Thinking about quitting gaming

[Whacker]

Warning, rather jaded, depressing post follows.

So I've had this thought a few times in the past few years. Gaming sucks right now. I've mainly been a PC gamer since the early 90's, and I've seen the highs and lows, seen a lot of good and bad games come down the pike. It's with the biggest irony that I'm posting this in a gaming subforum on a site dedicated to a specific PC game series.

From my perspective, I'm tired of the very real "dumbing down" of gaming. I'm sick of seeing every single last dev house cranking out games that cater to the lowest common IQ, and to people and kids who want a "quick fix". Sick of seeing games designed mainly for the console and a joypad, and then a halfarsed port to the PC that clearly shows absolute minimal effort on the porting team's behalf. Sick of games released with more and more huge and game breaking bugs, then half-hearted efforts to fix, if they're even fixed at all. I'm sick of seeing "community managers" who's jobs are to stifle dissent, "manage" the gamers, and spew propaganda instead of interact with the fans. Sick of crappy minigames, horrible AI, too much emphasis on graphics, bullet-time, misuse of genre types (RPG), subscription based gaming and MMOs, you name it.

There are a number of games that have recently been released which I had high hopes for and they turned out to be utterly boring, uninspired, and have zero depth and almost no originality. Bioshock is one, it is nothing like the old hybrid FPS/RPG's of yore that it was hyped up to be a successor to. The only thing it's got going for it is a semi-original setting. Hellgate London turned out to be an MMO in disguise, with incredibly repetitive and boring gameplay on top of the fact that you have to pay $10/mo to actually get the REAL (full) game. Jericho is a title unworthy of being associated with Clive and it's predecssor, Undying. Incredibly stupid party and monster AI coupled with (yet again) crappy controls on the PC equal a recipe for boredom.

It's not only these recent games but over the past 2-3 years or so that it's taken the real downhill plunge for me. I guess the main two areas that it's hitting me is in the RPG and flight sim market. Bethesda has decided they want to make fantasy FPS's now instead of RPG's... Meh, ok.
NWN2 was more of an arcade game than a D20 platform in my experience. And as for flight sims, IL-2 and LOMAC are the only two real honest to god sims with little to no arcadishness, and the 'fixed' version of LOMAC (Flaming Cliffs) is infested with Starforce. Even CA is going the route of pleasing AD&D kiddies in making their games more arcadish, non-stop fast-paced action games as opposed to reasonably challenging and enjoyable TB/RTS's.

So it comes down to it. I'm realy thinking about just quitting cold turkey. The lack of depth and complexity, crappy DRM, shoddy support, etc etc etc has really taken it's toll on me. I'm 28 years old, if I am a dinosaur relic of a (as I see it) so called "golden age" of gaming that's passed and will not be returning, then so be it. I have a family to spend time with, a career that needs a boost, and friends to spend time with. It seems like a no brainer at this point.

I'd be curious if any other working (post high-school and/or college) folks have been at this point and what their thoughts are...

Edit - removed something I shouldn't be talking about.

[Fragony]

It is become way better imho, the fine stuff is still to be found and there is much more entertainement. If you want to go beyond the package there are mods, made by fanatics for fanatics, that is a great, I am a huge Thief fan and still play it today because of the fanwork. Seems like people have a problem mainstream entering their private little space, I am in gaming heaven.

[Husar]

I've been thinking similar things Whacker but I believe there are still some good games out there, it just takes longer from good game to good game nowadays.

[lars573]

Do it. The same thing happened to me with comic books. Lack of interest and money (which only made the decision easier) forced me out. Keep and love the old stuff and try not to pay attention to the new.

[Warmaster Horus]

Of course, Whacker, gaming today may be seen that way, but it depends what you're expecting of gaming. If you get enjoyment from a game for a reasonable period, then I think the game has done what it set out to do. There are plenty of pretty good games out there, it depends what kind you want. I like RPGs, so I play KotOR; I like Strategy, so I play Dawn of War... Not overly complicated, but which take some skill to play.
I'm just saying, don't quit gaming completely. Would be a shame... Just give it less time, and choose a game which is interesting to you. Better yet, replay the old classics.

[FactionHeir]

Good points Whacker and I'd have to agree.

Still, hanging onto some old games and the few jewels in the haystack that still come out once in a while may just be enough. Part-time gaming isn't too bad.

[Whacker]

Of course, Whacker, gaming today may be seen that way, but it depends what you're expecting of gaming. If you get enjoyment from a game for a reasonable period, then I think the game has done what it set out to do.

