I saw an interesting discussion yesterday – Nick, a newsposter on ZeldaInformer, posted about how he felt that he should stop playing Zelda due to wanting to reinvent himself for college, and it caused a heated debate to break out.
What do you think? When should the line be drawn on switching out social interaction for gaming, and is it ever necessary to stop playing games and move on?
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August 27th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
onw should NEVER stop playing Zelda. The benefits outweigh the negative factors
August 27th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Yeah! How else could someone like me develop such an amazing grasp of physics? lol (I learned everything I need to know about jumping off of ledges from Zelda)
But, seriously, you can go to college and still play Zelda. I mean, that's what I'm going to do in a year! I'll probably still be developing my fangames and such!
Just don't let Zelda get in the way of your grades or life. Videogames are for entertainment, and should be treated as such. If you need to study for an exam, then study! If you have free time and want to play Zelda, play Zelda! There's nothing wrong with a good medium.
But, if he wants to leave Zelda for some reason, who are we to say he can't? If he's not that interested in it, then we can't force him to be. I mean, I love Zelda and will definitely pass my old games down to my kids, and maybe they'll too learn the skill of somersaulting after jumping off of a 50 foot cliff! ^_^
August 27th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
This is a very difficult thing to judge. In the end it will always come down to personal opinion.
The way I feel is this: Zelda is fun, but you have to know your limits. There were times when I used to put off my friends and family just so I could play this amazing video game. While some might not object to that, I realize that I do. I think it's a fun thing to do in your spare time, but when it seeps into your social life and you start planning around it, that's when it becomes a problem. Your life should not revolve around a video game.
So, I agree with his decision whole-heartedly. I'll probably hopefully maybe be going to college in a year and I'm still undecided on whether I should bring my wii or not. I love Zelda to death but I don't want to be distracted by it. After all, video games don't always benefit you in real life the way a job or an education do. They are simply entertainment when you need it.
August 27th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
While your a kid video games are really great. I wouldn't say zelda games would get boring or anything. But after awhile you need to move on. I mean you need a degree to get any job and a degree in gaming is not going to get you very far. Second of all nobody likes someone who won't stop talking about video games (trust me).
So I completely agree with his decision.
August 27th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I decided to give up console video games when I went to college
perhaps would have been more pleasant had I kept with them
I did not find much clearity or pleasantness switching from normal activity I did to someone elses type of activity
I did however gain experience from it
Perhaps continuing with activity you normally do and adjusting around it is best
"faith"
otherwise you are seemingly letting go of your value
you are seemingly letting go of you
(instead you should be strengthening your value and strengthening you)
August 27th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Last year, a bunch of guys on my floor and I played video games all the time. When Mario Kart came out for Wii we played for HOURS. I replayed Wind Waker and a bunch of other games. A ton of people played Halo.
Basically, there was a room of guys who played games, partied, and got 4.0s. It's all about balance.
August 27th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
People will do as they please in the end. We may effect their judgment with our ranting, but its still their choice. I personally think quitting games could possibly affect how you do in school, but if you quit cold turkey, the affect will be negative without a doubt. When ever I used to fail a class my parents would lock my games up in a closet, and my grades ended up getting worse at first. Then I tried so hard I couldn't keep awake at school for long, just to get my grades up. If you're forcing yourself to quit instead of having it taken away the negative effects are sure to last longer. Cutting down is the best alternative but don't quit cold turkey.
August 27th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Life holds so much ahead besides video games. Open up. Enjoy the world.
August 27th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I'll let you in on college life and zelda. I went to college in 2002-2006. I studied musical theater, hung out with people, partied, and played zelda, but not all the time. I did not think for a minute I was wasting my time playing some video games, only because I loved the game so much.
August 27th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
And believe me, when I was younger, I locked myself in my room for hours and hours, playing zelda and other video games over and over. I some times lost touch of people, made new friends, and played more zelda. Now it's 2009, and I turned out fine. I don't have a social desease (that's for the WOW players). I have a job, making money, friends, and a girlfriend, and my family still loves me. I still keep updated about the new zelda games that are coming out, and always wish nintendo would not delay their games, but that's not gonna happen.
August 27th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
The point is some people grow out of it, and some people don't. But no matter what you do, just try to get back in touch with reality. Would you rather play video games all day, or spend all your time with some other consuming entertainment like watching tv and movies? Rest assure. I'm a zelda fan for life, and no matter how old I get, there is always going to be a little hero in me, trying to save the world of Hyrule. Stay adventurous and believe the magic my firends.
-Justin Basl
August 27th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
You want to play Zelda, you do, as simple as that.
You study to work, you work to live, and now up to you to define your life.
Zelda's part of my hobbies. I'm in college, I have a few books to read and research about them later on, I have to study German and I'm lucky Spanish is my first language, I'm trying to keep up with English and French, I've worked all Summer long, I had no time to play console games.
But there's no way I'll let my life suffer from my obligations.
What must be done will be done. Still found the time to finish Phantom Hourglass and will find the time to play Spirit Tracks this Winter.
Even if I'm going on a college trip.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
can't you just go to callege and still play zelda !?!
August 27th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
You can. You just have to balance it with your class schedule, social life, things like that. Video games are totally possible, it's just they have to take a backseat to your studies most of the time, but they're great to left off steam.
Though honestly, it's not as bad as the author of the article makes it out to be. There are tons of people that love video games in college, including Zelda. There are a lot of people that wear Zelda memorabilia at my college (and no, it's not an art college). Liking Zelda's nothing to be ashamed of.
