• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Games played not for fun.

S

Sabaku Ika

Member
I'm not sure if there are games like this so far, so tell me if you know if you know any.

I was thinking, why do we only play games that are fun?

All movies are not judged on whether they are fun to watch.

All books are not judged on whether they are fun to read.

Is it because games are more expensive?

What would make you play a game other than fun?
 
Sabaku Ika said:
What would make you play a game other than fun?
Click to expand...

Fanboyism. Being a genre-whore.

Okay, but the real answer is: Silent Hill. In a way, that is never "fun". Most of the time it makes you sick. Yet we all love it.
 
Are RPGs really that fun? Ones with standard battle systems? I love playing stuff like FF7 and FF4, but I wouldn't say I'm having fun. Same goes for Civ3, I think. I get satisfaction from assemblingl an empire and stuff, but I wouldn't call that fun.
 
Sabaku Ika said:
Is it because games are more expensive?
Click to expand...

No but unlike movies and books, games are an interactive medium which are controlled and manipulated by us the gamers. So if you aren't having fun controlling and manipulating a game, that's essentially at the core what playing video games are about, at least to me.

What would make you play a game other than fun?
Click to expand...

I know I've sometimes slugged through some titles I haven't particulary enjoyed for either seeing where the story goes, seeing the rest of the games worlds or just oogling at the visuals (Wreckless comes instantly to mind).
 
This topic, although highly thought provoking and interesting, gets a Fun Factor of 2.5

two_half.gif
 
AdmiralViscen said:
Are RPGs really that fun? Ones with standard battle systems? I love playing stuff like FF7 and FF4, but I wouldn't say I'm having fun. Same goes for Civ3, I think. I get satisfaction from assemblingl an empire and stuff, but I wouldn't call that fun.
Click to expand...
Oh hell yeah they are. Going around killing shit, racking up XP, getting loot, buying better loot, cranking those stats up. I've put about 700 hours total in the one play through of the Dragon Quest main series games. That's almost a hundred hours each, but I can barely play stuff like GTA for more than 20 minutes. Fun varies, haha.
You love it but it's not "fun"? The hell does that even mean. You're enjoying yourself so it must be something that isn't unpleasant to you.
 
I didn't say they were unpleasent, I said they weren't "fun." I like to watch the stories unfold and to see the world, but I'm not having a blast going selecting "Attack" a thousand times.

I can enjoy movies for different reasons, so I don't see why it's odd for me to enjoy games for different reasons. Ghostbusters is fun, Schindler's List isn't. I can enjoy both.
 
Looks over at PoP WW... Yep that's one of them not fun games, yet had to finish to see what happens in the end.

Fun Games PoP SOT, Capcom Vs SNK 2, GTA SA(free roaming), Midtown Madness 2, Flat Out for the 20 minuts or so, etc...
 
AdmiralViscen said:
I didn't say they were unpleasent, I said they weren't "fun." I like to watch the stories unfold and to see the world, but I'm not having a blast going selecting "Attack" a thousand times.

I can enjoy movies for different reasons, so I don't see why it's odd for me to enjoy games for different reasons. Ghostbusters is fun, Schindler's List isn't. I can enjoy both.
Click to expand...

*shrug* Perhaps my definition of fun is different. But if you're selecting "attack" a thousand times over, you're playing the wrong games, boy. Or playing them wrong!
 
It was a generalization. Selecting a spell isn't any more intuitive than selecting Attack. Note, I said RPGs with standard battle systems. Not something like KOTOR or Grandia that actually has some gameplay in battles.

Still, having your character hug every wall in every room in every town to find arbitrary hidden chests (or press a button in front of every cabinet/drawer) isn't exactly a blast either.
 
Some of my favorite games ever I wouldn't call "fun". Games are engaging on different levels; creatively, intellectually, narratively, etc... Fun is only one facet of possible experience.
 
I would have a harder time coming up with a list of games I do have fun with. SSX, Hot Shots Golf, Virtua Tennis, and Burnout Revenge come to mind. Dragon Quest, Grandia, Final Fantasy, and Fire Emblem - as much as I love them - don't.
 
