It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussion (archive)Do you use video games to veg out?(29 posts)(29 posts)
(29 posts)
Pages:
1
2
This is my favourite topic
Posted November 29, 2011
I've just finished a ton of work. (Coming, I might add, right after about twenty-three tons and a giraffe of a different kind of work... Doesn't it always?) All the way through it, up til about an hour ago, I was thinking "Man, I can't wait to get done with this so's I can play some Baldur's Gate."

Then I got tired, and all I could think was "Man, I can't wait to get done with this."

Some people seem to be able to kick back and turn their brains off when they go to play a game -- in fact, that's how they use some games, for mindless unwinding. I can't really do that. It seems I have to be mentally present for whatever game I'm playing, even the simple ones that don't demand a great deal of intellectual effort. So I'm watching Internet videos instead, probably because I'm mentally trained to veg out in front of a TV. If I had to hypothesize, I'd say that as a kid I used games, even the "stupid" ones, as an outlet of expression and mental effort, and I find it hard to ignore that today.

Can you use games for mindless entertainment? If you can, how do you remain mentally unengaged, or do you even know? Does it depend on the game?
Posted November 29, 2011
I'm kinda like you I guess. If I want mindless entertainment I tend to watch bad TV shows. With games I tend to get pretty invested mentally, which is probably why immersion is a key aspect to games for me.

Similarly I rarely play games for longer than an hour at a time, because after an hour or so I feel "tired."
Posted November 29, 2011
avatar
nuuikle: Can you use games for mindless entertainment?
As I like playing strategy games that cant be "mindless" play, so rather not :D
But some games could be played mindlessly I believe.
Posted November 29, 2011
avatar
nuuikle: Can you use games for mindless entertainment? If you can, how do you remain mentally unengaged, or do you even know? Does it depend on the game?
Sure, but I used to be military, so there's really nothing I can't do without engaging the grey matter. I think that relaxing - and this will vary based on your personality, of course - when playing a game is largely a factor of control or success at the game. I used to rage at Baldur's Gate when the interface kicked me in the teeth, but I could do the puzzles and dialog all day.

Games with simple or straightforward inputs and well-defined goals are great for relaxing. You ever play that flash game Manufactoria? It's great for just relaxing on, try a few levels sometime. Quite a few indie puzzle games are like that. TV is usually less interactive than video games, so it's usually easier to relax to, but find something that's fun, a little bit challenging, and completely pausable so at any moment you can walk away and tend to other concerns, and you might just find the kind of game you can chill out with.

YMMV
Post edited November 29, 2011 by OneFiercePuppy
Posted November 29, 2011
I tend to forget all around me when I am playing a game I love. I won't hear you, see you, care about you. I forget all duties, problems and when I quit the game I am a time traveller; skipped 5 hours of my life.
If I don't like the game it's a chore then I will hear and care about the world around me and will be glad to quit the game.
Doesn't matter if it's a stragety or a rpg; I like it, I live in it for the time being.
Posted November 29, 2011
It's weird, but I get very relaxed when playing some complex games. But if I have to work at something complex, like say with some projects at work, I get fatigued in about a days worth of work. It's impossible for me to play even the simplest games then, I usually build some plastic models just to get the echo of work thoughts out of my head. Works pretty well to be fair, some kind of meditation I guess.
Posted November 29, 2011
think you are too stressed when you start a game. hence why its easier for kids to just let go, because they dont know what stress is. need to learn to relax in general.
also make yourself unwind, grab a shot of alcohol even, turn on your favorite music, then try to play.
Posted November 29, 2011
Rather oddly, only one game is my "veg-out game" of choice, and that's Alpha Centauri on one of the easier difficulties. I usually start up a game, make a few cities, get declared war on (usually by Miriam), create a few wonders, wipe out another faction (usually Miriam, because she started it) then call it quits. Other games, like RPGs, I actually need to be mentally invested in to be able to get anywhere.
Post edited November 29, 2011 by tomdelada
Posted November 29, 2011
When (mentally and/or physically) tired, TV or internet.

When bored, games.

E.g. RTS games are much easier for me to jump in than e.g. RPGs. I have to make an active decision to continue playing Baldur's Gate, on the same level as "now I'll wash those dishes and fix the barn roof".

I have a friend who claims that e.g. renovating his apartment is a relaxing and inspiring activity for him. I think he is nuts.
Post edited November 29, 2011 by timppu
Posted November 29, 2011
Totally. Nothing like a coupla hours with Diablo 2 or Mass Effect 2 and whole lotta booze before sleep.
Posted November 29, 2011
A lot of puzzle games will work well. For vegging out, you want a game with repetition and low frustration factor. Bust a Move 2 (aka Puzzle Bobble 2) is one of my faves for it. I also find games like Pharaoh, Rollercoaster Tycoon, Transport Tycoon & Simcity 4 good for it but I don't know why as they're quite a bit more complex.
Posted November 29, 2011
Uh yeah I veg out and use games for mindless entertainment all the time. You people are really weird if you don't. Maybe I have a different definition of veg out or something
Post edited November 29, 2011 by CaptainGyro
Posted November 29, 2011
I'm with Nuuike on video games but when I was young we only got the local channels so I got used to living without TV. I don't really watch it now unless I have something I'm interested in. Video games are the same, I love games that challenge me mentally and if I'm not being challenged I generally don't play it for long. Vegging for me is what I do before I go to sleep.
Posted November 29, 2011
When I'm too tired, I can't play RPG games. I play (yes, I admit it) casual puzzle games while I watch TV when I really want to relax. And sometimes RTS's, something satisfying about skirmish mode where it takes thirty minutes to kick everyone else's tails and have accomplished something. Oh, and Borderlands, that's always been good for relaxing. Very mindless.

I am not a very hardcore gamer. I consider Toki Tori in my top twenty of video games >.>
Post edited November 29, 2011 by Runehamster
Posted November 29, 2011
I love watching old cheesy B movies for that same reason. You should check out Deathstalker or Barbarian Queen movies you brain shut down from the stupidity. You’re going to need a few beers for the journey.
Pages:
1
2
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)Do you use video games to veg out?(29 posts)(29 posts)
(29 posts)