what does "ice"inspace refer to

[caleb]

hmmmmm:shrug:

[erick]

Here you go:-

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=2461

[iceman]

iceman :)

IceInSpace was started as my personal site but grew into a community site.

The name iceman was the name I used back in online gaming days, and was still playing online games when I started this site.

In the past I had thoughts of renaming the site to something more generic, but IceInSpace is unique - so in that way, it's good. and, it still has astronomical context... comets.. made of ice ;)

[iceman]

Thanks Eric, we were posting at the same time!

Could've saved my time :)

[erick]

And I should be working!! :D

[Kal]

You still into gaming Mike, or fully retired?

[iceman]

Fully retired, Kal. Gave it up cold-turkey. Probably the easiest way :)

I look at some of the new online games and would love to have a bash, but my computer wouldn't run them anyway.

[Omaroo]

LOL! It's funny - I haven't ever had an action game on any computer I've owned. I get bored in about 8 seconds trying to play Doom or whatever bang-em-up-type games. You were addicted Mike? How does that happen? I could imagine the wife having a problem with the time spent in front of the box - I know mine does when I'm on here, let alone playing a game for hours...

I will admit to owning and loving Riven though.

My younger brother was into all these D&D things at Uni, so I guess it's easy enough to become over-involved with.

[netwolf]

Iceinspace seems pretty clear cut to me, a comet.

Mike you should do what I did get a console. Much cheaper on the wallet. Having to upgrade your PC for a game just seems to much trouble. Especially when the cost of a good graphics card could set you back 500-600 bucks, for that you could buy a console. The Wii i have now keeps my wife busy on the Tennis also useful on clear nights.

Regards
Fahim

[iceman]

You still need to upgrade the consoles though! Every 2 years a new and better console comes out with new and better games. And they start out ridiculously expensive.. and the games are so expensive!

[netwolf]

Mike still 2 years is longer than a Grpahics card lasts in PC gaming world. Consoles do come down in price eventually. You can always import your games from Play-asia.com or similar and there are other things you can do.. cough. cough... I mean rent games. ;)

[Kal]

yes, but you can buy the console + a couple of games as a christmas prezzy for the kids and no one will be the wiser as to who it is really for :whistle:

[kljucd1]

Hi,

Don't mean to steal the thread, but, what games did you play Iceman?

Daniel...

[leon]

Glad this came up, as I didn't know either.

Leon

[iceman]

A bit of everything.. In chronological order:
Quake 2, Quake 3, Counter-strike, RtCW, Enemy Territory (ET), Call of Duty (CoD).

But my main ones were Q2, RtCW and ET. The others were played on the side for fun.

[kljucd1]

Hi,

Yeah Counter Strike is probably the best game they invented, but more recently I was playing EQII which is pretty fun.

Daniel...

[duncan]

I'll stick with good old "Command & Concquer Generals". I can handle that one,LOL:lol:
Cheers

[ballaratdragons]

I don't play video games. They bore me instantly.

I was given a Nintendo console and Lylat Wars (the only game I've ever played) for my birthday about 3 years ago, but I only used it once. My kids do.

I have never played a game on a computer.

[Omaroo]

I can relate Ken. They bore me to tears. Contrived, programmed, nothing spontaneous about them. When you kind of know how they work it's even worse. Oh well - some find them fun.

[iceman]

I never play single player games, they don't interest me either (well, not for long).

Multiplayer games over the internet is what I played.

But I could never play the MMORPG games. I had to have a quick fix.

[Omaroo]

Ah! That's a bit different Mike. When you 're playing people rather than a machine I could understand the rush.

[Ric]

I'm a big fan of the C&C series, just love all those intricate battles. I tried to play over the net a few times but found I was being totally destroyed in a few minutes by 5 year olds from the other side of the world. :doh:

I have also been playing Neverwinter Nights (RPG) for a few years on and off and still haven't finished, a fascinating game to get you thinking and a couple of good punchups thrown in. ;)

Cheers

[davidpretorius]

I play reality games:

"Take out the rubbish you bum"
"Are you with the ****##$ telescope again?"
"Dad, can we go to the park......"
"But why dad, why, why, why, why"
"Does my bottom look fat in these jeans?"
"Where you listening to anything i have said?"

