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[duck_sauce]

Lately Ihave been thinking about how much being a gaming enthusiast has changed how I enjoy games and honestly, not always for the better.

Back in the day I used to just play whatever looked fun. I didnt care about performance, metrics developer drama or whether a studio was doomed or on the rise. I did not follow sales numbers, or look on steam charts for player counts or check Metacritic scores. I just played. And i had a great time playing games.

Nowadays I read a lot on gaf and other places, and I definitely fallen into an enthusiast mindset. Constantly checking performance breakdowns, watching df videos, looking sales charts, cheking in depth perfomance vidoes and perfomance OTs. Worrying if a games launch numbers are good enough all that stuff. And honestly it is kind of exhausting. I catch myself enjoying a game less just because I saw a post saying it is underperforming or not hitting some benchmark. I cant just enjoy the game for what it is anymore without this extra layer of noise.

The Switch 2 is a perfect example. I picked it up and was having an absolute blast. I played a bunch of old Switch 1 games and messed around in Mario Kart World. I was just enjoying the thing. It felt great to have that sense of fun again. But then I started reading threads about the subpar LCD display, how Mario Kart World was a letdown how Nintendo fumbled this or thatand yeah, it kind of got in my head. My enjoyment dropped but though nothing really changed about the games and the swith 2. Stupid i know but it is what it is.

So I have decided to chill out a bit. I still like reading discussions here, but Im going to stop treating it all so seriously. I want to focus more on what i enjoy about games. Story and gameplay and not turning everything into a mini analytics breakdown. Im trying to rediscover what made me love games in the first place.

What about you GAF? Has being deep into the enthusiast scene changed the way you experience games? Has it made things better? Worse? Curious if anyone else feels the same.

 

[Kenneth Haight]

Nah, I love telling people I'm the best porter of all time, delivering my post apocalyptic packages with my ghost baby. People in the office give me a wide berth, it's fantastic. Hardcore for life.

 

[DirtyBast8rd]

You want to stay uniformed so you can enjoy your hobby more. Just do it man. But beware you aren't buying stinkers because the companies don't care about their customers like they used to.

 

[Robb]

 

[Danjin44]

Well I'm not tech geek so none these DDLS, ray tracing or whatever the fuck tech word is I simply don't care for it.

I also don't care about reviews or GAF's opinion, I only care about my own taste in games.

I hate calling myself "hardcore" I love gaming but to me it's just hobby I enjoy, nothing more and nothing less.

 

[Paasei]

I'm hardcore in single player. So if I still fuck up somehow, nobody will notice.

I kinda left online gaming almost in it's entirety. After a good competitive period spanning from MoH:AA, CoD2 and CoD4 promod, I was done with FPS games online.

Played WoW for many years, too. Never high level raiding, because I didn't care too much about that. But good enough in PvP. Getting the Gladiator title's pretty much every season.
That really isn't as impressive as it might sound to people who never played (much) of arena. For the people that know: I'm talking about Gladiator and not XXXX Gladiator. So no, not that impressive.

And now, I find myself hardly playing online and when I do, I just play for my own fun and not what others expect from me. I'm not there to fuck things up, but I'm not going to play by the meta either.

Considering the prices of games, I kinda have to be hardcore and care about the games I buy and play. I'm not spending 70 - 80 euro's on games that weren't worth it in the end.

 

[nikos]

I just upgraded my TV and home theater so I brought the PC into the living room and tried a bunch of single player games with a controller for a few days.

I'm so happy to finally be back at my desk.

 

[Rentahamster]

No thanks, I don't want to nerf myself, but you enjoy your hobby the way you want to.

 

[IAmRei]

Lately Ihave been thinking about how much being a gaming enthusiast has changed how I enjoy games and honestly, not always for the better.

Back in the day I used to just play whatever looked fun. I didnt care about performance, metrics developer drama or whether a studio was doomed or on the rise. I did not follow sales numbers, or look on steam charts for player counts or check Metacritic scores. I just played. And i had a great time playing games.

