Why do YOU Play?

[EDUSAN]

Age: 27
Gender: Male
Level of Education: Finished university in a computer/economics career (dont know the name in english sorry)

1) How did you first get into video gaming?
My parents bought a 286 PC when i was young

2) What was your motivation to begin gaming?
its a game like any other. I was little and it was a game/toy

3) Why do you continue to play video games?
because i still like to play

4) What is your motivation to play multiplayer games?
i dont do much multipayer games, but when i do its normally for fun playing with closed friends. sometimes it may get competitive and i want to improve

5) Do you consider gaming to be a social activity? Why or why not?
Not enterily, but sorta

6) Do you have an active social life outside of gaming?
Not as much as i would like honestly

7) Do you feel that multiplayer gaming has altered your social abilities? If so, how?
Yes i do, dont know if that is the real cause or the most important one, but i do feel it did altered it a bit

8) Do you have any friends you do not interact with outside of video gaming?
yeah, a couple, not close friends though. My closes friends i have met them prior to playing videogames with them, but in the end we ended up doing that together too

9) Has video gaming ever hindered you in any way?
same answer as question 7. No idea what else are you refering to

10) Do you consider yourself to be a sociable person?
yes, easy-going at least.

11) Will/do you allow your children to become gamers? If so, to what degree?
of course. to the degree they want.

12) Why do you play single player games?
because they are normally more fun and more well done, better stories

13) Do you ever use single-player games as a substitute for social interaction?
why would i do that? its single player... its like reading a book or watching a movie alone

14) Do you prefer classic single player or multiplayer gaming, or MMO’s? What makes this game design better in your opinion?
I find myself playing more single player than multiplayer, although i had played multiplayer games too for long times too.
sometimes the game just feels right for me and i play it

15) Have video games improved your life in any way?
i dont think it has, i do feel a bit more open-minded because i can feel as much joy or commitment playing a videogame as watching a good movie and i see how other people cant understand that.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Age: 47...
Gender: Male...
Level of Education: BS in Business Management...
1) How did you first get into video gaming? Original Doom...
2) What was your motivation to begin gaming? Saw it and wanted to try...
3) Why do you continue to play video games? Escapism...
4) What is your motivation to play multiplayer games? Not my first choice by a long shot...
5) Do you consider gaming to be a social activity? Why or why not? If you play multiplayer...
6) Do you have an active social life outside of gaming? Yep...
7) Do you feel that multiplayer gaming has altered your social abilities? If so, how?
8) Do you have any friends you do not interact with outside of video gaming? Not at all...
9) Has video gaming ever hindered you in any way? No, not really...
10) Do you consider yourself to be a sociable person? Very...
11) Will/do you allow your children to become gamers? If so, to what degree? My son is an AVID gamer...
12) Why do you play single player games? Can play any time I want...
13) Do you ever use single-player games as a substitute for social interaction? Nope...
14) Do you prefer classic single player or multiplayer gaming, or MMO’s? Yes...
What makes this game design better in your opinion? Can just play whenever you like...
15) Have video games improved your life in any way? They are are good stress reliever...

 

[crownjules]

Age: 30
Gender: Male
Level of Education: Bachelor's
1) Atari 2600 was a Christmas present from my parents
2) I probably had played arcade games as a young child thinking they looked cool.
3) The challenge of the game, the entertainment in their stories and environments, and the social and competitive aspects of multiplayer games.
4) Challenge of playing other humans and the social factor of playing with friends.
5) Yes, if you play with the same strangers online for long enough you do eventually become friendly. Likewise, you can enjoy games with "IRL" friends as a fun activity or all play on the console together in the same room.
6) Yes, regularly go out with friends to events.
7) Yes, I don't necessarily have to go out to meet up with friends and feel social. I can choose to stay in and not spend nearly as much money (booze, event fees, etc) and still feel like I'm socializing.
8) Yes
9) Once in awhile I just feel like playing a game rather than going out.
10) Yes
11) Yes but they won't get a system until they're at least 8-10 years old and have had a chance to develop some social skills.
12) These are usually detailed RPGs with engaging stories.
13) No
14) Multiplayer
15) The only way I'd imagine they've improved me is better hand-eye coordination.

