Perhaps it is just me getting old but I have a hard time understanding why people get so wrapped up in video games, particularly sports video games. Honestly it seems to me that many people are more excited about playing NBA 2k or Madden Football than actually going out and playing basketball or football. I'm curious how many of you out there prefer to play a video game than actually go out and play the real sport or say Guitar Hero vs actually playing a guitar? What is more preferable the video game of the real life activity that video game simulates?
It depends. When I feel the urge to go on a killing spree, GTA allows me to do this without getting killed or going to prison. However, I do prefer real sex over those simulation games.
the reason video games are fun is because it is different. Playing madden has nothing to do with playing football in real life. Despite the fact that its a simulaton. Trying to compare video games to real life is like asking someone why they eat apples instead of oranges.
You're simplifying things and ignoring that they are different mediums. I play guitar and occasionally play guitar hero but I treat them as different things. One is making and teaching myself to play songs, the other is a rhythm game that practices hand eye coordination. I can't make a song or play any song I want on guitar hero. Might as well be as confused that people prefer to watch a movie based on a book instead of people just reading the books.
I only play certain types of games.. with absorbing story and gameplay.. for escapism... sports.... If I had friends that had an interest in sports.. I'd look a lot more forward to going outside for a game of baseball.. then playing it on a machine.. guitar hero... no.. I play guitar.. if I want to play along with a song.. I can do that and receive greater pleasure.. doing so with my real guitar.. for this type of game.. I don't see the.. 'why'... rock band... well wouldn't look forward to it.. but it might be fun to be on drums... because... I don't or have ever played the drums..
I think your missing the point of video games. for example it would be damn near impossible for me to find people to play a pick up game right now...
I can't think of a single game that I play, which I can also do in real life. In real life, my most potent "weapon", which I can't use well, is a kitchen knife. I cannot perform magic. I hurt my knuckles when I punch. I can't play football worth a damn.
You really cant compare the two... I play basketball, but playing nba2k8 is completely different because I get to play with the Rockets and dominate the entire league. I also play video games because it relaxes me and gives me entertainment...i get to play my friends that live in different cities. Also, it would be kind of difficult for me to race a lamborghini (Forza), kill aliens (Mass Effect), use an energy sword (Halo), fight in WWII (COD3), or find 21 other guys to play tackle football with pads (Madden).
I believe you have to have a healthy balance between the two, but I cant hit people with turtle shells, hammers and bats like I can on Smash Bros. When it comes to sports games I prefer games like NBA and NFL street.
You can't compare the two. Sometimes you want to go out and shoot some hoops, other times you feel like staying in and plan on killing/be a terrorist(s) in Call of Duty 4. That and if you play GTAIV in real life you'll spend life in prison.
My friends and I love to play basketball, but we also like to play nba 2k8 right after we're done hoopin. As for real life vs games.... The real Houston Rockets struggle to get out of the 1st round....the Rockets on my NBA 2k8 are a Championship winning dynasty.
Well, pretty simple where I'm concerned. I can't play basketball or football in reality anymore. My back is basically shot forever. I played too hard, and now I don't got no more go. So videogame basketball is the next-best thing.
If you didn't grow up with it, chances are you don't see the point. I think people just enjoy doing things that remind them of when they were young. I can't enjoy the same games I did when I was a kid as much anymore but I still enjoy certain games none the less. Would I prefer real basketball over 2k8? I believe both have a place and time. I play in a league once a week and shoot around 3 or 4 times a week but still enjoy playing 2k8 after work every once in a while or a little Gears of War or GTA.
Actually my generation was the first generation to grow up with video games and I had an Atari and an Apple II growing up. That said I don't quite understand the obsession that many have with video games these days where it seems like there are many who prefer video games to reality. Obviously you can't go around killing people or aliens in real life but you can play basketball and play guitar. Having tried Guitar Hero I agree video games are very different than the reality but they get to the idea of creating a simulation of the experience on some level. I don't really understand, short of in the case of Drexlerfan where you can't physically do something, why you would choose the simulation over the reality. The most I can figure is that the video game reality is more than just mere escapism but the desire to both control reality and and experience it without messy consequences.
What you might be failing to realize is that with some of these sports game, the simulation goes far beyond just emulating the actual gameplay. For instance, when I play Madden, I enjoy the franchise mode that allows me to basically become the Owner, General Manager, Coach, and player of the team. You get to make decisions like moving or bumping up ticket prices, hiring new coaches or coordinators, scouting players in the upcoming draft, signing prized free agents and improving your current roster through training camp. Now that may seem boring to some, but for an NFL junkie like me I love micromanaging every aspect of a team and eventually building a winner. It is more of a total feel for the NFL experience then just going outside and tossing a football around with a friend.
Successful video games master the reward part of an activity. Learning to play the guitar is an exercise in frustration and an ear bleeding annoyance for bystanders. Playing Guitar Hero lets you "win" even if you have no appreciable skills or talents. The reason people frequent casinos is because they get addicted to the rush of winning. In video games, the deck is instead stacked in your favor.
If I have 3 hours and it's nice, I'd rather play a round of golf. But I can play 18 Holes on Tiger Woods on Wii in about 45 Minutes, and the weather doesn't matter. And I'd much rather go to war on the computer than in real life.
