still play some. I like the zelda and star wars games. Sometimes I do want to do something that is a complete waste of time but it's just not that often. Btw, my 34 year old wife says video games these days have "too many buttons". She misses Atari 2600, but did like The Sims. My sister came in second place in a major Tetris competition at Texas A&M 10 years ago or so (1st place got a car), but doesn't play any games these days. They should make some easier games for women. Like Iron Chef or Trading Spaces. My wife and would probably play more board games on video if the still made them. I tried to find some for Gamecube (again, I like the Zelda) but they didn't really have any. We would like Family Fued, Price is Right, Risk, we need more gamey games.
Well....I used to play video games like Nintendo and Super NES because I have an older brother. But when he left for college, we never upgraded to Playstation or whatever it is people use now. I feel that I've grown out of touch with the complexity of them. I know my personality type and I can get addicted to things. EX: Tetris on Gameboy ate HOURS of my life when I was in intermediate school. I really enjoyed it, but time is limited these days. Things from work, spending time with my boyfriend, family and friends, watching sports, etc are all quite time consuming. When my friends played in college, I stayed away since I knew it'd be endless hours of playing and that there was potential of getting hooked. Now that I'm in my mid 20s, I have absolutely no desire to play. I don't own a system and have no intentions on dropping money on it or games. Most games I see my brother playing or commercials for are bloody with guns and anima type looking females. I'm not attracted to any of those things. Yes, I realize, there are probably lots of games out there that have no bearing of the aformentioned items, but still....time and money is what it comes down to. I think this was my longest post...hope it helps.
Too many buttons, games are too long, too much to remember, I guess I'm old school. I'll play Contra, Mario Kart.....and other on Nes and Super nes. Thats about it.
i didn't play video games from the time i graduated college until the last year. so roughly 9 years. but my son has a Gamecube, and we like playing the games together.
I used to play video games 24/7, now I barely touch them. Too much responsibilities in life and I have better things to do (girls, cars, work etc). The only type of games I do enjoy are games with social interaction ex: warcraft3/counter strike.
i totally agree....i loved mario kart, TMNT, contra, the tennis game, duck hunt (hey, i was 8!), etc. i think they should come out with a system with as many buttons as the Super NES had (up, down, left, right, a, b, start, select, x, y) and just have updated graphics and put "simple" games on them.
hey RC, can you name really good party/multiplayer games for GC and PS2? preferably, games a novice can pick up pretty fast too.
