Goodbye Gaming

[imzu]

I suppose it's a bit conceited, making a post saying goodbye to a bunch of people I've never met in real life.

I've decided to sell off my PS2 and GameCube and close the chapter of Gaming in my life for good. The reason is that I simply don't get the satisfaction from gaming that I once did. I bought Metal Gear Solid 3, Gradius V, Metroid Prime and Burnout 3 recently, all regarded as AAA titles, and I quickly became bored with all of them. Whats more, I'm sure if I invested the time into them they would reward me with excellent gameplay and set-pieces but... I don't have the time to dedicate to gaming that I once did. A few years ago, I used to play several hours every night. I used to have a hunger for unlocking every unlockable. Now though I have a wife and baby daughter taking more of my time, so I think I'll let someone else create some good gaming memories with these consoles and games. I'll leave gaming with my fond memories of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Vagrant Story, Tekken 2 and 3, Ridge Racer Type 4, Mario 64, Castlevania: SotN, Super Metroid, Yoshi's Island, Revenge of Shinobi, Final Fantasy 3, Secret of Mana and Super Mario World... and more. Great days, great games.

Part of me would like to stick it out for 6 months to see Twilight Princess and Final Fantasy VII. But I'd rather not be forced to abandon an unfinished Zelda game out of boredom like I've already done with Wind Waker. I couldn't bear it.

I'll drop by again but very infrequently, probably to post in Retro and see what the buzz over PS3, X360 and Revolution is like.

Until then, happy gaming!

[Wools]

I understand what you mean mate and I hope you come back here

I've got a full time job, am thinking of getting a place and the only game I've had time to play this past 5 months is the fabalous Outrun 2.

However I seriously reccomened you take a brake from here to stop making you buy games. Keep your favourite console and a handfull of games. Put these in the loft and leave them there. In around 6 months bring it down and have a go on one and have a glance back here at NTSC-UK.

You may reinvigorate yourself with games and have a more healthy outlook on them!

[lurch996]

If your not enjoying those games then I guess it really is time to stop. Maybe the new consoles will revitalize your interest in games.

I too am pretty bored with most of the current gen games but I have my sega saturn to keep me going until the new ones come along.

[wod]

i've got bored of games recently but have been trying out new games and different genre of games as i just liked a few types of games but have changed a little and thought try something new

[sj33]

I can understand the feeling totally, I've been less and less interested in games over the last 2 years or so... tried to get into the latest games, but it always felt like I was forcing myself.
I still tend to buy games for my collection, and I've preordered a 360... but I think both are just force of habbit.

That said, been playing Shenmue II this week and it reminded me what I enjoyed about games in the first place. I think after a while, we just loose interest in other gaming though - other priorities take it's place.

[Hodge]

I approach gaming as I do TV, there`s good games/programs and bad games/programs. Just because games are supposed to be AAA doesn`t mean they are. Metal gear solid 3 wasn`t really a jump from 2 in gameplay terms and If the story didn`t grip you you wouldn`t like It. Burnout 3 Is one of the most overated games ever and bored the hell out of me with the online mode only really offering any entertainment. Metroid prime again ain`t gonna be everyones cup of tea cause of the amount of wandering and backtracking.

You just have to ask yourself what sort of games you enjoy playing at the end of the day and remember they don`t have to take 20 hours to complete to be good. Arcadey games can equally be as enjoyable with 20 minutes stints.

Also renting is another good option aswell which I`ve been doing abit of lately, getting my fun out of them for a couple of day and only costing me ?3 in the process. If I really like It and want to continue playing It I go and buy It, If not I`ve lost nothing.

[charlesr]

Can I have your stuff?

[baad bwoy]

I was going to ask that

[Kotatsu Neko]

I saw something while out shopping this morning, it said "you don't stop playing because you get old, you get old because you stop playing".

The day I stop wanting the latest games will be a very sad day indeed. Fortunately I've played some fantastic games this year, such as RE4, Shadow of the Colossus, Ouendan and FEAR, and there are a ton of games I can't wait to get my hands on.

Gaming is great, as good as it's ever been if not better. If you've lost the love then that really is sad.

[baad bwoy]

I don't believe that gaming is at its best at the moment, I much preferred the 16 bit days.

[Toast]

I always seem to find myself agreeing with you Kotatsu, my thoughts exactly.

On a personal note, after several years working in the industry I began to work myself up the management ladder, its quite deflating to realise that many people (within the publishing side at least) didn't enjoy or play games and it was draining. But then I went back to games I loved years ago and rediscovered my passion which is now not confused with my work. Play what I want to play, when I want to play it, no matter what the public opinion of that title may be.

Games are better than ever coming from the comparatively dark times of the early 80?s when most games were crap. But that doesn't stop me playing older "retro" titles if I feel the need and desire for some regression.

[gizmo1990]

I believe very much what Kotatsu Neko said. I don't think I'll ever tire of playing games.

Having said that I do think that a lot of current games require huge amounts of time to be invested in them which I simply don't have anymore.

My suggestion to anyone in a similar situation is this, buy a Nintendo DS.

Portable games, particularly on Nintendo's machine are designed with to be played in short bursts and I can make them fit into my routine and not the other way around.

[Hodge]

Nah I agree with Kotatsu, Gaming is as good as it's ever been if not better and replaying some retro games recently has made me realise that all the more. Also xbox live has helped push gaming forward aswell by making online gaming simple and having voice coms standard aswell. And with mario kart online and animal crossing online on the DS at the end of Nov, the xbox 360 beginning of Dec and the new Zelda at the beggining of next year which Is shaping up really well, there`s lots more to look forward to.

[Vince]

I think one thing to bare in mind is that its best to play the games that do it for you, rather than ones that others recommend as the best titles. Some games just click with me, for example Katamari Damacy, when i got it (and the sequel) i just couldn't stop playing them, whereas with say Gradius V which i do love, i've barely played because its too time consuming getting good. I think i just need to be more ruthless with games and sell anything i'm not playing as i keep buying things, playing them for a few hours and then feeling guilty that i've not finished them.

[Il Postino]

Originally posted by: gizmo 1990
My suggestion to anyone in a similar situation is this, buy a Nintendo DS.

That's good advice, the DS is on fire (not literally) at the moment. It's getting far more use than any of my other machines and (clich? alert) is great for short-burst gaming. Import Trauma Center, Phoenix Wright and Ouendan; these are just a few of the gems available on the system.

Failing that, a GB Micro might hit the spot, proper portable gaming and all, like. If the above doesn't do the trick, then take a break and see how you feel again in six months (trust me, I'm a *Doctor).

For the record, yes, I have performed a massive U-turn here, and no longer think that the PSP is the superior handheld system.




*Postman