Author Topic: Video games as frugal entertainment?  (Read 5947 times)

MoneyGoatee

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Video games as frugal entertainment?
« on: June 18, 2019, 09:31:00 AM »
Many frugal people are cord cutters, or have no TVs, and/or don't go to theaters, concerts, etc.  But do any of you see video games as a form of frugal entertainment?  They generally offer more hours of entertainment per title than movies, TV shows, etc.  A 4-hour movie may seem interminable, but a game that lasts only 4 hours, like Limbo or Inside, is considered very short.  A typical game lasts 10-20 hours.  Fallout 3 and 4 each lasts 200 hours or more.  MMOs like World of Warcraft and Elder Scrolls Online are intended to be played for YEARS.  That definitely seems like a good amount of entertainment for something you only pay for once, with no recurring charges other than the electricity to power your gaming devices.  But of course, video games are not everyone's cup of tea.  Many games are also repetitive and monotonous, and the longer play time doesn't necessarily mean more enjoyment.  For young children, games could take time away from school work, exercise, social interactions, etc.  Many games are violent and gory also, and some excessively so, and that is not for children or maybe even some adults.  The cost of gaming devices is a factor too.  Game consoles generally cost $500 each.  And if you play games on PCs, expect to spend $1k-2k or more on an advanced PC that can play the latest games.  I wonder how many hours of gaming you need in order to make that worthwhile.  So what are the mustachians' thoughts on this?
« Last Edit: June 18, 2019, 09:50:49 AM by MoneyGoatee »

FINate

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2019, 09:48:57 AM »
If your goal is to "kill time" then I guess, if nothing else, it's cost effective. However, this seems strange to me the older I get. Time is precious and life goes by quickly. I played a lot of video games in my youth back in the 80s and 90s and it was fun, but there's nothing remarkable about those memories, as if many hours days and even months have collapsed into a single instance of time in my mind. Whereas camping trips and family outings and things like that are rich and full memories, with silly unexpected moments, challenges, even being uncomfortable. And reading a book or watching a show wasn't just killing time, it was also filling my brain with something novel and interesting.

I built a Retro Pi last year and enjoy playing the old games because they bring back the memories and feeling of being a kid, and I can still remember where most things are in Zelda 30 years later which is amazing to me, but it's not something I want to spend hours on end doing. Would much rather read a book, hang out with people I love, go for a bike ride, or do something adventurous.

ohio4life

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2019, 09:56:51 AM »
I consider them a frugal form of entertainment compared to other forms of entertainment that I enjoy. I have owned 5 current generation console systems in the last 20 years and have never paid 500 dollars for one. It's more like 300 bucks on average if you wait a year or two. I also play games well after release (with a few exceptions), so I rarely spend much on a game. Some of the most popular games are free to play these days. I think there are cheaper and probably more rewarding hobbies out there, but the expense can be minimal per year if you don't need the newest games or hardware.

JSMustachian

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2019, 10:00:53 AM »
I used to play video games quite often when I was younger but now I view it as a money trap. My family and friends started playing newer games which would mean I would have to spend to get a newer gaming system or a new PC. I felt other priorities were more important so I stopped that cycle and invested the money instead.



« Last Edit: June 18, 2019, 10:03:24 AM by JSMustachian »

MoneyGoatee

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2019, 10:07:38 AM »
If your goal is to "kill time" then I guess, if nothing else, it's cost effective. However, this seems strange to me the older I get. Time is precious and life goes by quickly. I played a lot of video games in my youth back in the 80s and 90s and it was fun, but there's nothing remarkable about those memories, as if many hours days and even months have collapsed into a single instance of time in my mind. Whereas camping trips and family outings and things like that are rich and full memories, with silly unexpected moments, challenges, even being uncomfortable. And reading a book or watching a show wasn't just killing time, it was also filling my brain with something novel and interesting.

I built a Retro Pi last year and enjoy playing the old games because they bring back the memories and feeling of being a kid, and I can still remember where most things are in Zelda 30 years later which is amazing to me, but it's not something I want to spend hours on end doing. Would much rather read a book, hang out with people I love, go for a bike ride, or do something adventurous.

Recent games are beginning to have higher quality of writing and storytelling that, in some instances, they rival the value of good feature films.  The game genre is still in its infancy compared to other media.  But I'm seeing certain profundity and meaningfulness emerge in recent titles, such as "What Remains of Edith Finch" from 2017.  It is about a young woman who reminisces about her family history that is filled with family tragedies and lives cut short.  Flashback sequences are creatively done, while also providing interactivity required by a game.  In 2007, a game called "Bioshock" begins with the line, "I'm here to ask you a question. Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow? 'No,' says the man in Washington, 'it belongs to the poor.'  'No,' says the man in the Vatican, 'it belongs to God.'  'No,' says the man in Moscow, 'it belongs to everyone.' "  That is a great opening line that rivals any classic dialog I've heard in classic films.  The point is video games CAN be memorable if the level of craftsmanship is high enough compared to other art forms.  And as I said, they increasingly are.
« Last Edit: June 18, 2019, 10:15:06 AM by MoneyGoatee »

eljefe-speaks

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #5 on: June 18, 2019, 10:16:22 AM »
...with no recurring charges other than the electricity to power your gaming devices.

Just wanted to point out that WOW is a MMORPG requiring not an insignificant subscription fee. I am not sure (being a PC gamer) but do XBOX and PS have a subscription model for online play?

FWIW I enjoy video games very much and I think they provide extremely good value. I (almost) enjoyed all 140 hours of Divinity Original Sin II. I bought it on sale for $30. That's $0.21/hour, excluding of course the PC itself, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Jenny Wren

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2019, 10:25:01 AM »
My partner is a gamer and spends very little on games, there are used games as well as free borrowing options (library, for example) and various gift cards to cover the cost. Steam gift cards combined with Steam sales are responsible for the bulk of the library.

One benefit of a cheap gaming hobby is having social engagements over hundreds of miles. My 14 year old has a Minecraft playdate with his 8 year old cousin every Thursday. They only see each other once a year due to a separation of 1700 miles, but they talk, giggle, and bond for 2 to 3 hours every week. With distance and age disparity, this family bond would likely be impossible without the catalyst of the game. Minecraft is/was a one-off payment, so no cost beyond the $11 we paid many years ago.

