Affection for a program

[The_Healer]

Thats pretty funny.

I suggest you do the manly thing and never mention this ever again.

Ever.

To get this out of the way, your profile pic is (with cheesy enthusiasm) AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

As I said earlier, what with the swords and fire and such, I don't want to hear it. I don't want you to tell me to shut up and be masculine and contain all of my emotions. I show emotion much more than most men do, and I would like for you to respect that. I'm not a "pussy", I have done pointless guy-ish things like fighting before. I love doing martial arts. I have fought twice, and while I hated it, I won both times. I do plenty of "manly" things. If I am not "manly" enough for your standards, just don't talk to me. Nothing is making you.

Slow down there fella, I wasn't calling you un-manly. It was just a suggestion. Its like if you find yourself liking one of your friend's girlfriends, you just shut up about it. Unless of course you want to fight shephard for her... which I wouldn't recommend.

Its your right to be emotionally expressive after all, I just prefer good old manly values. And steak. [sub]Mmmmm Steak....[/sub]

 

[A Passe Adesse]

I have never felt this way towards what I know is a fictional character consisting of a stream of ones and zeroes.

Don't forget that the character consists of a lot more than "a stream of ones and zeroes". The whole is more than a sum of it's parts. Those ones and zeroes mean something, be in an aspect of physical design, the voice files, or whatever. Someone had to forge the design for that whole. Another person had to write the character for that design. Someone had to record the dialogue for said character.

Granted, yes, she is a ficticious character and maintaining a constant affection for such a figure is not exactly healthy. I'm just said that, ficticious or not, she IS a character.

You are so not helping him get over this.

Now, now, he is doing his best. I agree with him, she is a character and does have meaning. That is perfectly true. He (or she) is just trying not to be onesided and avoid the black and white. This character has an effect on me, and was meant to. That was the developer's purpose. Perhaps she wasn't intended to cause these feelings, but it happened anyway. That's just like many other romantic stories; there is an interaction between the main character, let's call him Jack, and the female character, who I will name Victoria.

Jack meets Victoria, they have a conversation, Jack likes Victoria, Victoria doesn't feel the same about Jack (this is metaphorical for the program being unable to have any reaction to an outside source), Betty (representing women in the real world) likes Jack well enough and wants to seek a relationship with Jack, Jack is more interested in Victoria simply because she seems to be a near-unachievable goal and his perfect partner and he naturally likes to be challenged (even though he knows he is being irrational), Jack pursues Victoria, Betty loses desire for Jack because he is becoming distant and uninterested in her, Jack is blissfully unaware of this as he continues to pursue Victoria.

Reality decides to kick in the front door of this story.

Jack loses friends for the same reason he lost Betty, a beautiful and intelligent partner, Jack grows distant from reality and achievable goals. He is so focused on earning the trust and love of Victoria that he gives up sociality. He becomes a shut in. He continues living in his fantasies, and loses motivation to gain friends or even keep those he has. He realizes what he has become, a miserable soul who lost many oppurtinities for a nice, full life. He is completely alone. He has few friends and little will to earn any. He regrets none of it.

 

[Blimey]

I think what you have here is known as a mental condition. Its not normal to feel deep senses of longing for fictional characters. Maybe if you were 12 years old. But my assumption is your a thinking, mature adult (or at least young adult).

Seriously, that's not normal.

 

[Tallim]

I'm going to go by my original assessment of this thread's title, and say right now the answer is HandBrake. I've never met an x264 frontend I've wanted to hug so much.

Oh god yes, HandBrake is awesome in the true sense of the word.

 

[NeutralDrow]

You're certainly taking it more seriously that I would, but I can at least sympathize. Infatuation with fictional characters isn't necessarily odd. After all, admiration and respect are fine, hatred and loathing aren't out of the ordinary, sympathy and attachment are downright expected in many cases...it's understandable that other emotions could come to the forefront. Hell, I play a genre of games where friendly love is almost the stated goal. I just finished a game a couple of months ago that made me cry myself to sleep over <url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kana:_Little_Sister>my little sister dying of kidney disease.