Agree, the problem is that I'm NOT enjoying any of the new games, hence why I'm really going down this route. If one asked me what my GOTY is for '07, I'm at a complete loss. Honestly I'd have to say it's probably Vampire Bloodlines........

There are plenty of pretty good games out there, it depends what kind you want. I like RPGs, so I play KotOR; I like Strategy, so I play Dawn of War... Not overly complicated, but which take some skill to play.

Yes there are tons of good games out there, they're all just very old and I've played the crap out of them. I just got done playing KOTOR1 and SS2 a few months back, and Deus Ex and Fallout 1 and 2 earlier this year.

I'm just saying, don't quit gaming completely. Would be a shame... Just give it less time, and choose a game which is interesting to you. Better yet, replay the old classics.

Again agree, but my problem is that I've just about burnt out all my old favorites, and nothing new interests me at all. Thanks for the kind words though.

[Csargo]

[Xiahou]

Bah, if you're so disenchanted with the PC gaming industry stop with the commercial games that seem to be upsetting you so and look to indie gaming. There's are games available that you don't even have to pay for out there that have tons more character than a lot of the soulless crapfests that are being put out by the big publishers right now. The breadth and depth of low to no cost gaming (not associated with the big publishers/devs) out there to keep anyone busy for a long time. There's just too much emphasis currently put on pretty games with wow factor, that end up being shallow once you get passed the shiny stuff.

Incidentally, I don't completely agree that there are no good commercial games out there on the PC. Witcher and TF2 (which I know you won't touch) are both great PC games that I'm currently enjoying. M&B is also a perennial favorite.

[Odin]

So can I have all your old games Whacker?

Seriously, no need to quit. I think you need to think outside of your normal comfort zone and try something you havent before.

Take Command 2nd Manassas is a gem and challenging. You think your a compentent general? Good luck against Jackson. There are a few good mods for it too.

[TinCow]

My thoughts on your situation are that you should quit playing games. Clearly you are not enjoying them, so they're just a waste of money. It seems like a pretty simple decision to me. This is not a life-altering decision, it's just a choice not to buy games because you don't like them. It's no different than not buying a book you're not interested in or not watching a television program that you find boring. This is not divorce we're talking about, nor it is something traumatically difficult like breaking a substance addiction.

My personal opinion is that we're at a transition phase for gaming. Over the past 10 years, gaming has started going from a children's pastime to an adult pastime. You only need to look at the curve on the average age of gamers to see that. The gaming industry has simply exploded with the advent of console gaming for adults. There is far, far more money in it now than there ever has been since the genre was created. Thus, you have a large number of corporations that are jockeying for position in a very lucrative market that is likely to equal, if not surpass, the television and film industries for profit and market share.

When these kinds of industry booms occur, the very nature of the product tends to shift dramatically. No one really knows where the industry will end up, so they start firing out products like random, hoping to find the next big hit before their competitors do. When a success is found, the companies dogpile on it to make as much money as possible until the 'fad' wears off. When it does, they move on to whatever else has been found to be profitable since then. This results in many low-quality games, designed to focus on a few 'new' aspects in an attempt to test the marketability of the concept, followed by boatloads of cookie-cutter games that mimic the successes from the first part.

This is not a permanent situation. Eventually the gamer base will level off, the competitors will get used to their market, and the consumers themselves will become more discerning. This is especially true of the console market, which is increasingly turning into a PC market. Console players want to be able to download mods, install tons of patches, and generally make their games more than they are from just a plain vanilla install. For this reason alone, consoles that allow this will be more successful in the future and eventually consoles will become nothing more than pre-assembled gaming PCs. Stick a wireless keyboard and mouse on your coffee table, and no one will know the difference.

With this increase in consumer demand for more flexibility from the console market will come a greater demand for quality PC gaming. Smaller developers with 'niche' ideas will become more profitable and innovation, rather than cloning, will be rewarded by the market. This exact trend can be seen in the history of television and film entertainment. Both industries were originally small markets where hordes of independent groups made whatever programming they felt like making. There was a great deal of development and experimentation that really created the basis of the industry that we have today. These original pioneers showed the public what these new forms of entertainment had to offer and go the consumers interested in them. As they public got more interested, they started spending more money, resulting in higher profits. Then the less successful companies began getting bought out by more successful ones, and eventually you had a handful of major network broadcasters and movie studios who owned everything and controlled everything. With this concentration of control in a small number of hands, innovation took a back seat, as the producers concentrated on formulas they knew would sell.

Jump ahead to modern times, and you see all of that dissolving. Consumers became tired of the limited, staid choices offered by the networks and movie studios and began looking elsewhere. Today there are a vast number of television stations that cater to smaller segments of the market. The total amount of specialty programming has increased and people are now often able to get exactly the kind of shows they want to watch, whenever they want to watch them.

