Yesterday I found out my neck is in horrible condition. X-rays show it looks like I was in a massive accident, but I wasn't.. I'm 33 and my neck looks like that of a 50 year old. Having to go for intense physio therapy to try and avoid surgery... but that might not work.

So of course it made me seriously depressed... but when I got home I turned on that ps3, and started playing Tales of Xillia2 for 7 hours and all my problems in that time just dissapeared. Yes they were all waiting me when I stopped playing, but for those 7 hours I cared more about the characters on the screen.

I finally remembered why I played games in the first place. Having fun! Escaping your dull reality and most of all, your problems for that time being gets pushed into the back of your mind.

I was relentlessly bullied through highschool and suffered from suicidal depression. But games like FF7, FF8 and FF9 helped me cope.. all reality could go to hell, I cared more about those characters.

In games you can: Fight titans! Surf on enemies while eating pizza and shooting monsters, ect

Let's have fun with games, don't insult someone due to their choice of gaming device or type of games they like. Be it FPS,RPG,ect In the end, this is escapism. And I for one love it.

Was going to have a rant, but let's just say I agree.
Games Should be escapism, but the bigger the industry gets, the more it's about squeezing more money out of people, more generic, and more idiots ranting about implied racism, sexsism, tribalism, marxim or whatever.
A lot of game sites have started relying on click-bait headlines and pointlessly worrying at small details... I'll stop here

I agree 100% with you Phreak.

I was fortunate in life not to have been bullied in school, but I grew up in a tough environment. My dad was extremely strict and we didn't grow up with heaps of money either, so things could get pretty tough at times.

The 1st console I ever bought myself was a Sega Saturn, I was 15 at the time. I mowed lawns and cleaned gardens as well as washed cars in our neighbourhood for pocket money. When I saved enough, I bought my Saturn, Was a Die Hard Bundle, came with Die Hard movies 1,2 and 3 as well as a Die Hard game, I also bought Tomb Raider.

When I started playing on that Saturn, it was the 1st time in 15 years that I truly felt "Free", like it was just me in the world, no one to harm me or bug me, problems were non existent, apart from the problem solving in games . Until this day, apart from just pure enjoyment, when I feel down and out, I can put any of my games on and just play. When I'm done I feel relaxed and more open minded to deal with my issues. As you say, your issues will always be there after you play, but sometimes that break away can really do you good.

So yeah, I agree, the escapism games offer is just priceless

PS: I'm also 33

Tebulot said ...

Was going to have a rant, but let's just say I agree.
Games Should be escapism, but the bigger the industry gets, the more it's about squeezing more money out of people, more generic, and more idiots ranting about implied racism, sexsism, tribalism, marxim or whatever.
A lot of game sites have started relying on click-bait headlines and pointlessly worrying at small details... I'll stop here

I know what you're talking about and I'm staying as far away from this as possible and continue playing games in peace lol

Morschee said ...

I agree 100% with you Phreak.

I was fortunate in life not to have been bullied in school, but I grew up in a tough environment. My dad was extremely strict and we didn't grow up with heaps of money either, so things could get pretty tough at times.

The 1st console I ever bought myself was a Sega Saturn, I was 15 at the time. I mowed lawns and cleaned gardens as well as washed cars in our neighbourhood for pocket money. When I saved enough, I bought my Saturn, Was a Die Hard Bundle, came with Die Hard movies 1,2 and 3 as well as a Die Hard game, I also bought Tomb Raider.

When I started playing on that Saturn, it was the 1st time in 15 years that I truly felt "Free", like it was just me in the world, no one to harm me or bug me, problems were non existent, apart from the problem solving in games . Until this day, apart from just pure enjoyment, when I feel down and out, I can put any of my games on and just play. When I'm done I feel relaxed and more open minded to deal with my issues. As you say, your issues will always be there after you play, but sometimes that break away can really do you good.

So yeah, I agree, the escapism games offer is just priceless

PS: I'm also 33

My first system was a NES (Golden china here in SA. LOL!)
We moved A LOT as a kid and making friends can be tough. Megaman, Mario, ect helped me through it.

Morschee said ...



PS: I'm also 33

1981 for the win gonna be 33 in december.

But I agree with phreak. It is a time where you can forget your worries for a short time, and destress. Gaming is just what one needs to relax.