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Games Can Make Us Cry

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."

5 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. Fallout by AdamPiotrZochowski · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Point me a person who has played Fallout and did not have emotional impact at the end of the game. Its truly one of the better RPGs developed.

    1. Re:Fallout by CDMA_Demo · · Score: 0, Redundant


      Show me someone who wasn't felling down when Aeris was killed by Sephiroth in FF7, and I'll show you a heartless Quake3Arena zombie!

  2. Re:Books are victorious by Gleng · · Score: 0, Redundant
    I'll also admit, I've almost come to tears once or twice while playing a game where a primary character dies off unexpectedly or unfairly.

    I have to admit, I cried like a bitch when Aeris died in Final Fantasy VII.

    --
    "Proudly Posting Without Reading The Article"
  3. Re:Emotions from games? duh! by oZt · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I agree with parent. Following you characters life for 80+ hours leads to, sometimes a very close, attachment. (Though my bro rushed through FFVII in 14 hours) I for one, belong to those who wept when Aeris died in FFVII, but I was only 10-11.. I've never cried watching a movie though..

  4. Aeris by ecumenical_40oz · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Did anyone here NOT cry when Aeris died? Me, I curled up in my leather gaming chair and wept like a baby when Cloud released her into the pool under the City of Ancients. It wasn't until my Knights of the Round had finished whomping Sephiroth's final form that I could finally quit grieving and move on with my life. My PSX controller still has the dried tears on it.