Consumers also started becoming tired of the formulaic Hollywood blockbuster. Box office sales began declining dramatically and many major studios are having financial problems. At the same time, independent movies are doing huge business, far outperforming their mega-budget brethren. They may not make as much money per movie, but due to their lower cost, they are far more likely to return a profit. This has encouraged many actors and directors to split from the major studios and do new and innovative work. The studios themselves have recognized this and now each major producer has their own 'independent film branch' which is responsible for scouting out new talent and distributing their works for a cut of the profits.

The gaming industry is going through this exact same transition. It's natural and it's impossible for any successful industry to avoid. Eventually, gaming will complete its move from a niche market to a mainstream market, and the quality and diversity will quickly start to re-emerge. I suspect it will happen far faster than it did for television and film as well. Both of those markets had technical and market constraints that made it exceedingly difficult for small companies to survive. For television, cable eliminated the major entry hurdle (broadcast bandwidth) and for film, digital cameras and computers eliminated the major entry hurdle (equipment and studio expenses). That is not an issue for the gaming industry, as there are few, if any barriers to entry. The internet itself guarantees access to all, no matter how low the budget. Once the console gain internet access comparable to PCs, the barrier is down and the flood of independent gaming will revive. As we've seen with the 360 and PS3, that time is not far off.

If you want to bow out until then, that is your decision to make. Personally, even with the lack of variety in gaming, I am still having a lot of fun. Yes, I may have to buy twice the number of games to get the same number of entertainment hours, but it's still worth the money in my book. I look forward to the days when 'independent' gaming resumes its former glory, like it has in television and film, but until then I will keep playing and buying as long as I have fun doing so.

[Pannonian]

There's always Mafia.

[doc_bean]

If you don't enjoy it, don't do it. gaming is supposed to be fun. Taking a break for a few years means you have a huge back catalogue of games to play if you ever decide to start playing again.

As for not that much good games being mùade anymore, I don't agree, I think it depends on the timeframe (what is recent) and the platforms you're considering (God bless the DS !).

[Crandaeolon]

I'm sort of in the same boat; I've been increasingly disenchanted with most modern games. For example, Bioshock's gameplay was deeply flawed in my opinion, and its saving graces - story and setting - did not do enough to lift it into classic status in my eyes. More than that, the driving force to finish it was to see how the story would end instead of its actual gameplay as it should have been.

I have a couple of theories. First, I believe gameplay matters more as one gains more gaming experience and in general consumes more entertainment. There are good stories, art and atmosphere elsewhere - only "gameplay" is unique to games. And, when you look back, actual gameplay innovations are fewer and far between these days, at least on the PC. Sure, there may be refinement of concepts and all sorts of rehashing and remixing with a couple new spices, but it is increasingly harder to break new ground.

Another theory has to do with difficulty, which also ties into gameplay. Modern games are expensive products that are meant to be consumed from start to finish, and for this reason their difficulty tends to cater to a low denominator. Again, Bioshock is a good example of this; it rides so completely on its story that actual gameplay elements are (most likely intentionally) almost meaningless. I'd argue that anyone with half a brain and some persistence will manage to finish it, no matter how new they are to gaming. There's no danger involved. To me, it seems like the developers wanted all players to be able to finish the game at any cost. In this case, the cost was so high that it almost makes Bioshock a non-game (it's just an "interactive story.")

Time constraints are probably another reason why gaming tends to interest less as commitments increase. Most games are relatively long when compared to other forms of entertainment, even books. Most of this length has little to do with story, it's just "padding" like fights, exploration, minigames. If that "padding" is not compelling, the game feels like a waste of time or, even worse, work. (Amusingly, what people these days call "padding" is pretty much the essence of the game.) As I speculated in the second paragraph, it's possible that once one gets more gaming experience under one's belt, it is less likely that a new game manages to impress with its gameplay, and since the majority of the content is not compelling, one probably gravitates toward more compact entertainment. NWN2 is a good example of how unoriginal and repetitive gameplay killed the entire game for me.

Personally, I still play games, however single player games take much less of my time these days. Multiplayer gaming in games that actually have good gameplay is where it's at for me. This includes both computer and board games. Modern, german-type board games are fine entertainment for any gamer who can find a few real-life people to play with, and board games are still a bit more mainstream entertainment than multiplayer computer games. Multiplayer computer games can take a bit more effort to get going, but can be worth it in a group of like-minded people.

