Why We Game

I’m reluctant to link to anything GamerHelp publishes since their recent faux pas, calling a series of pictures of half-naked girls molesting their consoles a feature on girl gamers. Yeah, right, we doll up in lingerie to play WarCraft. Sure.

But Jason Fryers 11 Reasons We Play Games is brilliant. It’s a laugh for all gamers, but it’s so true!

#11: The Childhood Dream
Everyone had an ideal career picked out as a child. The majority of the time they are unrealistic goals that will likely be unmet. Kids want to be pro athletes, super heroes, secret agents, and music icons. Who hasn’t pretended to hit the game winning home run in the World Series, foil a super villain’s evil plot for world domination, sneak around the house as if they were on a top secret mission or play air guitar to their favorite song? These dream jobs are out of reach for the average person. Thus we find one of the reasons why gaming can be so damn satisfying; you can be whatever you want to be. Whether you want to be Joe Montana, Spider-Man, a double agent, or a member of the Black Sabbath there is a game for you.

Examples: Madden, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, X-Men Legends, Splinter Cell, Guitar Hero

Or # 7:

# 7: The “Eureka” Moment
We have all done it. At least, if you are honest with yourself, you will admit it. Link runs around Hyrule for days but can not be led into further progress in the game. Everything has been checked and double checked but still there is no way to continue forward in the dungeon. It is impossible. You think, ‘there’s a freaking glitch in my game.’ And then and calling on your problem solving skills you think, ‘oh, wait a minute. Why didn’t I see that before?’

The gratification the player gets from overcoming some grueling obstacle or enemy in a game after many failed attempts is something that is hard to match in the real world. And that “eureka” moment, that virtually all gamers have experienced at one time or another, is one of the biggest reasons why we return to the same video game time after time. Triumphing over something you once thought impossible is another reason why many are so passionate about gaming.

Examples: The Legend of Zelda series, the God of War series

Or #6, or #4, oh, just read the whole thing!