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I just love video games

crazyriddler

crazyriddler

Member
Well, this thread is a bit random, but I just felt like sharing it. It's about my passion for video games and how it has shaped my life. It's also a call to take pride in it, maybe we should demand that 'V' for video games be added to LGBTQ+.

I'm 35 and have been playing video games since I was about five, thanks to my brother who introduced me to them on his old Commodore 64 and later gave me an SNES. He's 18 years older than me and has also been playing video games his whole life. Throughout my life, video games have kept that "childlike" excitement alive, that tingling sensation you get as a kid when you're about to receive something you're really looking forward to. This could be the announcement of a new generation, the return of a beloved game series or an E3-style event with upcoming releases and announcements.

Even during difficult times, the thought of not dying without knowing what the next generation will be like has helped me feel better, aside from the support of family and friends, of course.

The other day, I went with my brother to help him pick out a new OLED TV for his PS5 Pro. Sadly, he's a console guy, but I love him just the same. Meanwhile, my wife and mother-in-law were laughing at us, saying, 'There go the kids with their new toy', as we excitedly tried out games on the new screen and talked like kids about the upcoming releases.

I've always been a bit of a homebody, though that doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed socialising and making plans with friends. However, I've always felt I had to apologise for my hobby. All my life, my social circle has pressured me to enjoy more "real" things, but the truth is that video games are what have always kept that childlike wonder alive inside me. I feel like it'll stay that way until the day I die.

So tell me GAF, what have video games meant to you?
 
without video games my life would be totally different. i do love the games themselves but they influenced my life beyond that. it made me want to learn skateboarding, introduced me to loads of new bands, and made me want to explore the world. Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2 and GTA 3 were the games that changed my life. i wouldn't have met all the people i did if it wasn't for getting into skating, punk/metal bands and going to gigs, and wanting to travel. i honestly couldn't imagine my life if i didn't have video games. there's a lot more to it than that but yeah it was the first thought to come to my head.
 
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GTA was always like christmas to me when a new game releases, also Max Payne 3 from Rockstar was an event for me.
I remember playing the first GTA in 1997 which i loved.
Games have a special place for me.
 
Aliens Jesse GIF by HULU
 
crazyriddler said:
Well, this thread is a bit random, but I just felt like sharing it. It's about my passion for video games and how it has shaped my life. It's also a call to take pride in it, maybe we should demand that 'V' for video games be added to LGBTQ+.

I'm 35 and have been playing video games since I was about five, thanks to my brother who introduced me to them on his old Commodore 64 and later gave me an SNES. He's 18 years older than me and has also been playing video games his whole life. Throughout my life, video games have kept that "childlike" excitement alive, that tingling sensation you get as a kid when you're about to receive something you're really looking forward to. This could be the announcement of a new generation, the return of a beloved game series or an E3-style event with upcoming releases and announcements.

Even during difficult times, the thought of not dying without knowing what the next generation will be like has helped me feel better, aside from the support of family and friends, of course.

The other day, I went with my brother to help him pick out a new OLED TV for his PS5 Pro. Sadly, he's a console guy, but I love him just the same. Meanwhile, my wife and mother-in-law were laughing at us, saying, 'There go the kids with their new toy', as we excitedly tried out games on the new screen and talked like kids about the upcoming releases.

I've always been a bit of a homebody, though that doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed socialising and making plans with friends. However, I've always felt I had to apologise for my hobby. All my life, my social circle has pressured me to enjoy more "real" things, but the truth is that video games are what have always kept that childlike wonder alive inside me. I feel like it'll stay that way until the day I die.

So tell me GAF, what have video games meant to you?
Click to expand...

Gonzito said:
Same here papito, give me a hug
Click to expand...

papitos, bring it in!

Same!
 
Picked up a controller when I was five and never let it go. Games became so important to me and probably to a lot of us.

The most impactful game that changes everything was Ultima Online. Absolutely blew my mind then.
 
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crazyriddler said:
Well, this thread is a bit random, but I just felt like sharing it. It's about my passion for video games and how it has shaped my life. It's also a call to take pride in it, maybe we should demand that 'V' for video games be added to LGBTQ+.