August 27th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Speaking as a college graduate, it's all about time management. You can still get all of your homework and studying done, hang out with friends, do club activities, AND still find time to play Zelda. While I always didn't play Zelda during my free time, I made sure I had at least an hour of de-stress time to do whatever I wanted before I did my homework and/or studying, and that actually helped me improve my grades.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:31 am
I think that going to the extreme and completely stop playing games is stupid. It's a matter of time management. You can still have a social life and go well in college while playing games on weekends and such.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I’m in the 8th grade and I like Zelda.Sure I like to goof off at times but I also know that I have to study and what not. It’s you’re choice. Nobody can stop you excpet yourself. Good luck in college! GO ZELDA!
August 28th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Honestly, it's his decision, and I myself may lay low on Zelda when it come time I'm in college in a another year. The thing with this guy, is he's giving it up for the wrong reasons. First of all for a girl he will probably date no longer than a year, but also to get wild at parties, which contrary to the belief, is not what college about at all. It's one thing to focus on a career and eduction, but if people can't accept you for who you are, then they are not your friends.
August 28th, 2009 at 2:54 am
I think eventually (weather you go to college or not) you don't really have the attention span or time to play games like you were when you are younger. Not that you just completely lose interest or stop playing all together, I buy the new Zelda games when they come out, but unlike when I was in high school, I just don't have the time and desire to get every item in the game, look for ever Easter egg, beating the game 10 times or what ever. Even if I had the time, it just isn't fun for me anymore, it actually feels like work in a way.
August 28th, 2009 at 7:04 am
I think everyone in this little discussion has contributed something worthwhile.
In the end it Is about balance and eventually you'll find it. As far as that goes the best of luck to him! He'll work it out.
But he shouldn't give it up entirely (that's from the fan in me)
August 28th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Be who you are…. that's what it comes down to. If you love Zelda then play Zelda games. Why should you have to give something up to say be a part of the "In" crowd. You can play Zelda and still be socially involved at school. There is balance to be had. Yet some people maybe can't find that balance.
I love my video games in general, and although school comes first and marks are important, it's still good to find time to relax and play some games. Much like it's fun to hang out with friends and such and have a few drinks.
I'm just hoping that whoever thinks they should be giving up on Zelda (or video games in general) just because some people don't find it cool, or just to be social more at college/university should also be thinking about whether they are being true to themselves. If your bored and tired of a game sure, move on and find something else your more interested into, but if you enjoy something and have fun with it, it's nothing to be ashamed of or feel a need to give up in order to be more social or accepted.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Why do people think that if you play Zelda you can't have real friends?wtf.I mean as long as you can play on this game then also be with ur friends…idk why people dont think it cant work out.
August 28th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
There's no need to stop playing, I'm in the University, studying mechathronics, I have a girlfriend, lots of friends(and yes, that includes lots of girl friends too) and I play Nintendo since I have memory. You just need to have an equilibrium and sometimes give the importance to the things that need more time. (by the way, sorry for my bad english).
August 28th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I have little to no respect for people who would stop playing their favourite video game – it's a hobby, they need to be fufiled – so that they can spend every moment of their life doing needed, mature things 24/7.
What is the point in living at all if you're just going to bore your life down and never have fun? You have 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week– surely you have plenty of time to play Zelda and do everything else.
I will never respect those who sacrafice their fun time so that their entire day can consist of typical, boring subjects. It's good to be different, and amazing tobe imaginaive. Don't dull down your life with endless mature, unfun thing – have fun!
August 29th, 2009 at 4:56 am
I think that video games are a lifestyle. Just like with everything else in life, you have to decide what's important. I'm a physics major, so believe me, I have a lot on my plate. But what it comes down to is that I like video games. I get a lot of crap about it because I'm a woman in a man's world (with physics AND video games), but you know what? I like it. It makes me happy, so I do it. My friends appreciate it, my boyfriend supports it, what more matter? Find what you love and do it. Just go for it and don't worry about what others think. Because in the end, YOU have to be happy with your life. Surround yourself with people who respect you and share your hobbies (or at least support you liking them). I'm a physics nerd and a video game geek… and I'm loving every minute of it!
August 29th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I remember back when I used to play AoL or AlttP for several hours as soon as I got back from school. 5 hours every day maybe, but I don't have that kind of time on my hands anymore, part of growing up I guess. He's probably right that there are other things to do in college, but that doesn't mean that you have to give up gaming completely. If he's sitting in his boxers playing OoT when a guest arrives I think he should be more concerned about he's clothing than his gaming. Where's my five cents? Ok, so that's just an expression
August 30th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
omg the bolero of fire my best freind is overly opsestes with that song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I dont see this as a problem; a mature person should already understand that fun is fun, and duty is duty. I LOVE Zelda, I've stayed home just to play it and I've sometimes rejected to go out with my friends. But it's not a serious thing as we see it! It depends on how your limits are traced! It always happens; sometimes you want to give to yourself a personal time (to play Zelda, to paint, etc, to do your hobbies) and sometimes you want to give your time to your friends and spend your day with them.
A game shouldn't really interfere in your real life, for the ones that have problems with it, look it at this way; your studies are your future, while the game is not, its just a fun moment, that's all. If you guys prefere to play Zelda rather than make a homework or study for an examn, you should state your priorities clearly. Act maturely, arrange your social, studies and fun schedulse, and you'll have no problem later
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September 5th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!Dude,whaz yo problem?!Legend of Zelda is thinking!!!!!!And if you want me to prove it,my teacher gave us homework to PLAY oot and beat one temple every day!!!!!!!!!!!!If you don't want to play it anymore,that's fine by me.But just remember wat i said.