Video games are just action figures/playing make-believe for men. - Change my mind

[Ughubughughughughughghlug]

I had this awful realization one day: playing video games is basically the same thing as playing with action figures, except for some reason we look down on grown men (even boys past a certain age) who do the latter, but we don't look down on people who do the former.

Now, sure, it doesn't seem that way since it has a formal structure and generally some sort of story. But does anybody really give a shit? When you go on a shooting rampage and hour-long car chase in GTA, are you actually experiencing some sort of narrative equivalent to a play or movie, or are you just playing with... like a toy? After all, we call them sandbox games for a reason, but this goes for multiplayer too. Some people take competitive multiplayer really seriously, but most people, I think, care less about the competitive aspect of it and more about the feeling the multiplayer scenario creates. Something like Battlefield, basically, is the equivalent of when you play soldier as children. Then, of course, you have people like reenactors who essentially do play make-believe, but it's given social acceptance, even some prestige, because it's presented as being educational in nature.

We can also draw some other distinctions. Video games' formal structure makes it so you have obstacles to overcome, whereas toys and playing make-believe are driven more by imagination. It just seems odd to me that there's this disconnect. Traditionally, adults moved away from playing make-believe and playing with toys to hobbies which involve doing something with some real-world implication, goal. Often something productive, but not necessarily.

Just seems odd to me how it feels unnatural/wrong for an adult to play soldier/cop/whatever (unless he's doing it with a kid, for the kid's entertainment), but it's considered normal for the adult to play soldier/cop as long as it's in front of a computer screen.

 

[TFT-A9]

Video games are toys, yes. Very pithy observation, though weird way to rationalize playing with your Malibu Barbie.

 

[Fascist Frederick]

So what are movies? Instead of the adult playing soldier/cop in front of a computer screen, they are in front of a screen, watching another adult play soldier/cop.

 

[Ughubughughughughughghlug]

So what are movies? Instead of the adult playing soldier/cop in front of a computer screen, they are in front of a screen, watching another adult play soldier/cop.

They're the equivalent of plays which are the equivalent of oral traditions... or, the equivalent of books which are the equivalent of plays which are the equivalent of oral traditions. There's an element of make-believe to it, but it's different, and I've never heard of a culture that stigmatizes adults consuming fiction.

 

[CheezzyMach]

Buddy where were you for the past two decades?

Only recently have video games been seen as cool and not the realm of basement dwelling shut ins.

 

[No Exit]

Yes, most if not all entertainment is playing make believe in some way. Watching movies, reading, video games, even music in some sense.
The only thing that separates maturity from immaturity is learning how to tell a proper story.

They're the equivalent of plays which are the equivalent of oral traditions... or, the equivalent of books which are the equivalent of plays which are the equivalent of oral traditions. There's an element of make-believe to it, but it's different, and I've never heard of a culture that stigmatizes adults consuming fiction.

So you're just assblasted people make fun of you for playing games?

 

[Ughubughughughughughghlug]

Buddy where were you for the past two decades?

Only recently have video games been seen as cool and not the realm of basement dwelling shut ins.

I can't remember a time in my life when video games were not a thing that every single boy played. The only boys who didn't play them were the ones with overbearing parents who also ruled over what music they could listen to and other stuff like that.

Yes, most if not all entertainment is playing make believe in some way. Watching movies, reading, video games, even music in some sense.
The only thing that separates maturity from immaturity is learning how to tell a proper story.

So you're just assblasted people make fun of you for playing games?

Are you illiterate? How is this pro-playing games? Where''s the assblasted? Were you born with an extra chromosome?

 

[Fascist Frederick]

They're the equivalent of plays which are the equivalent of oral traditions... or, the equivalent of books which are the equivalent of plays which are the equivalent of oral traditions. There's an element of make-believe to it, but it's different, and I've never heard of a culture that stigmatizes adults consuming fiction.

Video games are just another way to consume fiction.

 

[CheezzyMach]

I can't remember a time in my life when video games were not a thing that every single boy played. The only boys who didn't play them were the ones with overbearing parents who also ruled over what music they could listen to and other stuff like that.



Are you illiterate? How is this pro-playing games? Where''s the assblasted? Were you born with an extra chromosome?

I thought you were talking about men playing video games being mocked not little boys.

But yes until recently video games were thought of as either children's toys or geeky nerd shit.

 

[Jonah Hill poster]

Mainstream love for video gaming ≠ niche love for gaming

A person that love video games sees vidya for what it is, not conforming to popular society’s standards for what “gaming” or “gamers” are supposed to be.