I'm 35 and have been playing video games since I was about five, thanks to my brother who introduced me to them on his old Commodore 64 and later gave me an SNES. He's 18 years older than me and has also been playing video games his whole life. Throughout my life, video games have kept that "childlike" excitement alive, that tingling sensation you get as a kid when you're about to receive something you're really looking forward to. This could be the announcement of a new generation, the return of a beloved game series or an E3-style event with upcoming releases and announcements.

Even during difficult times, the thought of not dying without knowing what the next generation will be like has helped me feel better, aside from the support of family and friends, of course.

The other day, I went with my brother to help him pick out a new OLED TV for his PS5 Pro. Sadly, he's a console guy, but I love him just the same. Meanwhile, my wife and mother-in-law were laughing at us, saying, 'There go the kids with their new toy', as we excitedly tried out games on the new screen and talked like kids about the upcoming releases.

I've always been a bit of a homebody, though that doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed socialising and making plans with friends. However, I've always felt I had to apologise for my hobby. All my life, my social circle has pressured me to enjoy more "real" things, but the truth is that video games are what have always kept that childlike wonder alive inside me. I feel like it'll stay that way until the day I die.

So tell me GAF, what have video games meant to you?
Click to expand...
It's one thing seeing the Pyramids in something like Assassins Creed, its another actually standing in front of it, (and the Sphinx) - real life wonder is another level to on-screen wonder
 
I had a moment recently where, after years of practicing, researching, and trying to understand fighting games, it all just clicked into place. It's like I woke up one day and was just able to play street fighter easily on my arcade stick, when for the past few years it's felt awkward and confusing. Instantly shot up in rank online.

Just sat there in awe of how fuckin sick video games can be, lol. It's good to be reminded of that sometimes.
 
crazyriddler said:
Well, this thread is a bit random, but I just felt like sharing it. It's about my passion for video games and how it has shaped my life. It's also a call to take pride in it, maybe we should demand that 'V' for video games be added to LGBTQ+.

I'm 35 and have been playing video games since I was about five, thanks to my brother who introduced me to them on his old Commodore 64 and later gave me an SNES. He's 18 years older than me and has also been playing video games his whole life. Throughout my life, video games have kept that "childlike" excitement alive, that tingling sensation you get as a kid when you're about to receive something you're really looking forward to. This could be the announcement of a new generation, the return of a beloved game series or an E3-style event with upcoming releases and announcements.

Even during difficult times, the thought of not dying without knowing what the next generation will be like has helped me feel better, aside from the support of family and friends, of course.

The other day, I went with my brother to help him pick out a new OLED TV for his PS5 Pro. Sadly, he's a console guy, but I love him just the same. Meanwhile, my wife and mother-in-law were laughing at us, saying, 'There go the kids with their new toy', as we excitedly tried out games on the new screen and talked like kids about the upcoming releases.

I've always been a bit of a homebody, though that doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed socialising and making plans with friends. However, I've always felt I had to apologise for my hobby. All my life, my social circle has pressured me to enjoy more "real" things, but the truth is that video games are what have always kept that childlike wonder alive inside me. I feel like it'll stay that way until the day I die.

So tell me GAF, what have video games meant to you?
Click to expand...
Started playing video games when I was around 7 or 8. The first game that got me hooked on gaming was BattleTanx or more specifically, BattleTanx: Global Assault. I loved those games alongside Super Mario 64, Turok, Super Smash Bros and WaveRace for the N64. Then I got a PS2 and Xbox and loved the ever living shit out of FFX, Halo, Shadow Hearts, Knighs of the Old Republic, Xenosaga, Soul Calibur 2 and 3, holy fuck those were the golden years of gaming for Millennials imo. 34 now (we're getting old my dude) and I have no plans on stopping.

I feel you hard on the bolded part. As far as gaming being "childish" I always found that interesting for several reasons: the most annoying being that 95% of the time, the people who say that gaming is 'for kids' base their entire personalities around watching other grown men kicking/throwing balls at each other playing LITERAL FUCKING KID'S GAMES! That, or binge watching dramas on Netflix/doom scrolling Twitter. I will never not be annoyed by that.

