When I was making s documentary for college about video games, I suppose I looked into this topic a lot, and I just wanted to hear your reasonings behind your love for RuneScape or whatever fantasy virtual worlds you choose to portray yourselves in.
I guess the only explanation (true explanation) that I've realised is that it's a lot about the lack of achievements people obtain in real life.I mean, not to sound a bit sad but I guess one of the reasons we spend our valuable time playing games like this, is because it's an easier option than making accomplishments in real life.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. But that's never going to happen, we all have goals as humans that we set ourselves, and often we find ourselves in a situation where we feel its impossible to achieve them.
I'm not speaking for everyone obviously, but I know that I've had times where I've been so set on levelling up in the game that it's become no longer fun, but I always think "You know what, it'll be worth it because I'll be able to do ....". If I were to motivate myself this way in the outside world then I could of achieved so much more than I have done sitting on my ass for hours on end online.
I believe one of the reasons behind my need to play these types of games is down to self-worth, I can have no job, no education, no social life in reality, but in the game as long as I keep playing and wasting my time eventually I'll become a high leveled player with loads of cool shit and my goal will be reached, giving me a sense of gratitude.
Maybe video games are just away for us to become who we really aspire to be, we don't get labeled and judged like we would in the outside world, we can explore and do amazing things, complete quests and meet people from the comfort of our own computer desks..
At the same time I feel that community is a major role in why I play these types of games , I can sit on my ass and play Zelda all day but I'm only achieving something for myself when I'm doing so, because its only me making an influence on that virtual world, but with MMO's, there's hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people just like myself that I can play with, discuss things with, and defy the limitations that I can't do on my own. Not only this but each game has communities dedicated to what they love, I mean, whether you go to the bar and watch the football after work with your buddies after work, or slay some monsters with your online pals and complete quests together, what's the difference?
Maybe I'm thinking too deeply into this, after all I guess the main reason we play these games is because it's a fun release and detachment from the sometimes unhappy or dreary lives that we live, not saying that I live a depression filled life, but I do know that I enjoy playing RuneRebels more than going go college, or going for a walk around the park, but the question is should I? Is this a problem, or is this a good thing?
But yeah I hope you guys have something valuable to say haha! :3