 

[veri745]

We are studying the motivations of gamers and the impact of gaming on their lives.
Age: ~30
Gender: M
Level of Education: B.S.
1) How did you first get into video gaming?
Oregon trail in elementary school
2) What was your motivation to begin gaming?
Pretty lights
3) Why do you continue to play video games?
I can't stop myself
4) What is your motivation to play multiplayer games?
Interaction with other people
5) Do you consider gaming to be a social activity? Why or why not?
Yes, Some of my best friends and conversations happen while gaming
6) Do you have an active social life outside of gaming?
No
7) Do you feel that multiplayer gaming has altered your social abilities? If so, how?
Yes
8) Do you have any friends you do not interact with outside of video gaming?
Yes, several
9) Has video gaming ever hindered you in any way?
Failed a couple classes in college because of WoW or new games that were just released, but other than that, not really
10) Do you consider yourself to be a sociable person?
Not really
11) Will/do you allow your children to become gamers? If so, to what degree?
Yes, I would encourage my children to game, it's been a great experience for me.
12) Why do you play single player games?
Usually better story
13) Do you ever use single-player games as a substitute for social interaction?
Gaming is social interaction
14) Do you prefer classic single player or multiplayer gaming, or MMO’s? What makes this game design better in your opinion?
Definitely MMOs, you can play them forever and never really win, so it's infinite replayability.
15) Have video games improved your life in any way?
Yes, many of my friends are from gaming. Most of my best memories are about video games I've played.
Thank you for your participation!

See ---^

 

[KidNiki1]

Age: 41
Gender: Female
Level of Education: bachelor's degree
1) How did you first get into video gaming? when atari first came out my parents got one for me and my younger brothers for christmas one year. been playing ever since.
2) What was your motivation to begin gaming? none, see #1
3) Why do you continue to play video games? entertainment and time spent with friends.
4) What is your motivation to play multiplayer games? chill with my friends
5) Do you consider gaming to be a social activity? Why or why not? it can be yes. if you play mostly single player games then no. i play mostly multiplayer or co-op games so yes, it is a social activity for me.
6) Do you have an active social life outside of gaming? active life, yes. social? not really.
7) Do you feel that multiplayer gaming has altered your social abilities? If so, how? not really.
8) Do you have any friends you do not interact with outside of video gaming? pretty much most of my friends are my gaming friends.
9) Has video gaming ever hindered you in any way? for a while, yeah. got time-sucked into WoW big time for a little bit. affected me and my life a bit negatively
10) Do you consider yourself to be a sociable person? never been overly sociable. im not really anti-social. just shy and uncomfortable around people i don't know.
11) Will/do you allow your children to become gamers? If so, to what degree? they both already play games quite a bit.
12) Why do you play single player games? to get away from stress
13) Do you ever use single-player games as a substitute for social interaction? sometimes i dont feel like dealing with people so i game...i guess that's a yes?
14) Do you prefer classic single player or multiplayer gaming, or MMO’s? What makes this game design better in your opinion? i prefer to game with other people, specifically my friends, not so much random people. i dont think the game design is any better or worse. its just the way i game. sometimes i play games where there are other people but i dont interact with them. that doesnt have anything to do with the game design for me.
15) Have video games improved your life in any way? improved? i've met some people i would consider very good friends, so yes.

 

[Rotax]

We are student researchers based in Orange County who are studying the psychological impact of gaming on social interaction in real life and the use of video games as a substitute for real life social interaction. All replies are anonymous, and we will not be publishing the results other than in our class project.

TLDR: students working on a school project

aren't games part of real life, which also include social interaction?

i guess i don't like the wording of this; seems like its trying to tell the world how lazy/worthless/unmotivated a gamer is in society..

something seems anti-gamer about it...

 

[MrWizzard]

We are student researchers based in Orange County who are studying the psychological impact of gaming on social interaction in real life and the use of video games as a substitute for real life social interaction. All replies are anonymous, and we will not be publishing the results other than in our class project.

TLDR: students working on a school project

Well if you consider video games and multiplayer video games a substitute for real like social interaction. Then would this survey being done on a forum be a substitute for a REAL LIFE survey being done in real life social interaction situations?

Do you feel that by doing a survey through forums instead of talking to people on the street your social skills have been hampered?

 

[thespyder]

We are student researchers based in Orange County who are studying the psychological impact of gaming on social interaction in real life and the use of video games as a substitute for real life social interaction. All replies are anonymous, and we will not be publishing the results other than in our class project.

TLDR: students working on a school project

Just a few points I feel obliged to mention. In the first place, your stated thesis would appear to be jaded as you would appear to be anticipating a negative impact. Would recommend that you re-evaluate and start from a more neutral perspective and let the research dictate your end points, not formulate a conclusion and then attempt to pick and choose data that supports it.

Second, While I applaud your initiative in approaching this forum (and presumably others), your sample is severely tainted as this is a Tech web site and more likely to have a limited demographic from which to draw. You are likely to get results geared towards a certain end, even if that end is not representative of gamers as a whole. Posting in the PC Game sub-forum further taints your results as it limits your pool of gamers to primarily PC gamers.