My partner also plays an online game a couple of times a week (maybe 2 hours tops) with a group of friends from High school and college. They are scattered all over the world now, but they still can have a shared social activity to keep in touch. We pay for the month sub once or twice a year for special events in game, then she does the free version the rest of the time. A close friend purchased an online party game pack we all enjoy as a going away gift for us, since we are moving across state. The idea is we can continue to keep our monthly game nights alive digitally even though we won't be able to get together in person for tabletop gaming as often. There is no recurring cost with this game pack, either.

MoneyGoatee

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #7 on: June 18, 2019, 10:31:47 AM »
Just wanted to point out that WOW is a MMORPG requiring not an insignificant subscription fee. I am not sure (being a PC gamer) but do XBOX and PS have a subscription model for online play?

You're quite right.  WOW happens to charge a monthly fee.  But the trend seems to be that the subscription model is going by the wayside.  Recent MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76 are one-time charge only with no monthly fees.  These games usually make money with microtransactions.  Other games are even cheaper in that they have no upfront cost, the so-called free-to-play games, like Fortnite and many mobile games.  These games sustain themselves with microtransactions.  Of course, they don't make the games free out of the goodness of their hearts.  They believe that microtransactions will end up making more money for them.  This is a controversial topic.  If a gamer is not disciplined, he or she could spend way more than necessarily, the opposite of being frugal.  Many believe these microstransactions prey on the young ones the most.  Some forms of microtransactions, like "loot boxes," are being investigated by the governments in several countries, including the US.
« Last Edit: June 18, 2019, 12:06:40 PM by MoneyGoatee »

ohio4life

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #8 on: June 18, 2019, 10:46:05 AM »
PS, Nintendo, and XBOX require monthly or yearly "passes" to access online play. This can be as cheap as 40 bucks a year if you buy "passes" when they are on sale.

MoneyGoatee

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #9 on: June 18, 2019, 11:10:12 AM »
PS, Nintendo, and XBOX require monthly or yearly "passes" to access online play. This can be as cheap as 40 bucks a year if you buy "passes" when they are on sale.

I've never had a console and mostly played games on PCs.  And PCs don't have subscription models like that.  There is a cloud-gaming subscription service called "Playstation Now" that works on PCs, but sadly the connection quality was very poor at the time I tried it.  That is doubly sad, because that is the only way PC gamers can play PS-exclusive titles like Red Dead Redemption and The Last of Us. 

Khaetra

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #10 on: June 18, 2019, 12:31:52 PM »
I play and in fact upgraded my TV and Xbox to play 4K games (I'm retired and it came from my very large entertainment budget). I Play Fortnite, which can be either free or you buy a season pass (which is what I do).  I also have a sub to Xbox Game Pass which gives you a whole library of games to play, from oldies to some of the newest (Forza Horizon 4 is gorgeous in 4k!).

I used to play WoW (played since the beginning), but the community as a whole went downhill and I didn't like some of the changes they made to my characters, so I quit a couple years ago.  That money goes for my Xbox games.

ketchup

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #11 on: June 18, 2019, 12:48:23 PM »
Video games can absolutely be frugal entertainment.  They can also be a colossal waste of money if you're stupid and make suboptimal choices (which is very common).  Like anything else, really.

I don't play video games all that much these days; my girlfriend is more of the gamer of our house right now.  We don't even have a current gen video game system (3DS doesn't really count anymore), but I'm sure we'll get a Switch when Animal Crossing drops.
« Last Edit: June 18, 2019, 12:50:04 PM by ketchup »

RedmondStash

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #12 on: June 18, 2019, 12:58:47 PM »
I see video games as delightful entertainment, and one of the few things I'm willing to spend money on. But I also worked in games, so there's a professional connection there.

If you want to really have frugal fun, learn Blender 3D, Gimp, Audacity, and Unreal Engine 4 -- all free non-commercial downloads -- and make your own games. It's like playing the coolest video game ever, and it's good for your brain.

Honestly I just don't feel the need to justify my passions as "frugal." They're why I'm frugal in other areas, so I can spend on things that matter to me.

FINate

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #13 on: June 18, 2019, 02:22:17 PM »
Recent games are beginning to have higher quality of writing and storytelling that, in some instances, they rival the value of good feature films.  The game genre is still in its infancy compared to other media.  But I'm seeing certain profundity and meaningfulness emerge in recent titles, such as "What Remains of Edith Finch" from 2017.  It is about a young woman who reminisces about her family history that is filled with family tragedies and lives cut short.  Flashback sequences are creatively done, while also providing interactivity required by a game.  In 2007, a game called "Bioshock" begins with the line, "I'm here to ask you a question. Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow? 'No,' says the man in Washington, 'it belongs to the poor.'  'No,' says the man in the Vatican, 'it belongs to God.'  'No,' says the man in Moscow, 'it belongs to everyone.' "  That is a great opening line that rivals any classic dialog I've heard in classic films.  The point is video games CAN be memorable if the level of craftsmanship is high enough compared to other art forms.  And as I said, they increasingly are.

True, some of the newer games are very well done, both visually and in their story line. I'm not completely unaware of what's going on in gaming because a family member was, until recently, a big time gamer. He certainly got a lot of value out of it in terms of $/hr. But as someone who's not really a part of the "scene" it was interesting to observe him. When I was visiting he would spend a lot of time showing me clips/replays from past gaming sessions...seemed almost like that was his version of what some folks do with pictures of friends and vacations and such. His virtual world was more real than real life. I guess that's fine if that's what you want and enjoy, but seems weird to focus one's life energies on an artificial world created by a giant for-profit corporation. To each their own I suppose.

For me, between raising my kids, spending time with friends and family, staying in shape, all the books I want to read, and other assorted hobbies, I just don't have time for TV or video games. After FIRE I seem to have less time than before.

