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Nesti
13-11-2009, 04:02 PM
Personally I feel computer games are a waste of time, energy and a drain on intelligence and creativity.

That being said, I sometimes watch my my son play on-line and it is quite entertaining...albeit is small doses.

I think these games are evolving extremely quickly and at times I wander what it's doing to their heads. I think the realism is increasing rapidly also. His new game 'Modern Warfare 2' is insane, it's starting to look very real now and I must also add that they are incorporating much of what is practiced in real life...I wonder where this is all going?!

I went to a gaming expo a few weeks ago with him, and I gotta say, I saw a few 15-20 yo who seemed catatonic and as though their brain was still plugged-in elsewhere. Sad!

Want to see how real it's getting, well the graphics in this clip is pretty much what you get in the game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyASw-1KWyU

Cheers
Mark

Ian Robinson
13-11-2009, 04:22 PM
Sure are .... a waste of time and pointless.

iceman
13-11-2009, 04:26 PM
That's a thoughtless comment. You might find them like that but it doesn't mean other people do.

It's entertainment. It's a form of entertainment which a lot of people enjoy.

Like any other hobby, it can be done to excess where it's not exactly "healthy".

Lismore Bloke
13-11-2009, 04:34 PM
Computer games are something I have never had the patience to do. I spend all day in front of a monitor and the last thing I want to do at home is spend hours at the computer. (I'll make an exception with IIS!!!)

I'm not terribly impressed by the extreme blood and gore that is portrayed in some games. However, I have watched a family member use a game to construct a whole civilization, from the ground up. It took him all day and was very educational, but, not for me, my patience ran out. Not all games are mindless rubbish.

Benno85
13-11-2009, 04:35 PM
I am a fan of gaming for a number of reasons. Sure I'm not one of those die-hard fans that eat sleep and breath gaming, but every now and then it's great to settle in to Rome: Total War and overthrough the Roman Senate, or load up one of the racing games and have a flog around the Nurburgring.......and even more fun is watching my 3yr old son laugh his head off while I play the Wii, swinging my arms and dancing like a madman!!

As Mike stated, it's the same as any hobby, it needs to be taken in the right context and not overdone :thumbsup:

Kal
13-11-2009, 04:37 PM
I compare it favourably to "the box" (tv)

TV can be mindnumbing with no interaction with other people. Computer games can be just as much about social entertainment as playing entertainment nowdays.

I have made many real life friends through online computer games.

TrevorW
13-11-2009, 04:40 PM
"Enders game"

training for future robotic warfare

IMO in moderation they are Okay like chatting on forums

multiweb
13-11-2009, 04:41 PM
Nah... not at all. :lol: It's just fun. A good release like everything else in moderation. :thumbsup:

JimmyH155
13-11-2009, 05:13 PM
It's what so many of our Gen X and Y's do. It is the modern way of entertainment. We didn't have computers when we were young so we stuck to bikes. Now its different. Machines and gismos are the rage - look at the modern phones.
Another thing I have noticed - at railway station the young ones will buy their ticket from a machine. I never do. I prefer to help save the job of the bloke in the ticket office. ;)
It's just the modern way, computer games are todays craze.
In my youth we had marbles:P

multiweb
13-11-2009, 05:26 PM
... and now you're using the internet. Times have changed hey? :thumbsup:

Ian Robinson
13-11-2009, 05:31 PM
Why so defencive ?

Lyinxz
13-11-2009, 05:34 PM
Modern Warefare 2 is awsome!!

I cant wait to play it!

also something you may find interesting:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/06/1083635268977.html

multiweb
13-11-2009, 05:36 PM
Oh yeah. I got the prestige pack with the night vision goggles. I can't play it before Xmas though. My wife won't let me. Meanwhile my clan buddies are ranking in points :sadeyes:

jjjnettie
13-11-2009, 05:53 PM
I bought my boys a Wii for christmas last year.
It's terrific fun and they get a little/lot of exercise playing with it.
On the computer, my boys like playing Sim Safari. Building their own Safari Park, managing the biodiversity, keeping poachers at bay, looking after the tourists and camping facilities etc.
They are only allowed to play computer games on the weekends and holidays.
Moderation is a good thing.

Nesti
13-11-2009, 06:14 PM
Oh-man...that's a crack-up...SCREEEEEEENERRRRRR!!!!! :lol::P

Rhys...he's past the entire game already. I think you'll love it.

