What its like to play online games as a grownup

[JimKiler]

courtesy of http://theoatmeal.com/comics/online_gaming

these stereotypes ring true for me as a teenager and as an adult.

 

[AstroManLuca]

This is why I only play single player games now. Pause and resume when I want, save and exit when I want, no retarded 12-year-olds screaming into their mics. I have a microphone but I don't even have it set up. Don't see any reason to, even if I DID play online games.

 

[ImpulsE69]

That just made my day

 

[Texashiker]

LOL,,,. That comic is about as close to reality as it gets.

When a see a spray of a naked woman in a game, I ask the other players "Do you know the difference between a man and a boy? A man "knows" what he would do with her, a boy "thinks" he knows what he would do."

 

[Red Storm]

Ha! I may only be 23, but I can totally relate to that.

 

[SunnyD]

I'm on board with that freaky weird sex that's illegal in seven states.

This is why I only play single player games now. Pause and resume when I want, save and exit when I want, no retarded 12-year-olds screaming into their mics. I have a microphone but I don't even have it set up. Don't see any reason to, even if I DID play online games.

See, this is how I treat online games too. I can log off at any time, and resume whenever I want. It's the same reasoning for avoiding most guilds and such - because I pay to play the game MY way, not how and when some idiot hopped up 13 year old wants me to. I like the social aspect of online games... but what people fail to realize is that yes... you CAN just walk away. There are some instances where people will think you're an asshat for it, but let's face it... tough shit.

 

[AstroManLuca]

See, this is how I treat online games too. I can log off at any time, and resume whenever I want. It's the same reasoning for avoiding most guilds and such - because I pay to play the game MY way, not how and when some idiot hopped up 13 year old wants me to. I like the social aspect of online games... but what people fail to realize is that yes... you CAN just walk away. There are some instances where people will think you're an asshat for it, but let's face it... tough shit.

I understand, but it's for my own sake, not other people's. I really don't care if I go AFK and cause my team to lose. But I hate it when I'm on a roll and then something comes up and I have to leave. I'm not exactly a stat whore but still. It's especially frustrating since I'm not very good, so when I AM doing well I REALLY don't want to stop.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I'm on board with that freaky weird sex that's illegal in seven states.

See, this is how I treat online games too. I can log off at any time, and resume whenever I want. It's the same reasoning for avoiding most guilds and such - because I pay to play the game MY way, not how and when some idiot hopped up 13 year old wants me to. I like the social aspect of online games... but what people fail to realize is that yes... you CAN just walk away. There are some instances where people will think you're an asshat for it, but let's face it... tough shit.

There's a lot of asshole things a person can do. It doesn't mean they should. The only thing that annoys me is when you're doing something people know darn well takes a while (like a game of LoL or a WoW raid) and people join for a few minutes and then are like oh sorry I only had 10 minutes to play. Wasting all the time 4-39 other people spent organizing it. If you're messing with other people's time respect it (it sounds like you do so I'm more just speaking in general about it than replying directly to you).

It's still a good comic though : p

 

[Rhezuss]

Nice...reminds me of WoW back in the days...
And Rift now...

Viva el singleplayer!

 

[thespyder]

LOL. Great comic. I loved it.

There's a lot of asshole things a person can do. It doesn't mean they should. The only thing that annoys me is when you're doing something people know darn well takes a while (like a game of LoL or a WoW raid) and people join for a few minutes and then are like oh sorry I only had 10 minutes to play. Wasting all the time 4-39 other people spent organizing it. If you're messing with other people's time respect it (it sounds like you do so I'm more just speaking in general about it than replying directly to you).

It's still a good comic though : p

to which I say "It's only a game". I can totally relate to "I only had 10 minutes to play". Doesn't mean I don't want to enjoy myself as well. And if you can't do without me when I leave, understand that "Its only a game".

 

[ChickenShwarma]

I can definitely relate.

I started playing online with Quake 2 on PC, and did not notice any issues with other players since communication was based on texts.

But as soon as Xbox Live picked up with available mic, I was so disappointed with the reality of timmy gamer population.

Sites like 2o2p, or AGE, are the only way I can play Xbox games online.

Ultimately, I blame the parents for letting these kids who have yet to develop social skills play online unsupervised.