FireHiker

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #14 on: June 18, 2019, 03:33:31 PM »
My husband and I play LOTRO; started back in, gosh, January 2009? We spent $200 each to get the lifetime membership in 2011 or so after doing the math at $9.99/mo. We have had periods where we play more or less depending on real life, but have long since gotten our money's worth out of it. We have so many in-game points accumulated that we haven't had to pay for anything using actual money since. I am a huge Tolkien fan, and it's something we do together when we need some down time. We don't spend hours and hours at this point, but it's definitely a frugal form of entertainment for us.

diapasoun

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #15 on: June 18, 2019, 05:45:58 PM »
My partner is down to something like 10 cents per hour of play in Europa Universalis -- definitely a cost-effective form of entertainment for him! and one that stretches his brain and keeps him learning all sorts of interesting things about world history.

LibrarianFuzz

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #16 on: June 18, 2019, 07:30:24 PM »
This is a very interesting thread.

I'd like to chime in on my situation. Maybe get some feedback. Seems like I'm talking to the right crowd.

I loved video games as a kid. I played on a Nintendo and Super Nintendo in the early 90's. I spent countless hours on all the Super Mario Brothers, Secret of Mana, Legend of Zelda, The Simpsons, Jurassic Park, etc. I loved adventure and quest type games, where the storyline just kept unfolding and you would gather companions.

I quit playing when I got an active life as a teenager.

In my 20's and 30's I watched as video games got good - really good. I was very tempted to pick them up again, but I was concerned that I would lose many productive hours playing in which I could be continuing my education, working side hustles, working out, managing real life relationships, etc.

Now, I am (hopefully) on track to retire at 50. That'll be 13 years from now, and I have no doubt that video games will get even better in that time.

Here's where video games come in: I am seriously concerned about being socially isolated in retirement. My peer cohort will still be working for another 10-15 years (at least.) I am divorced, have no children, have no real family of origin, and I primarily hang out with other introverts. My primary form of entertainment is reading, which is a solitary activity. Well, except for book clubs. I'm already in a book club. I joined it purely to be social.

I struggle with isolation; the more isolated I feel, the more depressed I can get. I am very concerned that this will worsen in retirement. I have already started trying to address this mentally, in order to minimize my panic. I don't want to second guess myself. I don't want to get to my retirement date and be unable to pull the trigger and keep working simply for the sake of interacting with (mostly toxic) people every day. I'm already a little bit of a workaholic.

I have been keeping an ongoing list on my phone of how I will manage isolation in my retirement. (Go to the same coffeeshop every morning and hang out with other "regulars", go to the gym, take a night class at the local community college, spend time at online forums like this one, join some sort of weekly or monthly club, etc.)

However, one strategy that I have seriously considered is to get back into video games. In particular, MMO type games, which would be an entirely new experience for me. This seems like it would provide ongoing interaction with other people, allowing me to feel connected as a supplement to in-person activities.

Thoughts?

RedmondStash

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #17 on: June 18, 2019, 08:28:39 PM »
This is a very interesting thread.

I'd like to chime in on my situation. Maybe get some feedback. Seems like I'm talking to the right crowd.

I loved video games as a kid. I played on a Nintendo and Super Nintendo in the early 90's. I spent countless hours on all the Super Mario Brothers, Secret of Mana, Legend of Zelda, The Simpsons, Jurassic Park, etc. I loved adventure and quest type games, where the storyline just kept unfolding and you would gather companions.

I quit playing when I got an active life as a teenager.

In my 20's and 30's I watched as video games got good - really good. I was very tempted to pick them up again, but I was concerned that I would lose many productive hours playing in which I could be continuing my education, working side hustles, working out, managing real life relationships, etc.

Now, I am (hopefully) on track to retire at 50. That'll be 13 years from now, and I have no doubt that video games will get even better in that time.

Here's where video games come in: I am seriously concerned about being socially isolated in retirement. My peer cohort will still be working for another 10-15 years (at least.) I am divorced, have no children, have no real family of origin, and I primarily hang out with other introverts. My primary form of entertainment is reading, which is a solitary activity. Well, except for book clubs. I'm already in a book club. I joined it purely to be social.

I struggle with isolation; the more isolated I feel, the more depressed I can get. I am very concerned that this will worsen in retirement. I have already started trying to address this mentally, in order to minimize my panic. I don't want to second guess myself. I don't want to get to my retirement date and be unable to pull the trigger and keep working simply for the sake of interacting with (mostly toxic) people every day. I'm already a little bit of a workaholic.

I have been keeping an ongoing list on my phone of how I will manage isolation in my retirement. (Go to the same coffeeshop every morning and hang out with other "regulars", go to the gym, take a night class at the local community college, spend time at online forums like this one, join some sort of weekly or monthly club, etc.)

However, one strategy that I have seriously considered is to get back into video games. In particular, MMO type games, which would be an entirely new experience for me. This seems like it would provide ongoing interaction with other people, allowing me to feel connected as a supplement to in-person activities.

Thoughts?

MMOs are a way to socialize, certainly, although a bit limited in ways. You're mostly focused on combat and moving through a storyline. But it can be fun to gather with a group of strangers and do a big meta-event, or to make some friends and do smaller quests together. I'd be careful about which MMOs you pick, though; some have more PvP (player versus player) aspects, and some are more cooperative. It depends on the kind of interaction you want.

Social media also provides a social outlet for introverts.

You're not the only introvert who seeks some level of social interaction. There might even be online support groups or forums for that. Worth looking for, possibly.

FIREstache

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #18 on: June 18, 2019, 08:41:23 PM »

I used to waste money and play video games quite a bit 30 years ago but very little since.  Games got better in one respect with technology, but I feel they got more complicated and less enjoyable as a result.  I'm glad I lost interest because there are too many other things I already like to do, and it's time that is lacking.  Sort of like golf, I don't have any interest in playing, and I'm good with that.

I work with a guy that actually watches video games online all the time.  I know he's been doing it a few years.  I don't get it.

Frugal D

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #19 on: June 18, 2019, 10:24:54 PM »
Yes, it's one of the best values you're ever going to find. My Xbox live subscription is $5/month. I never buy new games or any in-game add-ons. I will however be buying Halo 6 in December 2020 though that will be the only game I buy until the next Halo comes out.

