Life Without Computer Games

[Anguille]

Without computer games i would read more, like i used to (i still read a lot but not as much).

[nicwb]

Without computer games ? - sacrilege !

But probably where I was before - pushing pieces of cardboard around on a paper map and hurling dice about whilst scrabbling to read multiple result tables [8|]

[SLAAKMAN]

But probably where I was before - pushing pieces of cardboard around on a paper map and hurling dice about whilst scrabbling to read multiple result tables

What I would give to teleport back to 1972...(Knowing then what I know now of course). Less is more. [X(][:D]

[martok]

Speaking only for myself, I'd say that overall my life is better with PC games.

Much as I love reading (and boy do I ever), I still can't do so for more than a few hours a day. In addition, one can watch only so many movies and TV shows, and outdoor activities are pretty much out of the question for me (due to medical reasons). And playing board games with my friends -- much as I love doing so -- is problematic more often than not, since finding a time that works for everyone is difficult under even the best of circumstances.


For all those reasons, I find computer games a godsend. So long as I don't become genuinely addicted to them, it's all good. [:)]

[diablo1]

Computer gaming for me took away bowling, golf, tennis, racquet ball, softball and some basketball. It really took away my health as I rarely get any exercise anymore because I gotta game. lol Now I have diabetes 2! I don't find anything interesting on tv anymore but old reruns of Andy Griffith show, M.A.S.H. and Everybody Loves Raymond and Seinfield. lol And READING? gah what a boring field of socalled entertainment it puts me to sleep now. lol I used to read fantasy novels all the time.
So, computer gaming took away my natural life and gave to me an artificial fictional one. Hrmmm I wonder if I could sue gaming companies like they did cigarette companies for addicting them to cigarettes? heeh[:D]

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: Terminus
Much better.

LOL - well, there is a solution you know, though Matrix would be going out of business if everyone stopped playing computer games.

For me personally life wouldn't change all that much as I've got a boardgame and a tabletop gaming group - we'd just get together more than just twice a week.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

[Yogi the Great]

ORIGINAL: Gary Childress

What would our current lives be like without computer games? Better or worse?

Let's see, your posts 3,791 as I write this.

That might tell you something about your time used because of computer games! [;)]

As for me, without them I might actually be able to accomplish something important, but why the heck would I want to do that?

[yoshino]

For myself,I would be reading a lot of history books and playing a board war games.
Probably almost some thing at the present time.

[hgilmer3]

When I was a teenager and still living at home, we didn't have a lot of money.  There was this used book store that you could trade books in and buy used books for a lot cheaper than list price.  It was always a treat when my family would go to "Trade N Books" or whatever it is called because we couldn't afford to buy new books at the rate we read them.

I think there is something to be said about reading books.  To me it isn't about not getting to make a choice, or reading about someone's life.  It's about seeing how other people think and feel.  It's to make us more rounded.  Reading promotes a better understanding of the language.

But if there were no computer games, I would just surf the internet more. [;)] (I do still read and am reading two books at the present time).

[ilovestrategy]

It would not make any difference with me. Even before computer games and cable TV I was still a "stay inside" kind of person. 

[Terminus]

ORIGINAL: Gary Childress

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Much better.

Your life is much better now with them or would be much better without?

Yes.

[junk2drive]

Teen years, get a license, get a car, want to drive everywhere all the time.

20s, married with children, wife is bored at home, on the go all the time.

30s wonder why older people just stay home, on the go on weekends.

40s wonder why we don't go anywhere anymore.

50s stay home, dread driving, can't stand TV, why are those kids in my yard?...

[Erik Rutins]

Let me answer this just as a gamer, from before this also became my job. Gaming is part of my life, it's my favorite hobby. Without computer games, I would end up gaming a lot less and having less of a chance to do something you really enjoy is not a good thing. It's also great mental exercise - after a good wargame, whether on the computer on on the tabletop, I feel that my mind has had a great workout. For all that sitting at a computer too much is not good for our physical health, there are also studies showing that playing these kinds of games helps keep you mentally sharp at an older age, so there are trade-offs. I'd advise regular exercise and sunshine, some red wine and plenty of gaming for the best mix. [8D]

Regards,

- Erik

[sabre1]

ORIGINAL: junk2drive

Teen years, get a license, get a car, want to drive everywhere all the time.

20s, married with children, wife is bored at home, on the go all the time.

30s wonder why older people just stay home, on the go on weekends.

40s wonder why we don't go anywhere anymore.

50s stay home, dread driving, can't stand TV, why are those kids in my yard?...

I love you man, such words of wisdom...

[planner 3]

AH yes computer games....for me its a mind exerciser as reccommended to avoid dementia, now what was it I wanted to say ????

[sabre1]

Hey, Hey, You Kids, get the !@#$ out of my yard. Now where was I, oh yeah, working on learning WITP, dang forums taking up all my spare time posting. Yeah, that's the ticket, just keep posting and I don't have to figure out that dang game. Now what game was I playing? Ahhh the heck with it, I'm going to go clean my dentures.

[Sheytan]

I would be boardgaming alot more, and reading more books. Which is precisely what I did before I bought my first computer. Would I prefer it that way? Not really. I enjoy what a computer can offer as a entertainment medium irrespective of its utility for non entertainment purposes.

[diablo1]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Let me answer this just as a gamer, from before this also became my job. Gaming is part of my life, it's my favorite hobby. Without computer games, I would end up gaming a lot less and having less of a chance to do something you really enjoy is not a good thing. It's also great mental exercise - after a good wargame, whether on the computer on on the tabletop, I feel that my mind has had a great workout. For all that sitting at a computer too much is not good for our physical health, there are also studies showing that playing these kinds of games helps keep you mentally sharp at an older age, so there are trade-offs. I'd advise regular exercise and sunshine, some red wine and plenty of gaming for the best mix. [8D]

Regards,

- Erik

Erik why don't you contact local gyms in everybodys home towns and tell them you'll offer free advertising in your games if they will offer a 1 day free pass to their gyms? [:)]

[berto]

ORIGINAL: Arsan

In my case, i will certainly be reading a lot more books than now! [:D] (Well, not having Internet will also help in this regard [;)])
Better, worse... not sure really... [&:]

Computer games inspire me to read more, and reading more inspires me to play more games. They reinforce each other.

What do I give up? TV for one thing. I don't ever watch TV. What else do I give up? Music practice. That's a real regret.

On balance, though, computer games are good for me. They are more worthwhile than a 1,000 other possible time wasters. They are a form of relaxation. As a workaholic, I need every excuse to relax.

[Razz1]

Racing Cars, ridding Motorcycles, Camping reading more and playing very little board games.