Nowadays I read a lot on gaf and other places, and I definitely fallen into an enthusiast mindset. Constantly checking performance breakdowns, watching df videos, looking sales charts, cheking in depth perfomance vidoes and perfomance OTs. Worrying if a games launch numbers are good enough all that stuff. And honestly it is kind of exhausting. I catch myself enjoying a game less just because I saw a post saying it is underperforming or not hitting some benchmark. I cant just enjoy the game for what it is anymore without this extra layer of noise.

The Switch 2 is a perfect example. I picked it up and was having an absolute blast. I played a bunch of old Switch 1 games and messed around in Mario Kart World. I was just enjoying the thing. It felt great to have that sense of fun again. But then I started reading threads about the subpar LCD display, how Mario Kart World was a letdown how Nintendo fumbled this or thatand yeah, it kind of got in my head. My enjoyment dropped but though nothing really changed about the games and the swith 2. Stupid i know but it is what it is.

So I have decided to chill out a bit. I still like reading discussions here, but Im going to stop treating it all so seriously. I want to focus more on what i enjoy about games. Story and gameplay and not turning everything into a mini analytics breakdown. Im trying to rediscover what made me love games in the first place.

What about you GAF? Has being deep into the enthusiast scene changed the way you experience games? Has it made things better? Worse? Curious if anyone else feels the same.

yeah, i can understand,
TBH i'm tired with techbros and fanboys, certain fanboys actually.
i have middle pc, switch, and ps5, and of course i can access lot of emulation games,
so i have no boundary to pick what i want.

and also i stop watching or reading reviews, i choose to do it by my self.
in the end, don't let fanboys spoils your enjoyment to the games you like.

 

[Sakura]

Can't say I understand OP. Knowing a game didn't perform well or something doesn't affect whether or not I enjoy it. I read that stuff because it is interesting, and that's it.

 

[CoreyFlawless]

Stick to what is fun for you. What genre and all. If it a game of a genre I enjoy, idc what its performance and what ppl say and if it score under 70. It's a good chance in a still like playing it.

 

[WhamBamThankYouMaam]

You engage in sales statistics and get an emotional response, op?

From my perspective, I care about whether a game has good framerate (more important than graphics) and whether I find it engaging and entertaining or not.

The "is it successful" can be important if it is a multiplayer game, but avoiding dead servers is the only reason. I guess most people like if others enjoy the same things, on some basic level, however I can't say that I find it inportant.

Stick to what you like. Get games that you think look good.

 

[DavidGzz]

I mean, most people here are console fanboys so you're in good company.

 

[Hayriko]

been doing for many years now. From hardcore almost 24/7 gaming to sporadic sessions

 

[Hudo]

Get a girlfriend, it'll make you a "lowly casual" in no time.

 

[Aion002]

So I have decided to chill out a bit. I still like reading discussions here, but Im going to stop treating it all so seriously. I want to focus more on what i enjoy about games. Story and gameplay and not turning everything into a mini analytics breakdown. Im trying to rediscover what made me love games in the first place.

Do that.

It's just video games.

Stop caring about what others think. Just enjoy what you enjoy and dislike what you dislike.

Your opinion>>>others.

if I cared about others opinions I would be depressed...For example, for me FFXVI is awesome and E33 is meh.

 

[DaciaJC]

Nothing wrong with staying informed. The whole "ignorance is bliss" angle just sounds like a way to excuse low standards -- and slimy developers/publishers/manufacturers just love that.

 

[Rivdoric]

If you want to solve the issue, ask for a ban.
Then you'll have the demoralising GAF threads no more and can enjoy video games again !

 

[Trilobit]

I read about games like an enthusiast, but play like a casual. It's a relaxing life.

 

[Poppinfresh]

Well I'm not tech geek so none these DDLS, ray tracing or whatever the fuck tech word is I simply don't care for it.

