The Decline of Gaming... for me.

[Zombie]

Let's begin with a little background. My name is Sam, I'm 17, and frankly, I'm being bored to death by games of all shapes and sizes, of all genres and qualities. I used to love installing HL2, like a little kid at Christmas who got a new game (Ok, that's exactly how it was). I remember loading up HL2 for the first time, a huge genuine smile on my face just looking in awe at the pure magnificence of the area, first walking outside and spending ten minutes just walking around and talking to everyone, looking into the sky to see birds flying by... those were the good times, but I'm afraid HL2 may have been the last "great" game for me.

Years after playing HL2, I moved onto other games and mods, playing DoD:S and CS:S and BF2 with friends and for a time, things were doing good. But then suddenly, BF2 got utterly butt **** gay, CS:S stopped being entertaining, even on a level of competition, even my save file of FF7 just slowly slid off my memory card.

Most recently I've had a great oppurtunity to play Total Annihilation with a friend who shares similar RTS interests, and those were probably the last good times I had with any game.

Tonight, I finished torrenting some critically acclaimed games, but after installing them all and playing them for a few minutes, I just... wasn't interested anymore. I lost that spirit, that will to explore and to be creative. Maybe it's some sort of thing I'm growing out of, maybe I want to do something a bit more hands on, enjoy myself a little more, explore new things (particularly with women ) and begin from a fresh start. Maybe the games t hemselves are just simply boring, maybe there will be no more half-life2s, no more epic RTS games (Ok, Sup Comm, but even that I've sort of lost interest in). What I'm trying to say is... perhaps there's a time in each man's life where he has to choose whether to continue on with the way he was, or jump into a brave new world with new rules and new players! Has anyone else felt this desaturation of the emphasis you once held for games? Or am I just "gamed out".

 

[Hazar]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8372603330420559198&q=spore

 

[Zombie]

Ahh even the Spore looks dull to me now...

Edit - Maybe what I'm trying to say, is that... for exmaple, World of Warcraft. It looked like SUCH an awesom game, and it definitely was, for a time. Maybe I'm just realizing that there are definite limits to these games, and they're not going to produce what they promise. Maybe I've been spoiled D:

 

[Hazar]

go watch tv then

see how fast you get bored with that

 

[Dog--]

Look at screens for Crysis, you'll shit yourself.

 

[Zombie]

No, not really... it's not that amazing... the ONLY thing that could impress me right now, and truely impress me, is an MMOFPS done well. (Not Huxley).

 

[Killing2Live]

Look at screens for Crysis, you'll shit yourself.

HAHA true, go take a look at Crysis it looks like its going to be good.

 

[pvtbones]

perhaps you need to go back to basics, I recently did that and it definately helped bring back some of the fun.

 

[X-FacToR]

Wow and I thought I was the only one, I did buy tiger woods 06 and thats ok. Ive recently started playing world of warcraft agian but thats kind of crap end game too lol

Things are definately on a decline in the gaming world as far as high quality stuff goes imo.

 

[Somefool]

perhaps you need to go back to basics, I recently did that and it definately helped bring back some of the fun.

Yes go back and play some the old games, I find more replay value in those games than the current ones for some odd reason.

 

[Sebastian]

Halo 3, dead rising, and crysis are the only games that I am truly looking foreward to, especially halo 3. with the vast improvment from halo to halo 2, I can't wait to see what happens from 2 to 3.

 

[Cormeh]

Get a Wii when they come around, they look funky badass funky with the controller.

Should give you a new perspective on gaming.

 

[Shippi]

.

 

[Garfield_]

I got kind of bored with current games. That's why I started playing Dark Forces, Jedi Knight, Deus Ex, X-Wing/Tie-Fighter/X-Wing Alliance again. There aren't many new games I'm looking forward to. Just HL2: Ep 2, Splinter Cell Double Agent and Spore

I did the same as you, there hasn't been any good games in the last couple of months except Prey of course, thats why I started playing Unreal, Unreal Tournament and now I've been playing Unreal Tournament 2003/2004 for some time and It's really entertaining and fun. I'll keep playing it until I get my XBOX 360 later this month

So my tip to the you, Zombie is either forget all games and do social stuff like hang out with your friends, then when you come back you'll suddenly find all games really entertaining. Or just go back to those old games and beat them once more.

 

[VirusType2]

Just play Street Fighter II on-line.

I swear, It's a totally different kind of fun that you can't get from any other game, but maybe the new Mortal Kombat coming out will be fun too.

