Gone are the days when you could sit on your couch (feet on the floor, of course), pop in your favourite video game (or the one you happen to have, on hand) and play to your heart's content (if your Mom let you, that is)! Nowadays its always ONLINE this/DOWNLOAD that or UPDATE/PATCH available now and, my personal favourite (not really), CO-OP/SOCIAL blah blah blah!
My face = (-_-) The (patent-pending) "TAG, is not impressed" face!
Forget that!!! I just want to play my game!!!
Can't I just turn on my system, put in the disc, have it install itself (apparently this is a "necessary" Evil for my Xbox one. Not so for my, highly favoured, PS3) and then just... you know... PLAY!?!? Why do I need to "be signed in to XBL/PSN" or "get the latest software update" or "be online in order to play" (which is by far, the most hated of them all)? I just want to play my game!!!
I couldn't care less about the online community (ok, maybe I care a little bit but...). I hardly care about my current (physical) community as is. If I cared greatly about community I would go to the community center or volunteer for community projects, not stay at home and play videogames (notice I specifically said the online community not the videogame community, because I love those guys and gals). Forget community. I just want to play my game!!!
I'm not interested in being nickel and dimed (as is the current trend) by the trickle of content that you decided to hold back for the express purpose of using it against me and my wallet later on (that's just not cool FYI). Forget Marketing Strategies. I just want to play my game!!!
I'm not really concerned with what my friends are doing at the moment. They're my friend, I'm well aware of what they're doing and I don't need to be online to find out. The only thing that may peak my interest is their PSN level and Trophy count (for my PlayStation Peeps) and their Gamer Score and Achievements Unlocked (for my Xbox Bros) and this interest stems only from my (slightly above average) competitive nature (*looks around to make sure no one is in earshot and whispers* i.e. my need to be better than them but don't tell I said that. You'll hurt their feelings and I'll deny it *suggestive wink*). Forget staying connected (in more ways than one). I just want to (be better and) play my game!!!
Have you ever given any thought as to why I'm not "always online" already, Mr/Ms. Game Creator/Designer/Publisher? Hmmm?
Maybe I spent most of the money I had on bills and rent and food and stuff. Maybe I like being alone in my room, sorting through my inventory, Min/Max-ing my character with NO ONE to bother me. Maybe I don't want to pay the exorbitant prices charged by my ISPs for their (mediocre, at best) service. Maybe, just maybe, I'm a poor, broke, low-income gamer that can barely afford to buy the games that I bought to play so I can fulfill my childhood dream and stave off the ever present qualms that plague me. (As usual, money [specifically, lack of money] is the root of all my problems)
"But T.A.G, you need to be 'hip' to the times bro. Let go of that 'old-fogey' mentality and bask in the technological advancement that's taken/taking place. Online is the new 'new' "
*gives them "the look"*
*Scrolls back up to make sure I typed it* You didn't get my point did you? *emphasizing every word* I! Just! Want! To! PLAY! My! Game!
All the notifications in the world, all the what's trending and all the Social Connectivity you can muster are just perks (and I use this word with cautious trepidation, as it isn't really the word I should be using to convey what I mean but it place-holds very well in this context and I'm trying to be succinct, so I can't use the twenty or so words that it will take for me to thoroughly explain the intricacies that I'm trying to expound on. [Plus I can't be bothered to Oxford or Webster right now. I have a deadline for this post]). They add to the overall ambience and give a parallel joy to gaming but they are added bonuses (more cautious trepidation). The CORE of gaming is and will ALWAYS be... you guessed it... GAMING!!! It's all about the game and playing said game. The button pressed, the split-second decision, the reaction jump, the inventory management, the fluttering heart, the sleepless night, the adrenaline rush, the finding of secrets, the beating the boss and, to a lesser extent, the competition (and the bragging rights). These aspects can NEVER be overshadowed by the frivolous "Your friend has just signed in", "Latest DLC released" and "Your other friend just got this trophy/achievement" (O_O WTH?! How did he get that? Now he has 10 more points. S#!t!!!)
I don't care how integrated and interconnected the "always online" aspects of gaming becomes. I will forever maintain my stance. I should be able to enjoy my game without the NEED to be always online.
(*goes online to google how to get that trophy/achievement other friend just got.* No way he's 1up-ing me. [See what I did there...])
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