CptCool

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #20 on: June 19, 2019, 08:32:08 AM »
Yes, it's one of the best values you're ever going to find. My Xbox live subscription is $5/month. I never buy new games or any in-game add-ons. I will however be buying Halo 6 in December 2020 though that will be the only game I buy until the next Halo comes out.

If you pay $1 right now you can convert your existing xbox live membership into "ultimate" which is xbox live + gamepass. Then you don't need to buy halo 5 until your subscription runs out

MoneyGoatee

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #21 on: June 19, 2019, 09:14:51 AM »
I'm not completely unaware of what's going on in gaming because a family member was, until recently, a big time gamer. He certainly got a lot of value out of it in terms of $/hr. But as someone who's not really a part of the "scene" it was interesting to observe him. When I was visiting he would spend a lot of time showing me clips/replays from past gaming sessions...seemed almost like that was his version of what some folks do with pictures of friends and vacations and such. His virtual world was more real than real life. I guess that's fine if that's what you want and enjoy, but seems weird to focus one's life energies on an artificial world created by a giant for-profit corporation. To each their own I suppose.

Yeah, showing off one's hobby to someone who isn't into that hobby could lead to some awkward situations.  Your friend might want to upload his gameplay videos to Youtube (like I did here, as did many people).  Those who want to watch can watch, and those who don't, don't have to.  Some Youtubers actually make a living showing gameplay videos.  Apparently a lot of people like to watch these.  My feeling is that if a hobby becomes a job, then it may not seem as enjoyable.

MoneyGoatee

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #22 on: June 19, 2019, 09:19:54 AM »
I work with a guy that actually watches video games online all the time.  I know he's been doing it a few years.  I don't get it.

The general feeling is that watching others play video games is the same as watching others play football or basketball, which are also games.  And doing the former is a lot less expensive than the latter.  Just like watching sports, they enjoy watching the enthusiasm, personality, and skills of the players in video games.  This is an acquired taste, of course, as in every spectator sport.  If someone is not into curling or canoeing, you can't force him to enjoy it.
« Last Edit: June 19, 2019, 09:31:54 AM by MoneyGoatee »

dignam

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #23 on: June 19, 2019, 09:39:49 AM »
To answer your original question: yes, they can be a frugal form of entertainment.  I bought Overwatch 3 years ago for like $30, and have wayyyyyyy more hours than I care to admit playing it.  I still play it to this day; is still a ton of fun.

But I am starting to see that if used solely as a time kill, it won't add much value to your life.  There is value, however, in playing with friends to have some fun. 

I also have a co-worker who streams video gamers all day every day.  It is a thing.  Doesn't really interest me (I'd rather actually play the game), but I suppose I like watching college football and basketball and don't play those...

Noodle

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #24 on: June 19, 2019, 11:31:45 AM »
This is a very interesting thread.

I'd like to chime in on my situation. Maybe get some feedback. Seems like I'm talking to the right crowd.

I loved video games as a kid. I played on a Nintendo and Super Nintendo in the early 90's. I spent countless hours on all the Super Mario Brothers, Secret of Mana, Legend of Zelda, The Simpsons, Jurassic Park, etc. I loved adventure and quest type games, where the storyline just kept unfolding and you would gather companions.

I quit playing when I got an active life as a teenager.

In my 20's and 30's I watched as video games got good - really good. I was very tempted to pick them up again, but I was concerned that I would lose many productive hours playing in which I could be continuing my education, working side hustles, working out, managing real life relationships, etc.

Now, I am (hopefully) on track to retire at 50. That'll be 13 years from now, and I have no doubt that video games will get even better in that time.

Here's where video games come in: I am seriously concerned about being socially isolated in retirement. My peer cohort will still be working for another 10-15 years (at least.) I am divorced, have no children, have no real family of origin, and I primarily hang out with other introverts. My primary form of entertainment is reading, which is a solitary activity. Well, except for book clubs. I'm already in a book club. I joined it purely to be social.

I struggle with isolation; the more isolated I feel, the more depressed I can get. I am very concerned that this will worsen in retirement. I have already started trying to address this mentally, in order to minimize my panic. I don't want to second guess myself. I don't want to get to my retirement date and be unable to pull the trigger and keep working simply for the sake of interacting with (mostly toxic) people every day. I'm already a little bit of a workaholic.

I have been keeping an ongoing list on my phone of how I will manage isolation in my retirement. (Go to the same coffeeshop every morning and hang out with other "regulars", go to the gym, take a night class at the local community college, spend time at online forums like this one, join some sort of weekly or monthly club, etc.)

However, one strategy that I have seriously considered is to get back into video games. In particular, MMO type games, which would be an entirely new experience for me. This seems like it would provide ongoing interaction with other people, allowing me to feel connected as a supplement to in-person activities.

Thoughts?

I think you will find it easier than you think to find activities with other people if you retire at 50. I work with volunteers in that age group and there seems to be a sharp uptick in free time around then...either people who are still working but have a lot of extra free time because their kids have left the nest, many people are starting to downshift (for instance, business owners make free time for themselves) and then people are in fact retiring. Maybe people who didn't plan on early retirement, but happen into it due to family changes (a parent who needs care, a spouse with health issues) or just realizing they don't want to work another 10-15 years and have the means to do so. People might be a few years older than you, but close enough in age to have friendships and things in common. It's hard to find peer activities in your 30s and 40s in my experience because everyone is either parenting or in the most intense phase of their professional responsibilities, but there are a million options for older people. But it's definitely good to think things through early, so good on you!

GuitarStv

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #25 on: June 19, 2019, 12:38:49 PM »
I loved video games and spent huge amounts of time on them when I was younger and in university.  It was fun at the time but I kinda view it all as a  waste now.  Better to go out with friends, commune with nature, learn new skills to improve yourself, help at a charity, any of the million alternatives where you're actively making the real world a better place for you to live.

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #26 on: June 19, 2019, 12:46:17 PM »
Keeping your mind sharp as you age is just as important as the body. Just try to remember to do both.