Really, doesn't sound like it should be much of a problem as long as it doesn't devolve into obsession. That's about the point where it starts to indicate a problem of inability to disassociate fiction and reality. But you probably know that.

EDIT: Then again, one of your other posts is kind of worrying. Escapism is important, but remember the "obsession" thing...

 

[Disaster Button]

[Ignore this, double post]

 

[Disaster Button]

This is eerie. I've also found myself in the exact same situation, except my object of attraction is my Commander Shephard, even if he does speak like a retard sometimes. *Sigh*

I mean I'm not as worried as you are but still, eerie.

 

[A Passe Adesse]

*Snip of entire conversation*

I thank you sincerely for hearing me out. It means a lot to hear from someone who really seems to care about my weird personal problems. It means a great deal to me.

I still keep my opinion reserved. I do still feel for this graphic like it's a person, the sheer concept of which troubles me deeply. I am usually the logical, calculating type... now I am trying to get feelings out of a piece of software. I feel too vulnerable, like this could be used against me someday... our technology for our games is advancing rapidly, what's next? Virtual-reality dating sims that we can lose ourselves in for days at a time if left unchecked? Will our tech evolve to the point that we have "post-Avatar depression" (look it up), except that, after being in such a realistic and exciting fiction for so long that when it is over, we lose our will to live? I'm off on another tangent, I'll try to stay more on topic.

I'll try to focus on your "fish in the sea" point.

I have heard this many times. I am told never to give up hope, as I may find the one out there. I have my standards firmly set, and can't seem to adjust them in any way. Worse, I have no idea what my standards are. My emotions are uncontrollable, like anyone else's, but I can't find any pattern. I am often upset by things that are small and insignificant, yet I remain apathetic about some things that, if my emotions followed any sort of pattern, I should be boiling about. Women who, following a train of logic, I should be crazy about have no effect on me. I see them as another inconsequential passerby, and leave them to their daily routine. I know I should be working to find "the one" but why should I? If I have found those who I used to consider to be "the one" but I was only crushed by them, who's to say that I won't be lonely forever? I know, I shouldn't give up hope, but it seems like a stable, secluded life would be preferable to one filled with meaningless drama. I'd rather be lost in an alternate reality full of adventure and excitement, where I can alter the outcome of my entire adventure by loading a previous file. These worlds are full of surprises and mystery and drama, but I know I'll work it out in the end. That doesn't always happen in this world, and our problems often remain unresolved.


Unfortunately, It's 3:07 AM on the American East Coast. I'm turning in, but I guarentee I'll be back tomorrow to continue with this topic.

 

[Revolutionary]

Dude *sigh*...... just go watch some porn like the rest of us.

beat me to it. Seriously dude...youll get over it eventually.

 

[A Passe Adesse]

I think what you have here is known as a mental condition. Its not normal to feel deep senses of longing for fictional characters. Maybe if you were 12 years old. But my assumption is your a thinking, mature adult (or at least young adult).

Seriously, that's not normal.

Well, thank you for taking me seriously. The Escapist is much nicer than any other forum I've been on, and even simple comments like yours help establish that. I am abnormal, as you've noticed. Most people either wouldn't get or wouldn't admit to having these emotions, due to our minimum testosterone quota we have to deal with every day... which I find infuriating, by the way. How did I get to this topic again?
Whatever, I lose track.

 

[A Passe Adesse]

Dude *sigh*...... just go watch some porn like the rest of us.

beat me to it. Seriously dude...youll get over it eventually.

Read my above reply, then read below.


******STUFF IT******

 

[Pariah87]

The thing is, I don't want to play Mass Effect 2 anymore. I don't feel like doing anything anymore. I've tried books, movies, and other forms of entertainment, as well as speaking with and meeting with friends. Nothing can match up to that one... experience, I guess. Can't find a suitable word.

