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Games Can Make Us Cry

Posted by Zonk on from the especially-if-they're-bad dept.

A study by Bowen Research is getting some commentary in the gaming press, with their analysis being that "More than two thirds of all video gamers feel that video games already surpass, or will soon at least equal movies, music and books in delivering an emotional impact." The Guardian Gamesblog has a look at the research. From the article: "Of course it could be argued that RPGs simply attract more emotionally unstable gamers, and that if these same players were forced to try Microsoft Flight Simulator, they'd cry like babies when their Cessna crashed into a pylon during a failed runway approach. Sadly, Bowen does not appear to explore this possibility."

9 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. More like piss people off. by Shivetya · · Score: 2, Funny

    Crying, maybe? Pissing someone off is more likely. Crashing that Cessna might not make you cry but I would not be surprised at a DAMN, FWORD, or similar instead.

    Of course you can get really carried away in your games like this guy did over an item called Cloudsong in DAOC. Warning, don't play in public if sensitive ears are about. Sad thing is I run across people who react like this in quite a few games, especially FPS.

    http://content.ytmnd.com//100000/100051/sound.mp3

    --
    * Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
  2. I had a sad feeling for a moment, then it passed. by Ackmo · · Score: 3, Funny

    I couldn't help but shed a tear when my pet dog Rover was killed on the first level of NetHack. He was a good and faithful dog. Stuck by my side through thick and thin. Of course, he did have a nasty habit of stepping on cursed items but what can you do? Damn you, falling rock traps. Damn you all! I... I... I can't talk about it anymore... It's still too soon.

  3. Myst by tsa · · Score: 2, Funny

    Every time I play a Myst game I walk around in silent amazement. The ages are just so darn beautiful. I'm not into eyecandy but Myst grips me every time I play it. The surroundings, the sounds, the horrible story of Atrus and his kin... Together they create e real life-like experience. I just started Myst V and damn is it beautiful. I think a Myst theme park would be fantastic!

    --

    -- Cheers!

    1. Re:Myst by An+Onerous+Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think you're being silly. But I honestly thought Zork:Nemesis was a nice mix of plot and eye-candy. Forbidden love, betrayal, vengeance, whatnot.

      The Myst theme park is a non-starter, because the people in charge of creating it would make people solve intricate puzzles before they could use the restroom, flushing the urinals in the proper sequence would open up the concession stand outside, and an evil monster would block your exit until you washed your hands.

      --

      You want the truthiness? You can't handle the truthiness!

  4. Tears (and a few expletives) by CDLewis · · Score: 4, Funny

    Some games can make you cry based purely upon the emotional investment made *before* you play the game.

    See: Daikatana. Dr3ver. Pac-Man (2600).

  5. Re:May I ask... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Why this was needed to be added?

    Because it was funny. Maybe if you weren't such an emotionally unstable crybaby then you'd see that.

  6. I cried playing Final Fantasy... by vertinox · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...when I tripped and pressed the NES reset button with my toe and I then realized I didn't save and had just lost about 9 hours worth of game play.

    --
    "I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
    -Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
  7. Re:Fallout by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Newsflash: King Captured at End of Chess.

    Just trying to bring you up to date.

  8. Re:Emotions from games? duh! by MBraynard · · Score: 2, Funny

    Damnit - how about a spoiler warning!