Nice Quote

[tempus]

I love the "its just a game" statement. It can be a genuine statement and yet some people who use it I've found to be the most utterly detached from reality.

Why do they say it? To hide from the truth of their actions for the bullshit they pull, they have no true concept of the kind of loyalty and friendship that can trancend the game itself and they really just want what they want.

I knew some folks, good people, that broke off from my old social to work with the tonic salesmen of Relentless. They were just as dedicated as anyone, got their CoPs done for the betterment of the shell and what do they have to show for it now after all the time and dedication?

Nothing. So, "Just a game," eh? But its really the whole "time" thing that gets me.

I can't say I exactly want to spend my time camping KB, chasing down the latest HNM that just popped or doing repeat missions for others, but the bulk of what I've wanted to accomplish on the low end is coming to a close, so I suck it up and do the work. I similarly did this at lower levels for others as well, knowing it could potentially set me back an evening or more of progress.

In any case, should i really be happy with the people who ended up wasting that time? There are people I've set aside personal in-game goals for, people I stood up for and defended or just tried to reach out and help on a personal level because I cared. I'd say a third of them haven't hesitated to turn their backs on me and my friends in the pursuit of virtual widgets. We were, after all, just stepping stones, characters in a game, not people.

Earlier this year, I finally became callous toward it, it hardly phases or surprises me what people do now and then turn around claiming its all "just a game." No, it was my time, but thank you for weeding yourself from the ranks of people I can maintain respect for, it makes my life so much easier. You go enjoy your game, I'll enjoy my game and friendships.

However, Vinen made a good point. Take a look at your Ridills, joytoys, AFs, v2s and the like. What's changed about you since you got those things in this "just a game?" Whether virtual or real, objects do trigger memories. If you can turn your back on friends, leave them behind and look at what they got you and feel nothing, this isn't "just a game" to you, its much more than that.

Thread on KI, quoted from OMGWTFBBQKITTEN/Foobar

He said it very well imo.

-t

PS Yes the only time I really browse KI is when the server is down.

[Sosa]

I agree completely with what he said... and he brings up a very valid counterpoint against those that argue that the people that end up hurt are just taking it too seriously. Thanks for sharing.

[Virothix]

I agree and for some reason a few names pop to mind when I read that.

[Ruuk]

virothix said:

I agree and for some reason a few names pop to mind when I read that.

+1

[Aly will you kiss me at 12?]

Yea right Tempus. I know your a fucking Troll. You like the drama!

[tarick]

shut up krazi, it's just a fucking game.

[Jonathan]

shit or get off the fucking pot

[tarick]

jonathan said:

shit or get off the fucking pot

and light a candle.

[Shalyn]

I have a sneaking suspicion Foob reads my posts.. he kinda followed my RDM career for a while there when I didn't even know him. Before he wrote that I had made a comment on another forum, part of which read:

"This kind of reminds me of something I read about the show Survivor. In almost every episode, the phrase "It's a game" comes up. People find it hard to justify their very real actions against people unless they use this phrase. FFXI may be 'a game', but it is not one that you play by yourself. You're not sitting there, only having dealings with NPCs and creating imaginary friends/foes. "Oh noes, I h8 u Sephiroth!!One!1" We all know this. Throwing out the "It's a game" argument DOES NOT STICK. If you choose to hide behind that very thin veil, you are ignorant and you will get attacked for it. You can't make people feel like sh*t for being mad about something that affects other players, which it does. "

He certainly took it a bit farther, though.
This part:
"There are people I've set aside personal in-game goals for, people I stood up for and defended or just tried to reach out and help on a personal level because I cared. I'd say a third of them haven't hesitated to turn their backs on me and my friends in the pursuit of virtual widgets. We were, after all, just stepping stones, characters in a game, not people."

I can personally relate to, and after a lot of reflection, have decided that I will keep my morals, and not go against them, but as far as caring about so many, I'm done. I've opened my mouth many times for the good of others, because they didn't have the courage to do it themselves, and it only creates problems for me which aren't worth my time or personal effort anymore. Pretty much why I've just been floating around, letting things bounce off.. I'm very slowly uncaring for a lot of things in this games, and it's making it a lot more enjoyable for me... which is unfortunate if you think about it ^^

[tarick]

There are times, though, where the "it's just a game" statement makes sense.

When someone screws up, and you start to get upset with them...it's just a game.

When you miss out on a big claim...it's just a game.

When you try to see if you can take an island worth of dolls in sky and make it to zone w/whm sub...it's just a game.


As for the rest of it, well, it's pretty much like preaching to the choir here.

[Sosa]

Well the trick to that is realizing that, while our interactions and the way we treat others are very real, our real lives supercede and take priority over the trivial things that happen in this - a video game. Will your life change if you miss that next NM pop? Probably not. But missing an NM pop is very different from growing to trust someone over a period of months (or even years,) only to have them stab you in the back for something that, in your eyes, is far less valuable than the friendship you've established.

Some people simply use others as stepping stones to achieve what they want, regardless of the reprecussions. I would venture a guess that the majority of the people that do this in game and use the "It's just a game" argument also perform similar actions in real life and try to justify them in their own mind.

Stealing the wallet I found off the street is OK, because I don't know the person. Sure, it's unlucky that they lost their wallet, but it was lucky for me to find it - after all, I found a $100 bill in it.

It's really not that different.