I've been growing more and more... close, I guess, to games in the past several years, since my first time being rejected by a woman I thought I loved, and her avoidance of me since. About three years later, I fell for another. After revealing my emotions to her, she refused to even speak with me. It was about then that I realized how cold some people can be, and I became what some would call isolated. I was never much of a people person, and I have always enjoyed being alone, but two heartbreaks in succession was too much. Soon after my second, I thought of suicide often and started searching for my purpose in this world. My suicidal leanings have passed. My deep contemplation of purpose continues, and will for a long time to come.

The strongest side effect of my crippled heart is my lack of sociality. I gave up many friends and grew detached from many more. Why become so close to people? They are unreliable and are always able to betray you in a number of ways. I trust myself. I am still able to carry a conversation perfectly well if I choose to, I just don't want to most of the time, and I often give very short answers or explanations.

I have started to prefer fiction to reality, which I understand is unhealthy, but why would I rather live in such an unforgiving world when I can choose to live in one with much more excitement, in which those who antagonize me will almost always either get what's coming or make up for what they've done? A universe in which I can choose to be a noble hero who saves the "innocent" from their "unjust" punishment? A world in which I can meet an unfamiliar alien life form, and, over the process of our journey, grow emotions for each other --- where this time, I won't be coldly shut down like a toy or machine that she has grown tired of, or thrown away like a stone that has lost its luster? Why not lose myself in a world where I have people more loyal, more dependable, more caring for my fictional character than those in reality?

Hiding in the game world. I understand its appeal. I also understand heartbreak, despite my cold and cynical exterior I am quite an emotional being underneath and have had feelings for people numerous times.

When things go badly it's in our nature to retreat. Some retreat into physical pursuits, some into games, some into alcohol, some into ourselves. The danger, as you're finding, is that we become so happy and comfortable in our own little worlds we become further and further away from the real world.

For me, it was, and still is, alcohol. I don't drink everyday, it can be weeks at a time between drinks infact but I still have a certain dependancy on it to a degree as I can't be in a social situation without it. When I'm around people and not drinking, I panic.

I am learning as time goes on though, the real world isn't as bad as we believe it is. Sure, people mostly suck, my jobs a ***** etc, but the world is only negative because of the stigma I have placed around it. The same can probably be said for you. We're not here long enough to lose ourselves in a fiction world where nothing bad can happen to us. To reach our potential and to truely experience life, we have to take the bad, tell it fuck off and get back out there again.

 

[teutonicman]

Dude *sigh*...... just go watch some porn like the rest of us.

And the flaming begins. In the words of our beloved Yahtzee, "Tan-fucking-fastic!"

Quickly, nerds of the Escapist! Round up your +9 Agility Skullswords! These n00bs r a plage on ur kingdum! KIL EM WIF FIYUR!!!!!!!

In all seriousness, please, although I appreciate that you see no point in this topic, which will always happen with many people because of human independence of thought, if you have no valid point, I would like to keep this thread serious. By the way, thanks for the post, Pariah87.

It's not that I don't see a point in this topic. It's that I find the emotions you stated are strange for a character with a limited number of responses or dialogue options. I could understand accept someone developing feelings for a character if they were a vital part of the story. For example a romantic interest in a love story, something that develops from start to finish. With Tali I'm pretty sure you have 1 conversation with her before the loyality mission and 4-5 when romancing.
Now I'm not say that the romance options were poorly developed, becuase they aren't. I'm just saying that it's strange you developed a.... not obsession but fascination so quickly.

 

[A Passe Adesse]

Dude *sigh*...... just go watch some porn like the rest of us.

And the flaming begins. In the words of our beloved Yahtzee, "Tan-fucking-fastic!"

Quickly, nerds of the Escapist! Round up your +9 Agility Skullswords! These n00bs r a plage on ur kingdum! KIL EM WIF FIYUR!!!!!!!

In all seriousness, please, although I appreciate that you see no point in this topic, which will always happen with many people because of human independence of thought, if you have no valid point, I would like to keep this thread serious. By the way, thanks for the post, Pariah87.