I consider video games cheap/frugal entertainment and helpful for brain function. I'm not talking the mindless shooter games or the ones where you race in circles/tracks or go for coins/prizes - but there are enough storyline games that require real thought and problem-solving as to be quite challenging to work through, and the ones that allow sandbox play or interaction with real people are also likely to help keep the brain sharp.

Any games that require logical thinking, puzzle solving or such are bound to be helpful for long-term cognitive function much like reading/crossword puzzles. The idea that there is no merit at all is short-sighted, and as long as you're not pouring $ into them every month (can play offline) the only costs are for running the electronics to play the actual game itself.




MoneyGoatee

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #27 on: June 19, 2019, 01:13:08 PM »
Keeping your mind sharp as you age is just as important as the body. Just try to remember to do both.

I consider video games cheap/frugal entertainment and helpful for brain function. I'm not talking the mindless shooter games or the ones where you race in circles/tracks or go for coins/prizes - but there are enough storyline games that require real thought and problem-solving as to be quite challenging to work through, and the ones that allow sandbox play or interaction with real people are also likely to help keep the brain sharp.

Any games that require logical thinking, puzzle solving or such are bound to be helpful for long-term cognitive function much like reading/crossword puzzles. The idea that there is no merit at all is short-sighted, and as long as you're not pouring $ into them every month (can play offline) the only costs are for running the electronics to play the actual game itself.

I've been playing video games all my life and my feeling is that the challenges they pose are not high-level enough compared to other mental challenges.  They don't necessarily scratch the "itch" for exercise your brain wants and/or needs.  Video games are primarily entertainment. 

A much better exercise for the brain, for instance, is something like:

If:        (x + 2)^2 = x^2
Then:       x + 2 = x
Therefore:      2 = 0
Find the mistake above.

This is a fairly rudimentary math problem, but it makes your brain think differently.  It takes your brain to places it hasn't been before.

Most video games DO NOT take your brain to new places.  Games generally use the same kinds of tropes and designs.  They don't make you THINK differently, which is the key.  Even when they do, it's only temporarily.

One recent video game that does make you think differently is "Obduction."  Some of the puzzles (only some) in the game are quite unlike any I've seen. 

There are games today that still use that age-old puzzle of unlocking a door by slipping a paper under the door to catch the key on the other side.  When you do that, which you've done hundreds of times in other games, your brain is not going to be challenged.

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #28 on: June 21, 2019, 08:53:04 AM »
Keeping your mind sharp as you age is just as important as the body. Just try to remember to do both.

I consider video games cheap/frugal entertainment and helpful for brain function. I'm not talking the mindless shooter games or the ones where you race in circles/tracks or go for coins/prizes - but there are enough storyline games that require real thought and problem-solving as to be quite challenging to work through, and the ones that allow sandbox play or interaction with real people are also likely to help keep the brain sharp.

Any games that require logical thinking, puzzle solving or such are bound to be helpful for long-term cognitive function much like reading/crossword puzzles. The idea that there is no merit at all is short-sighted, and as long as you're not pouring $ into them every month (can play offline) the only costs are for running the electronics to play the actual game itself.

I've been playing video games all my life and my feeling is that the challenges they pose are not high-level enough compared to other mental challenges.  They don't necessarily scratch the "itch" for exercise your brain wants and/or needs.  Video games are primarily entertainment. 

A much better exercise for the brain, for instance, is something like:

If:        (x + 2)^2 = x^2
Then:       x + 2 = x
Therefore:      2 = 0
Find the mistake above.

This is a fairly rudimentary math problem, but it makes your brain think differently.  It takes your brain to places it hasn't been before.

Most video games DO NOT take your brain to new places.  Games generally use the same kinds of tropes and designs.  They don't make you THINK differently, which is the key.  Even when they do, it's only temporarily.

One recent video game that does make you think differently is "Obduction."  Some of the puzzles (only some) in the game are quite unlike any I've seen. 

There are games today that still use that age-old puzzle of unlocking a door by slipping a paper under the door to catch the key on the other side.  When you do that, which you've done hundreds of times in other games, your brain is not going to be challenged.

There are areas where you can stretch your brain in some video games, particularly if you are what's known as a 'min/maxer,' which I am.  This can result in delving into the math behind the mechanics of the games, and figuring out exactly how to optimize your builds/characters.  I've built multiple spreadsheets in the past doing just this, to good result.  Not for everyone, or relevant in every game, but perhaps worth noting. 

As others have noted, video games can be extremely frugal or extremely wasteful, depending on your use case.  They can offer nearly endless entertainment for little more than electricity costs, or on the other extreme cause people to blow tens of thousands of dollars on gaming/VR rigs and microtransactions. 

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #29 on: June 21, 2019, 09:12:57 AM »
Keeping your mind sharp as you age is just as important as the body. Just try to remember to do both.

I consider video games cheap/frugal entertainment and helpful for brain function. I'm not talking the mindless shooter games or the ones where you race in circles/tracks or go for coins/prizes - but there are enough storyline games that require real thought and problem-solving as to be quite challenging to work through, and the ones that allow sandbox play or interaction with real people are also likely to help keep the brain sharp.

Any games that require logical thinking, puzzle solving or such are bound to be helpful for long-term cognitive function much like reading/crossword puzzles. The idea that there is no merit at all is short-sighted, and as long as you're not pouring $ into them every month (can play offline) the only costs are for running the electronics to play the actual game itself.

I've been playing video games all my life and my feeling is that the challenges they pose are not high-level enough compared to other mental challenges.  They don't necessarily scratch the "itch" for exercise your brain wants and/or needs.  Video games are primarily entertainment. 

A much better exercise for the brain, for instance, is something like:

If:        (x + 2)^2 = x^2
Then:       x + 2 = x
Therefore:      2 = 0
Find the mistake above.

This is a fairly rudimentary math problem, but it makes your brain think differently.  It takes your brain to places it hasn't been before.

Most video games DO NOT take your brain to new places.  Games generally use the same kinds of tropes and designs.  They don't make you THINK differently, which is the key.  Even when they do, it's only temporarily.

One recent video game that does make you think differently is "Obduction."  Some of the puzzles (only some) in the game are quite unlike any I've seen. 

