I have thought of an interesting way to maximize productivity when playing video games. Maybe when playing video games we can listen to audio books while doing it. For example, when playing fallout you could be listening to Cormac McCarthys The Road. Have you ever done this?
Do you listen to audio books while playing video games?
- Thread starter Randoman01
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No, for the same reason I very rarely listen to music when gaming. It makes it harder to pay attention to what is going on.
If it was the original Fallout or some other turn based game then I suppose I wouldn't mind. Normally the games I play are "real time" though and games such as that often require paying attention to the games sounds, so outside noises are just a distraction.
Most multiplayer games for example use sounds as a means of gauging how close the enemy is nearby. Team Fortress 2 has turret noises, Gears of War and Natural Selection 2 have footsteps and so on. Any external noises make those harder to pick up so I don't have any other audio playing.
I normally listen to music when playing FTL seeing as the game only requires visual cues to get by. It does have sounds to help, but they are not required considering the game can be paused at any moment to issue commands and take stock of the situation.
As for audio books specifically, I'd just find that even more of a distraction than music, because it's telling you a story while you are playing a game that has a story. It's like reading while watching a film, I honestly couldn't see the appeal. Then again, I don't listen to audio books anyway, I much prefer reading.
If it was the original Fallout or some other turn based game then I suppose I wouldn't mind. Normally the games I play are "real time" though and games such as that often require paying attention to the games sounds, so outside noises are just a distraction.
Most multiplayer games for example use sounds as a means of gauging how close the enemy is nearby. Team Fortress 2 has turret noises, Gears of War and Natural Selection 2 have footsteps and so on. Any external noises make those harder to pick up so I don't have any other audio playing.
I normally listen to music when playing FTL seeing as the game only requires visual cues to get by. It does have sounds to help, but they are not required considering the game can be paused at any moment to issue commands and take stock of the situation.
As for audio books specifically, I'd just find that even more of a distraction than music, because it's telling you a story while you are playing a game that has a story. It's like reading while watching a film, I honestly couldn't see the appeal. Then again, I don't listen to audio books anyway, I much prefer reading.
Never books, but if what I'm playing doesn't have much meaningful sound (i.e, dark souls if I'm in an area I already know well, old Fallout games, going through an area for the 6th time in Borderlands 2 ect.) I tend to listen to podcasts or GameGrumps.
I can honestly say I've never done that. I can't focus on books and games at the same time. I have however listened to music while playing flash games that don't require a lot from the player, like Burrito Bison or Toss the Turtle.
Sounds like an interesting idea, I might give it a try if I'm ever playing a game that requires less than half my full attention. Most games I play are either engaging stories (Elderscrolls, Metro 2033, Indiana Jones) or mmo shooters (APB Reloaded, Planetside 2, Team Fortress 2). The former requires my complete attention to know what is going on, while for the latter I like to listen to music and get into a rhythm. Maybe I could do this while playing online chess or something like that with simpler rules that doesn't require full concentration or twitch response.
Never audio books, but if I'm playing something like, say, Master of Orion 2, I'll put a podcast on in the background or something similar.
I used to when I played WoW and was just doing boring crap that didn't need much focus (ore/herb grinding.etc) but now I don't play MMO's, no I don't - It's just too hard to focus on game that require sound to work properly while you have somebody constantly talking.
This is a wonderful idea. I'm going to try it, though I am curious whether the game would be a distraction to audio book.Boo8er said:
Man, I haven't listened to an audio book since I was a kid.
But no, I wouldn't be able to do that. I don't have any multi-tasking capacity at all. I'd either screw up the game because I wasn't paying attention, or I'd suddenly realise that I hadn't taken in single word of the book for the past ten minutes.
But no, I wouldn't be able to do that. I don't have any multi-tasking capacity at all. I'd either screw up the game because I wasn't paying attention, or I'd suddenly realise that I hadn't taken in single word of the book for the past ten minutes.
Not audio books, but podcasts. And only if I've already played the game before and don't need to listen to it.
The reasons why I don't listean to audio books while gaming is because 1) I'm not good enough at multitasking to actually listen to the book, instead of just hearing it (missing what podcasters say isn't quite as important) and 2) I haven't really found any audio books I've wanted to listen to other than 1984.
The reasons why I don't listean to audio books while gaming is because 1) I'm not good enough at multitasking to actually listen to the book, instead of just hearing it (missing what podcasters say isn't quite as important) and 2) I haven't really found any audio books I've wanted to listen to other than 1984.
I rarely listen to audio books ever.
But depending on the game I'm playing, I do like to watch TV. What I watch is dependent on what I play. For example, if I'm watching something I haven't seen before, I'll opt to play a game where I don't really have to keep an eye on the screen at all times like Pokemon, Animal Crossing or Happy Street.
But if I'm playing a game where my focus is more on the game itself, I'll probably put on something I've already seen a million times (Simpsons, DVD commentary, MST3k) or just turn on the food network or something.
Truthfully, watching TV and video games have really become hand in hand for me. It's why about 95% of my gaming these days are on handheld consoles. I actually haven't bought a single home console game this year.
But depending on the game I'm playing, I do like to watch TV. What I watch is dependent on what I play. For example, if I'm watching something I haven't seen before, I'll opt to play a game where I don't really have to keep an eye on the screen at all times like Pokemon, Animal Crossing or Happy Street.
But if I'm playing a game where my focus is more on the game itself, I'll probably put on something I've already seen a million times (Simpsons, DVD commentary, MST3k) or just turn on the food network or something.
Truthfully, watching TV and video games have really become hand in hand for me. It's why about 95% of my gaming these days are on handheld consoles. I actually haven't bought a single home console game this year.
I usually listen to podcasts while playing games that are quite grind`y and don't require me that much thought and I can go on auto pilot.
So pretty much LoL, Dota 2, dailys in WoW are the perfect choices when I usually listen to.
So pretty much LoL, Dota 2, dailys in WoW are the perfect choices when I usually listen to.
I watch youtube videos like TBs Content patch or Max Keisar on the Keisar report, any vid that doesnt need me to look at it and can just listen to get by. But it only works with some games that are singleplayer only and dont need sound e.g. mercenary kings, castle crashers, FTL
I tend to watch Youtube videos on my laptop, that mostly rely on sound, while playing semi-repetitive not so story driven games. Lately Skyrim alot, and pausing the video and switching to headphones when something important happens. It helps me feel less like I am wasting time watching random youtube stuff or playing Skyrim.
I'm the exact same way. I like to listen to random reviews when I game, such as Spoony and Jontron. They may have absolutely nothing to do with the game I'm playing, but it does help take the edge off when I'm stuck doing repetitive tasks or dungeon crawling.Lonewolfm16 said:
I listen to baseball games. I have 2 tv's in my room. Big one for my gaming and small one for tv.
No. I listen to music when I'm playing a game a lot of times, but I usually get too focused on the game to pay attention to the music, so it phases out anyway. Audiobooks would just be a terrible idea since I wouldn't catch anything from them.
I have been listening to the Game of Thrones audiobooks while driving to/from work though.
I have been listening to the Game of Thrones audiobooks while driving to/from work though.