What's with all the pointless games?

[Otto]

By this, I mean games that have no really defined goal, and which people claim are just as fun even if you lose or indeed suck at it. These sorts of games put more emphasis on "fun" instead of actually having any sort of accomplishment.

I refer to games like Guitar Hero, or that Nintendo game with the bongos, or some (not all) of the games I've seen on Wii.

Of course, the granddaddy of the genre is, naturally, Dance Dance Revolution.

In these games, the "goal" is to basically hit specific targets at specific times to gain points and such. However, failure to gain these points has no downside other than a lower score. You don't actually advance in any major way by hitting these targets. The "fun" is, as far as I can tell, derived from looking like a moron while attempting to hit them.

Needless to say, I don't get it.

The games are not fun to watch. The games are not fun to play. As far as I can tell, they are not fun in any actual way whatsoever, and yet some people seem to think they are. I don't understand why. They're *boring*. More to the point, all of the "fun" that these games create is in no way related to the actual game.

Take Guitar Hero, for example. The goal is to basically hit buttons on the controller in sync with the music, much as you would hit the floor pads in DDR. And of course, you can dance around like an idiot in the process, even though this is totally gratuitous and not part of the game in any actual way. Dance or don't, it matters not at all to the actual game itself. Now, I don't get why this would be fun, but to each his own.. However, you can dance like an idiot without the game too, if you consider that fun. The game is irrelevant, almost secondary.

These are like games for people who don't really like games. These people don't enjoy actual games, but they still want to play games, so they made games that were not actually real games in any meaningful sense.

Anyway, just to have discussion and controversy, I'll add that all these people suck. ;)

[Man In Black]

DDR is fun. Sometimes games that don't have a specific goal or point are fun.

[Lord_Skywalker]

Take Guitar Hero, for example. The goal is to basically hit buttons on the controller in sync with the music, much as you would hit the floor pads in DDR.

Have you even played any of the games in question? Or are you just making a blanket statement on these games. I kinda was of the same opinion with Guitar Hero. Then I went to my brother's house over Xmas and played it with my nephew and then with my brother. The game is actually quite fun to play. And it's not just hitting the correct button on the neck of the guitar, you also have to hit the strum key at the base at the same time also. It's very much like a real guitar, IMO. I went ahead and picked one up after playing the game.

And with DDR, I just don't like to dance and that game is too much like dancing to me. I once saw some kids at a local arcade playing on one of the big DDR machines. They were frackin' amazing, his feet were moving so goddamn fast, he actually had to hold onto the support bars of the machine to keep going.

[Gus]

Your premise in incorrect. These games are fun for a lot of people. Fun need not have a point.

[Otto]

Have you even played any of the games in question?
Yes, I have, and I have enjoyed none of them. I don't see the point. They're *dull*.

And it's not just hitting the correct button on the neck of the guitar, you also have to hit the strum key at the base at the same time also.
I am fully aware of that, thus the word "basically" in the bit you quoted. Why must people on the internet take everything so word-for-word literally? The specific details of gameplay are not the point of what I was saying.

It's very much like a real guitar, IMO.
Yes, except without the socially redeeming aspects or sense of accomplishment. :p

[Man In Black]

And playing a guitar is much harder.

[testify4]

I like both styles of games. I play World of Warcraft, which is totally goal based. I also like Half Life 2, Saints Row, and other games where you need FPS skills to survive and explore areas.

Other times, I just want to veg out and not worry about goals, or deal with "easy" goals. I will pop in Lego Star Wars or even play Uno on XBL to have something to do, but not worry about epic levelling or tasks.

[Makita]

Donkey-Konga is Fun and the 'Goal' is to un-lock the next levels, with higher and higher scores. I am assuming, that once you un-lock all of the levels and have a Gold in all of them you 'Win'.

I have always thought games like this were akin to Bowling or Golf. You play to play and try to get a better score each time. Kind of a Competition against yourself kinda thing. (like Jogging - Pointless, but fun for some people)

[IndyJones1023]

The world doesn't revolve around you, Otto.

[Skittles]

These sorts of games put more emphasis on "fun" instead of actually having any sort of accomplishment.The thing is, Otto.... sometimes the "fun" is all the accomplishment a person needs.

There are times when gamers want to sit down and get into brutal combat with an opponent in an attempt to reach an "end point". There are times you want to sit down and solve a few puzzles. And sometimes, you just want to sit down and play only for the sake of playing.

That's why these games are there.

The games are not fun to watch. The games are not fun to play. In your opinion, you mean.

While I personally agree that the games aren't that fun to watch, since the enjoyment of the "pointless" games comes from getting involved with it, I find many of these games fun to play. So do lots of folks. That's why Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero sell so well, and have a rabid fan base. Because sometimes, gamers don't need goals, checkpoints, puzzles, accomplishments, or anything like that. Sometimes, you just want to game for the sake of personal enjoyment, and that's why these games exist.