There are games today that still use that age-old puzzle of unlocking a door by slipping a paper under the door to catch the key on the other side.  When you do that, which you've done hundreds of times in other games, your brain is not going to be challenged.

Poor example.

The majority of algebra is rote memorization.  Once you've memorized the rules, your brain doesn't need to think differently at all . . . it simply needs to remember what you can and can't do.  (Can't drop exponents as it's unequal division between sides.)  Logic problems, programming, physics, music . . . applied math tends to involve much more creative thinking, where you're taking the rules and formulas that have been memorized and figuring out how to use them in novel ways.

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #30 on: June 21, 2019, 09:35:23 AM »

I think this came up in another thread not long ago, but instead of playing games or watching TV, try reading.  It's better for your brain.  You might actually learn something useful as well.

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #31 on: June 21, 2019, 10:28:22 AM »

I think this came up in another thread not long ago, but instead of playing games or watching TV, try reading.  It's better for your brain.  You might actually learn something useful as well.

Who's to say we don't?

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #32 on: June 21, 2019, 10:31:37 AM »

I think this came up in another thread not long ago, but instead of playing games or watching TV, try reading.  It's better for your brain.  You might actually learn something useful as well.

Who's to say we don't?

That advice is for anyone reading this.  Some do, some don't.

MoneyGoatee

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #33 on: June 21, 2019, 11:20:09 PM »
Keeping your mind sharp as you age is just as important as the body. Just try to remember to do both.

I consider video games cheap/frugal entertainment and helpful for brain function. I'm not talking the mindless shooter games or the ones where you race in circles/tracks or go for coins/prizes - but there are enough storyline games that require real thought and problem-solving as to be quite challenging to work through, and the ones that allow sandbox play or interaction with real people are also likely to help keep the brain sharp.

Any games that require logical thinking, puzzle solving or such are bound to be helpful for long-term cognitive function much like reading/crossword puzzles. The idea that there is no merit at all is short-sighted, and as long as you're not pouring $ into them every month (can play offline) the only costs are for running the electronics to play the actual game itself.

I've been playing video games all my life and my feeling is that the challenges they pose are not high-level enough compared to other mental challenges.  They don't necessarily scratch the "itch" for exercise your brain wants and/or needs.  Video games are primarily entertainment. 

A much better exercise for the brain, for instance, is something like:

If:        (x + 2)^2 = x^2
Then:       x + 2 = x
Therefore:      2 = 0
Find the mistake above.

This is a fairly rudimentary math problem, but it makes your brain think differently.  It takes your brain to places it hasn't been before.

Most video games DO NOT take your brain to new places.  Games generally use the same kinds of tropes and designs.  They don't make you THINK differently, which is the key.  Even when they do, it's only temporarily.

One recent video game that does make you think differently is "Obduction."  Some of the puzzles (only some) in the game are quite unlike any I've seen. 

There are games today that still use that age-old puzzle of unlocking a door by slipping a paper under the door to catch the key on the other side.  When you do that, which you've done hundreds of times in other games, your brain is not going to be challenged.

Poor example.

The majority of algebra is rote memorization.  Once you've memorized the rules, your brain doesn't need to think differently at all . . . it simply needs to remember what you can and can't do.  (Can't drop exponents as it's unequal division between sides.)  Logic problems, programming, physics, music . . . applied math tends to involve much more creative thinking, where you're taking the rules and formulas that have been memorized and figuring out how to use them in novel ways.

But if it is a NEW situation, or even an old problem phrased differently, then you need to think differently even if you apply already-learned rules.  New situations have mis-directions, red herrings, hidden-in-plain-sights circumstances, etc. (in other words, "trick questions") that require your brain to look at things differently.  For instance, 3 people pay $10 each for a $30 dinner in a restaurant.  The waiter says he overcharged $5, so he refunds it.  The 3 people each takes $1 from the $5 refund and give the remaining $2 as a tip to the waiter.  So the 3 people paid $9 each, total $27.  And they paid the $2 tip, so the total was $29.  But at the beginning, they paid $30.  So where was missing dollar?  This is an example of all kinds of misdirections that require your brain to solve the problem differently, even when it involves only addition and subtraction which of course everyone knows. 

My first example qualifies as a trick question because it tricks the reader into omitting the fact that a square root can be either positive or negative.



MoneyGoatee

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #34 on: June 21, 2019, 11:49:27 PM »

I think this came up in another thread not long ago, but instead of playing games or watching TV, try reading.  It's better for your brain.  You might actually learn something useful as well.

If a book takes you to new places, yes.  But many people read books from subjects they have already read a lot about.  Would someone who reads mainly romance novels read a book on physics or science?  Would readers of classic literature read, say, graphic novels?  In other words, most people avoid doing things, especially at their leisure, that they perceive as "hard work" or not interesting.  To expand your brain's thinking, it is best to read books from all kinds of genres, from true crime books about Jack the Ripper to popular science books like Carl Sagan's Cosmos.  But not every reader does that.  Like Neil deGrasse Tyson has said, most people have a thirst for knowledge they didn't know they had.

FIREstache

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #35 on: June 22, 2019, 12:43:52 AM »

I think this came up in another thread not long ago, but instead of playing games or watching TV, try reading.  It's better for your brain.  You might actually learn something useful as well.

If a book takes you to new places, yes.  But many people read books from subjects they have already read a lot about.  Would someone who reads mainly romance novels read a book on physics or science?  Would readers of classic literature read, say, graphic novels?  In other words, most people avoid doing things, especially at their leisure, that they perceive as "hard work" or not interesting.  To expand your brain's thinking, it is best to read books from all kinds of genres, from true crime books about Jack the Ripper to popular science books like Carl Sagan's Cosmos.  But not every reader does that.  Like Neil deGrasse Tyson has said, most people have a thirst for knowledge they didn't know they had.