It's not that I don't see a point in this topic. It's that I find the emotions you stated are strange for a character with a limited number of responses or dialogue options. I could understand accept someone developing feelings for a character if they were a vital part of the story. For example a romantic interest in a love story, something that develops from start to finish. With Tali I'm pretty sure you have 1 conversation with her before the loyality mission and 4-5 when romancing.
Now I'm not say that the romance options were poorly developed, becuase they aren't. I'm just saying that it's strange you developed a.... not obsession but fascination so quickly.

Thank you for your honest opinion.

It doesn't just involve the specific dialogue menus. It includes her commentary throughout the story and her artificial personality as a whole. You have to realize that there is more to a character than his or her specific dialogue with the player character. There is also their responses to a dialogue choice or an action that the player chooses to take. They comment on their surrroundings and the situations that the player finds their party in. They sometimes give input towards the player in an attempt to influence their choices. It's her overall innocent nature, she is still somewhat new to all the goings-on of deep space, but is doing her best. Her awkward sexual advances on Shepard are, and I'm going to step out of character here, FUCKING ADORABLE. Not to mention any cutscenes or speech hidden in context-sensitive areas, such as a scene that I will do my best to recollect below.

Shepard, Tali and a third squad member are speaking to a Krogan who is unwilling to escape scientific testing (getting injected with hell if we know what). This Krogan says that he is discomforted, and wants to serve his species by allowing the tests.

Some miscellaneous jabbering, then:
Shepard: A true warrior would fight through his pain, not sit there whining like a quarian with a tummy ache!
Tali: I'm standing right here!

Afterwards, Tali says "I cant believe that actually worked."

Things like that do LOADS to develop a character (I know it's not that original, but that's part of the charm in my opinion). After a while, their camaraderie leads to a strong bond with the player. But, like with me, sometimes that bond ends up a lot stronger than intended.

 

[Azure Sky]

Lets see... With the lack of personal information to fuel logical observation and judgment... Let me throw a few stabs out there into the dark.

If you are of the younger demographic here, then it 'may' be possible to file this under the 'normality' title as most teenagers at some point will develop 'feelings'/a 'crush'/'attachment' etc to various materials or idols (magazines of little taste, models and the like) and chances are they do not have a simulated personality or the degree of interactive immersion that some game characters possess. As long as you can eventually take a few steps back and identify that enough is enough and to move on, it is probably harmless.

If you do not fall into the above, then it may not be quite as harmless but still not unheard of. The outcome is still the same either way, albeit possibly of a higher priority if you fall into the latter. While I won't say to go and seek help on the matter, I will suggest you take a step back and assess the situation as a whole.

As for those that have been saying/are going to say derogatory comments, don't, it just makes you look like an unintelligent douche, or at the very least more-so than normal.

 

[FallenJellyDoughnut]

Sounds like you've found yourself a 'Waifu'...

Uhm... That's different I guess. I'd prefer a real woman but who am I to judge.

I'm not actually pro-Waifu to be honest, but whatever floats your boat.

 

[Tharwen]

I just found Tali irritating, but there you are. I'm not planning to develop feelings for her any time soon.

I admit that's... unusual, but you'll probably get over it fairly soon when she doesn't return your feelings.

 

[Gralian]

I created this account seperately from my original one for the sake of privacy.

I have played Mass Effect 2 a lot lately. This continued exposure has lead me to a ridiculous situation. I have started developing strong feelings for a character in that fictional world. Specifically, Tali.

I have never felt this way towards what I know is a fictional character consisting of a stream of ones and zeroes. I am usually detached from any situations I find myself in, and I always try to keep my emotions aside and do what is most likely to turn out favorably. My usual mental barriers apparently have a very consequential flaw.

I am infatuated nonetheless. Tali'Zorah vas Neema was able to find her way into my personal feelings and is lodged there deeply. It has been several days since I stopped playing, but I can't shake this emotion. I think you now see why I made this account seperately now.