AdmiralViscen said:
Are RPGs really that fun? Ones with standard battle systems? I love playing stuff like FF7 and FF4, but I wouldn't say I'm having fun. Same goes for Civ3, I think. I get satisfaction from assemblingl an empire and stuff, but I wouldn't call that fun.
Click to expand...

You hit on a point that I've been saying a billion times over. My favorite genre is RPGs, but I hate 99% of them.

I despise the fact that most RPGs even today are bound to the same restrictions and same archaic gameplay that its had since its debut 15 or so years ago. More than that, I despise the fact that gamers today tolerate it. A lot of those systems were not good then, and sure aren't good now.

Why is it that tons of people play poor/mediocre RPGs (one example of many: majority of Square's stuff) and enjoy it for its cinematics and story? Are you allowed to enjoy the cinematics and story? Sure. But do people forget that you have to "play" it for 50-70 hours to unfold that, and that part really isn't particularly enjoyable? The same people who want the cinematics/story would be just as amused if not more so if they stripped out the pretense of a "game".

Think about this:

Before - People played games simply for the enjoyment of playing them. You'd beat a game. Then you'd replay it. Not for any reason other than the fact that it was fun to play.

Now - More and more people play games for the enjoyment of receiving the reward of playing them. Playing the game is a means to the end - to unravel that story, to unlock that special feature, to see that ending.

How did priorities change?
 
After restarting the same checkpoint in COD2 (Veteran) for 2 hours, I can assure you that I was not having fun.
 
I got Kameo for Christmas from one of my friends.. some parts of it were fun and others were just tedious, predictable and boring as hell, I kept playing just to see the graphics. In the end it wasn't that bad, just an average game.

I guess you could play a game that you don't enjoy just to beat someone else's score too.
 
Tsubaki said:
You hit on a point that I've been saying a billion times over. My favorite genre is RPGs, but I hate 99% of them.

I despise the fact that most RPGs even today are bound to the same restrictions and same archaic gameplay that its had since its debut 15 or so years ago. More than that, I despise the fact that gamers today tolerate it. A lot of those systems were not good then, and sure aren't good now.

Why is it that tons of people play poor/mediocre RPGs (one example of many: majority of Square's stuff) and enjoy it for its cinematics and story? Are you allowed to enjoy the cinematics and story? Sure. But do people forget that you have to "play" it for 50-70 hours to unfold that, and that part really isn't particularly enjoyable? The same people who want the cinematics/story would be just as amused if not more so if they stripped out the pretense of a "game".

Think about this:

Before - People played games simply for the enjoyment of playing them. You'd beat a game. Then you'd replay it. Not for any reason other than the fact that it was fun to play.

Now - More and more people play games for the enjoyment of receiving the reward of playing them. Playing the game is a means to the end - to unravel that story, to unlock that special feature, to see that ending.

How did priorities change?
Click to expand...


Why do people play so many bad rpgs? It seems like they have the most to say about the worst games, so they must enjoy the repetition of design. I agree with what you're saying, but I think you're wrong that they would enjoy it just as much if they removed the bad gameplay. I think that goes part and parcel with the bad stories.

I think you're right about the 2nd part often too. It seems as though games need to justify themselves more.
 
Uh oh, this is going to become an "advancement of the RPG genre" topic. Back on track:

Confidence Man said:
Some of my favorite games ever I wouldn't call "fun". Games are engaging on different levels; creatively, intellectually, narratively, etc... Fun is only one facet of possible experience.
Click to expand...

Precisely.
 
Tsubaki said:
I despise the fact that most RPGs even today are bound to the same restrictions and same archaic gameplay that its had since its debut 15 or so years ago. More than that, I despise the fact that gamers today tolerate it.
Click to expand...

You should be blaming game makers instead. And just because you say something is poor, that doesn't mean it is. Maybe these gamers are loving it instead of merely 'tolerating' it. You don't 'tolerate' a 50 dollar game.