EDIT: TinCow raises some very good points. However, I'd like to contend that the "quality" of games is ultimately dependant on gameplay; aesthetics and even story are secondary. Since the pace of gameplay innovation has diminished very dramatically over the period of computer gaming, even indie gaming, it's possible that we're not going to see a dramatic resurgence of new innovation despite changes in the market. The quality games of tomorrow will most likely be well done recombinations of old formats, with very few true innovations thrown into the mix. Due to the nature of games, new games will be increasingly less appealing to longtime gaming hobbyists because most of the core mechanics will remain the same.

Here's a link to one list of innovations in gaming. You'll notice that the vast majority are from the 80's or 90's; only a couple are from this millennium. (Number 13: Reversible Time is wrong; The Killing Game Show had Reversible time, in the form of a replay, and was released in 1990)

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?op...1&limitstart=0

[AntiochusIII]

Whacker: From what I can tell from your post, I think quitting gaming for a while for you is a good idea. The less you play now, the more you have later when you would feel fun again.

I'd have to agree with you though, few of the newest games interest me. I'm not bitter or bored playing the games I like, and I've yet to really burn out; but I don't feel the joyous need to go out and play everything on the market like in the old days. Tincow's post is a great explanation I'm prepared to accept. PC gaming is really dry to me right now. It all seems so...corporate

If you feel jaded, then usually it's time to move on. Not forever, mind you, that's one sad misconception about moving on away from hobbies -- when you rediscover them some months or years later then at least a measure of freshness will return to the old games played to the umpteenth time in your "draught" times, and if your wait is longer than most then when you return you might find you'll have to catch up on a lot of cool stuff: with the same great variety of experiences that newbies get when they catch up to the seemingly enormous offerings of a "new" hobby they enter into.

Oh, come on, Ichigo. That picture doesn't even fit the thread's tone or topic direction.

I mean, jeez, those pictures are supposed to give extra effect to relevant punchlines, not randomly used without, hm, class.

[Csargo]

Oh, come on, Ichigo. That picture doesn't even fit the thread's tone or topic direction.

I mean, jeez, those pictures are supposed to give extra effect to relevant punchlines, not randomly used without, hm, class.

I thought it did. Kittens cannot save this thread from Whacker's depression.

[frogbeastegg]

There was a point several years back, around the time I was leaving university, where I found I barely played games at all, and didn't much enjoy them when I did. So I stopped - the whole point is to have fun. I focused on my reading and on my budding writing skills. About 8 or 9 months later a new game appealed to me, can't actually recall what or why. I decided to risk it. Long story short, I am still playing and having a good time.

Quit. You may return, you may not. Either way you will likely be happier.

[Lemur]

I found a helpful web site:

Possible Warning Signs

Recognize the Signs of Depression and Possible Game Quitting Risk

• Talking About Quitting Gaming-- any mention of spamming, laming, TKing, or other types of game-ending activities
• Recent Loss -- through merger, bankruptcy, death by sequels, purchase or bad design
• Change in Personality -- sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, indecisive, apathetic
• Change in Behavior -- can't concentrate on RPGs, strategy games, FPS, doesn't care where the BFG spawns
• Change in Sleep Patterns -- restfulness, lack of sleep deprivation, pays attention to family
• Change in Eating Habits -- loss of appetite and weight, or overeating
• Fear of losing control -- cannot properly use gamepad or mouse/keyboard combo
• Low self esteem -- feeling worthless, shame, overwhelming guilt, self-hatred, "Azeroth would be better off without me"
• No hope for the future -- believing things will never get better; that nothing will ever change

[drone]

I haven't been thinking about quitting all gaming, but I have been extremely disappointed with recent games and the push to dumb down for consoles. My gaming time is limited anyway, I wish to spend the time on quality if I am going to put forth the effort at all. I still have a decent amount of older games that I can and still do play, so I don't really care too much at the moment about today's crap games (and the hurdles and pitfalls of the DRM stuck on them). So I just haven't been buying new games.

The best part about my situation is that I can finally make a break from Microsoft. I have a collection of old PCs, with Win98 and XP, that can play the classics, a decent XP machine in the works for newer titles I deem acceptable. I will make this dual-boot with Linux, and I'm done with Redmond. If you don't game, you don't need M$.

[Whacker]

@ Lemur - TKing is only funny until one of your friends gets mad. Then it gets really funny.


I thank all for their kind words and advise, I think it's time to call it quits for awhile. Will probably try again around xmas time, seeing how I asked for MSFSX and some rudder pedals, but other than that, it's time to give some attention to other things in life.

Given some responses I feel I didn't convey this well enough, but gaming is and has been a big part of my life. Easily 20, 30+ hours a week, so this is definitely a major change. Gotta find another hobby now it seems. Always wanted to pick up some other bad habits, like farting in crowded elevators...