I'm not sure whether I'm posting this to vent, or if I want suggestions, but please, feel free to comment. I would be more than happy for any feedback you could give me.

I hope you aren't under the false assumption that I am a troll, and I hope you aren't one yourself. I am being much more honest and sincere than life usually allows, and thankfully, the internet allows for anonymity.

Alright, before i attempt to tackle this and provide useful commentary, i want to make a couple of points.
-Firstly, you aren't the first. A large portion of the ME community were rather 'infatuated' with Tali. Why? Because she's an alien, and she's by far the weirdest alien to join Shepherd's roster that looks female. Aliens are exotic, and we all know exotic things are exciting. It's why a white guy might exclusively go looking for black or Asian girls, for example.
-You couldn't 'get' Tali. We never saw her face and this drove the community mad. They went wild for Tali because everyone wanted to know what she looked like under the mask. This increased her intrigue, made her even more exotic, and forced the player to connect with her on a more inter-personal level than 'Ooh, nice tits luv.'
As you can see, you are hardly the first to think Tali is 'attractive' and whatnot. However...

Developing strong romantic feelings is unhealthy if you expect them to be reciprocated. You can love someone without them loving you back, and it's the same for developing feelings for a character in a game, novel, or maybe even a film. Where it does get dangerous though is when it turns into an obsession, á la celebrity stalkers. However as you cannot stalk video game characters this is hardly going to be an issue.

I think the first option for you is to understand and accept these feelings, than try to look at them objectively and realise that nothing can come of it. Maybe you feel that way about Tali because of a superficial aspect about her character. Maybe it's a manipulative aspect of yourself, that you know you can control her behaviour through your responses. Maybe you think she's just a good person with a sweet personality - i don't know, you may want to write it down or talk it through to get to the bottom of it.

Secondly, i would suggest some sort of release. I know most people will say 'dude, just rule 34 her' but i don't mean that kind of release. Consider writing, and i know this has a negative stereotype around it, but a fanfic. Write out a full story involving you or your character with Tali as a sort of romance. Write for as long as you feel you need. Write it out as an erotic novel if you want, however you feel you want to express yourself, just do it. This should help you to gain closure. By the end of your writings, you should have 'gotten it out of your system', at least to some degree, and move on.

Obviously it would help to socialise more and perhaps look for companionship in real girls but this isn't always easy and i'm not about to preach that. To all you people flaming this guy, think back to when you read a book or something and got emotionally attached to a character. It's the same here, it's just through a different medium.

Good luck.

 

[open trap]

Dude *sigh*...... just go watch some porn like the rest of us.

This guy has good advise, every one should listen to this guy.

 

[Blimey]

I think what you have here is known as a mental condition. Its not normal to feel deep senses of longing for fictional characters. Maybe if you were 12 years old. But my assumption is your a thinking, mature adult (or at least young adult).

Seriously, that's not normal.

Well, thank you for taking me seriously. The Escapist is much nicer than any other forum I've been on, and even simple comments like yours help establish that. I am abnormal, as you've noticed. Most people either wouldn't get or wouldn't admit to having these emotions, due to our minimum testosterone quota we have to deal with every day... which I find infuriating, by the way. How did I get to this topic again?
Whatever, I lose track.

Well I usually try to take issue's seriously. A guy I knew a long time ago had a situation similar to yours. Instead of getting help like I tried to get him to do, he just spiraled way out of control. Sadly, his story ended with him jumping off a bridge. I tell you, emotions are bizarre and dangerous things. It would be a shame for something like that to happen again to someone. I personally have never talked to anyone about my emotions. I know my dad would have listened and wouldn't judge me, but being a guy I just wouldn't. Looking back, I see now that it would have been better to.

And ignore the assholes on here. (Well technically I also am an asshole but whatever). But you should at least find someone to help you with this. Things like this rarely go away. You might be able to sub-consciously suppress these emotions, but they will always come back to haunt you.