Enjoying gaming culture more than actual gaming?

mooshoepork

Not sure where this would fit, but I think it should be okay in here.

For a long while I've thought about this. I think I actually enjoy the topic of gaming, more than actually gaming.

Let me explain.

I often will rather read Kotaku or Penny-Arcade for gaming news, than actually play games I've bought. I've found I enjoy discussing games with people, and reading up on news and reviews, far more than actually playing them. I have an unopened copy of Far Cry 2 sitting here and I find myself unable to muster the mental energy required to start.

In the end I always end up here, reading about the industry or other games coming out. I still buy new games, but most of the fun I have found is getting caught up in the hype, and expecting the game. Reading opinions and articles about it. I'm not sure what it is, or if it's just me, but it's the truth. I think I'm more interested in the culture than the whole point of gaming...you know...to play games.

What do you think?

Klyka

I am right there with you.

I sometimes read forums for an hour or two, read articles on linked sites, write comments in threads about games or news.

And then I want to play a game and feel "nah it would be boring"

Clint Eastwood

Hmm, for me it's the exact opposite. I can't stand most "gamer culture", to be honest. It's gotten to the point that I don't even want to talk to my personal friends about games because it tends to devolve into the same tired arguments that I could have at GameFAQs or something. I guess I'm just sick of arguing, which the gamer culture is steeped in.

Rhesus Positive

It's weird - because I'm at university, I don't want to buy games because I feel it'd be a waste of my time, but I'm perfectly willing to spend my spare time browsing these forums and listening to the PA podcast.

mooshoepork

Cloudman wrote: »

Hmm, for me it's the exact opposite. I can't stand most "gamer culture", to be honest. It's gotten to the point that I don't even want to talk to my personal friends about games because it tends to devolve into the same tired arguments that I could have at GameFAQs or something. I guess I'm just sick of arguing, which the gamer culture is steeped in.

I don't talk to people I know about games usually. Unless it's just chitchat about "this is good etc..."

People I don't know I don't talk to about it.

Rhesus Positive wrote: »

It's weird - because I'm at university, I don't want to buy games because I feel it'd be a waste of my time, but I'm perfectly willing to spend my spare time browsing these forums and listening to the PA podcast.

This a thousand fucking times. Exactly

OremLK

Rhesus Positive wrote: »

It's weird - because I'm at university, I don't want to buy games because I feel it'd be a waste of my time, but I'm perfectly willing to spend my spare time browsing these forums and listening to the PA podcast.

I would suggest that it is because playing a game feels like an investment, whereas hopping on a forum feels like "oh, it's just for a few minutes to see if there are any interesting new posts." Nevermind that if you actually examine the way you're spending your time, you're still sinking hours into the forum. It feels like less of an investment.

variant

Yep. I'm probably on these forums more than playing all games combined.
I think it's cause you're with like minded people, talking about gaming and other things too. I find myself in D&D and H/A more so than GT too.