I also don't care about reviews or GAF's opinion, I only care about my own taste in games.

I hate calling myself "hardcore" I love gaming but to me it's just hobby I enjoy, nothing more and nothing less.

This is the healthiest attitude to have.

Half the fun of GAF is watching people spaz out and lose their minds over things that really don't matter.

 

[Danny22]

I have phases where I read about games like an enthusiast, I'm in one right now.

I barely play games anymore. I used to when I was a kid. Now they all seem the same to me. Its kinda depressing.

 

[blacktout]

Do whatever brings you joy. At the end of the day, that's what any hobby is about.

People will tell you that there's some moral superiority to being cynical or that you're lowering your standards or letting the corporate boogeyman off the hook if you don't share their autistic obsessions or indulge every one of their anal retentive talking points, but most of that shit is just noise anyway.

This isn't global politics. The only stakes are whether you're having fun or not. There's absolutely no reason to let bitter, joyless people distract you from that.

 

[Zacfoldor]

I understand we can be scary. You have to have more confidence in yourself. If you have confidence in yourself and you are based, you cannot be swayed by others opinion. In fact you will sway others. You will control what is said in this industry if you have confidence in your opinions and speak them clearly and concisely. If you can't do that it may be best to simply plug your ears.

Everything said about Switch 2 is overblown and most of it is just dumb bullshit, frankly. Especially any detractors from Mario Kart. That's just silly, lol. It's one of the greatest games of all fucking time. I have no problem arguing that with anyone here and I won't change my fucking mind. That is hilarious to think. I will make them change their minds before that shit happens. A battle of wills you do not want with me and those pathetic talking points won't hold up to even minor scrutiny.

If you have confidence you will always win. You can't lose. The world and everything that is in it belongs only to you if you can only project a little confidence. Stay based. Fuck the haters. Instead of thinking everyone is on your level try imaging that you are better than everyone else. Then play Mario Kart.

 

[RoboFu]

a gaming enthusiast just loves playing games. most people on gaf seem to not like playing games. they are more product or fan enthusiast. You just want to actually become a gaming enthusiast.

 

[The_Mike]

Back in the day I used to just play whatever looked fun. I didnt care about performance, metrics developer drama or whether a studio was doomed or on the rise. I did not follow sales numbers, or look on steam charts for player counts or check Metacritic scores. I just played. And i had a great time playing games.

That's not a gamer, that's an analyst

 

[hououinkyouma00]

Unfortunately in the time of technology we are at it's nearly impossible IMO.

I do feel like I enjoyed games more when I wasn't so in tune with everything.

 

[sigmaZ]

"Better live in the bliss of ignorance, than die in the pain of knowing."
- Abraham Lincoln

 

[PlayStaytion]

There's much noise then follow the signal, it doesn't matter where it comes from.

 

[Wildebeest]

It doesn't have to be so complicated. Don't think you have to go along with some sort of hive mind message to preserve some mythical "hardcore" status and just speak sincerely. Unless you are one of the guys who wants to experience coitus with Yoshi, keep that to yourself.

 

[rodrigolfp]

What about you GAF? Has being deep into the enthusiast scene changed the way you experience games? Has it made things better? Worse?

Worse as ignorance is a bliss in this case.

 

[SomeNorseGuy]

Just play what you enjoy and enjoy what you play. Clowning on the industry, calling out bullshit and making informed purchases is a win all around if you ask me.

If everyone just went about praising, glazing and shilling for everything gaming related then I can't imagine how predatory the industry would become.

If a game looks good/fun to me I've never been swayed to not get it or enjoy it just by reading online discourse surrounding it.
Unless it comes to light that the devs/publisher cry about how terrible gamers are, then fuck'em.

But, if you're not able to separate reading opinions about your games/brand from your enjoyment of them then maybe you're better off disconnecting a bit more. Happy gaming my dude, enjoy your Switch².