Upcoming release Games :

"Dad, i am moving out with my boyfriend"
"Dad, I am going on the pill and there is nothing you can do about it"

and the final sequel after the kids have moved out and I am about to settled down for decent telescope time

"Darling, I think i am pregnant"

these games provide me with much needed skills in survival

[xstream]

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: Oh how true mate, oh how true! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[netwolf]

Mike you could always use the Wiimote as a remote control for your EQ6, it has been done.

Dave, yes real life is what we are trying to avoid in the game play. Btw that sounds a lot like the events in the movie Father of the Bride part 2..

Regards
Fahim

[Dennis]

And they say it’s a bloke’s world! :lol::lol::lol:

[rumples riot]

The army taught me some thing for real. There is no subsitute for hunting a man for real. Computer games are just a cheap imitation for having someone in your sights for real and you in theirs. Once you have had someone shoot at you for real, then you have other thoughts about how cool war is.

Computer games desensitise people to the idea of violence and glorify war. Yes, I have played them, but in the end a thinking person has to look at what this is doing to youth.

Just my opinion, please go on with your conversation.

[Omaroo]

I agree with you wholeheartedly Paul. Computer "shoot-em-up" games HAVE de-sensitised the young public, and I think that it is harming our society. Some will dismiss it as bunk - but they know it's true.

I remember playing paint-ball games years ago. It bloody hurts when you get hit in soft flesh. You really want to avoid being hit. I also remember thinking to myself at the time how difficult it is to emerge from a game un-hit. It's well-nigh impossible. Then I thought - Jeez, what if these were real .303's? Gulp - you'd be dead for sure....in seconds. Pretty uncomfortable thoughts, huh.

[Kal]

A good example is the game "America's Army" which was released by the US Army to help bring people into the Armed forces, and it is in essence a preliminary training tool. You don't even have to look hard to realise that the US army realised the link between 'shootemup video games' and real life combat and is using it to their advantage.

[Omaroo]

Good point Kal. I suppose that if you want to "play" this type of game, you probably wonder what it's like for real. Instead of hiding behind a computer screen, why not go and sign up for real? You'll find out then how much fun it really is.

[netwolf]

I cant even imagine using a gun in real life and i pray i never will. And playing these games does not desensitize me in any way. But thats me, i guess it has different effects on different people. In a game i now i can always restart an quit, but in real life there is no such thing. Perhaps keeping this firm in my mind is what protects me from being desensitized. Event though i can see violence in movies and in games, i still find it difficult to watch real life documentary's showing the same thing, because my mind knows its real. Distinguishing reality from fiction is perhaps the key in this. What about hide and seek or cops and robbers, computer games are just extensions of this. I think the key were my parents and family and the values they drilled in to me. Also the fear of what my dad would do to me if i stepped out of line always loomed large in my world as a kid.

Even as a kid when getting into a ruffle with my younger brother i always held back because i knew i was bigger and stronger. And what dad would do to me if i hurt my little brother.

I think fear leading to hate is what desensitizes people. Not games.

Regards
Fahim

[kljucd1]

Hi,

Virtually every single one of my gaming friends was opposed to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, because of what war involves/represents.

Games are meant to be fun, and most people take them that way. The people who over react and make sweeping claims about games and the effect of them, usually don't actually know anything about them, or the people that play these games.

Regards

Daniel...

[Omaroo]

What - so you're all special? You reckon that "playing" war games is OK but the real thing isn't. Jeez - make up your minds fellas.

[netwolf]

Chris,

Chess is also a war game, so does a person who plays chess have to like war?
Exercising your body and mind does not mean that you must use them to attack in real life. In fact a well trained body and mind will logically conclude that violence begets violence.

Regards
Fahim

[iceman]

Chris - it's a game. I can full well understand the difference between playing a game, and going out and doing "the real thing" in a real war.

There's no comparison. You can't lump every 16 year old gamer into a category that fits everyone who's ever played a "shoot 'em up" game.

You can have your opinions but not everyone has to agree with them. :shrug: With your own admission that you haven't ever played them, you honestly can't claim to be an expert on their effect on people's minds.

[Omaroo]

I think that you seem to be taking this as an attack on you Mike - it's not. My beef is with the concept, not the players.

I have played them Mike - or at least tried to. They bore me stupid, so I never persisted.

