Games Less Engrossing Than Other Media?

The British Board of Film Classification recently released a study describing players' reactions to videogames. The synopsis of their findings makes for fascinating reading. "Gamers are starting to play at a younger age, even as the average age of gamers is increasing. Males and females differ greatly in taste in games, how long they play, and how involved they are in the gameplay. Negative press about a game significantly increases it's sales and many young gamers choose games based on word of mouth. Games provide a sense of achievement, unlike passive mediums like television. Active participation decreases the tendency to 'forget' your experiencing a fantasy vs. non-interactive visual mediums. Gamers find violence in television and movies more upsetting than violence in games. While parents agree that games should be regulated, some still consider the whole genre as 'kid's toys', even games that may include adult content." One of the most controversial findings is the assertion that games are less engrossing than other media, with players having less of an emotional connection to in-game events than the events in a book or movie. The Wonderland blog offers up the full report as well as commentary on their findings.

Is this surprising?

[CyberLord Seven]

Active participation decreases the tendency to 'forget' your experiencing a fantasy vs. non-interactive visual mediums.

So, we don't forget that we are playing a game when we are playing. Add to that the immersion of a good novel or movie and this seems rather obvious.

I've been immersed in game play but never to the level of a good book. Plus, the images in my mind from a good novel often exceed what is available even on todays SFX laden screens and this is a no-brainer.

Re:WoW not engrossing?

[sokoban]

And apparently nobody has ever stolen their cloudsong.

http://cloudsong.ytmnsfw.com/?0bc4392e4b6b6d3618e1 5e165215213f [ytmnsfw.com]

And they've never gotten minus fifty DKP.
http://onyserious.ytmnd.com/ [ytmnd.com]

Re:WoW not engrossing?

[endianx]

I agree. Though more so than MMORPGs, I find the Final Fantasy series in particular to be quite emotionally stimulating (makes me laugh, and almost cry). And fast paced FPSs (like Team Fortress Classic, as opposed to America's Army) were massive adrenaline rushes.

Re:WoW not engrossing?

[HTH NE1]

I suppose it's the same as with people who need to purchase every season of a show they like so they can see every last episode.

As such a person, it is more that I want to see every single second of the episodes as opposed to the edited-for-more-commercials-in-syndication versions. I also like culture-referential humor, and my DVD collection is my reference material.

But I don't play WoW or similar games.

Re:well it's true

[Mattintosh]

Same here.

I didn't have this problem when I was younger unless I was very ill. I had horrible fever dreams of Wrecking Crew where I was on a 747 made out of those blocks and Mario and Luigi were smashing them out from under me.

More recently (within the last 3 or 4 years), I've been having dreams about puzzle games. If I play Tetris (Tetris DS triggered it), then I dream Tetris. If I play Bejeweled, I dream Bejeweled (or Puzzle Quest, this past week). If I play Guitar Hero, I dream Guitar Hero. But I think I've figured out why. My brain is pre-solving all the possible combinations of moves. It's kinda freaky. I'll play a game a lot for a day or two, then the dreams start. After a couple of days of playing followed by nights of dreaming, all of the challenge of the puzzle is solved, so it's down to simple muscle mechanics and the game is essentially beaten. It's only a matter of time before I totally destroy the game and begin looking for the next one.

And, yes, I think I might have a mild form of OCD.

Re:Is this surprising?

[fredgiblet]

So do I, I was just pointing out that a lot of people who go into conniption fits about violent games are also the same people who would encourage children to read the bible, one of the most violent and depraved books in existance.