 

[March Climber]

OP you might have to change the circles you follow/participate in.

For example I dropped a few streamers/youtubers not long ago because they constantly wanted me as a viewer to hate everything. That's not my style, so I moved on from them.

Does that make them bad? No, not necessarily, but they found their own audience who wants to hear that on a regular basis and I simply was not one of them.

 

[Arachnid]

I'm actually with you OP. I realized at some point that I don't really care about performance or graphics for the most part as long as it's playable and fun. I've learned to appreciate the living shit out of indies, I don't care about achievements/trophies anymore, and I don't give a shit about what console I play on. Most competitive games aren't for me anymore either. Too much of a time sink to be decent vs the majority and it feels like I'm a hamster on a wheel doing the same thing over and over.

Shifting my mindset has made gaming so much more fun for me. Some of the people ITT look at it as "nerfing" themselves which is weird IMO. It feels like I've rediscovered what gaming is all about. I can't see how frothing over a 3 fps dip on PS vs xbox makes that better. So much of the "hardcore" gaming media is focused on farming anger for engagement and that's just exhausting to me now.

 

[TintoConCasera]

We might spend some time here discussing stuff like CCU, sales, the latest DF video and whatever other bullshit but at the end of the day I think every GAFbro will close the NeoGAF tab, play some game and have fun.

If you wanna be part of the change you want to see, start making threads about the games you are playing or are excited about. I've been trying doing so and had some good threads thanks to it. There's a lot of negativity in online discussions, imo, but you can change that.

 

[BossLackey]

I just upgraded my TV and home theater so I brought the PC into the living room and tried a bunch of single player games with a controller for a few days.

I'm so happy to finally be back at my desk.

I love my PC. But being on it all day for work and then more for other hobbies, lately I'm chilling on the couch.

 

[Queso de Grande]

I had a daughter, which cut my gaming time by 95%. Because of that, I don't give a fuck about any of the dumb industry and tech details anymore. It rules. I just play what looks fun and move on.

 

[Connificent]

Yeah, walk in a store and grab that Xbox game with a fun cover!

 

[cinnamonandgravy]

Nowadays I read a lot on gaf and other places, and I definitely fallen into an enthusiast mindset. Constantly checking performance breakdowns, watching df videos, looking sales charts, cheking in depth perfomance vidoes and perfomance OTs. Worrying if a games launch numbers are good enough all that stuff.

none of that is "enthusiast" stuff.
those're all side dishes, and just playing the games has always been the main course.

some 6yr old kid who religiously plays games is way more of an enthusiast than some 40yr old dude who has memorized a decade of sales figures and shit posts here.

 

[Topher]

I mean, most people here are console fanboys so you're in good company.

The largest contingent of gamers here say they game primarily on PC per recent poll.

 

[DavidGzz]

The largest contingent of gamers here say they game primarily on PC per recent poll.

Oh dang, there is hope.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

Only a FC would stick to only console or PC.

So those polls lead me to believe....

I'm a shiny golden god...I have everything and am happy with nothing.

(Winner Winner...end myself before dinner)

 

[The Wheel of Fortune]

Mate, I'm currently replaying Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky in my office using my modded Switch for what may be the 5th o 6th time, because it's one of my top 5 favourite games of all time, even though I have a huge backlog. I love gaming and enjoy it just as much as I did when I was a young lad.

 

[Kataploom]

Nintendo will prefer to release the Virtual Boy 2 before putting their games somewhere else

 

[Durin]

You should never take forum (or social media in general) conversation that seriously, it should just be fun to talk about nerdy things you're into.

The enthusiast mentality to keep is just being aware of more cool games coming out that aren't the big names hitting even the casuals, and then just be casual with enjoying whatever you decide to play (other peoples' opinions shouldn't effect your enjoyment).

I only look up videos on performance for a game, if I can't get a steady 60fps, and thats becoming less common since games are designed to scale and DLSS exists.