No, I can't lump every 16 y/o gamer into the same basket - and neither have I attempted to. Others have:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/lifestyle-money/personal-technology/article/researchers-link-video-games-adulthood-violence_389906_25.html

So - while these kids may not be turned into dangerous, bloodthirsty raving lunatics - they probably are the type to sit there and watch, passively, while some poor bloke gets bashed right in front of them by a 14-year-old girl and her mates for a wallet full of pocket money, and do absolutely nothing about it while they lick their paddle pops.

To balance this, there are also of articles stating the exact opposite. I did a Google search on "link games to violence".

I don't see the point in them - I don't see why we NEED to have them - is there a good reason that you can tell me? Apart from all of this I can see them as a huge waste of time. I only have to look at ALL of my neighbour;s 12-year-olds to see what kind of socially inept, introverted little whackos they are who can't go anywhere without their PSP's - or it's tantrum time. Sheesh! Have they even heard of a football in the local park - or can't they go there because lawers have turned the local park into a "safety zone".

[kljucd1]

Yes.

Regards

Daniel...

[Ric]

I actually remember these types of discussions and papers being written back in the 70's but it was all over "Dungeons & Dragons", a game played with the imagination using pencil paper and dice.

The boffins were convinced it was evil and that we were going to either kill people with swords and battleaxes or commit suicide because we no longer had a grip on reality.

I suppose time rolls on but the preconception of games and gaming still stays pretty much the same.

cheers

[Omaroo]

Why? Answer the question properly or you don't have an argument.

[kljucd1]

Hi,

Violent games/movies/whatever other violent entertainment you can think may act as a catalyst for those with underlying mental illness to commit violent acts. However, for the majority, the context in which these games is played is that it is just a bit of fun.

War on the other hand, as in the real kind, results in the deaths of real people and the destruction of real homes/land/lifestyles and many other real things.

There is a big difference between something real being destroyed and something unreal being destroyed. The vast majority of people who play these games understand this.

Also, I do not know many people at all who would stand by while another person, particularly a defenceless person, was being attacked.

Regards

Daniel...

[Omaroo]

Sorry Daniel - these instances occur many times a year and are reported on the TV news. NO-ONE jumps in any more to defend someone else, and if you believe that then what city do you live in - because I want in.

[kljucd1]

The least violent city in Australia :lol:...Sydney!!

The fact of the matter is that the media only reports the stuff people, gamers and non gamers alike, want to see, which is the bad stuff. Unless your prepared to throw yourself in front of a car/gun whatever then the media doesn't care if people do good.

I travel on the trains to work, and walk through the city and...being in Sydney...I see things happening all the time, and people stepping in to help out.

Regards

Daniel...

[Omaroo]

Hmm.. Sydney - more violent that nearly any city in the USA now - at least per capita.

Anyhoo - it was a good discussion. Time to get back to telescopes and more fun things! :)

[netwolf]

My interest in computers stems from my wanting to play games on them. I then had to learn how to fix it when it broke, otherwise face the music from my dad. You will also no doubt agree that kids pick up new technology much faster than adults, is that a bad thing. Part of the contributing factor is there ability to use this technology for play.

Parents however bear the responsibility of setting down the rules on what, when and where. For this reason many IT Peers recommend that computers be placed in a family area were adults can easily observer there children's activity.

The violence we see by kid's today is not merly a consequence of game play. It has more to do with School bullying, peer pressure, and being made to feel left out or like an outcast. Another major contributing factor is the allowance of kids to have relationships that they do not have the maturity yet to understand. When such relationships break they often don't have the maturity to let go, leading to violent actions.

So there is much more to adolescent violent behavior then simply game play.

[programmer]

I don't understand. Violent games make people... passive?

For my two bits:
- Those who are not inclined to violence won't be changed by violent games
- Those who are inclined to violence... are already inclined to violence!

Peace

PS: Gamer for 27 years.. played 'war games' before computers.. never had a fight in my life, let alone worse...
PPS: Back to Crysis!

[Kal]

http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/caa/abstracts/2000-2004/00senate.pdf

A research paper by a professor of psychology where he points outy that his studies show that violent video games, along with violent television shows, have an impact on people. The most noted impact being increased aggressive behavior.

