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Think I've Lost My Interest in Gaming; Help Me See the Light

The OP should maybe get into pc gaming. Consoles are awesome, but the pc has a far bigger indie scene. Granted, lots of it is complete and utter terrible crap, but there are quite a few gems. Even those so called casual Popcap games are some of the most evil and addicting games ever created. :lol

I also find i get the most enjoyment from games that are not AAA-quality. I like the way games like god hand or dwarf fortress are not perfect in production quality or graphics or controls, but can (at least for me) somehow capture the true magic of gaming a lot better than those really high budget games.
 
HarryHengst said:
The OP should maybe get into pc gaming. Consoles are awesome, but the pc has a far bigger indie scene. Granted, lots of it is complete and utter terrible crap, but there are quite a few gems. Even those so called casual Popcap games are some of the most evil and addicting games ever created. :lol
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This. Also, the PC has many games which are a lot deeper than any console game, and with more content thanks to mods.
 
Arhal_Katarn said:
It's true what some posters are saying in that as you get older your perspective on life changes. I have enough cash to buy all of the consoles and a killer pc but when it comes to the decision of clothes,food and bills or games the its an easy choice. Its like on a Friday night do you spend 40 quid going out with the missus and pals or do you buy a game and sit at home.
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I went through a period like that after getting married and having my first kid. Then I paid off all my bills except my house, and then I started saving a lot of money, and now I can go out with the wife for dinner, a movie, and go and buy a new game without any hurt to the pocket book. You reach a point where you don't need to make those either/or decisions. So I find the older I'm getting NOW, the more gaming I want to do. It's my hobby, and I hope I always play games. I have a feeling that the day I stop enjoying games is the day that my life is a little grayer.
 
beelzebozo said:
this is probably also your way of rationalizing the fact that you don't have an income surplus significant enough to really get knee-deep in the next-gen stuff. when you're faced with either buying food or buying video games, your mind tends to make the latter somewhat auxiliary.
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This is likely, although I have enough in savings to afford all three machines+some games for all. Then again, why would I want to spend my savings on games?

And it still doesn't explain why I can't enjoy the games I have now, nor why I'm only interested in six or so games total next gen (Mario, Metroid, Zelda, Trauma Center, Bioshock, MGS4). The only games that intrigue me anymore are Phoenix Wright. And those are kinda like interactive books.

I do still like board games though, whoever mentioned that. Scrabble, Scattergories and Pictionary are the shit.
 
JzeroT1437 said:
This is likely, although I have enough in savings to afford all three machines+some games for all. Then again, why would I want to spend my savings on games?

And it still doesn't explain why I can't enjoy the games I have now. The only games that intrigue me anymore are Phoenix Wright. And those are kinda like interactive books.
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Or the Ace Attorney Series is awesome, can't wait for the fifth game.
 
JzeroT1437 said:
And it still doesn't explain why I can't enjoy the games I have now, nor why I'm only interested in six or so games total next gen (Mario, Metroid, Zelda, Trauma Center, Bioshock, MGS4). The only games that intrigue me anymore are Phoenix Wright. And those are kinda like interactive books.
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sure it does. everything you have now falls under the category of "been there, done that." i have another friend who also echoed your lack of interest in next-gen's selection, until he actually found the money to buy a new system, and suddenly all that stuff that just wasn't interesting in the least became much more interesting. a big part of gaming is being willing to make the investment to get upgrade your hardware and stay on the cutting edge of what's available technically, if you're looking to keep that feeling of "newness" and excitement. can that stuff be found on older systems? oh, sure, absolutely. but you've clearly torn your way through most of what you "think" you'd be interested in, and exhausted your resources, so it's time to move on.

alternatively, why not try some of those genres you've written off on older systems? all too often we think we know what we like, make decisions about our "identity" where games are concerned, and miss out on tons of great shit. if you're really interested in being pumped about a game, you need to do some of the leg work yourself. no one's going to force you to play new things.
 
I think Light Gun games would do it, actually. Those never get old for some reason. Especially co-op mode. I've got Time Crisis 3 with the Guncon though--anybody got other ones?

Or how about some puzzlers. I LOVED Trauma Center. I could go for a good puzzle game.
 
JzeroT1437 said:
So I'm still stuck in last gen. I had a wii for a while, played half of Mario Galaxy, half of Metroid Prime, beat Twilight Princess, then sold the machine on Ebay for a high price.

Since then, there aren't any games on Wii that I'm looking forward to. The only games I'm even moderately interested in on the other systems are MGS4 and Bioshock, and I feel like I could probably watch the cutscenes of MGS4 on youtube and get the same general satisfaction I would get from the game (which is sad, because MGS was and still is my favorite series).

Whenever I sit down to play something, I lose interest after 10 minutes. I'm not ADD, I've just lost interest in gaming. I can't force myself to get excited over them, and I used to love them.

Anybody gone through this? Ever come out of it?
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Oh yeah, big time. I had this too, and still do to a certain extent.

