GAMERS
For such a new vampire I’ve often been told I have an old spirit. This might explain my relative disinterest in video games. In my human days, I never owned a game console, never rushed to buy the newest shoot em up or sports franchise. This often put me squarely in the minority among my peers. But being a vampire would change things.
Vampires are an ancient race, witness to numerous games that have come and gone, and it is only the best of these that can survive to maintain our interest. Chess. Knucklebones. Marbles. Even a pleasant evening of cards. So surely this relatively new fad of computerized entertainment would fail to hold sway.
Or so I thought.
I was shocked to accept an invitation to an undead friend’s dinner party the other evening, only to learn that afterwards we would be engaging in some game where we pretend to sing and play guitar. Even more surprising, none of the other guests seemed to mind. In fact, they were delighted, and began a conversation of their favorite selections. Magical quests to uncover artifacts, extraordinarily violent gore fests (although I’ve been told the blood inevitably looks completely fake), one undead even professed his love for a game that entails simply directing a human character through a virtual world populated with other avatars.
Why would vampires have such interest in video games? Our reflexes make even the most complicated mere child’s play. The scenarios crafting us into deadly beings or great heroes offers little more power than we have in real life as undead. Why waste time facing an enemy made up of digital code when we can face a true battle of wits against a real opponent?
I asked this outright at the party, the other vampires looked at me like I was insane.
“It’s fun, Andrew. Try it.”
Honestly, I still fail to see the point. But I did manage to learn something that night. My singing voice is no better now than it was when I was alive, as the computerized crowd at this make-believe rock concert told me in no uncertain terms:
You Suck.
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Andrew I don’t and haven’t plays any video games but my “teacup” off spring have. Back then it was Pong. A very modern in vention at the time. MOM, Everyone has one!!!! Hours of Pong, Then Donkey Kong, Space Invaders. Then Kid Icarus. can’t forget Pac Man. Between that and MTV, that was new…I thought for sure my little humans were going to go to hell in a hand basket for sure.
You are lucky to have shuned this habit. My son, now 32 still plays games like crazy. I even bought him one of the hand help things to play on the AirPlane when he travels. Your talking about that Guitar Hero. I know of one Vampire or 2 that has a Wii. You might like Wii. have you played on a Wii?
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I have a PS3. I LOVE it. I may not like humans, but I love their inventions. Sure, it’s not as appealing to everyone as the Nintendo Wii… or as competitive as the XBOX360, which is plagued by foul mouth miscreants SCREAMING VULGARITIES ON THE LEVEL OF WHICH I HAVE NOT HEARD IN DECADES, but it is nice. Try the PS3, it has recently slashed it’s prices AND it works as a Blue Ray player which no other home game system can even come close to.
From what I hear it can stream HBO shows like Hung, Entourage… etc and movies as well. So even if you don’t want to buy Blue Ray Discs, you can still see some great television… if you are inclined to watch television.
That’s not all it does either. But I am beginning to digress.
But get this…, I recently bought the critically acclaimed HBO series Six Feet Under for Blue Ray just for my PS3! I wonder what other shows one could buy on Blue Ray and play on their PS3!? That HBO is always offering prime entertainment, don’t you think?
Don’t be afraid of video games. If you have strength of character they are harmless. If you are weak… well… they can be as addictive as they say V happens to be.
Heh.
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:30 am
i still dont see the point i barely play it myself. i mean it doesnt hold anything for me but i do hold it in mind to try something new so just try it first then comment later
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:38 am
I suppose for those long summer days a handheld device would be entertaining when you are forced to spend so much more time hidden away. Perhaps something with puzzles? A quest for treasure? Does anyone have any suggestions? Perhaps we could start tweeting from our ‘crypts’?
I have often thought that Alaska might be a good place to live 1/2 the year, what with the darkness, the reverse of the human ’snowbird’?