He keeps asking me to play it and I know it's just a game and perhaps something fun to do, but the truth is, when he talks about doing this and that, I relate it straight back to reality and see that there's no appreciation for how things actually happen. Most kids hated 'Jar Head', as they didn't get to see what they wanted...because that's reality.

Maybe I should retire! LOL

lacad01
13-11-2009, 06:19 PM
Or watching end of the world films at the cinema :rolleyes:
:)

kustard
13-11-2009, 06:20 PM
I've played a wide range of games from old school DOOM and Quake right up to World Of Warcraft. They have been a form of entertainment and relaxation for me. I don't find them a waste of time because with games like WoW I talk to friends and socialise.

I got my first computer back in 1985 and the majority of programs were games but by learning how those games worked I developed programming skills that have served me in my working career.

Like anything you do, you need to make sure you balance it out with other activities like reading, physical activities like bike riding etc.

Saying gaming is pointless is like saying astronomy is pointless, it's an unfair and biased comment.

Nesti
13-11-2009, 06:20 PM
1 in 1,000 perhaps may benefit, but the majority of serious screeners are numbing their intelligence.

I also notice that extended periods screening comes hand-in-hand with apathy, lethargy and the C.B.F. syndrome!

TrevorW
13-11-2009, 06:31 PM
I kept getting motion sickness trying to play Doom

jjjnettie
13-11-2009, 06:35 PM
:lol: You too!!
I don't get car or sea sick, but play Doom for 15 minutes and I'm crook as a chook.

multiweb
13-11-2009, 06:38 PM
:eyepop:...:lol:...you're on! What's your game handle? :lol: See you online. Watch your back! :rofl::thumbsup:

troypiggo
13-11-2009, 06:43 PM
Firstly, much of that youtube clip would be cut scenes, not actual gameplay. Still pretty impressive these days.

As for playing games, I love them although time is getting less and less on them. Used to play Counter-Strike (the original, not Source) religiously. We had our own server and got pretty good at it. Fantastic gameplay and concept. When we got bored shooting the other team, a few of us would challenge ourselves by trying to get as many knife kills as we could. Now that was fun. Nothing more humiliating to the other team when they've got kevlar, guns, grenades, and you get close enough to stick a knife in their head. Mwaahahahaahh. Sorry, where was I...

sjastro
13-11-2009, 06:47 PM
The only computer games I have ever played involved computer chess.

Not only did I find it therapeutic, it put me in the right frame of mind to deal with complicated problems at work.

Steven

Nesti
13-11-2009, 06:52 PM
Handle name is: Whatscrakn

What's yours?

Expect to be PWND like you've never been pwnd before 'Junior'!!!!!

multiweb
13-11-2009, 06:54 PM
Wow! That sounds like hard work. :P I tend to solve problem by sleeping on it. Shooting people online is relaxing. It's like watching 2012 the end of the world at the movies. Not much to think about . Just put you feet up & relax. It's coming your way anyway :lol:

Nesti
13-11-2009, 06:58 PM
So be so kind as to tell me your handle and allow me to make it a painless ending for you sucker!!!! :P:D

snowyskiesau
13-11-2009, 07:00 PM
Although I used to fix them for a living many years ago (remember the Atari arcade games and Taito's Space Invaders?) I've never been able to get into computer games. I don't have the patience for those that require you to think and the fast shoot-em-ups make me nauseous.

I'd much prefer to get lost in a book.

multiweb
13-11-2009, 07:01 PM
"multiweb" is my handle... and remember: "there can be only one!" :lol:

Nesti
13-11-2009, 07:04 PM
Pray to the BlueRay in the sky for salvation or a swift end to your on-line misery...:lol:

PS. XBox yeah?!

sjastro
13-11-2009, 07:08 PM
And shooting people off line is illegal. Let's hope there are no twisted reasons behind your game playing.:D

Nesti
13-11-2009, 07:09 PM
That's exactly right...and "THE ONE" is going to be walking around the streets with this on his head is he?????? :rofl::rofl::rofl:



Okay...you win!!!! :P:D

Nesti
13-11-2009, 07:13 PM
That's right Steven...with that THING on his head he's sure to be something of a danger to society...dare I say the pride and joy of some inner suburb in Sydney tho...:whistle:

:D:D:D:D:D

bokglob
13-11-2009, 07:51 PM
I used to "hate" computer games until I played a good one.mouses arn't my thing,but Xbox live rules,and modern warfare2 IS awesome;)

Darth Wader
13-11-2009, 08:13 PM
Video/computer games are fine in moderation. Nothing more than a form of entertainment. Now, if only the government would realise that and introduce an "R" rating for the multitude of adult gamers who don't like their media censored.

norm
13-11-2009, 10:26 PM
I have no issues with computer games, its just another form of entertainment. If anything its probably a bit rich of people criticizing it, when astronomy could be seen in the same context.

