Emotional Gaming

Games have always been escapism for me, as I've used them as a coping mechanism to deal with the various issues I've experienced throughout my life. Now, I'm less than not interested in a psychological assessment of my emotional gaming habit. What I want to know is if any of you experience something similar, in that you play a particular type of game to try to assuage a particular emotion or mental state.

I'll give you one example of my own, then I want to hear from you. When I'm feeling irritated or angry, I throw on one of the various iterations of Dynasty Warriors, and slaughter poorly-trained peons in a bloody storm of steel. I find it to be a good release for my pent-up aggression.

So, what is your emotional gaming story?

I think for me it's less "emotional" and more energy level. When I'm tired I'll play a wind down game like Minecraft but if I'm pumped and want to play a bit I'll throw on something like Titanfall. I definitely get what you're saying though, it can definitely be a great release of whatever you're feeling at the moment

SvenExChao wrote:I think for me it's less "emotional" and more energy level. When I'm tired I'll play a wind down game like Minecraft but if I'm pumped and want to play a bit I'll throw on something like Titanfall. I definitely get what you're saying though, it can definitely be a great release of whatever you're feeling at the moment

Im more along this thinking as well. Sometimes I just want to space out and play something basic, other times I want fast paced fun.

I don't know if my emotional state really affects my gaming, but what I play is usually "inspired" by some other media. Like if I hear something on the news about international diplomacy, I'll get an urge to play Civilization V. Or if I've seen a zombie movie I'll go play Left 4 Dead 2.

There are some games that I definitely have to be in the "mood" to play, especially highly atmospheric games like Thomas Was Alone or Brothers.

For me, there is a bit of sense emotional escape to the game. I love getting away for a bit. RPGs are my thing with games like Skyrim, Dragon Age, or Mass Effect. It is fun to take control of someone whose destiny is to change the very landscape of the country, world, galaxy etc. When I want to be in control of something, I pop in one of my many RTS games or Civ 5. Or if I want to be apart of a team, I jump into a moba like LoL or Smite or an MMO like Age of Wushu. The games you play depend on your skill level as well as the teammates around you. Age of Wushu has you gathering items to build up bases or make items, fighting people and other guilds.

I do seem to jump around a lot though. Depending on my gaming appetite, I will switch to sports games, rts, fps, etc. It all depends on what I am feeling.

For me it's about time management. If I know I only have a little time to game I'll play a game like an arcade title or something g that I can turn off quickly. If I have an hour or more I'll play something I'm more devoted to.