Hey, Rob, I've heard that worry before and can quickly dispel it using logic.
A. If you like the game so much that you fear you will lose productivity time--good god, you're getting old. Everybody deserves to have some fun, and you can always turn it off if you really need to do something. It's almost like being scared to try a game because you think you'll love it. We're not talking about crack here! :)
B. I like to think of games as being worth more or less how much I play them. Most games are what, about $50? If you earn $20 an hour, that's 2.5 hours worth of your life to pay for the game--so you need to get *at least* that much recreation out of it. Ideally, it's something you'd want to play far more than just 2.5 hours, and the more you play it, the better the deal. But that doesn't mean you have to play it when you're bored of it!! What kind of crazy talk is that?
I liken it to people who go to a movie, discover about 30 minutes into it that it is a TERRIBLE movie, but they won't leave -- nope -- they say, "Well, I already bought the ticket, so I'm not leaving no matter how bad it is." What the hell? I never understood this. If the movie sucks, cut your losses--you're out $10, but it's YOUR choice if you also want to be out that extra hour or two.
It's very, very liberating to get into the habit of quitting things you don't like. Bought a book and aren't interested by the third chapter? Chuck it. Same for games. But never NOT try a game, book, or movie just because you think you'll like it--that just doesn't make sense to me.
Again, Rob, hear me on this--what if I had come to you when you were a kid and said, "Rob, do *not* watch Star Wars. If you do, it will change your life, and you will become a lifelong fan. Think of all the productive things you could be doing instead of talking, thinking, or enjoying Star Wars or related merchandise. Don't do it!!" Now, tell me seriously that you'd take that advice! No way, man. So, just remember that you are an individual and can make responsible choices; no game, no matter how good, can make them for you.
Hey, Rob, I've heard that worry before and can quickly dispel it using logic.
A. If you like the game so much that you fear you will lose productivity time--good god, you're getting old. Everybody deserves to have some fun, and you can always turn it off if you really need to do something. It's almost like being scared to try a game because you think you'll love it. We're not talking about crack here! :)
B. I like to think of games as being worth more or less how much I play them. Most games are what, about $50? If you earn $20 an hour, that's 2.5 hours worth of your life to pay for the game--so you need to get *at least* that much recreation out of it. Ideally, it's something you'd want to play far more than just 2.5 hours, and the more you play it, the better the deal. But that doesn't mean you have to play it when you're bored of it!! What kind of crazy talk is that?
I liken it to people who go to a movie, discover about 30 minutes into it that it is a TERRIBLE movie, but they won't leave -- nope -- they say, "Well, I already bought the ticket, so I'm not leaving no matter how bad it is." What the hell? I never understood this. If the movie sucks, cut your losses--you're out $10, but it's YOUR choice if you also want to be out that extra hour or two.
It's very, very liberating to get into the habit of quitting things you don't like. Bought a book and aren't interested by the third chapter? Chuck it. Same for games. But never NOT try a game, book, or movie just because you think you'll like it--that just doesn't make sense to me.
Again, Rob, hear me on this--what if I had come to you when you were a kid and said, "Rob, do *not* watch Star Wars. If you do, it will change your life, and you will become a lifelong fan. Think of all the productive things you could be doing instead of talking, thinking, or enjoying Star Wars or related merchandise. Don't do it!!" Now, tell me seriously that you'd take that advice! No way, man. So, just remember that you are an individual and can make responsible choices; no game, no matter how good, can make them for you.
Matt Barton, Managing Editor
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA
Email: matt@armchairarcade.com