You mention astronomy to most people and they'll think its interesting, but you start crapping on about eyepieces, scopes, NGC...and people will roll their eyes.

Thats my 2 cents worth ;)

Moderation is the key.

Jazza11
14-11-2009, 12:08 AM
I personally love playing games but enjoy it while you can before they banned everything and when you think about it modern warfare 2 should not be allowed because at some points it insites terrorisim

kustard
14-11-2009, 08:14 AM
+1

Now if only Michael Atkinson can get out of the dark ages and give the thumbs up to a "+18" Rating for games like what we have for movies then adult gamers can start to buy games unmodified locally instead of going overseas or even worse, pirating them.

sheeny
14-11-2009, 08:58 AM
Yep marbles, bikes and gravelrash! Those were the days!:D

I've never really gotten into computer games... space invaders frustrated me, pacman was boring, kong frustrated me as well:P... when I got my MicroBee I used to enjoy Galaxian and Emu Joust though:lol:.

When I visit my boys, I have been known to have a go at Guitar hero, but shoot 'em ups have no appeal to me...

Spider solitaire is about all the blood and gore I'm interested in seeing:P... perhaps that's a legacy of being involved in rescue... I've seen enough blood and gore in real life and I do not find it entertaining...

Whoa there... I started off writing this as a tongue in cheek response for a bit of fun but I find myself in a bit deep:eyepop:... sorry guys:rolleyes:.

Anyway I do like the concept of the Wii to encourage some physical activity amongst gamers... I like to do things that exercise both the mind and body at the same time rather than just one or the other:thumbsup:. Good to see a computer game that can result in physical injuries I say!:P The next phase is a shoot 'em up that shoots back!!!:D:rofl:

Stay active in mind and body!:thumbsup::D

Al.

Rainingstar
14-11-2009, 10:56 AM
I'm a baby boomer and I started playing games when my two boys were in their teens,in the 90's something. I love games such as Oblivion, Fallout 3 , Final fantasy, etc, and I think they are a great way of keeping ageing brains a little bit sharper. I've often thought someone should develop games-
(more puzzles less violence) that would be suitable for people in old age homes,so as to give their brains much needed stimulation and exercise, especially if they have limited mobility.

Jazza11
14-11-2009, 01:17 PM
I love oblivion i have never played fallout 3 though but i heard some parts of it were censored for australia

stephenb
14-11-2009, 08:11 PM
I agree, Norm and Mike (comment 3). If I am not hurting anyone, who cares if I play video games as a form of relaxation, to chill out from my demanding work. Not that I really play much of them anyway, but... to those who think video games are "a waste of time, energy and a drain on intelligence and creativity" or "a waste of time and pointless". Perhaps some of your leisure pursuits may be considered "a waste of time, energy and a drain on intelligence and creativity" or "a waste of time and pointless" to others. I see your spending your time creating pointless threads on an internet forum. Any difference?

asimov
14-11-2009, 08:47 PM
I've had some sort of game console since the age of 6 & I'm now 47 with a PS3. Sometimes it's been the only thing to keep me sane!

Anyone not into games wouldn't understand & quite frankly, I couldn't care less if they understand or not. It's good for ME & thats what counts.

Whatever floats your boat.

Baddad
14-11-2009, 09:06 PM
Hi All, and Al Sheeny, :)

I do relate to where you come from Al. I too was a marbles wanna be champ. Cycling, gunpowder. "slug-guns" and street baseball.

I was a bad a.. kid. Even when I was a young adult I played practical jokes on peers etc. Touch powder, gunpowder, hand cranked generators for shocking results.

The emergence of the Commodore and Amstrad computers presented a challenge. There were games to play and to copy. If you could get by the protection. I learnt the Z80 microprocessor code from books. Games galore.

The peers were safe I wanted to play computer games. I had to break into the protection. If it had not been for these games maybe I was destined to work on more practical jokes and try to improve them.