Actually, what I've read on the topic specifically states that it doesn't matter what the book is, there are still benefits from reading, and a good fictional book that you're truly engrossed in can be more beneficial than an educational book.  One thing that apparently does make a difference is that reading from paper books is better than reading from an electronic display.

sixwings

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #36 on: June 22, 2019, 11:03:02 AM »
I still play Diablo 2 when I need to zone out after a tough day at work and reading is too tiring. I have played hundreds of hours since it was released in 2001 :)

MoneyGoatee

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #37 on: June 22, 2019, 11:31:17 AM »

I think this came up in another thread not long ago, but instead of playing games or watching TV, try reading.  It's better for your brain.  You might actually learn something useful as well.

If a book takes you to new places, yes.  But many people read books from subjects they have already read a lot about.  Would someone who reads mainly romance novels read a book on physics or science?  Would readers of classic literature read, say, graphic novels?  In other words, most people avoid doing things, especially at their leisure, that they perceive as "hard work" or not interesting.  To expand your brain's thinking, it is best to read books from all kinds of genres, from true crime books about Jack the Ripper to popular science books like Carl Sagan's Cosmos.  But not every reader does that.  Like Neil deGrasse Tyson has said, most people have a thirst for knowledge they didn't know they had.

Actually, what I've read on the topic specifically states that it doesn't matter what the book is, there are still benefits from reading, and a good fictional book that you're truly engrossed in can be more beneficial than an educational book.  One thing that apparently does make a difference is that reading from paper books is better than reading from an electronic display.

If a book uses special typefaces, layouts, illustrations, etc., that are hard to duplicate in an e-book format, then yes, I would prefer the printed book.  But otherwise I don't see any disadvantages in reading e-books.  E-books have all kinds of advantages.  You can search for text, increase font size, add notes, annotations, bookmarks, highlights, etc.

Where can I find the thread that you referred to?  Any keywords, thread titles, etc., that I can use to search for it?

FireHiker

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #38 on: June 22, 2019, 06:08:25 PM »
I do prefer reading to gaming actually; I've read 51 books this year already, all for free, thank you library. Gaming is something I can do together with my husband though. "Quality time" is a love language we both share, so I try to squeeze in some lotro time with him and then read in the evening during/after putting kids to bed. That keeps me off the computer before bed too.

FIREstache

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #39 on: June 22, 2019, 07:42:52 PM »

I think this came up in another thread not long ago, but instead of playing games or watching TV, try reading.  It's better for your brain.  You might actually learn something useful as well.

If a book takes you to new places, yes.  But many people read books from subjects they have already read a lot about.  Would someone who reads mainly romance novels read a book on physics or science?  Would readers of classic literature read, say, graphic novels?  In other words, most people avoid doing things, especially at their leisure, that they perceive as "hard work" or not interesting.  To expand your brain's thinking, it is best to read books from all kinds of genres, from true crime books about Jack the Ripper to popular science books like Carl Sagan's Cosmos.  But not every reader does that.  Like Neil deGrasse Tyson has said, most people have a thirst for knowledge they didn't know they had.

Actually, what I've read on the topic specifically states that it doesn't matter what the book is, there are still benefits from reading, and a good fictional book that you're truly engrossed in can be more beneficial than an educational book.  One thing that apparently does make a difference is that reading from paper books is better than reading from an electronic display.

If a book uses special typefaces, layouts, illustrations, etc., that are hard to duplicate in an e-book format, then yes, I would prefer the printed book.  But otherwise I don't see any disadvantages in reading e-books.  E-books have all kinds of advantages.  You can search for text, increase font size, add notes, annotations, bookmarks, highlights, etc.

Where can I find the thread that you referred to?  Any keywords, thread titles, etc., that I can use to search for it?

This looks like the thread where that came up last time, but it was in a thread about watching TV rather than video games.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/why-watching-tv-is-a-bad-thing-how-many-hours-you-watch-per-day/50/

The part about reading from paper books being better is something I read online elsewhere, so you would have to google for that.

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #40 on: June 23, 2019, 02:21:49 AM »
The majority of algebra is rote memorization.  Once you've memorized the rules, your brain doesn't need to think differently at all . . .
I love that a thread on video games ends up in a discussion of algebra. Just as a counterpoint, I will leave this here:

https://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Graduate-Texts-Mathematics-v/dp/0387905189/

Be careful what you call "algebra" :-)


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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #41 on: June 23, 2019, 06:54:57 AM »
Quote
I consider video games cheap/frugal entertainment and helpful for brain function. I'm not talking the mindless shooter games

Actually, accordig to Adam Gazzaley, shooter video games and other action games which require multitasking, helps to maintain cognitive abilities in an aging brain.

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #42 on: June 23, 2019, 11:17:40 AM »
There are areas where you can stretch your brain in some video games, particularly if you are what's known as a 'min/maxer,' which I am.  This can result in delving into the math behind the mechanics of the games, and figuring out exactly how to optimize your builds/characters.  I've built multiple spreadsheets in the past doing just this, to good result.  Not for everyone, or relevant in every game, but perhaps worth noting. 

As others have noted, video games can be extremely frugal or extremely wasteful, depending on your use case.  They can offer nearly endless entertainment for little more than electricity costs, or on the other extreme cause people to blow tens of thousands of dollars on gaming/VR rigs and microtransactions.
This is me, too.  I've spent over two thousand hours in Kerbal Space Program, which I bought for $16 about 5 years ago (talk about entertainment per dollar!).  It seems silly, but I've spent hours and hours fine-tuning and testing airplanes to squeeze out another 2-3% efficiency, in an effort to win a community challenge (in this case "build an airplane that'll fly around your home planet the maximum number of times without refuelling").  Yes, spreadsheets were involved, as was an in-depth understanding of the game's physics simulation as it stood back then. :)

Minecraft and Besieged are two other games that come to mind when it comes to learning how a game works and optimizing how you play it.

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #43 on: June 24, 2019, 04:56:36 AM »
I think videogames can be a pretty frugal form of entertainment if you stick to buying 2nd hand games.

I still only have an Xbox-360 and PS3 and even though the technology is now over a decade old, I find the quality of the games amazing. Just like 4K HDTV is only marginally better than standard HDTV, we have long since passed the point where newer generations of consoles are giving diminishing returns in terms of perceptible graphic quality.. PS4/XB1 may be many times as powerful as the previous generation, but if you asked a layman to subjectively judge the difference between the graphics of a PS3 and PS4 title without knowing what was under the hood you might get an answer anywhere between 10%-30% "better", certainly not "many times" better.

