Gaming Solitude

[Daystar Clarion]

Most of us live with other people, and the vast majority of us have to deal with other people every day, whether it be at school/work/killing spree.

As we all know, video games are a form of escapism, and as such, sometimes there is nothing better than losing yourself in a game world on your own. Games like Minecraft, the Elder Scrolls games, Fallout, Red Dead Redemption and Shadow of the Colossus (animal companions don't really count).

Especially Shadow of the Colossus. The world is huge and is basically devoid of life. That sense of solitude, the sound of nothing but the wind, the rustling of trees, the sound of waves. This is one of the few games where I put the controller down and just drank in the world.

So, fellow escapists, does the hectic socialising of everyday life sometimes get you down? Do you want nothing better than to just completely immerse yourself in a game world, being the only human/elf/tortoise for miles around?

 

[Radeonx]

With my current living situation, not really.
I live in a small college house with 3 other roomates, and because of an extra bedroom, we always have a friend crashing here.
Most of the single player games we play will always involve one of the roommates passing through and watching for a few minutes (Usually making some sort of comment on the game), then leaving.
I've grown accustomed to it, so it isn't that bad.

 

[BENZOOKA]

What's socializing?

No, really, I've spent about most of my life alone and otherwise never had problems in finding solitude.

So, no problems at all.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

With my current living situation, not really.
I live in a small college house with 3 other roomates, and because of an extra bedroom, we always have a friend crashing here.
Most of the single player games we play will always involve one of the roommates passing through and watching for a few minutes (Usually making some sort of comment on the game), then leaving.
I've grown accustomed to it, so it isn't that bad.

Hmm, I think would piss me off really quickly. I like my games like I like my books. Just to myself. I don't think I could enjoy something like Mass Effect 2 half as much if someone was watching me play it.

 

[FalloutJack]

Only on a bad day. Any day where I'm feeling fine is okay by me to talk, laugh, and so on.

...but if I'm sick or groggy or something... Go. Away.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

I don't have to worry about finding solitude. I avoid people just fine.
I think I have this air about me that says "ignore me, I'm not important". And that suits me just fine.

Companionship works better for me when it's up to me to seek it out. Mostly because I never want it.

 

[TundraWolf]

So, fellow escapists, does the hectic socialising of everyday life sometimes get you down? Do you want nothing better than to just completely immerse yourself in a game world, being the only human/elf/tortoise for miles around?

I don't consider socialising to get me down; I once was pretty anti-social, but I've grown out of that and revel in whatever social contact I can get. It's not something to be avoided but embraced.

However, I fully understand what you're getting at. Sometimes, there's nothing better than just sitting down by yourself, loading up a game and getting lost in its immersive world. Shadow of the Colossus is my favorite game of all time in part because of this fact; I spent hours just wandering around the world, trying to see everything about it that I could. It was splendid and magnificent and just the best game ever.

Red Dead Redemption captured me entirely and wouldn't let me go until I finished it. There was something about just riding through the wilds and enjoying the scenery and wildlife that was enrapturing. Some of the best and most memorable times I had with that game were hunting in the wilderness, just wiling away the hours hiding in a bush, waiting for a boar to take the bait I had set a few meters away.

So yes. I'm definitely with you with the love for open-world games like that.

 

[Radeonx]

With my current living situation, not really.
I live in a small college house with 3 other roomates, and because of an extra bedroom, we always have a friend crashing here.
Most of the single player games we play will always involve one of the roommates passing through and watching for a few minutes (Usually making some sort of comment on the game), then leaving.
I've grown accustomed to it, so it isn't that bad.

Hmm, I think would piss me off really quickly. I like my games like I like my books. Just to myself. I don't think I could enjoy something like Mass Effect 2 half as much if someone was watching me play it.

Well, I grew up with 3 siblings all younger then me, so I've gotten used to someone watching me play games.
I can see why it would be annoying, though. There is basically no immersion, but it is still enjoyable.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

With my current living situation, not really.
I live in a small college house with 3 other roomates, and because of an extra bedroom, we always have a friend crashing here.
Most of the single player games we play will always involve one of the roommates passing through and watching for a few minutes (Usually making some sort of comment on the game), then leaving.
I've grown accustomed to it, so it isn't that bad.

Hmm, I think would piss me off really quickly. I like my games like I like my books. Just to myself. I don't think I could enjoy something like Mass Effect 2 half as much if someone was watching me play it.

Well, I grew up with 3 siblings all younger then me, so I've gotten used to someone watching me play games.
I can see why it would be annoying, though. There is basically no immersion, but it is still enjoyable.

Yeah, I suppose most of it will be down to what gaming was like growing up. I have a younger sister, but she was never interested in games, so I've pretty much always played them on my own. Except for the obvious multiplayer games like Super Smash Bros Melee/Brawl. Sometimes there's nothing better than to beat on your friends with Princess Zelda.

 

[TornadoFive]

I think it depends on the game. I wouldn't want to play Mass Effect with someone else, because it would break the immersion for me. But other times, especially if I'm playing multi-player, I don't mind other people being there. As long as they don't keep interrupting. I figure, "I'm playing with other people anyway, and it's not as if I'm missing out on vital plot points here. Why not?"

 

[Daystar Clarion]

So, fellow escapists, does the hectic socialising of everyday life sometimes get you down? Do you want nothing better than to just completely immerse yourself in a game world, being the only human/elf/tortoise for miles around?

I don't consider socialising to get me down; I once was pretty anti-social, but I've grown out of that and revel in whatever social contact I can get. It's not something to be avoided but embraced.

However, I fully understand what you're getting at. Sometimes, there's nothing better than just sitting down by yourself, loading up a game and getting lost in its immersive world. Shadow of the Colossus is my favorite game of all time in part because of this fact; I spent hours just wandering around the world, trying to see everything about it that I could. It was splendid and magnificent and just the best game ever.

Red Dead Redemption captured me entirely and wouldn't let me go until I finished it. There was something about just riding through the wilds and enjoying the scenery and wildlife that was enrapturing. Some of the best and most memorable times I had with that game were hunting in the wilderness, just wiling away the hours hiding in a bush, waiting for a boar to take the bait I had set a few meters away.

So yes. I'm definitely with you with the love for open-world games like that.

I remember playing Shadow of the Colossus, just before the 2nd colossi, I stood on the beach, the waves washing over my legs and just listened to the sea for about 15 minutes. It's like the best game to relax to.

 

[razelas]

I'm the exact opposite. I do like to play alone when I want to relax and unwind after a stressful week once in a while, but I do generally like an audience and/or other players when I want to play for fun.