The advent of the PC, my sons and daughter became very computer literate. More so than I was. I was by then losing the initial enthusiasm. I had taught my kids in the beginning and they were teaching me.

I went through the whole wringer. Al's time from marbles to computer games and now its a tool for communication and soon to enhance this newly found hobby, astronomy.

Cheers Marty

mac
15-11-2009, 08:58 AM
I like computer games. I think that those who criticise them don't realise the vast array of different genres out there.

For example, you can play a space shuttle simulator, aeroplane simulator, train simulator or even a WW2 submarine simulator. Or you can go 'first person' and go on violent rampages online. There's even 'intelligent' first person games, such as Half Life 2 or Fallout 3 where you are having to solve problems as well as doing the 'wet work'. And then there's the 'real time strategy' games such as Company of Heroes, where you have to apply tactical strategy to defeat the enemy - these games can even teach a male how to multi-task!

And there's the console games like Guitar Hero, which expose young people to some great music from the 60's to the 00's, and teaches coordination.

My wife is a physiotherapist and they use Nintendo Wii's at her hospital for rehabilitation. Now surely you can't say that games are pointless...

Rainingstar
15-11-2009, 10:56 AM
The copy for the PS3 that I have is not censored however I had also heard that some copies had some of the violence censored, it wouldn't make any difference to the great game play and story line though.

multiweb
15-11-2009, 03:05 PM
:eyepop: :lol: Hey, I'm not the one taking his big yellow plane for a walk everywhere he goes. :lol:

multiweb
15-11-2009, 03:07 PM
Ha... that's in your head only :nerd: Nobody's been jailed for playing pacman roaming around the streets eating people. :lol:

multiweb
15-11-2009, 03:07 PM
Hear hear! ;) :thumbsup:

Matt Wastell
15-11-2009, 05:01 PM
I am 39, never have a computer at home when I was a kid - gaming was space invaders and asteroid at video arcades. Modern games are great!

gbeal
15-11-2009, 05:14 PM
Something I have had very little to do with, but my youngster likes it. Each to his/her own. Many can't see what we see at night. It is what makes the world go round, different strokes for different blokes (and blokesesses).
Gary

Ric
15-11-2009, 05:28 PM
My favourites have to be Command & Conquer and Neverwinter Nights.

I'm a big fan of the RPG's and the way you have to strategise or solve puzzles. I suppose its a way to keep the old grey matter ticking over.

Cheers

Octane
15-11-2009, 05:53 PM
No matter what I do, I just can't get into gaming. It's so sad.

When I got my first computer back in 1986, I really enjoyed cat.exe and paratrooper.exe (I can't remember what it was shortened to). I then got F-15 Strike Eagle II and F-19 Stealth Fighter. Wow, those were an eye opener. The games actually came with detailed manuals and information on a vast assortment of jet fighters and what not, big wall-size poster maps to plan your primary and secondary objectives/missions. It was so good.

I could finish Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego in the minimal amount of time, every time! I learnt so much about geography through that game.

Started to get into car racing simulators as well. Test Drive, and Formula One Grand Prix (Microprose).

Diablo. I didn't know what the idea of the game was. I just walked around killing skeletons, collecting gold, purchasing mana and upgrading weapons. I had no idea about the concept of a quest. :S

I had a copy of Warcraft III sitting on my desk for two years before I decided to install it and play it. I was apprehensive and frightened of working so hard to build a character up and then lose everything. I started playing it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Just as well that my hard drive crashed and I lost everything.

I just can't play anything anymore. I am, however, more than happy to watch other people play. I guess I live vicariously through their every move. :lol:

Regards,
Humayun

sheeny
15-11-2009, 06:30 PM
Now that's a blast from the past. I forgot about that one. I used to enjoy that.:thumbsup:

Another one I used to enjoy that I've just remembered was "You Don't Know Jack".:lol:

Al.

Jules76
17-11-2009, 11:14 PM
I'll admit it, I've probably "wasted" a lot of years playing games, but why is that so wrong? I look back at some of the wonderful games I've played, and remember them with fondness for the escape they provided and endless hours of entertainment. How is this any different to recalling a favourite movie or book you've seen or read? It's just another form of entertainment.




You mean Alley Cat?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alley_Cat_(video_game)

I loved that game! That was one of the very first games I had on my 8086 all those years ago!

