Hey Game Fans, we’re back with another article on one of the deepest topics in gaming. This one’s a doozy, and it’s something that everyone has an opinion about. Our objective for today is to share with you some of the differing points of view, and we’ll share our perspective on the topic as well.You’ve read this far, so let’s dig into the 64$ question. What, precisely is the point of gaming?
First off, there are a ton of different answers to this question, and frankly none of them are really wrong. There are some that are wrong for you, as a person because they don’t fit your view of what gaming is, and what it’s for, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a wrong answer. So let’s take a look at the two deeper components of this question, and see if we can’t suss out some answers.
I personally see the components of this question as the following two parts. First, “What do you define the hobby of gaming as?” This could be video games, tabletop roleplaying, miniature wargaming, LARP, and a host of other gaming activities. This could be the work you put into building your adventures and campaigns for tabletop RPGers, or the hours you spend brewing a new deck for the Card Game crowd. I doubt many of you who assemble and paint armies for miniature wargaming discount the time you spend on the hobby side as ‘not gaming.’ There are a nearly infinite number of answers to this question and ultimately, it’s up to you as a person to decide what you define as gaming.
This also means that nobody else gets to tell you what a “real game” is. Everyone has editions and systems that they prefer. I have a couple of roleplaying games that i would drop a lot of things to play that i am sure are not as popular as others. I have specific editions of a couple of games that i prefer, and if you ask me which ones, i’ll happily tell you, and explain why. If you have a different opinion, that’s cool, i am sure you have your reasons, and they work for you, and your definition of what gaming is.
Gaming, in my experience, has exploded as a cultural shift in the last ten years. Board Games, Roleplaying Games, and a host of other aspects of gaming are gaining wider acceptance and that means we have an influx of new people into the hobby. I am of the opinion that a rising tide lifts all boats, and that more people in the hobby is generally a good thing. New faces, new ideas, and new approaches can teach us all different things about the hobby and can show off a bunch of different perspectives that we can all learn from.
The second half of this question is much trickier, but just as personal. “What do you derive from the experience of gaming?” What factors motivate you into playing games? Do you derive positive feelings from the sense of beating another player (or table full of players)? Are you there for the social interaction? Do you enjoy showing off the new deck you’ve built or the new army you’ve painted? Are you interested in proving that you are the best player in your town, region, state, country, or the whole world? All of these are perfectly reasonable motivations to get into gaming and i can’t fault anyone who has any of these motivations, (or any of the ones that didn’t come to mind).
There is a concern that some of these motivators are incompatible with each other when you factor in other players. There’s also a bit of a curve figuring out what motivations pair well with different games, but that’s a personal journey of exploration and discovery for you (Being the best D & D player in the world means a different thing to every player, so that may not be the best aspiration to have, for example). You also have to factor in that other people process their motivations differently, and it’s entirely possible that the four people playing Dungeons and Dragons have entirely different motivators, but can still enjoy the game in their own way.
Figuring out the joy you derive from gaming is important. I have espoused a philosophy since my earliest college days that gaming should provide alternative methods to managing the stress of life. Ultimately, if you aren’t having fun with a game, or a group of people, you might want to see where your motivations intersect with theirs, and see whether or not they mesh. The optimal group of people to play a game together should share similar core motivators because they are all working towards creating a gaming environment/experience that they all enjoy.
This does not mean that you should not play games with people who have wildly different motivations than you, but you should be aware that you process “fun” differently, and what you consider tedious boredom is the core of their gaming hobby. Everyone should be able to have a pleasant gaming experience, despite differing motivations. If you are playing a game and not having fun, i think you might be missing the point.
If you aren’t having fun playing games, then why are you doing it?
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