I'd like to see new things too, but it's up to game developers and the publishers they work for
 
master15 said:
No but unlike movies and books, games are an interactive medium which are controlled and manipulated by us the gamers. So if you aren't having fun controlling and manipulating a game, that's essentially at the core what playing video games are about, at least to me.
Click to expand...

I think this answers my question... So enjoyable game mechanics could be analogous to interesting cinematography or writing style? Keeps you playing/watching/reading regardless of what else is going on...
 
Where's dog$ to come in and question the meaning of "fun" along with any relevance it has to gaming?

I know you're out there!
 
GTA:SA was fun while there were missions still to do, but now I regularly fire it up for a bit of zen calm at the end of a long week. I'll put on something instrumental (That first Broken Social Scene record is nice for this), kill the volume in the game and just drive. It's beautiful.
 
Sabaku Ika said:
I think this answers my question... So enjoyable game mechanics could be analogous to interesting cinematography or writing style? Keeps you playing/watching/reading regardless of what else is going on...
Click to expand...

Sometimes. But I feel that if the storyline is the primary focus (Drakengard, Beyond Good & Evil, King Kong, Metal Gear Solid main series, most Final Fantasy games), then the game mechanics don't need to be enjoyable at all. They just have to keep me "locked in," and tied to the game somehow. The other extreme is game mechanics that are so fantastic, the storyline can be discarded and it'll still be just fine. Both are pretty hard to pull off.
 
If Miyamoto were to read this thread.. he would be sad. It is true though. Some games can be enjoyable and gratifying for acheivement, but you're pretty much busting a nut the entire time working to that point.
 
Games that are both fun and satisfying are exceptionally good, but I don't require both in a single game in order for that game to be worth my time. Either quality constitutes enjoyability for me, and that is the reason I play games. It is when a game ceases to be enjoyable that I do not play it-- whether that enjoyment was derived from fun, satisfaction, or engagement is inconsequential.
 
Completion/Accomplishment/Bragging Rights

A lot of games start to fizzle out before they end, but a lot of us will still finish them for the sake of completion. Most MMORPGs are based on human's desire for completion and hence people get addicted because there really is no end. Same thing with series. I own and beat every Twisted Metal for PSX even though the series turned to shit after 2. I imagine some Tomb Raider fans were in a similar situation. Resident Evil, Final Fantasy....

Likewise, some us try and tackle hard or difficult games just so that we know that we can. At some point games like Pac-Man and Galaga go from "fun" to "I have to keep winning". Fighting Ruby Weapon or winning Chobo races in FF7 are the farthest thing from fun, but i'm going to bet that 25% of people who played FF7 (in NA) went out and did both.

Some of us just like high scores and beating other people. Human nature is to want to be the best, even if it's at something not worthwhile. Fighting games, Space Invaders, Frogger, Xbox live....

Some games obviously can still be fun while staying true to any or all of those criteria, but I know i've played through a few stinkers for lousy reasons. Some including to justify buying a game in the first place or because someone on a message board says, "you have to play a while for you to "get it"".
 
I play Katamari Damacy for fun.

I play Streets of Rage 2 when I've had a rough day and need to decompress.

I play GT4 when I am between new games.
 
Competition and challenge can be fun, but sometimes it can stop being fun too. If a game creates nothing but stress and frustration to the point of controller throwing, I don't consider that fun.
There should always be variable difficulty in games so that individuals can establish the level of challenge that they consider fun.
 
Tsubaki said:
You hit on a point that I've been saying a billion times over. My favorite genre is RPGs, but I hate 99% of them.

I despise the fact that most RPGs even today are bound to the same restrictions and same archaic gameplay that its had since its debut 15 or so years ago. More than that, I despise the fact that gamers today tolerate it. A lot of those systems were not good then, and sure aren't good now.

Why is it that tons of people play poor/mediocre RPGs (one example of many: majority of Square's stuff) and enjoy it for its cinematics and story? Are you allowed to enjoy the cinematics and story? Sure. But do people forget that you have to "play" it for 50-70 hours to unfold that, and that part really isn't particularly enjoyable? The same people who want the cinematics/story would be just as amused if not more so if they stripped out the pretense of a "game".