These are the only two fighting games I like, so substitute your favorite fighting game in there.

 

[99.vikram]

It's not that games have gotten worse, we're just waiting for the next big revolution. There was a revolution every 5 years or so until Doom. Then there was the time of System Shock 2 and Half-life when we learnt of this mysterious thing called "the plot". And then there was in-game physics, and Half-life 2 handled this better than any game before it. Garry's mod is proof of that.

For a while we thought Doom 3 was it, but that was just not to be. Shadows alone do not a great game make - especially when outdoor areas can't be rendered well.

Right now I can see the following big things happening -

* A new breed of physics engines that can handle liquids flowing, objects breaking, etc. Allowing the player to do almost anything he wants in the game world. (anything he could do in the real world)
* An entirely new genre is born, like the FPS gained popularity around 1993.

 

[Warbie]

When you find yourself drifting away from gaming I find it's best to let it happen. After a break much of the novelty comes back and you'll remember why you enjoyed it in the first place.

 

[VirusType2]

When you find yourself drifting away from gaming I find it's best to let it happen. After a break much of the novelty comes back and you'll remember why you enjoyed it in the first place.

Yea I agree 100%. You will be back when you feel like it.

Besides, (girls > video games).

 

[Rizzo]

I hadn't played many games before half life 2, only games like age of empire, Doom, Doom 2, Hexen and Half life 1. I played Half life 1 beouse i got half life 2. After that i tryed some cs and css.

After that i got hitman 2.
Now i don't play at all. I still havn't played half life 2 episode 1.
Oh well. Maybe i should play some css.

 

[ailevation]

Whenever a good game comes out... I just play it, like a robot. Programmed to just do it. I mechanically just play games to get over it. I hear about a good game, I play it because it's good, then when I beat it... I move on. I just don't "get into" games as much as before.

I remember when Hl2 was released... I was in complete awww.

 

[VirusType2]

I remember when Hl2 was released... I was in complete awww.

Yea. I remember staring at the box in the store for like 5 minutes, leaving, coming back, staring at the box for like 5 minutes, going home, coming back, staring at the box for like 5 minutes. Asking if there is any way possible to play this on my PC.. . long story short, staring at th...buying a video card, installing the game.

IT WORKS It plays on my computer, and pretty ****ing good, all things considered.

Playing this game was like Woah. Completely amazing. (my first computer game since Doom1) I kept playing with the graphics settings all day.

I might have to re-install this game here soon. I'm trying to forget it so that it's sort of new again.

 

[Warbie]

I hadn't played many games before half life 2, only games like age of empire, Doom, Doom 2, Hexen and Half life 1. I played Half life 1 beouse i got half life 2. After that i tryed some cs and css.

After that i got hitman 2.
Now i don't play at all. I still havn't played half life 2 episode 1.
Oh well. Maybe i should play some css.

Maybe try some consoles? I've been quite bored with pc gaming for a few years now (no doubt some uber game will soon enough and drag me straight back, though)

 

[sinkoman]

Hey Zombie, I think it's time for you to go outside.

We all have a moment where we realise that we've wasted way too much time on games, and need to start ballancing our lives out more.

Sounds to me like you're approaching that little bump we call "a life".

*This post is entirely serious. I'm not being insulting or anything. I admit, I was allot happier after I got a life*

 

[Cerpin]

Bioshock

 

[Cole]

I agree with the creator of this thread.
There has been a decline for gaming in me to. I think the main thing is that when I was a child I liked the outdoors more. Then I got into gaming. Now that I am more of a teenager I'm starting to go outside and play more sports etc...

The main thing I guess I look into games now are for stories. Infact that is the major reason I bought HL:Ep1. It was cheap and Half-Life has a good story.

 

[Mutley]

I gotta agree. Now games have topped off graphics, gameplay types and physics. It takes alot to impress people.

A game that is "different" is so hard to find now. Quake Wars and Spore both look intresting and finally something new... well Spore is something totaly new anyway.

 

[Steel.Inferno]

Quake Wars, Spore, and the possibility of Huxley not sucking are what keep me interested in the future of gaming. Oh, can't forget finishing the Half Life storyline... WHO IS THE GMAN AHHHH!

 

[CookieCuttah]

I think that the advice about a life is exactly what is needed. Today's next generation games are as cool to me as hl2 was in 2003. The problem with gaming is like with every other thing you can possibly do: when you overdo it the novelty wears off. I myself play games around 7-13 hours a week (A bit more now due to summer) and feel that every time I play it's a unique experience. So perhaps you just need to find something else to do to relish gaming again.