 

[TheUnk]

LOL. Great comic. I loved it.



to which I say "It's only a game". I can totally relate to "I only had 10 minutes to play". Doesn't mean I don't want to enjoy myself as well. And if you can't do without me when I leave, understand that "Its only a game".

So you are totally cool joining a game that lasts 20-60 mins and is 99% un-winnable if just 1 of your teammates quit after 10mins?

 

[darkewaffle]

I liked the "dickpickle" and "Gay is the only adjective I know" lines.

 

[crownjules]

LOL. Great comic. I loved it.



to which I say "It's only a game". I can totally relate to "I only had 10 minutes to play". Doesn't mean I don't want to enjoy myself as well. And if you can't do without me when I leave, understand that "Its only a game".

The point is, if you only have 10 minutes you shouldn't be joining a game with other players that you know takes > 10 minutes to complete. It's disrespectful. Yes, it's only a game but you just messed up that game for all the other players just trying to play a game. They might have only had the time for one game and now they can't enjoy it.

I'm also going to start using dickpickle and noobcock as insults now.

And if you ever watch any video game competitions, the vast majority of players are teenagers or college age people. I watched the League of Legends championships and couldn't help feel sorry at how one of the best players in the game looked so awkward and out of place when on stage in the spotlight. Of course, he's known to be a douchebag in game.

 

[thespyder]

So you are totally cool joining a game that lasts 20-60 mins and is 99% un-winnable if just 1 of your teammates quit after 10mins?

Yep. But I appreciate your confidence in my abilities considering that winning hinges on MY performance.

The point is, if you only have 10 minutes you shouldn't be joining a game with other players that you know takes > 10 minutes to complete. It's disrespectful. Yes, it's only a game but you just messed up that game for all the other players just trying to play a game. They might have only had the time for one game and now they can't enjoy it.

Yep. Unfortunately. I have a life. And things happen in life. Stuff comes up and ya gotta put it in perspective. I think the point is it is disrespectful to say that yer game that takes > 10 minutes to play is more important than the cat being on fire (for instance).

When i sit down to play, I intend to play for a long time. But if my wife needs me for something, or my daughter has to work on homework on computer or whatever, that is WAY more important than if some Raid that will be played Xthousand times again in the exact same way over the next 10 minutes.

 

[QuantumPion]

to which I say "It's only a game". I can totally relate to "I only had 10 minutes to play". Doesn't mean I don't want to enjoy myself as well. And if you can't do without me when I leave, understand that "Its only a game".

This type of douchebaggery is not tolerated in real life any more than it is in online games. You couldn't go out bowling with your friends (if you had any) and 3 frames into the game say "sorry guys GTG, don't be hatin' it's just a game right?".

 

[thespyder]

This type of douchebaggery is not tolerated in real life any more than it is in online games. You couldn't go out bowling with your friends (if you had any) and 3 frames into the game say "sorry guys GTG, don't be hatin' it's just a game right?".

In the first place, this isn't about bowling. It is about online gaming. So you aren't one of only 4 people who can play. What was being discussed was 1 of 30-40 people in a game where there are potentially several hundred. And one man is not going to be missed or make or break anything of any consequence BECAUSE IT'S A GAME.

Second, if you have never bailed on a friendly gathering because a hot woman wanted to go out on a date, then wait a couple of years till you are in your teens. It'll happen. And then you will understand that people calling you a douchebag for doing that are only jealous that they can't do it themselves.

Third, it is clear which side of the cartoon you came out on. LOL. thanks for that.

 

[Fardringle]

This type of douchebaggery is not tolerated in real life any more than it is in online games. You couldn't go out bowling with your friends (if you had any) and 3 frames into the game say "sorry guys GTG, don't be hatin' it's just a game right?".

Why not? To use your example, if I was bowling with my friends and got a call from work/wife/hospital/etc. I would absolutely leave in the middle of the game, even if it was an important league tournament game, and my friends wouldn't have any problem with it. After all, as thespyder said, it IS just a game and many things are far more important than a game.

 

[SunnyD]

There's a lot of asshole things a person can do. It doesn't mean they should. The only thing that annoys me is when you're doing something people know darn well takes a while (like a game of LoL or a WoW raid) and people join for a few minutes and then are like oh sorry I only had 10 minutes to play. Wasting all the time 4-39 other people spent organizing it. If you're messing with other people's time respect it (it sounds like you do so I'm more just speaking in general about it than replying directly to you).