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:03 am
I am in agreement with the uselessness of the video games. I have been surrounded by those that are addicted to them my whole life. Frankly I’d rather read a good book. You never know what you might learn. Sewing is also useful, as you are actually going to get something useful out of your efforts. As opposed to the “carpal tunnel syndrome” most video game players suffer, as well as the lacking of basic social skills, ignorance of the big picture, complete usefulness in any kind of real world situation, dwindling bank accounts, and let’s also not forget their ever expanding waist-lines. There are so many side effects of the video games, that I fear for those that are addicted to their instant gratification.
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:12 am
oops forgot a word. Meant to say:
“, complete lack of usefulness in any kind of real world situation,”
We all make mistakes on occasion. But we must learn from them or we are doomed to repeat them.
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I got the greatest Idea for my next game. SUNSHINE The game! All the feeling and warmth of sunshine without the instant death!
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
@Grouchy
Quit being such a freaking grouch!
@Merick
You can find all of those types of games on Sony’s PSP or Nintendo’s DS. Don’t let people fool you into thinking that you can’t balance playing video games with normal life. And no, these aren’t all children’s games or items for the socially disinclined. That is an old way of thinking. But considering some posting here are fellow vampires I shouldn’t be surprised.
September 4th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Dearest Jay,
& Others
My apologies for the previous rant. I normally try to maintain my composure as well as my anonymity. The video games simply struck a “raw nerve”. I do agree, that there are those who maintain their sanity under the influence of the video games. However, I unfortunately have simply seen too much of the other side of the equation. You must admit, it is not pretty.
Again, My apologies, Grouch Red Riding Hood
September 15th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I agree with andrew. I for one don’t like vidio games. Never have never will. When the new ‘Wi’ games came out my parents got one for me and my brother. I think I used the game once because I it was raining so I could not go runnig, and I had no good books to read. It was Ok but I haven’t used used it sence christmas. My brother on the other hand couldn’t be more different. As a 17 year old girl I know few people that feel the same way about vidio games and other tech. Many people have referd to me as an old soul because of my hesitation toward new tech.
Con’t worry Andrew it’s not just you.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:05 am
I love video games, and I also like auction games, the thrill of the chase and all that. So most days of the week you’ll find me playing on http://www.dubli.com trying to secure an awesome bargain like an iPod for $10. Which has been known to happen. God bless auctions!
October 25th, 2009 at 12:28 am
buy ps2…
Playing video games can also give you many new friendss…
October 25th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Personally, im a fan of the ps3. Props to the few(and mabey only) smart humans who invented it.
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:07 am
PS3, Wii, DS, Xbox, whatever - I’ve got them all thanks to http://www.dubli.com.
And yes, I’m a major GAMER!
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:38 am
Im a major gamer too! Whoever says girls cant be gamers can screw themselves! ;P
January 6th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Why wont just one of you louisiana vampires or any vampire thats goodlooking anyway(male please) come make me a believer. Not talking about silly humans who think that they are vampire just because they are lost from this world so they cut on their friends, im talking to REAL vampires here.I have been here in louisiana all of my life and never even once came across an inkling of a feeling that anyone even in new orleans was a real undead vampire. So if you are real undead vampire, able to glamor me then what are you waiting for, where are you and why would you hide from one who is willing to work with you, of course if your real? I never said i want to be a vampire so dont mistake me, i said make me a believer.. I am just here in louisiana, lafayette louisiana that is, well near enough to lafayette, where are you, do you ever hang out on jefferson street on fridays or saturdays, if not , why? Thats where you might find me. But of course i doubt any of you REAL vampires will ever find me. Because you say you dont hang out with humans, whatever. That is nonsence. Be brave, i mean i know this site is just based on a series for HBO . but it got the attention of REAL vampires so, go along with it vampires, work toward getting your rights. Be brave and come hang out on jefferson st downtown lafayette la. Clubs all the way down jefferson. I will make you a deal, if you can deal? My deal is this, if you can find me, then if your glamor works on me, i’ll be ok with you biting me, if your glamor does not work then you have to buy my drinks for the rest of that night. Any serious takers, come you know you just cant resist a challenge, especially when blood is involved. Come on down all vamps welcome, invited what else can i say to get you so hot and interested that you WILL come here and deal with me. Just want proof for my own mind that you are indeed what you claim to be. We will have a great time come on over…