Think about this:

Before - People played games simply for the enjoyment of playing them. You'd beat a game. Then you'd replay it. Not for any reason other than the fact that it was fun to play.

Now - More and more people play games for the enjoyment of receiving the reward of playing them. Playing the game is a means to the end - to unravel that story, to unlock that special feature, to see that ending.

How did priorities change?
Click to expand...
I could NOT agree with you more. I think thats also why I play RE4 over and over again, because I find the game itself to be highly fun, it has absolutely nothing to do with the story or to see the ending of the game, its just fun.

With that said, I can easily say that that is the single game of this gen that I can apply this to. :(
 
Animal Crossing would probably fall into this category for me. I can't say I find it to be that much fun but it works because it's so rewarding. Picking fruit for money really isn't that enjoyable, but it's all worth it when you get a new room for your house or you manage to complete a whole furniture set.
 
If I don't find a game fun within 15 minutes of playing it, I stop playing the game. I may be more forgiving if I bought the game rather than renting. But if I don't find it fun, I will never complete the game. I dunno if I have the same definition of fun as other people in this thread tho. I consider a game fun when it is enjoyable for me to play.
 
Himuro said:
For me the games I've done that with are Devli May Cry 3, Grand Theft Auto 3, Shadow of the Colossus, and Jet Set Radio Future. I've played GTA3 about 5 times now and I never get bored.
Click to expand...
I'd have to agree with GTAIII, what an ingenius game.....when it first game out ;)

the others, sadly, I have not played :(
 
Tsubaki said:
I despise the fact that most RPGs even today are bound to the same restrictions and same archaic gameplay that its had since its debut 15 or so years ago. More than that, I despise the fact that gamers today tolerate it. A lot of those systems were not good then, and sure aren't good now.
Click to expand...

Well aren't you Mister High-and-Mighty.
Get over yourself, some of us actually do gather enjoyment and yes, holy shit, fun from those things you despise.
 
uh, because they're a form of escapism?

why would i devote any time to a game that i took little joy from the playing of?

even that which we find edifying can be enjoyable.

i guess i'm just not understanding what you mean by "fun."
 
When i first got a Super NES, one of the games i chose (nothing but the boxart guiding me) was Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts. I HATED it.. no way was it fun! I also got Super Mario World see.. so it was quite a different experience!

Years later though, i managed to make it all the way through SGnG (once) - then up to stage 2 with the bracelet, where i died and said 'well.. that's enough'.

It certainly wasn't fun that time either! But after the 'task' of getting to the end (i know its not the real end :P) was done.. its fun to go through again.. the music.. the graphics.. the atmosphere rather than the challenge.

Same can be said for Super Castlevania 4 as well.. GOD i hated the grim reaper before dracula! What used to be such a chore is now just a relaxing, fun jaunt, humming the music as i go.
 
Sometimes I play games just to listen to the music or just to look at the different enviroments. Sometimes I play games because the story/characters are interesting and sometimes I play games because the atmosphere sucks me in. It doesn't just have to be about having fun. Although, sometimes I play games just for that.
 
RevenantKioku said:
Well aren't you Mister High-and-Mighty.
Get over yourself, some of us actually do gather enjoyment and yes, holy shit, fun from those things you despise.
Click to expand...

Oh don't worry. I've looked down upon you and your opinions for quite a long time now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

81-year-old grandma playing Minecraft for Cancer Charity gets Swatted, but she calls it “fun”
12
115
Evil Calvin replied
Insider-Gaming EXCLUSIVE: FairGames Struggles to ‘Find The Fun’ in Latest Pre-Alpha Playtest
2 3 4
169
1K
CentralScrutinizer replied
Best old games you played in 2025?
2 3 4
169
3K
rsouzadk replied
What Are Your Most Played Games According to Platform Stats?
2
77
1K
SkeletonQuays replied
Top 10 games you finished (or played) in 2025.
2
62
1K
Humdinger replied
Top Bottom