It's still a good comic though : p

No, see, I'm not stupid enough to intentionally join something I know I won't have the time and/or patience for. Guild goes GSB every weekend in Rift. I've been asked to join or fill in dropped spots. I've politely declined because frankly I don't want to spend several hours not just listening to someone tell me what to do, but also knowing I usually won't have time for such an endeavor.

I will, however, say "tough shit" if I join something with full intentions of completing it, only to be called away to that something called "Real Life" 10 minutes into it. Bitch all you want, but it's just a game.

This type of douchebaggery is not tolerated in real life any more than it is in online games. You couldn't go out bowling with your friends (if you had any) and 3 frames into the game say "sorry guys GTG, don't be hatin' it's just a game right?".

Sure, why not? The way I look at it that's 7 more frames someone else gets to have fun throwing the ball down the lane. Have a valid reason to leave... peace guys! I'm out!. Don't like the company, make an excuse and walk away. Friends will understand, bystanders may think you're a douche. Big fucking deal. Get on with your lives.

 

[Arsinek]

Meh, its hardly that big of a deal. There are ignore and mute features, use them.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Why not? To use your example, if I was bowling with my friends and got a call from work/wife/hospital/etc. I would absolutely leave in the middle of the game, even if it was an important league tournament game, and my friends wouldn't have any problem with it. After all, as thespyder said, it IS just a game and many things are far more important than a game.

An emergency is different from already knowing you won't have time, but getting other people committed to a game that's going to take longer and just bailing.

 

[TheUnk]

Yep. But I appreciate your confidence in my abilities considering that winning hinges on MY performance.

You are aware that there are games out there that you have a limited number of players on each team and 1 leaving can easily mean that your team has now lost almost regardless of the skill of the player that left.

RTS games, MOBA games, and I'm sure others.

But hey, who cares, you got your 10mins of fun while ruining 40+ minutes of everyone elses. It's just a game.

 

[Aikouka]

Why not? To use your example, if I was bowling with my friends and got a call from work/wife/hospital/etc. I would absolutely leave in the middle of the game, even if it was an important league tournament game, and my friends wouldn't have any problem with it. After all, as thespyder said, it IS just a game and many things are far more important than a game.

I agree with them and I think you're missing the point. No one minds if someone has something come up and they have to go. That happens. What they're saying is that it's disrespectful to knowingly join an event with others that will take a decent amount of time when you only have a small fraction of that available. If a raid is stated to be 3 hours long and you only have 30 minutes, but join anyway... that's kind of rude. Now, if you mention this and the leader is okay, that's fine!

To me, the point is that a lot of people complain about the rampant "douchebaggery" online, but in essence, it boils down to a lack of respect. The aforementioned issue is purely based on a lack of respect for your fellow players.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Why not? To use your example, if I was bowling with my friends and got a call from work/wife/hospital/etc. I would absolutely leave in the middle of the game, even if it was an important league tournament game, and my friends wouldn't have any problem with it. After all, as thespyder said, it IS just a game and many things are far more important than a game.

Sure, but that is not the example given in the comic. I have a strict FIFO system when it comes to free time. Whoever asks for it first gets my free time. If somebody asks if I am available later, sorry I am busy. It is the ONLY way I can remain fair to friends and family. Now, if my family has an emergency or some random event comes up that Uncle PF has to attend then I will drop friends for it (and apologize for the breach in etiquette). I have COMMITTED my time to an event and to the other party that commitment is important. No different than answering a cell phone while in the theater, no different than texting at a meal. It is implying that the commitment is NOT important to you and the other event is.

So by all means leave mid game, just know that the next time you ask to play with me I may decline and cite the reason.

 

[RPD]

I agree with them and I think you're missing the point. No one minds if someone has something come up and they have to go. That happens. What they're saying is that it's disrespectful to knowingly join an event with others that will take a decent amount of time when you only have a small fraction of that available. If a raid is stated to be 3 hours long and you only have 30 minutes, but join anyway... that's kind of rude. Now, if you mention this and the leader is okay, that's fine!

To me, the point is that a lot of people complain about the rampant "douchebaggery" online, but in essence, it boils down to a lack of respect. The aforementioned issue is purely based on a lack of respect for your fellow players.

Exactly, not sure why this wasn't clear. Don't knownly particiapte in something you don't have time for when your leaving negitively affects others. Seems like common sense.

On topic, the Oatmeal comics own.