Cheers to all

[Odin]

Given some responses I feel I didn't convey this well enough, but gaming is and has been a big part of my life. Easily 20, 30+ hours a week, so this is definitely a major change. Gotta find another hobby now it seems. Always wanted to pick up some other bad habits, like farting in crowded elevators...

Cheers to all

Okay Whacker I posted a smart !@# reply so I'll be serious. Here are 3 things that can consume 10 hours a week and substitute the gaming hobby.

1. Aikido: just do a web search there is plenty on there, sparring is fun its better then a video game.

2. Bikram Yoga: I do this twice a week now. Do you think your in shape? Try this then. Do you want to get in shape? I challenge you to do 5 classes over 2 weeks.

3. Models ! Kids stuff? Yeah maybe but you know what? There are some pretty cool model kits out there and given your gaming history maybe you could make a scale of the tower of london? Also good to do with the kids if they are old enough.

You Whacker are a solid guy, I enjoy your posts and chatting with you on IRC. If you must take a break so be it, but should you come back how about reducing the time invested and taking up one of the 3 I listed? Maybe something else?

[Bijo]

I already quit longtime. Do the same, Whacker.

[doc_bean]

Given some responses I feel I didn't convey this well enough, but gaming is and has been a big part of my life. Easily 20, 30+ hours a week, so this is definitely a major change.

No wonder you got tired of it.

[Adrian II]

I gave up tv years ago for similar reasons and never looked back. Who needs tv? I am a journalist, for god's sake, and even I never miss an issue or story on behalf of my tv aversion. But in the ever expanding gaming universe I feel there is enough fun to be had for a lifetime.

I share your disappointment over the terrible quality of after sales, fixes and fan-base comitment of today's great distributors. As for the rest of your complaints, sorry, I think you just suffer from overload. Go cold turkey for a year, then switch on one of your all-time favourites.

Oh, and don't expect the highest intellectual satisfaction from a buncha pixels, please.

*Logs into Wolfteam. Rarata!! Headshot! "Baby Wolf! *

[Bob the Insane]

I get this feeling sometimes then switch back to PnP RGPs...

Then when I have had enough of other people and switch back to some good SP gaming...

Then branch back to MP...

It is a cyclic thing really...

One thing doesn't change though, I am a gamer at heart, the gaming does not go away. It is just the medium changes to keep things fresh...

I don't whatch TV very much becuase the lack of interactivity loses my interest. I only like TV or films with a particularly good story, I don't watch it just to pass time...

So is it gaming you want to give up (focusing your life on more "serious" and "real" persuits) or is it just PC/Console gaming you are feed up with?

I already quit longtime. Do the same, Whacker.

Simple and honest question, if this is the case why stay on a PC game forum?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Simple and honest question, if this is the case why stay on a PC game forum?

The camaraderie.

[AntiochusIII]

The camaraderie.

[Geoffrey S]

I already quit longtime. Do the same, Whacker.

Ditto, more out of lack of oppurtunity than a conscious decision. In hindsight, it's one of the more worthwhile moves I've made, freeing a lot of time for new interests and neglected older ones, all without feeling like I'm really missing something. Same with internet, though to a lesser degree.

20-30 hours does sound like a lot. I know games can be time consuming, but if you're not enjoying that time I can imagine thinking about spending it on something more worthwhile. At the very least, if you are to continue gaming, do adjust your expectations of new games and purchase/play accordingly.

[Mikeus Caesar]

Due to my move to Australia i've had to involuntarily give up gaming, and i have to say it sucks. Hard. Due to the situation i'm in there isn't much i can do with all this free time either. You can only spend so many hours a day wandering around the city looking for shops with 'help wanted' signs in the window.

Thank god my computer and games will arrive at the beginning of February. Until then i've only got the option of playing Counter-strike, BF1942 and the new surprise that is (well, new to me) Starcraft at a local internet place, but all this costs $3 an hour, so gaming is now a luxury i can only afford to do once a week, if that.

[RoadKill]

I completly understand what you mean. There are hardly any good games coming out for the PC. It seems that the gaming industry is all about console gaming now. Seriously, I have been playing MTW 2 since the day it came out, and man, am I bored of it. And if you want to know how bad it is I'm still playing Warcraft 3 and thats been out since 2004, now thats sad.

I have one recommendation.

TRY CONSOLE GAMES. There not that bad, I used to hate console games and only played PC games, but my grandfather got me a PS3. And wow, some of the games can be really really fun. There's lots of games out there that are slow paced, and hard, and with good AI for the console.

Trust me give it a try.