Experiences like ICO and Shadow of the Colossus are what give me hope for the medium though. Every time I lose hope, I remember these two titles (especially ICO) and all the similar types of new artistic experiences that can be drawn out of interactive entertainment. The medium is not the problem, it's the material on it that is to blame. But there is something for everyone in here, even if it means not playing games for half the year because there's just nothing out there for you.
 
mario-galaxy-730532.jpg

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There's nothing to fear in becoming more refined in your tastes.

It's impossible to buy and play everything. Becoming jaded and not as easily enthused or entertained is a natural consequence of being involved with videogames for so much of your life.

Addendum:

There's nothing which I hate more in these types of threads than people who single out one single game as some sort of magical panacea for general videogame indifference. People have different tastes.
Jammy said:
If Super Mario Galaxy can't do it for you then I'm afraid nothing can.
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Darunia said:
play some Ouendan or Elite Beat Agents on the DS, if that doesn't get you back, gbye
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100% patently false.

It's entirely possible for someone to thoroughly enjoy videogames without navigating someone in a platformer or prodding a handheld with a stylus in time to music.
 
What I don't get is, that you start saying..
JzeroT1437 said:
So I'm still stuck in last gen. I had a wii for a while, played half of Mario Galaxy, half of Metroid Prime, beat Twilight Princess, then sold the machine on Ebay for a high price.
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Then, right next to that sentence, you add..
JzeroT1437 said:
Since then, there aren't any games on Wii that I'm looking forward to.
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I guess you bought..another Wii??..or are you planning on getting another one??

In the end it's all about if you enjoyed those last games you played, or if you forced yourself to play them...if you still had fun with Mario Galaxy (for example) then you haven't lost interest in games per se...maybe you're just playing the "worng ones"..

There was a time that I thought that because I really liked RPGs and fighters, that those 2 genres should be all I get...then I realized I wasn't even playing the ones I was getting..

I decided to make the multi-console transition, and while fun..it costed a lot more than I could handle, plus I noticed that in the end, the only games I finished, bought without reading previews or watching tons of trailers; were always Nintendo's. So I decided to stay Nintendo-only for the moment (Wii and DS) and I couldn't be happier...and relieved...hehehe..because I thought I was losing interest in games per se...when in the end, I just was experimenting with genres and consoles to see what stuff I really liked.
 
I all but stopped gaming from 1992 to 2003. I don't think there's any grand revelation that will get you back into gaming. I'd put it aside. It'll always be there if your interest comes back.
 
I think I'll also throw in that worrying about it probably isn't helping. Get what you want out of this thread, but after that if you're coming to GAF or plugging games into whatever consoles you already have because you're trying to jumpstart something and not because you're legitimately interested, it's time for a break.
 
I found that happened to me when I first started college, mostly cause I didnt find time to play them and I really didnt miss them. But lately I have taken interest in COD 4 again and I cant wait for the new GTA
 
The exact same thing happened to me 1 year ago in May. I was getting so bored and fed up with my Wii that I'd had since launch night. I sold it on craigslist for twice what I paid for it and bought a PS2 and a DS... I've been in gaming bliss ever since.
 
just trade all your games in at the pawn shop for what you really need: a gun.

it's time to put an end to your misery.
 
AdamBot said:
The exact same thing happened to me 1 year ago in May. I was getting so bored and fed up with my Wii that I'd had since launch night. I sold it on craigslist for twice what I paid for it and bought a PS2 and a DS... I've been in gaming bliss ever since.
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NICE! You dodged a bullet with that terrible Mega Bash Brothers game Nintendo released.
 
The-Switcher said:
NICE! You dodged a bullet with that terrible Mega Bash Brothers game Nintendo released.
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*shrug* I play Smash with my brother on his system once in a while. I was never a crazy fan of the game... it's pretty good though, but it just seems to be mostly Nintendo fan service. Also the series has gotten more and more unfair to people who are actually good at games.

Edit: Same with the Mario Kart series.
 
The recommendations to buy an Xbox 360 or PS3 in this thread are hilarious. Way to miss the point, guys. :lol

To the OP: gaming is no different from anything else. If you don't like it, don't do it. You don't need "help" to do anything... trying to force the issue will just make it worse.
 
ElyrionX said:
Get a 360 or a PS3 and a HDTV and marvel at the amazing.
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YES! And get Burnout Paradise. You need something that is cathartic, easy to learn and FUCKING FUN! :D

(EDIT) Highlighted for great justice!
 
Buy a DS or play some of the old NES/SNES/Genesis classics. I'm rather disillusioned with modern console gaming as a whole, so the classics and the handhelds have really become my main territory. Well, that and Brawl.
 
AdamBot said:
*shrug* I play Smash with my brother on his system once in a while. I was never a crazy fan of the game... it's pretty good though, but it just seems to be mostly Nintendo fan service. Also the series has gotten more and more unfair to people who are actually good at games.

