A whole new kind of crazy...

[WX7P]

As for why people play, that differs. Many MMO players play for one of two reasons. To do things that they cant in real life and or flaunt it. Or for socialization. I liked to socialize. There are other reasons and the reasons grow per game. Some are mentally challenging. Etc.

Interesting. I assume there are websites (like this one) for gamers.

Is the video we've been talking about an over generalization, or are a lot of gamers like that? I only know the guy I used to work with and he was pretty weird. Having said that, it was just one person.

[K7SGJ]

Wow. That's interesting.

It must be a generational issue, but I never got the gaming thing.

I worked for Atari in 1980 when they were cranking out tons of the 2600 machine, so I had exposure to those as well as the stand up games like Asteroids. I preferred pinball.

I worked with a guy a few years ago who was really into gaming. That's all he did on his off time. It was THE issue in his divorce and was causing major problems with his teenage daughter who was basically neglected by all the gaming.

What is it, some kind of endorphin rush?

Forgive the dumb questions, but how does the pay thing work? Do you pay for the length of time playing? Do pay money if you lose? How do you spend so much money on this stuff?

That's pretty much my gaming claim to fame as well. I've always liked pinball since I was a little kid, and would sneak off to the bowling ally to play them. I probably have a wing at Ballys dedicated to me. And as far as later stuff goes, we had the 2600 for home, but my wife's and my stand up favorite has always been centipede. I want to build a cocktail gaming table around the MAME design for the living room one of these days.

[WX7P]

That's pretty much my gaming claim to fame as well. I've always liked pinball since I was a little kid, and would sneak off to the bowling ally to play them. I probably have a wing at Ballys dedicated to me. And as far as later stuff goes, we had the 2600 for home, but my wife's and my stand up favorite has always been centipede. I want to build a cocktail gaming table around the MAME design for the living room one of these days.

I used to work on Atari cocktail machines Missile Command and Asteroids. We pumped out a bunch of those suckers in the Summer of 1980.

I liked Galaga, but mostly I did pinball. Lived for the snap of the free game.

[K7SGJ]

I used to work on Atari cocktail machines Missile Command and Asteroids. We pumped out a bunch of those suckers in the Summer of 1980.

I liked Galaga, but mostly I did pinball. Lived for the snap of the free game.

Yep, and if you didn't quite make it on score, you were always praying for a match.

[KB3LAZ]

Interesting. I assume there are websites (like this one) for gamers.

Is the video we've been talking about an over generalization, or are a lot of gamers like that? I only know the guy I used to work with and he was pretty weird. Having said that, it was just one person.

Well, I wouldn't call that a game but....that is another story, lol. Sure, there are many odd gamers. There are many normal and responsible gamers too. Some just have much more disposable income than others.

Honestly, I don't see a lot of difference between ham and gaming. There are stereotypes but many are normal and hardworking people who just like to spend their free time on a hobby they enjoy. Then again...my thinking their normal may not give them any credibility. :P

They I cant eat, sleep, etc until I unlock this, kill this guy, make my level type are like those that refuse to sleep if there is an all night contest.

As for websites like this one. Well, yes, I ran one for years. It too was more or less a misfit site too. However, sites of this size and type are normally for clans or guilds. Mainstream sites have massive active membership. However, I would compare the content worth to that of the zed. Which is why I like smaller sites that are not main stream.

Sites and even game servers differ widely even when they are the same game. Depending on if they are an open license, legacy, bootleg, mainstream, etc.

Bootleg games and sites have their appeal to the masses as well. However, they normally don't run for very long. Either their ISP shuts them down or they get mass DOS.

In reality it is like a world of its own. If one does not realize that it isn't reality it can and will cause problems.

[WX7P]

Yep, and if you didn't quite make it on score, you were always praying for a match.

I completely forgot about that!

I got pretty good at some of those games. There was one called Strike!, it was a bowling themed pinball machine that I could play for hours. I'd often leave with games left on the machine.

I think that's the reason I didn't like Space Invaders or any of the new video games. No chance for a free game.

[KB3LAZ]

I completely forgot about that!

I got pretty good at some of those games. There was one called Strike!, it was a bowling themed pinball machine that I could play for hours. I'd often leave with games left on the machine.

I think that's the reason I didn't like Space Invaders or any of the new video games. No chance for a free game.

I haven't played pinball in years. I used to play while waiting for league at the bowling alley. They also used to have some sort of table bowling game. There was a metal disk and metal pins. You'd have to slide it to knock the pins over. For the life of me, I can't remember the name.

[K7SGJ]

I completely forgot about that!

I got pretty good at some of those games. There was one called Strike!, it was a bowling themed pinball machine that I could play for hours. I'd often leave with games left on the machine.

I think that's the reason I didn't like Space Invaders or any of the new video games. No chance for a free game.

I never did get into "modern" gaming, although I've always liked Flight Simulator, but it's been ages since I've played that one, too.

One of the old pinball machines I played for hours was one of the baseball type. The joystick was shaped like a Louisville Slugger, and when the pinball was pitched to you, (you had buttons to press for fastball, curve, etc.) it either went down holes at 1st, 2nd, to the outfield and so on, or if you hit one of a couple of small ramps just right, it would go into the stands and be a homer. If you got a grand slam, the free game counter would go off like crazy. I always loved that rather "hollow" sound when it went off.

[suddenseer]

Wow. That's interesting.

It must be a generational issue, but I never got the gaming thing.

I worked for Atari in 1980 when they were cranking out tons of the 2600 machine, so I had exposure to those as well as the stand up games like Asteroids. I preferred pinball.

I worked with a guy a few years ago who was really into gaming. That's all he did on his off time. It was THE issue in his divorce and was causing major problems with his teenage daughter who was basically neglected by all the gaming.

What is it, some kind of endorphin rush?

Forgive the dumb questions, but how does the pay thing work? Do you pay for the length of time playing? Do pay money if you lose? How do you spend so much money on this stuff?

This. I am a pinball junkie. I was forced to sell my Bally Elton John machine several years ago. I never got into video games because it is a representation on a screen of an imaginary scenario (to me). Pinball is a real steel ball hitting real targets. The rush of a high score is probably shared with video gaming enthusiasts. No judgement of video gaming from me, it's all good.

[KB3LAZ]

I don't game much these days. Rarely actually. I still have an obsession with Manga and Anime though. Particularly "Mecha" (robotic, normally giant robotic suits being controlled by humans). Though, I do like anything that involves vampires, dragons, magic, ninja, or samurai. On occasion knights are acceptable. This normally involves magic though. Romance is good too but often times the plot lacks. Besides, most anime involves romance as it is.

I tend to prefer off the wall non mainstream stuff but some semi mainstream stuff and a limited number of mainstream shows are good. However, loner series tend to be drab after the first few arch's. 12, 15, and 50 ep sets are the best. IMO Inuyasha was the best long anime.

PS: I cant be the only manga/anime fan around here.