Playing war games (or watching violent movies) may not make you go out and kill people, but across a broad spectrum it can change your behavioral patters.

[Omaroo]

You're missing my point entirely.

I said that kids desensitised to violence (i.e. think it's normal) are more likely not to react when they see a fight, bashing or mugging, but watch on without bothering to do anything - i.e. they've "seen it all before". I've seen this first-hand many times, so please don't anyone say it doesn't happen - of course it does. The likelihood of legal implications also keeps people from interjecting these days too I suspect - another product of the modern age - but that's another matter.

No-one has tried to even answer this yet in this thread - why DO kids play these games? Is it to get that feeling that they've hurt or killed something - and that's somehow entertaining? Is it a feeling of being able to wield power over others and mash them into the dirt? That really sounds like fun to me. :rolleyes: Or, is it the feeling of nervous relief when you've made it to the next level and are still "alive" (wow - I got lucky that time, hey!) ? I doubt it's entirely based on the competitive spirit - you can satisfy that playing tic tac toe. What is it about shooting the crap out of others on screen that grabs people that play these "games"?

[Lee]

Thats funny - what were you playing the main ones for if it wasn't fun?? :)

[xelasnave]

I think if we look to our past it could be easy to form the opinion that fighting has been bread into us..over thousands of years or more ... war is as old as civilization I expect... thru a process of selection..those who survived war were presumably better fighters and their genes spread thru humanity... so maybe the need to play games is a responce to an almost built in need...


Maybe it is a thirst for power... a place where they can at least be the victor and not the victim..

Maybe its the violence that we are fed as a regular diet on TV etc both of a fictional and nonfictional nature.
So many films glorify the killing of an enemy rather than resolving differences in a peaceful manner shaking hands and moving on...

It is not as though these games are the only place we see unjustified killing..
I do think that meeting a chalenge at a particular level and getting past it is that seems satisfying to those I see playing..

I really dont know but this has been a very interesting thread. Someone must have conducted a study analysing the various motivations...it would be interesting also
alex :):):)

[spacezebra]

Hi all

Let's get back to the topic of the thread - what does "ice" in space mean.

To me - I agree with an earlier post - "comets".

P.S Im a Riven and Myst fan.

Cheers Petra

[White Rabbit]

I always thought Iceinspace was a play on words as in, I-ce(as in see)- space, I see in space. It works.

[ving]

I used to be a gamer too. I played exclusively "shoot-em-up" type games (specifically unreal tournament and its sequels). I played it not because i was killing people but for the mental and physical stimulation it gave me thru thinking out strategies ,thinking quick to avoid becoming wallpaper and the various manuevers that one had to go thu with quick mouse and keyboard reflexes. the fact that no one actually dies is a benefit too ;). nope. its a game and if you cant see it as a game and you actually think people are getting hurt and you are getting off on it then ya have problems. nope again. its cat and mouse with animated pixels. yes theres the contest of who's better and theres some real egos out there too, but once again isnot pitting your mental and physical reflexes against other people... not killing... like soccer or foolball. infact unreal tournament had a "modification or mod" that was based around a soccer type game and the goal was to get goals, not kill people but you could still get killed but of course youd restart :) in some fps games yes... like duke nukem or quake or unreal where the idae is to blast your way thru monsters etal to reach safety at the end (etc). [quote] I doubt it's entirely based on the competitive spirit - you can satisfy that playing tic tac toe. [quote] hey i love tic tac toe! its just not as fast paced or as stimulating... yes its all competitive spirit. covered above :)

there was also a game (another first person shooter) called thief which i adored. the idea was not to go around killing people but to hide in shadows, climb walls and use stealth to achieve your goals :)

i think some just dont get first person games, with or without shooting :)

i played for years and I am not desensitised to violence in any way shape or forum. nor have i felt the need to belt anyones head in ;)

how many generations has the world been at some war or another now? more than just my lifetime, thats for sure... maybe constant waring amoung the worlds various nations has more to do with society being desensitised to killing... I know i was taught in school all aobut WW1 and 2 and at the time could have recited what weapons were used and how many thousnads of people died. THERE is you tragedy!

:)

[spacezebra]

Hi WR

I like your thinking......




Cheers Petra

[wavelandscott]

And that is where the name of the site comes from...:D

[ving]

:lol: