Admittedly, I am not a games enthusiast, whether video or board, but I have played both at times. In particular, I played a lot of – OK, this is totally gonna reveal that I’m an old ;P – THPS, and I’m 100℅ sure I played both RPG-type computer games as well as like Mario Bros stuff. However, I just have never really grasped what makes video games so enticing.

I suspect this is an annoying and well-trodden path, but I would sincerely appreciate it if you could find it in your heart to help me understand.

For me personally, I tend to look at things in terms of costs and benefits. Through that lens, most games seem like a bad deal. In principle, I like some of the more quirky or esoteric ones, but it quickly seems like a lot to learn relative the payout.

When I was in HS, I had a band. Has that type of interaction simply been replaced by video games?

I swear I’m not trying to troll – I really want to understand the interplay between video games and psychology. Cuz it seems like FPSes are dominant whereas not too long ago they were a single niche among many niches.

I appreciate your taking the time to read/reply.

  • jtzl@lemmy.zipOP
    3·
    4 hours ago

    And why is “a lot to learn” is listed as a negative? If you are enjoying what you’re doing, you probably don’t mind that it takes some time

    I agree. I guess my perception is that you have to put in a lot of time to develop a skill that cannot be transferred. However, I fully accept that may be my own sampling bias and perception from an outside perspective.

    My own lack of an appetite for longer games is completely plausibly an outgrowth of that.

    Thank you for taking the time to respond thoughtfully.