The Time I Was a Social Outcast

[thatsthespirit]

The Time I Was a Social Outcast

Seduce Me made Ed Smith feel horrible about himself, and that's why he loves it.

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[newwiseman]

When I first heard about this game I wrote it off as a dating sim, but after that article I kind of want to play it. Especially since I am an average looking 26 year old guy who hasn't had so much as a date in over 9 years...

 

[grigjd3]

Referring to a woman, rather real or digital, as a member of a group called "the ladies" only enhances your argument that you can't get along with "the ladies". I've never been particularly good with women myself, but that's largely been due to a difference in what I look for in life and what people are looking for when they go to the kinds of bars where they might hook up with someone. Still, I can have some sympathy. I've had unanswered crushes and I believe that the reality is most people aren't leading nearly as interesting a sex life as one might be lead to believe. This game (granted, I haven't played it) doesn't seem to speak to the reality of sex but rather to some imagined reality of sex.

Anyhow, the biggest problems I ever had in dating was that I sometimes wasn't honest with myself about who I was. When I tried to be someone else, I found myself in embarrassing situations or, worse, in places that I very much regret later on. Given what you've written, the fantasy of this game seems particularly dangerous in some cases because it seems to have affected you in a way that reaffirms your illusions about yourself and the world in general. It's much simpler in life to find what makes you happy and go with that.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I tried to play the game but the massive scenes of text put me off. A shame because I am pretty good with women IRL, I might be good at this game.

 

[Realitycrash]

So, what you are saying is that you suck at card-games, and the consequences of said sucking remembered you of a real-life experience?
Uh, okey. Well, I feel bad for you, but..Flirting isn't a card-game? I'm really unsure what exactly you are trying to communicate here.

 

[hazydawn]

" It's a kind of sociopathic impulse where, after enough time, you set up a mental apartheid between yourself, a poorly, celibate loser, and them, the bonking masses that you're not a part of."

Shit, thats me... with the exception that I got even more mental problems!

So, what you are saying is that you suck at card-games, and the consequences of said sucking remembered you of a real-life experience?
Uh, okey. Well, I feel bad for you, but..Flirting isn't a card-game? I'm really unsure what exactly you are trying to communicate here.

Maybe that you never know what kind of emotional experience you get from a game?
"Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." Forest Gump
...or a box of ammo

 

[Proverbial Jon]

Yep, I can pretty much relate to this whole article. Only difference is that I have really never cared about being a loser. It makes it so much easier when you can just let go.

I much prefer games that make me actually feel something. The Walking Dead was the last game that really affected me. I was emotionally exhausted after every episode but damn I kept coming back for more!

 

[Lord Draenor]

Somehow, although I can completely empathize with you having been in a similar situation, I was smiling through the whole read. I guess knowing that other people can be just as miserable helps. 10x dude

 

[Olas]

I can relate to OP to a degree, though my social skills are dramatically worse than his. At least you went to school dances with members of the opposite sex and the fact that you know you're a bad flirter/dancer/kisser means you've at least tried all of those before. Though I'm not complaining, I never really cared or even wanted to be in a relationship and eventually just got over all the social stigma..

I don't think a game like this would bother me though, it would just feel like another story set in a fantasy world with no connection to the real me, especially considering the fact that it's based around a card game, I mean seriously? If real life dating was as simple as a game of texas hold''em I might have actually given it a try.

 

[Strazdas]

you went to discos, you followed your university friends (you had some), you were far from being a social outcast. you have no right to complain.
Meanwhile, this article reminded me of my own experiences with women. it shed a tear.

 

[manic_depressive13]

...effortlessly gliding from one vagina to another.

Is that really an appropriate way to describe having one night stands? Because here I was under the impression that reducing a woman to her body parts was called objectification. I found that line extremely disgusting.

 

[Arakasi]

...effortlessly gliding from one vagina to another.

Is that really an appropriate way to describe having one night stands? Because here I was under the impression that reducing a woman to her body parts was called objectification. I found that line extremely disgusting.

All people are are body parts. Besides, that line fits in with the tone of the review, and the first person perspective. That's all you'd hear, the forever alone college student, snippets of stories about how someone 'banged a chick last night' so the resonable assumption is that this chick has a vagina, and that's where the assumptions end.

Anyhow, as for the review, really clever way of taking that game. One of the most interesting reviews I've read for a game actually, even though it was realistically less to do with the game and more to do with how it made you as a social outcast.

 

[frobalt]

I must admit, I'm a bit surprised the devs of that didn't make the game so easy that it's basically just interactive porn.

especially considering the fact that it's based around a card game, I mean seriously? If real life dating was as simple as a game of texas hold''em I might have actually given it a try.

Based on what the review about it says, it sounds like the card games are merely a metaphor for how to talk to women, with the cards you play representing what you'd respond with. I'm guessing that scores would represent how pleased the woman is with what you're 'saying' to her.

In real life, I think it's all confidence, though. The couple of times I've pulled in clubs I wasn't actually trying. Just got chatting to them and somehow things ended up back at theirs (Although I was far too drunk in both circumstances to remember what I actually said).

 

[BeastofShadow]

Really enjoyable read but it made me think of a tangent. Does the escapist still do the themed "magazines" that it used to? Haven't seen one in awhile.

 

[Seventh Actuality]

Hahahahahaha...sorry dude, props for writing this because I'm sure it took some serious balls, but this is the most I've laughed at something non-ZP on this site...ever.

...effortlessly gliding from one vagina to another.

Is that really an appropriate way to describe having one night stands? Because here I was under the impression that reducing a woman to her body parts was called objectification. I found that line extremely disgusting.

In fairness I think this part is supposed to convey how it seemed to a bunch of young assholes at the time, not the writer's current perspective. Still probably shouldn't have made it into the final draft.

 

[darknight910]

"People are strange, when you're a stranger. Faces look ugly when you're alone. Women seem wicked when you're unwanted. Streets are uneven when you're down."

 

[Full]

I just don't see the necessity to feel that way. According to the popularized definition I'm pretty much in loser territory according to you clean socialites (especially so I've been told).

Now I know there are issues that prevent people from blocking this kind of stuff out, so this can't apply to everyone, but the way I see it is; I was put on this planet, and between now and the second my heart stops I will either enjoy myself or I won't. This is coming from a very disgusting human being, at least from what I think.