Edit: Same with the Mario Kart series.
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Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing depends on your priorities. I am specifically picking up Mario Kart at launch so I have a game to play with my wife, who is about as non gamer as you can get. Her sister owns an N64 and one game: Mario Kart, and we've always had fun playing that.

We can't play PGR4 together because it would be a complete and utter blowout. Can't take her on in an FPS. Even Smash Bros is a bit too complicated for her. But she can "get" racing a kart and throwing turtle shells at people.

I will continue to love me some Disgaea and such that require spreadsheets to keep track of everything, but the simple and "unfair to experienced gamers" type games definitely have their place in my house.
 
I hate these threads.

I swear to god, how often do you see "Ive lost interest in movies" threads on IMDB?
 
Monroeski said:
Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing depends on your priorities. I am specifically picking up Mario Kart at launch so I have a game to play with my wife, who is about as non gamer as you can get. Her sister owns an N64 and one game: Mario Kart, and we've always had fun playing that.

We can't play PGR4 together because it would be a complete and utter blowout. Can't take her on in an FPS. Even Smash Bros is a bit too complicated for her. But she can "get" racing a kart and throwing turtle shells at people.
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I'd be getting Smash and Mario Kart too if I had people to play with on a regular basis. As it stands, 99% of the time I'm a lone wolf when it comes to playing games, which definitely impacts the types of games I buy. (Edit: If my wife was interested in playing with me, then obviously we would get more 'unfair to experienced gamers' games... we used to play Double Dash all the time before she got bored of it.)

I don't get a whole lot of satisfaction out of playing online games with people who I don't know either. Sometimes its fun but it's usually no more fun than playing against the computer, unless voice chat is involved... but voice chat is a blessing and a curse at the same time.

Come to think of it... if the Wii had voice chat I would consider picking up another one for Smash and Mario Kart to play online with people I know.
 
oo Kosma oo said:
I hate these threads.

I swear to god, how often do you see "Ive lost interest in movies" threads on IMDB?
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How often to you "play" the movies you watch? Zero? Then you see the fundamental difference.
 
fernoca said:
In the end it's all about if you enjoyed those last games you played, or if you forced yourself to play them...if you still had fun with Mario Galaxy (for example) then you haven't lost interest in games per se...maybe you're just playing the "worng ones"..
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The really strange thing is that the most excitement I got out of Galaxy was when I got to the second Bowser stage and the N64 Bowser music kicked in. That made me giddy like a little boy.
 
I took a break from gaming in 1992 to 1998. The last game i purchased was The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on SNES. Somehow i forget gaming and end up concentrated more in school.

After i graduated from high school i heard Zelda: OOT calling to me to come back home which i did.


Again, I took another break from 2000 to 2004 when i finished playing Zelda: Majora's Mask on N64 in Oct. 2ooo. There were no games that interest me at all so i sorta tuned out and do other things like hanging out with friends, family, do other things i'd like to try.




That's normal for all gamers and it's healthy too. So, don't worry about it if you're tuning out. Once in a while you'll get that excitement back every now and then.
 
I've had this for a month, until yesterday or so. Booted up Warhawk, COD4, Unreal Tournament 3 and Resistance. And I love them again :D. First time I didn't have any problems with the online components of UT3 and COD4 in a long time btw, couldn't get in any game before...

Also the fact that GTA4 is coming out in a few weeks got me excited about gaming again.
 
oo Kosma oo said:
Both are hobbies. I don't see the difference.
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Movies involve an optional degree of involvement, rarely involve backtracking and/or repetitive tasks, and at most, last about 3 hours.

Games are the opposite of this. It's the difference between being a thoughtful voyeur and an active participant.

I'm 23 and an avid movie watcher. I own about 900 DVDs in different formats.

herod said:
learn guitar
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I'm learning the piano, actually, but thanks for the suggestion.
 
JzeroT1437 said:
Movies involve an optional degree of involvement, rarely involve backtracking and/or repetitive tasks, and at most, last about 3 hours.

Games are the opposite of this.

I'm 23 and an avid movie watcher. I own about 900 DVDs in different formats.
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Thing is it's pointless to make a thread about it imho. Sometimes I don't feel like playing a game too for a while, then I read a book or some shit.

At least your not one of those 16 year old teens who discover life at last :)
 
oo Kosma oo said:
I hate these threads.

I swear to god, how often do you see "Ive lost interest in movies" threads on IMDB?
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I agree, I've actually lost a significant amount of interest in movies, I mean I used to go to the theater at least every other week. Now if I go 4 times a year, that's a lot.

Things change. Doesn't mean I have to stop liking movies because I'm losing interest, just cut back a ton to where you're just doing the hobby when you enjoy it, and you'll do fine, rather than forcing it upon yourself.

If that means going months or years without doing whatever it is you're losing interest in, then so be it!
 
Minsc said:
If that means going months or years without doing whatever it is you're losing interest in, then so be it!
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I think the problem is when a big part of your identity is "being a gamer" that would be hard to give up, but it's all for the better, you shouldn't have so much dependence on any one thing really.
 
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