I know what you mean too about the detailed manuals. I'm big fan of Lucasfilm/LucasArts games and I still have complete boxes of games such as Their Finest Hour and Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe. The detail they put into manuals back then was gorgeous, right down to detailed specs of the planes and a wealth of historical information. I must of read those manuals cover to cover many times and I learnt a great deal about the Battle of Britain and the Air War over Europe during WW2. Fascinating stuff and it's what kicked off my interest in WW2 history. Who say's games can't be educational? :)

I have no idea if they still go to all this trouble with games thesedays, as it's been awhile since I've brought one. I just don't have as much time for games thesedays.

Jabba
18-11-2009, 09:23 AM
I really enjoy my computer games in small doses these days...
Although from the age of about 15 - 20 yo, I was a hardcore gamer, playing after school, work, tafe, and on weekends.

I played games such as Quake3, Team Fortress, Day of Defeat, Counter-Strike, Warcraft 3, Starcraft, World of Warcraft, Diablo, and a few other small games...

I mainly played Counter-Strike and on a competitive level where I was playing for clans at Netcafes in Sydney, and also competing at a national level which meant I travelled interstate such as Brisbane and Melbourne,whereas the competition winners would then qualify for an international competition overseas and play against the best teams from all over the world. These comps were also broadcasted on television networks overseas and also a huge fan base would watch it on website broadcasted shows...

I have to say, although it may seem very dull to some... there is a lot of social interaction with other people all around the nation, and the strategy side of games keeps the brain ticking unlike watching tv :P

I hardly play games anymore, the only game I now play is www.quakelive.com (http://www.quakelive.com) - which is Quake3(free). Its run off a website run program and is a free download for anyone interested in trying it out :D!

Ric
18-11-2009, 12:13 PM
I tried playing online a few times but they all play to fast for me to keep up.:lol:

I remember playing C&C once and my opponent built an entire army before I even had a base set up, needless to say I only lasted about a minute which was the time they took to find me.:mad2::lol:

Cheers

Brendan*
18-11-2009, 11:46 PM
You get what you give in everything you do in life.
In gaming you can play in the dark with the sound up for atmosphere or run game servers and be a forum moderator (halo) to be more social.
You can also become a midless zombie for a year (world of warcraft).

Your gaming will often reflect your personality. Im an addictive person so i usually go all in.
Theres some addictive personalitys stuck in these games forever.
Only some though.

ps post count 2 :welcome:

stephenb
20-11-2009, 07:25 AM
WOW, I thought I was the only one who played Alley Cat??? Thanks for the link Jules. I can still remember the theme song in my head today!!! We played it on IBM XT, and AT machines.

I really only play MAME games now - PacMan, Space Invaders, Defender, Scramble, Donkey Kong, Digger, Frogger, Galaga.

kustard
20-11-2009, 08:16 AM
For my birthday I was going to get one of those table top 60-in-1 MAME based machines (all legit, single board controller, really nice machine) but I ended up getting a new scope :D

At one point I was going to hack my PSP to play MAME games but it involves too much stuffing about and I updated the firmware in it which makes it even harder to hack into.

Octane
20-11-2009, 08:17 AM
Yeah, I loved Alley Cat.

Stephen, now that you've mentioned it, the music is in my head now, too. :)

Regards,
Humayun

stephenb
20-11-2009, 08:31 AM
I just run MAME in Windows XP and I have a series of shortcut icons on the desktop.

Humayun, I'm thinking you were a Leasure Suit Larry player also?

lacad01
20-11-2009, 08:37 AM
Love those old arcade games :) Recently loaded Pacman onto my iPhone.
My kids got me onto SimCity and Sims, and now I'm wasting time on Spore :rolleyes: :)

White Rabbit
20-11-2009, 09:08 AM
I'm about rank 32 already on the Modern warfare 2, It rocks. I spent about 5 hours playing online on the the first day. Great game.

I think people who say things like "I hate computer games" just havent played the right game or are unwilling to actually try them. My girlfriend use to same the same thing but she is actully playing some of the co op missions wilth me and loves it.

for any of you guys out there that have Call of Duty World at War, if you havent played the zombie game that come with you should check it out it's very very cool.

Mojopin73 is my tag, see you guys online.



Bring it on!!!

multiweb
20-11-2009, 09:12 AM
Zombies stages are cool indeed. The dogs are hard though. Too fast. :P