Secondly, the obsession with being seen as mature is the definition of immaturity ironically enough.

Thirdly, any hobby can be twisted into "hurr durr, you're wasting your time", but when pressed with a simple "what should I do instead", complete silence.

So long as you can take care of your responsibilites, then everyone else can kindly fuck off with the whole "abandon what has given you joy for your entire life just to appease my sense of superiority".

Arnold Schwarzenegger Handshake GIF
 
crazyriddler said:
Sadly, he's a console guy
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Happily I am a console guy. Looking at how many sell, it does seem like I'm not in a minority as many of you here on NeoGAF whole play PC like people to believe. I love games as well, especially all the fun I am having on my consoles, just playing games, just enjoying them, not bothered that I'm playing on a console games.
 
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Most of my memories from my childhood/teenage years are somehow connected to some sort of games. I still remember the table and room I was sitting at in school while hiding my Gameboy micro in my sleeve when math class bored me to hell. I still remember the moment my granny gifted me and my brother our firat Gameboy, where we were in our moms house and what the rooms looked like back then. I still remember the long days when I was hospitalized because I was playing Crisis Core on my PSP the whole time. I remember my first TV I bought alongside the Gamecube, and I remember how terrible the relationship with my ex was because I remember playing Dark Souls back then.

Most other memories that are not in some shape or form connected to a game vanished over time. It's my big passion, my escapism and the best hobby I ever had all at once.
 
As a longtime gamer my first year playing on a giant OLED at 120fps was a special kind of magic. Sometimes I'd just pause the game and marvel at how far we've come and how incredible things are. Same with VR.
 
you do realize you're on NEOGAF right? nobody plays video games here. we all just sit and bitch about games and fill our backlogs with more games we don't play. how dare you come here and be all positive!? the audacity!
 
Video games are incredible. I've developed amazing friendships because of them, and they've been there for me when I needed them most.

They've helped me through hard times when I just needed a distraction or an ability to "get away" for a bit. Honestly, the combination of music/live shows and video games have been a god send for me over the decades.
 
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Getting closer to 40, but video game are still my favorite and most consistent hobby. Even my other interests like computers, 3d art, reading manga, and playing guitar all sprang out from playing video games growing up. Never would've learned computer networking and gone into IT as my job if I didn't mess around with PC games growing up setting up LAN parties, hosting a dedicated server for Unreal Tournament GOTY, and helping friends build computers.

It's the hobby that when one of my best friends I'd known since 3rd grade had to move in the last year of High School because his mom got relocated for work...visiting him on summer break before our last year, we played the beta for WoW, and kept in touch that entire year meeting up online after school in that game. I remember playing Sonic as a kid casually on a Genesis my parents got me, but fully converted visiting my friend Greg's house, where he let me play Warcraft 2 with him on his dad's old shit computer he called "Gayway", because Gateway's were such unreliable POS back then.

Only hobby that I've become more invested in over time, especially with indies bringing back more genres that felt left behind. Grabbed some VKB flight sticks over last Christmas, and playing Overload just flooded back the memories of the Descent demo on my crap Acer computer using a Microsoft Sidewinder as kid...except I'm actaully better at the game now.

Any of the people I've met trying to devalue video games, have all kinds of equally dumb/er things they do in their leisure, especially when the excuses for their sportsball or Netflix start up. Just manage it like anything else, and you're fine.
 
Really lovely post. Nothing is embarrassing about holding on to that sense of wonder, and if games have kept that alive in you, that's something to be proud of.

What stands out most is how much they've meant to you beyond simple entertainment: joy, comfort, connection, and something to look forward to. That part about you and your brother getting excited over the OLED was especially great. That kind of shared enthusiasm is one of the best things about games.

No one should feel they have to apologise for loving something that brings them genuine happiness.
 
One of the very few hobbies I've stuck with since I was 3 years old when I held my first game pad. There was never a month when I haven't played a game for at least a few hours in over 30 years.

I get what I like about books and movies: stories. But mixed with interactivity, active choices and gameplay mechanics to learn and use. It's like the almost perfect medium. Immersion. Storytelling. Game mechanics. I love to discuss games with my friends and we can talk for hours about a single game or miniscule details of a single game.

Yes, I love video games.
 
They're a part of my life... Thanks to video games, I appeared on television, in a video game magazine, and they've influenced my life.
 
Arachnid said:
Video games are for children. Grow up.
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Video games are a cultural phenomena that existed in a time and place. That time started in the early 1970s and lasted until the early 2000s. The people who consumed video games during this time are the gamers.
 
I didn't get into them until I was in my late 30s, so I lack the childhood-adolescent emotional connection to games that a lot of people here have. I had already finished my education, established my career, and gotten married by the time I started gaming. So, I don't have the same attachment that a lot of people do. In my early years, I was more of a reader and music listener. Aside from some stoned sessions playing Defender in the college dorms, games just didn't interest me back then. And I think that's where a lot of those strong attachments being expressed come from - gaming when you're young.

I like games. I've spent several hundred hours with some of them. I'm fairly picky, though. I don't like most games. The ones I genuinely like are few and far between. I see games mostly as entertainment, sometimes as escape or distraction. I have a hard time seeing them as Art (capital A art), although there are exceptions. I use them mostly to relax and immerse myself in another world occasionally. They've never brought me through a depression or anything like that.
 
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I feel ya man. I am not just sadly only a console guy, but a Nintendo guy.

My wife has new-ish friend whose husband also likes games, and my wife told her - "[my husband] doesn't like games, he LOVES games" — and I was pretty happy with that. They've always been important to me and always will be, I'm well past caring what anyone else thinks.
 
Humdinger said:
I didn't get into them until I was in my late 30s, so I lack the childhood-adolescent emotional connection to games that a lot of people here have. I had already finished my education, established my career, and gotten married by the time I started gaming. So, I don't have the same attachment that a lot of people do. In my early years, I was more of a reader and music listener. Aside from some stoned sessions playing Defender in the college dorms, games just didn't interest me back then. And I think that's where a lot of those strong attachments being expressed come from - gaming when you're young.

I like games. I've spent several hundred hours with some of them. I'm fairly picky, though. I don't like most games. The ones I genuinely like are few and far between. I see games mostly as entertainment, sometimes as escape or distraction. I have a hard time seeing them as Art (capital A art), although there are exceptions. I use them mostly to relax and immerse myself in another world occasionally. They've never brought me through a depression or anything like that.
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I have a hard time believing those who are super serious into gaming, have been for decades, and spend an exorbitant amount of time gaming, aren't otherwise deficient in other areas of their life.

Relationships, career, education, etc. take up a lot of time. Logically since everybody only has a finite amount of time, if they're spending so much of it doing one thing, something else with fall by the way side...
 
I actually don't play games that much these days, except when a really good one comes out. Then you will find me playing into the early hours, barely aware of bodily needs, for days on end.

But I am still very much into this hobby because it's mostly the human side of video games that fascinates me.
I love reading about video game history. How some nerds learnt to code in their teens and single-handedly made legendary games. How a couple of bedroom coder brothers made it big making games for the ZX Spectrum, then reverse-engineered the NES and went on to become Nintendo's most valuable second-party studio for years. How some incredibly passionate French PC-Engine lovers went the extra mile to get the most Japanese of consoles in France. The feud between Sony and Nintendo. The Sega vs Nintendo console wars. The tricks devs used to circumvent seemingly insurmountable technical limitations. How some games changed and shaped society, and even the law. The way games interweave with other media and the rest of the entertainment world.

To me, video games are mostly about human ingenuity condensed in a single medium and in a very short timespan which makes it easily observable. In 50 years the medium of gaming evolved in a way that resembles so many other human activities, but those all evolved in the span of thousands of years. The medium of gaming is like watching the history of arts and tech at 1000x speed, and I find that tremendously interesting.
 
Robot Carnival said:
you do realize you're on NEOGAF right? nobody plays video games here. we all just sit and bitch about games and fill our backlogs with more games we don't play. how dare you come here and be all positive!? the audacity!
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In all honesty, I do fill my backlog with more games than I can play, but I see my backlog more as a library. However, I do play a lot more games than I post on here.
 
This is the type of weekend post I can get behind.
 
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