 

[MrTroll]

So you're just assblasted people make fun of you for playing games?

No, he's assblasted that people make fun of him for playing with action figures.

Don't worry OP. You're totally right. Making your Captain America and Iron Man figures fight each other is just like playing GTA. Sure. Why not. We're all friends here, no need to be judgemental.

 

[KittyGremlin]

That's deep bro, I bet you'd get so many upvotes on plebbit

 

[ProfDongs]

Books are for children, real men harvest crops and raise cattle.

 

[Some JERK]

Kids play make believe with toys because they don't have very much direct control over their own lives. It's mostly escapism and wish fulfillment. If you're an adult and still regularly playing with toys then there's probably some issue there that you need to work on.

 

[No Exit]

I can't remember a time in my life when video games were not a thing that every single boy played. The only boys who didn't play them were the ones with overbearing parents who also ruled over what music they could listen to and other stuff like that.



Are you illiterate? How is this pro-playing games? Where''s the assblasted? Were you born with an extra chromosome?

Sorry, your post was such a rambling mess I missed the thesis in your big boy brained sudden realization.

The main difference between games and action figures is that there's actual substance to them. Art, music, actor, story, set design etc. They're set up like any other media like books or movies just with the player controlling the pacing. With old arcade games it was more akin to playing sports or cards, something keep your hands and mind busy to pass time.

With toys you're just banging two pieces of plastic together and making sound effects like a sped.

I actually don't understand how you don't see the difference. Are you autistic? Do you just not understand the social difference between consuming media and being that creepy guy that still plays with dolls?

 

[ConfederateIrishman]

Wait, whats wrong with action figures?

 

[Tim Buckley]

 

[Queen Elizabeth II]

Just seems odd to me how it feels unnatural/wrong for an adult to play soldier/cop/whatever (unless he's doing it with a kid, for the kid's entertainment), but it's considered normal for the adult to play soldier/cop as long as it's in front of a computer screen.

I'd argue against that. Neither is widely socially acceptable for an adult man or woman to be doing.

Because there are more important things an adult of either sex should be doing.

Focusing on the video games as an example, although casual gaming has been taken up by the masses, "serious" gaming such as World of Warcraft has not.

On a productive level, a man or woman who is gaming could have been doing something more useful. They could have put in extra hours at work, they could have done some DIY around the house. On this level video gaming is a sign of sloth.

On a leisure level, I know sometimes to me its a sign of lower intelligence and I know some of my female friends think the same way. That's not to say I think anyone who likes Opera is a big brain (quite the opposite, it's pretentious and it sounds shit), but I think there's something pathetic about a guy who sits in front of a TV screen pretending to be a soldier. That sort of experiential make-believe play is an essential formative experience for developing confidence and understanding....In the younger years; by now developmentally this individual should have moved from this stage well into the experiential. It's a sign of being psychologically stunted; it's no coincidence many of the Lolcows, furries etc here are very often hardcore gamers.

And then there's also the familial level. If the goal of a human life is successful reproduction (if it isn't, it's still something essential to sustain out societies) what makes a financial/social capital risk looks safer and more promising? Good looks are usually an indicator of good health and genetics, a sense of humor has been scientifically linked to a higher intelligence, a musician has a creative streak that suggests flexibility....There are a range of qualities we might prize or seek out in our mates or close confidants. Does a man or woman who spends an inordinate amount of time on a computer screen in an unproductive task that in no way develops their skills or mainstream networking potential present themselves as a viable or worthy mate or ally? Why would I desire to interact with this person over someone with more useful skills, or hobbies that suggest other positive attributes about this person?

This might seem like a very cold opinion, and that is all it is. We ultimately are to a great extent the things we do, and there is truth in stereotypes. The basement dwelling manchild is one of them, and they are infamous for their love of toys and computer games.

Of course, more people on social media are more likely to be gamers than the public. But have a look in your life off the internet, how many people actually do play with toys; and if they have them like makeup consider if they actually serve a constructive purpose? Make up and gym time can be used to make an individual look more attractive which is a valuable asset, and attending workshops could be used to develop talents or skills; nightclubing can be used to build a network and expand sexual/reproductive options, even watching shitty TV like Tiger King has some degree if use in that because it is so widely watched by a large range of ages it can be used to build rapport with random members of the public you may come across (whereas gamers of specific titles tend to be of a narrower age range), but what use does an anime body pillow serve?

 

[Y2K Baby]

And?

 

[{o}P II]

Sometimes i play video-games and act out intrinsic stories in my head like a maniac while making the in game character run about