As ever though, you must ignore the fanboi route where they constantly argue about which console has the best "specs", and then pull out the trump card "high spec gaming PC". Just enjoy the games for what they are.

The greatest games attain their status not because of the hardware they are running, they do so because they create outstandingly rich worlds that have an interesting story, great control and are constantly able to engage and challenge the player. The hardware is incidental to just about all of this.
« Last Edit: June 24, 2019, 05:01:49 AM by vand »

DadJokes

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #44 on: June 24, 2019, 07:00:15 AM »
They are very frugal. We bought a Wii U years ago and have mostly used it to play lego games (the only games my wife likes). I picked up an Xbox 360 at a yard sale a year ago for $20, which included a bunch of games.

I actually just started playing this weekend for the first time since our child was born last year. It's a great way to occupy a lot of time without spending any money, but it's not exactly quality time if playing alone. I enjoy playing games with my wife, but there's only so many games she's interested in, and I think we exhausted all of those. I think I sunk about 10 hours into Dragon Age this weekend and don't exactly feel rested or refreshed, as I usually do after the weekend.

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #45 on: June 25, 2019, 08:53:10 AM »
I think videogames can be a pretty frugal form of entertainment if you stick to buying 2nd hand games.

I still only have an Xbox-360 and PS3 and even though the technology is now over a decade old, I find the quality of the games amazing. Just like 4K HDTV is only marginally better than standard HDTV, we have long since passed the point where newer generations of consoles are giving diminishing returns in terms of perceptible graphic quality.. PS4/XB1 may be many times as powerful as the previous generation, but if you asked a layman to subjectively judge the difference between the graphics of a PS3 and PS4 title without knowing what was under the hood you might get an answer anywhere between 10%-30% "better", certainly not "many times" better.

As ever though, you must ignore the fanboi route where they constantly argue about which console has the best "specs", and then pull out the trump card "high spec gaming PC". Just enjoy the games for what they are.

The greatest games attain their status not because of the hardware they are running, they do so because they create outstandingly rich worlds that have an interesting story, great control and are constantly able to engage and challenge the player. The hardware is incidental to just about all of this.

Or if you're OK buying games that are 6 months to 2 years old. Few things depreciate faster than video games.

I only play single player story driven games. There is no reason to buy them at launch. You can usually pick them up for $10 - $20 one or two black Friday's from now.

I used to do that with block buster titles, then flip them for other high quality games on Kijiji (Canadian Craigslist). That way I'd get 2 - 4 games from my $10 - $20. It was way easier to do this in Toronto than it is now (small city in upstate NY).

Also, the rise of digital games seems to have hurt the private resale market IMO.

Either way, I probably spend about $100 CDN / year for digital games (live in the US buy still have a Canadian PS account). That and I probably spend about $60 USD on physical games.

Not the worst habit to have.

My favorite game for longevity has been Rock Band. It has cost me a bit though. I started with the game(s) + instruments. Then bought the Ion Pro e-drum kit. Then last year, I got another higher end clearance e-drum on Black Friday (sold the Ion kits brain). I wouldn't be surprised if I spend a new of $1000 on Rock Band games and instruments in the 12 years since it's release. But, it's an evergreen game and I think I've become pretty good at drumming on a real drum kit. I'd imagine that practicing limb independence and rhythm is the kind of thing that's good for brain function, but it's just fun (and a cool way to introduce my kids to some of the music that I like).

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #46 on: June 25, 2019, 10:02:15 AM »
Or if you're OK buying games that are 6 months to 2 years old. Few things depreciate faster than video games.
Or, even better, 5+ years old. I'm playing through Sleeping Dogs at the moment, cost me about $3 on PC, and it looks gorgeous in 4K 60FPS with HDR effect* on today's mid-range gaming hardware (GTX 1060).

* (Turn the backlight up full on your TV, then turn the game's brightness down accordingly. How well this works depends on the game, and the dynamic range of your TV, but there's nothing to lose by trying it. I found it works great with GTA5 too)

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #47 on: June 25, 2019, 10:19:22 AM »
Or if you're OK buying games that are 6 months to 2 years old. Few things depreciate faster than video games.
Or, even better, 5+ years old. I'm playing through Sleeping Dogs at the moment, cost me about $3 on PC, and it looks gorgeous in 4K 60FPS with HDR effect* on today's mid-range gaming hardware (GTX 1060).

* (Turn the backlight up full on your TV, then turn the game's brightness down accordingly. How well this works depends on the game, and the dynamic range of your TV, but there's nothing to lose by trying it. I found it works great with GTA5 too)
I've been mostly out of the gaming loop since 2011, maybe I should just start back with 2012's greatest hits. :P

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #48 on: June 25, 2019, 11:06:50 AM »
Steam summer sale just started 6 minutes ago. Gaming just got even more frugal, woot!

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Re: Video games as frugal entertainment?
« Reply #49 on: June 26, 2019, 09:45:56 PM »
I have found video games (on PC) to be a VERY effective frugal form of entertainment. simple things like 15 $ a month for wow, let alone a 1 time investment in guild wars, which can bring years of things to do. Lately i have been toying around with factorio (great game, free demo, scratches that 'debugging' itch that some engineers have, supports mods and multiplayer). As long as you don't go splurging on every AAA game let alone the DLC's, there's quite good, story rich, games out there. (wait 1-2 years, the game is 75% off with all DLC included)

It is kind of like "empty calories" though, not a lot of human interaction with other people (just "oh good your a healer, save me, thank you"). It cannot be done for too long 24 7, or the grind becomes tedious and you burn out. vary it up with other content/hobbies.

Now days i also do some board games, larger cities usually have at least 1 game or comic shop where you can play board games once a week or so (for free, except gas). Its fun, its interactive, i get my dose of human contact. pen and paper games are just as effective (pathfinder is free).

That being said, games are by definition a waste of time. but that is also true for movies, concerts, books, even traveling. As long as you know what your getting into, and your not trying to escape from something else, you'll be fine.