 

[Aikouka]

Age: 27
Gender: Male
Level of Education: Bachelor's
1) Nintendo console
2) It was a fun and interactive activity.
3) They are still fun and challenging. Sometimes they can also serve as a good time waster.
4) That really depends on the game itself. Sometimes, the game is co-op oriented, and I'll play with real-life friends or online friends.
5) Yes. Although, I miss the fact that before the Internet became prevalent in gaming, people used to get together to play games. It's a ton more fun to have a LAN party or bring controllers over to a friend's place, and poke fun at others! (Of course it's all in good fun.)
6) Yes. I've typically kept to myself, and I don't think gaming really made that aspect of myself any worse.
7) No. I was fairly quiet, and I still am. Some may try and tell me that I've prioritized "the game" over real-life people, but that's typically prioritizing other group members over real-life people. It's usually a numbers game (9 vs. 1), and the fact that these people are also putting in their time, which I should respect. Although, if someone were to ask me today (Thursday) to do something next Tuesday, I would have no problem with telling me guild that I cannot raid. It's more than enough time, and we aren't attendance-mongers.
8) Yes. However, these are people that I would strictly refer to as "online friends" as I met them online, and pretty much kept it that way.
9) No. I started playing World of Warcraft in college, and I actually achieved my highest grades while playing. This was also during my junior and senior years, which included more difficult courses.
10) No. However, I would like to make note that I've always been introverted. I recall my kindergarten report card stating that the teacher was worried because I almost never played with the other children.
11) Sure. If they are interested in an activity, I would like to help foster their growth whether it is digital or not.
12) They usually provide a good experience whether it is visually (a great story, etc.) or difficulty.
13) I don't recall a time when I've told someone that I couldn't spend time with them because I was playing a single player game.
14) This depends on the game itself.
15) Not really. I don't think they've really impacted me either way unless you count the fact that they cost me money!

 

[shortylickens]

Cuz I'm a fat bald loser and cant get any fucking pussy. Thats why.
NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!

 

[tornadog]

Age: 46
Gender: Unknown
Level of Education: High SchooL Dropout
1) How did you first get into video gaming? arcade
2) What was your motivation to begin gaming? popularity in class
3) Why do you continue to play video games? because I am unemployed and need something to kill time
4) What is your motivation to play multiplayer games? to cuss young kids and harrass girls
5) Do you consider gaming to be a social activity? Why or why not? its social as long as I am winning
6) Do you have an active social life outside of gaming? No
7) Do you feel that multiplayer gaming has altered your social abilities? If so, how? it makes me feel wanted, and the people I play with judge me only by my skills in the game and not my general social background
8) Do you have any friends you do not interact with outside of video gaming? all of them
9) Has video gaming ever hindered you in any way? yes it prevented me from getting a real job
10) Do you consider yourself to be a sociable person? yes but others dont
11) Will/do you allow your children to become gamers? If so, to what degree? if I have children which is a big IF, I will surely, will have lan parties all day
12) Why do you play single player games? to feel good after beating them
13) Do you ever use single-player games as a substitute for social interaction? No
14) Do you prefer classic single player or multiplayer gaming, or MMO’s? What makes this game design better in your opinion? I dont care
15) Have video games improved your life in any way? No

 

[Destiny]

Just a few points I feel obliged to mention. In the first place, your stated thesis would appear to be jaded as you would appear to be anticipating a negative impact. Would recommend that you re-evaluate and start from a more neutral perspective and let the research dictate your end points, not formulate a conclusion and then attempt to pick and choose data that supports it.

Second, While I applaud your initiative in approaching this forum (and presumably others), your sample is severely tainted as this is a Tech web site and more likely to have a limited demographic from which to draw. You are likely to get results geared towards a certain end, even if that end is not representative of gamers as a whole. Posting in the PC Game sub-forum further taints your results as it limits your pool of gamers to primarily PC gamers.

^ This... and

Free iPod?

 

[litttlechica]

Age: 24
Gender: F
Level of Education: bachelor's in electrical engineering
1) How did you first get into video gaming? family bought an N64
2) What was your motivation to begin gaming? dont remember
3) Why do you continue to play video games? find them enjoyable
4) What is your motivation to play multiplayer games? like the social factor
5) Do you consider gaming to be a social activity? Why or why not? yes - it depends on what kind of game you are playing but i prefer multiplayer or mmo
6) Do you have an active social life outside of gaming? yes
7) Do you feel that multiplayer gaming has altered your social abilities? If so, how? no
8) Do you have any friends you do not interact with outside of video gaming? yes
9) Has video gaming ever hindered you in any way? no.. i've spent too much time playing but it was a choice, not a hindrance
10) Do you consider yourself to be a sociable person? yes
11) Will/do you allow your children to become gamers? If so, to what degree? yes - not sure yet but i won't support the habit/spoil them so they can learn to earn it when they are old enough.
12) Why do you play single player games? i usually dont but some like zelda are fun because it's an adventure and a classic game series
13) Do you ever use single-player games as a substitute for social interaction? no
14) Do you prefer classic single player or multiplayer gaming, or MMO’s? What makes this game design better in your opinion? i like mmos most, multiplayer is runner up. i like having someone or multiple people to interact with while i play
15) Have video games improved your life in any way? i think theyve broadened my horizons - ive met some cool people and always had (and still have) fun

 

[Red Hawk]

First of all, I just want to remind you that polling users on a tech website's forum is rather inaccurate, unscientific way to go about this. But whatever, I'll answer the questions for fun.