As far as I can tell, they are not fun in any actual way whatsoever, and yet some people seem to think they are. I don't understand why. They're *boring*. More to the point, all of the "fun" that these games create is in no way related to the actual game. Again, in your opinion. But Guitar Hero and DDR are both franchises that sell millions upon millions of dollars worth of software. That's not just a fluke.

All the fun in Guitar Hero *is* in playing. It's acting like you're playing a guitar, enjoying the music that's playing in the background, and just grooving. It's not boring for those people. It's just boring for you.

These are like games for people who don't really like games. These people don't enjoy actual games, but they still want to play games, so they made games that were not actually real games in any meaningful sense.Wow Otto, generalize much? :rolleyes:

There are PLENTY of gamers who enjoy "actual" games while still enjoying Guitar Hero or DDR.

All games, in the end, are pointless. Even if there's a goal. Even if there's a finish line. Because in the end, video games are just software. They're entertainment. And no matter what game you're playing ("actual" or "pointless", as you've put it), when you walk away from the game, the only thing you have left is the memory of the experience. And as long as that memory is one of enjoyment, what's the problem?

I get what you were probably trying to say. Those games aren't just for you. That's all good. But to make sweeping generalizations like you do isn't right.

[Otto]

But to make sweeping generalizations like you do isn't right.
Bah. People who disagree with me are wrong.

;)

[Marc]

As far as Dance Dance Revolution goes, we had a full arcade game in our old home, and despite its entertainment value with our family and with guests, it was a wonderful piece of exercise equipment.

[Mikkel_Knight]

The games are not fun to watch. The games are not fun to play. As far as I can tell, they are not fun in any actual way whatsoever, and yet some people seem to think they are. I don't understand why. They're *boring*. More to the point, all of the "fun" that these games create is in no way related to the actual game.
Listening to someone talk about their profession regardless of how passionate they are about it. You talk about emulators and E-macs. To me, that's just boring and old - why and how you even can remotely think it's interesting is beyond me. It's an old-fashioned relic that belongs in a museum, not anywhere near todays technology and "standards". It's *boring* to the max.

My point?

Different strokes for different folks. Some people like getting up at the ass crack of dawn, go outside to the middle of nowhere, stand up in a tree, douse themselves is deer piss and hunt. *boring* Me? I'll hunt in the freezer section or meat counter of my grocery store. Save me time, money, I'll be warmer and won't stink to high hell.

Some people like gardening and lawn care. *boring*

All it is is different strokes Otto. Just because you don't "get it", doesn't mean that someone else doesn't. It's all in what interests you as an individual... You may not find it fun, but someone else might. And saying that you're right and they're wrong is very small-minded and selfish.

[Man In Black]

Er....I think you're taking Otto a bit too seriously.:wackyerr:

[Jobeth66]

Oh, and for those that think these "pointless" games are boring to watch?

I'll disagree. I enjoy watching them.

[Mikkel_Knight]

Oh, and for those that think these "pointless" games are boring to watch?

I'll disagree. I enjoy watching them.
Watching the games, or watching the people playing the games. I think watching the people playing the games is more amusing than the game itself... :2funny:

[Gai-jin]

Otto -- Are you familiar with the game Simon? It's been around for as long as I can remember, and people still buy and play it. It's even available in the arcade section of this web site.

Would you consider that fun?

It is, essentially, the same game as DDR, but without the fancy graphics and special effects.

[Jobeth66]

Watching the games, or watching the people playing the games. I think watching the people playing the games is more amusing than the game itself... :2funny:

Oh, hell yes.

:)

The COD guys are used to hearing me laugh by now. :)

[SoupMan]

The COD guys are used to hearing me laugh by now. :)


That's the best part of being on Jack's team!:)

[doom1701]

Otto -- Are you familiar with the game Simon? It's been around for as long as I can remember, and people still buy and play it. It's even available in the arcade section of this web site.


I was thinking along the same lines. Was "Pong" a game? After all, the purpose was to bounce the giant pixel to the other side of the screen, so the computer or opponent could return it, so you could start the whole process all over again. Talk about pointless...

[Lori]

I loved pong.

Double pong was the best, though.

Sigh.

I loved 1975. :)

[doom1701]

I loved pong.

Double pong was the best, though.

Sigh.

I loved 1975. :)

So did I--I was allowed to poop my pants, I played and slept all day, and I ate until I was full.

Being 1 was a wonderful time. :)

[Marc]

So did I--I was allowed to poop my pants, I played and slept all day, and I ate until I was full.

Being 1 was a wonderful time. :)
Uh oh... someone's getting cranky! Is it nap-time for little doomy? :D

[TreborPugly]

Okay, somebody better at internet searching than me find some of those videos of DDR guys kicking but in the Arcade. They do it fast, they do it as part of an overall dance routine, and they do it without looking at the game..

Ever play Twister, Otto? Not much point to that game other than feeling goofy and falling over. But a great game.

[Man In Black]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0gh6hzs_7Kc

http://youtube.com/watch?v=crEz8i6oVpI


I've seen better ones, but I cant find them right now.