 

[_Z_Ryuken]

Just play Street Fighter II on-line.

Is it still laggy as hell, or do I just need a faster connection?

Either way I'll play you.

I think my account is under this name.

 

[Asknoone]

Look at screens for Crysis, you'll shit yourself.

Yeah, because graphics are oh-so the way to go. Gameplay wise, I imagine it'll be a total bore. What, given Crytek an all.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

We all go through phases of liking particular games, or none at all. I personally stick with 4/5 games and alternate through them, so they all stay fresh. When your bored of gaming, stop using your computer, go outside and do something else which is preoccupying. We get many people who get bored and spam forums for attention, e.g. Henry & Pesmerga (both examples) Guess thats the way its goes...co-incidences EH?

 

[Sparta]

You're an editor now Hectic Glenn?

I'm like everyone else. I'll have periods of rather intense gaming. Give it a break for a bit, then go back to it. Thats the cycle. I haven't played a new computer game since Episode 1. That would've been the newest game i've played since last year sometime as well. Although i did buy a PS2 in March and have been playing that more than my PC. But its winding down now

 

[Loke]

Currently I'm spending my time with a handful of mods to Half-Life, I don't know why but I never seem to grow out tired of HL.
It's a bit different with HL2. With HL, OP4 and BS, when I completed them I got around playing them again only a day after and then again and again. With HL2 it took me a few weeks before I got around replaying it, Episode One I haven't even replayed yet, not even tried out the commentary-system yet!
Bah, I guess I prefer older games over newer as I spend more time with them and they are easier to get into.

 

[Angry Lawyer]

Cutting back on games is a good idea. I buy perhaps one game every 6 months, these days. I enjoy making them more. Computer games have become stagnant in the last few years, with nothing to really attract me besides a few main titles.

Games are no replacement for going out and doing stuff, but there'll always be times when you're stuck at home and just feel the need to do a little gaming.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[Mutley]

What is Huxley? I can't find any information or good screens on it.

 

[The Brick]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huxley_MMOFPS
http://games.blogo.nl/?comments/377/14343
http://pc.ign.com/objects/738/738456.html

 

[99.vikram]

What is Huxley? I can't find any information or good screens on it.

It is an experimental MMO FPS, to be released soon (supposedly).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huxley_MMOFPS

 

[KU_]

Hey Zombie, I think it's time for you to go outside.

We all have a moment where we realise that we've wasted way too much time on games, and need to start ballancing our lives out more.

Sounds to me like you're approaching that little bump we call "a life".

*This post is entirely serious. I'm not being insulting or anything. I admit, I was allot happier after I got a life*

Agreed.

 

[Adabiviak]

My "phase" is still as strong as it was 10 years ago. As long as a game has 'standard' controls (Silent Hill 2 was unplayable for me Does anyone know of a mod that gives it FPS-style controls? ) and looks like it has neat characters, some kind of storyline, I'm in. Graphics are just icing on the cake. I thouroughly enjoy science fiction, and these are like short science fiction stories - nowhere near the depth as a good novel, but much more interactivity. I play about as often as someone would read a book. What I enjoy as much as the actual play is seeing the world that the developers have created, as much for how novel it is as for how much time went into it. There are very few FPS that I don't enjoy, and that's invariably because of a playability feature, not for lack of storyline, graphics, etc.

 

[Ennui]

84.24 posts per day on this site is not a step in the right direction. Turn off your computer, take a walk, and keep your eyes away from staring at the ground in front of your feet. As for the gaming, I have a few suggestions. First, clear your mind of judgement. This allows you to experience games freshly like you've never played anything like it before. Next, install Starcraft. Turn up the sound, put on headphones, and play through the singleplayer, no matter how tedious it feels to you. Only then can you play custom games or online games. It's an unbelievable RTS if you get introduced to it right. Go back to Super Mario Brothers and other classic Super Nintendo or NES games. They can be more fun, just because of the simplicity, and focus on gameplay rather than graphics.

The other suggestion requires a lot of work, motivation, and dedication, which I don't think you have, but you can try it anyway. Learn to mod. I'd suggest programming, but that's daunting, so you might want to try out modeling or mapping instead. Modding lets you do what you have always wanted to with games. At that point, the lack of fun games becomes YOUR responsibility.