Age: 20
Gender: Male
Level of Education: Currently studying to get a bachelor's degree.

1) How did you first get into video gaming?

My parents bought simple educational games for me when I was in kindergarten, such as the Jumpstart games or Math Blaster. As I got older I played games focused more on entertainment than education.

2) What was your motivation to begin gaming?

Personally? Games were fun to play, simple.

3) Why do you continue to play video games?

Several reasons:
1. Experiencing a story outside of mundane normal life.
2. Partially controlling that story and shaping its outcome.
3. The enjoyable adrenaline rush from battling in video games.

4) What is your motivation to play multiplayer games?

I don't play very many multiplayer games; in the past couple years the only games I've really played multiplayer are Sins of A Solar Empire and Mass Effect 3. I play multiplayer on those because I have friends I met outside of gaming that also play. I wouldn't play multiplayer if my friends didn't.

5) Do you consider gaming to be a social activity? Why or why not?

It can be, much like a movie is not a social activity by itself but going to see a movie with a group of people is. I usually don't experience games as a "social activity" though.

6) Do you have an active social life outside of gaming?

Yes.

7) Do you feel that multiplayer gaming has altered your social abilities? If so, how?

No, because I don't play multiplayer very much.

8) Do you have any friends you do not interact with outside of video gaming?

No.

9) Has video gaming ever hindered you in any way?

In a way, yes. There have been times when I have played games when I really should have been spending time on more important responsibilities. But I think that's just an aspect of my personality, procrastination; I just as easily waste time on the internet or simply daydreaming.

10) Do you consider yourself to be a sociable person?

I'm a bit introverted, but I don't blame gaming for that.

11) Will/do you allow your children to become gamers? If so, to what degree?

Yes, of course. I'll probably use gaming as a tool for education, just like my parents did.

12) Why do you play single player games?

For the same reasons that I stated above.

Several reasons:
1. Experiencing a story outside of mundane normal life.
2. Partially controlling that story and shaping its outcome.
3. The enjoyable adrenaline rush from battling in video games.

13) Do you ever use single-player games as a substitute for social interaction?

No.

14) Do you prefer classic single player or multiplayer gaming, or MMO’s? What makes this game design better in your opinion?

Single player. I love storytelling in video games, and single player is the best way to tell a story in video games in my opinion.

15) Have video games improved your life in any way?

Well, they did help my kindergarten/early elementary education. Other than that, no, aside from providing hours upon hours of entertainment.

Thank you for your participation!

You're welcome.

 

[dhhsresearch]

Thank you all for your answers, and to anyone who posts in the future. I would like to point out that this study is not contained to this site, and that we are not anticipating a completely negative result. We are also taking replies from forums including Nintendo fansites, the official EA forums, xbox fansites, the Bioware forums, and live at a location of "Howie's Game Shack", a gaming-only internet cafe. Your answers have been good so far, and they have been interesting when compared with the replies on console and developer-specific forums. Again, thank you for your replies and for your advice.
Sorry we can't give you a free ipod. We would if we had the money.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Thank you all for your answers, and to anyone who posts in the future. I would like to point out that this study is not contained to this site, and that we are not anticipating a completely negative result. We are also taking replies from forums including Nintendo fansites, the official EA forums, xbox fansites, the Bioware forums, and live at a location of "Howie's Game Shack", a gaming-only internet cafe. Your answers have been good so far, and they have been interesting when compared with the replies on console and developer-specific forums. Again, thank you for your replies and for your advice.
Sorry we can't give you a free ipod. We would if we had the money.

I revoke my answers then

 

[Gordon Freemen]

Who are you and how do you use the info?

Good to see someone ASKING questions first instead of Unwittingly & frivolously just giving up there personal information at a whim.

 

[coldmeat]

Good to see someone ASKING questions first instead of Unwittingly & frivolously just giving up there personal information at a whim.

lol

 

[Red Hawk]

Good to see someone ASKING questions first instead of Unwittingly & frivolously just giving up there personal information at a whim.

Because giving away my gender and age is SO risky. By the way, how's the welding going?