When I say just play video games, I mean play without constantly checking your phone, listening to a podcast, watching a tv show, whatever. Cos it's something I'm trying to do more of recently, which getting a gaming headset has really helped with.
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How often do you ‘just’ play video games?
- Thread starter It’s Time To Go
- Start date
All the time. I sat and played through the entirety of Sonic 1 last night only stopping to pee. No ones texting me anyway.
I don't know why I'd be constantly checking my phone if I wanted to play a game, and I've never understood why people play games and watching TV simultaneously, I guess the idea is that two boring things that can't hold your attention at the same time somehow become worthwhile?, but I definitely listen to podcasts or music while playing games pretty often.
Several years ago I decided that if a game wasn't holding my interest without something else to held out, I probably shouldn't be spending time on that game.
I won't say I hold to that 100%, but I think it's safe to say 95% of the time I am focused on a game and only the game while playing.
*edit* strangely I'm most likely to look at my phone quickly during cutscenes, less interested in story details as time goes on
I won't say I hold to that 100%, but I think it's safe to say 95% of the time I am focused on a game and only the game while playing.
*edit* strangely I'm most likely to look at my phone quickly during cutscenes, less interested in story details as time goes on
Depends on what I'm doing in the game. I might have a sport or YouTube video in the background if I'm grinding levels in an RPG or doing cleanup work on a 100% run of a game.
It depends. I'm a big game multitasker if it doesn't require my full attention (animal crossing or doing the boring parts of a sidequest I usually have tv or a podcast going on in the background).
Story based stuff I am better at, but still tend to check my phone ever once in a while unless I'm REALLY into it—Usually when shit is popping off in the game.
You don't have a phone period? Or you don't have a smart phone or??? I'm just curious figured phones were basically like a necessity in 2020 and conceptually can't get my head around this lol
Story based stuff I am better at, but still tend to check my phone ever once in a while unless I'm REALLY into it—Usually when shit is popping off in the game.
You don't have a phone period? Or you don't have a smart phone or??? I'm just curious figured phones were basically like a necessity in 2020 and conceptually can't get my head around this lol
Depends on the game. Single-player, story-heavy game that I'm going through for the first time? No distractions. At most I might occasionally glance at my phone during loading screens.
Doing some dailies for the 50th time in some GaaS game or MMO? Probably have external music going, may alt-tab or check my phone frequently.
I generally don't watch shows or anything while playing games, though. I'm not good at treating shows as "just background noise" and I will get distracted to the point that I'm focusing more on the show than the game.
Doing some dailies for the 50th time in some GaaS game or MMO? Probably have external music going, may alt-tab or check my phone frequently.
I generally don't watch shows or anything while playing games, though. I'm not good at treating shows as "just background noise" and I will get distracted to the point that I'm focusing more on the show than the game.
If I'm playing a narrative focused game or a skill-intensive game, I'm playing with no distractions, no one around me, headphones on, and in this position:
If I'm playing a GAAS title, or some game where I'm grinding or has too many loading screens, I'm laying on the couch with my phone next to me watching videos or listening to podcasts.
Right now, I would say the ratio is 70/30, in favor of no distraction gaming.
If I'm playing a GAAS title, or some game where I'm grinding or has too many loading screens, I'm laying on the couch with my phone next to me watching videos or listening to podcasts.
Right now, I would say the ratio is 70/30, in favor of no distraction gaming.
Eh... if I'm playing, I'm playing. The only distractions are from my kids wanting to play too or wanting me to do something else.
Everything I do I lose my focus quickly, with video games is no different, which is why I have been playing more multiplayer games lately, since there is not much room for distraction.
Only late at night can I do this.
Otherwise my wife and dog may distract me, which is fine... they don't constantly distract me, but I don't want to fully lose myself in a game because I want to be available for them. Once they are asleep I do go full immersion mode for an hour or two.
Otherwise my wife and dog may distract me, which is fine... they don't constantly distract me, but I don't want to fully lose myself in a game because I want to be available for them. Once they are asleep I do go full immersion mode for an hour or two.
I gots a landline home phone just not a cell/mobile/smart/whatever they're branded as these days phone. Most of the calls I get are fake phone calls anyways so I've more or less given up on answering it unless its pretty obviously a real person I know calling/hanging up/calling right back trying ta get ahold of me.
I treat playing games in an obsessive ritualistic manner where I have to fully immerse myself.
I recently played some Time Crisis while having headphones to music from my phone, but that was an exception to the rule and because of the arcadey repeat nature of the game it makes sense.
I recently played some Time Crisis while having headphones to music from my phone, but that was an exception to the rule and because of the arcadey repeat nature of the game it makes sense.
In general though I only check my phone during long loading screens or to look things up. So the less loading a game has, the less distracted I will be.
It helps that my PS4 and laptop are hooked up to the same monitor, and switching between channels is too much of a hassle to do willy-nilly. I also don't have a television in this room, so my phone is really the only thing here that can distract me.
It helps that my PS4 and laptop are hooked up to the same monitor, and switching between channels is too much of a hassle to do willy-nilly. I also don't have a television in this room, so my phone is really the only thing here that can distract me.
I'll listen to music, podcasts or audiobooks while playing if the game "allows" it.
Back when I played CoD I would always listen to music while playing casual multiplayer. And games like Minecraft or games I've already played are excellent for podcasts and audiobooks.
Back when I played CoD I would always listen to music while playing casual multiplayer. And games like Minecraft or games I've already played are excellent for podcasts and audiobooks.
It mostly depends on the game.
If the game has a lot of downtime i usually have have something open on my PC or phone. For example getting from point A to point B in Red Dead Redemption 2 can take a while so i would simply engage the cinematic camera and watch stuff on youtube.
It's most likely to happen in open world games.
But in normal gameplay i prefer to stay focused on the game.
Started Shadows of the Damned today and in 3 hours of play i only got on my phone once to reply to a message.
If the game has a lot of downtime i usually have have something open on my PC or phone. For example getting from point A to point B in Red Dead Redemption 2 can take a while so i would simply engage the cinematic camera and watch stuff on youtube.
It's most likely to happen in open world games.
But in normal gameplay i prefer to stay focused on the game.
Started Shadows of the Damned today and in 3 hours of play i only got on my phone once to reply to a message.
It depends. I usually don't check my phone or anything while I am playing, but games these days especially on consoles have very long load times sometimes so I will check my phone while a game loads. Especially during multiplayer games where there is downtime between matches. Also, my time to play games is usually while my wife is making dinner or while she is sleeping in on the weekends so during dinner prep time I will often pause a game I'm playing to do something real quick if she needs something.
My distractions have gone up as I've gotten older. I was super into RPGs and completely focused, now I usually play a dungeon crawler or anything I can play to chill while watching videos on the other monitors. The gaming headset doesn't help much since all of the audio is from the same source, but I guess it could help on console
I chose always without distractions, but I'll put on music/podcasts for turn-based multiplayer games or absolutely mindless games where I'm just grinding or going through the motions.
When I play a game I'm fully tapped in and attentive. I believe media deserves my full attention.
I almost always play games 100% without distractions because I like to be focused and immersed. Whenever I'm doing intense grinding or whatever I will listen to a podcast or some YouTube video on the side, but for the most part I like to dedicate 100% of my attention to the game and this also applies to movies and TV and such also.
Story based games 100% without distraction. If it's a MP game I'll put a podcast or something in the background.