Author Topic: What do you think of Strategy Games? (Read 2901 times)

Lybus · « **on:** January 15, 2010, 04:19:23 PM »

In most cases, I imagine that most people do not have a particularly favorable view towards video games. I was wondering, however, what the general opinion was towards strategy games; video games that can be quite mentally stimulating, like Civilization 4. That video game is one of the most complicated games I've ever seen. They literally have an encyclopedia for game definitions. You take a civilization from ancient times, advance it all the way through modern times, and come out as the supreme civilization. There are so many ways to win the game, it is almost mind boggling. Players are invited to come up with as many different strategies as possible, and it forces players to think and plan ahead.

Do you think that strategy games are just as bad as the "aim and shoot" games, or are they superior in that theay can help train someone to think?

Matthew · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2010, 05:50:06 PM »

Obviously they are superior, requiring thought and only using the computer as a substitute for pen and paper.

On the other hand, they can be quite addictive, especially when they are multiplayer. The key is to make sure they don't rule your life -- that you get all your duties of state covered before you "indulge".

Recreation can be anything that truly "refreshes" or "revives" you. If you find yourself zapped of energy after a couple hours spent playing, you might want to consider alternative forms of recreation.

But if your daily life involves much physical work, for example, you might enjoy sitting down for a while and using your mind instead of your body. (I'm in the opposite situation. I'm a computer programmer, so I prefer to go outside and do physical work for part of my recreation)

That's why there's no law as to what you must do for recreation.

TV is objectively bad, however, because of the psychological/brainwashing effects, the fact that most studios are owned by the devil's henchmen, and the fact that it's passive entertainment that puts you in a hypnotic state.

But a thinking man's computer game wouldn't be in the same category.

Matthew

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2010, 07:41:10 PM »

Come on, Lybus! Rome:Total War is A STRATEGY GAME! Civilization III is for kindergartners!

CM · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2010, 08:00:14 PM »

I feel that Arma2 is okay so long as you envision "just war" type scenarios and download addons that remove the foul language the soldiers sometimes use when hit by friendly fire or running out of ammo.

And of course ignore the american flag on their uniforms.

sedetrad · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2010, 03:33:11 PM »

Civilization 4 is one of the best strategy games ever produced. Any of the total war series games are also very well done.

Dulcamara · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2010, 07:27:44 PM »

I prefer strategy board games... in particular, Go (Igo). lol That game is so bloody addictive it's insane. I don't even have anyone to play it with, and I have fun just plying against myself!

Hmm... but video games... It's true some of them require thinking to some extent, but... lets put it this way. I do a heck of a lot more thinking and planning in a game of Go than I would playing Age of Empires or something. For that matter, in Go, you can even tell a thing or two about your opponent's personality, level of calm, mental capabilities and other things, just by playing with them. I don't think you'll ever get that kind of depth on a computer screen. Plus on video games, you miss out on the person to person interaction.

:rolleyes:

And now for a shameless plug for my favorite game. Anyone who wants to know what the heck Go is...

Sensei's Library - What is Go?

CM · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2010, 09:20:58 PM »

I wish you were in the Catholic Church. I would ask you to teach me to play Go.

Dulcamara · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2010, 10:12:18 AM »

Quote from: CM

I wish you were in the Catholic Church. I would ask you to teach me to play Go.

I refuse to argue about the sede issue, but... You must lead a very solitary life with that attitude. So do you just sit in your house and refuse contact with anyone who doesn't share your views, or what?

Every day we have to interact, get services from, learn from and even obey (such as in the workplace, or the police) atheists, pagans, other kinds of so-called "Christians", you name it... but if a Catholic believes in the pope, they're a leper you want nothing to do with?

Wow... And here I thought we were supposed to love... LOVE... even our enemies, and those who hated us...

Lybus · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2010, 03:35:27 PM »

Quote from: Catholic Samurai

Come on, Lybus! Rome:Total War is A STRATEGY GAME! Civilization III is for kindergartners!

:rolleyes: Total War doesn't have to take aspects from all of human history now does it?

Quote from: sedetrad

Civilization 4 is one of the best strategy games ever produced. Any of the total war series games are also very well done.

Agreed, and I'm sure Catholic Samurai would agree too. Hehe

I think I've heard of Go; it's supposed to be very complicated. You can learn a lot about a person from a computer screen, though. People show a different side of their personality in front of a screen, from what they normally do in real life.

But yea, so it appears that video games are not always an abomination then. I heard in my greek class today that they are actually coming up with technology that allows players to move things on a screen with their mind, or move a robotic arm. Imagine what strategy games will be like in the next 20 years. Moving armies with your mind....

CM · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2010, 07:14:08 PM »

Quote from: Dulcamara

Quote from: CM
I wish you were in the Catholic Church. I would ask you to teach me to play Go.

I refuse to argue about the sede issue, but...

Your choice and I won't push it, since it appears you are uncomfortable with your position.

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You must lead a very solitary life with that attitude.

Not so.

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So do you just sit in your house and refuse contact with anyone who doesn't share your views, or what?

Social contact? Yes. But I'm thankful to God that I have friends who share my views.

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Every day we have to interact, get services from, learn from and even obey (such as in the workplace, or the police) atheists, pagans, other kinds of so-called "Christians", you name it...

Not the same thing. Daniel had to live among the Babylonians, but I don't read of him laughing and playing with them, but doing his duties and praying alone in his room.

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but if a Catholic believes in the pope, they're a leper you want nothing to do with?

If a Catholic believes in the pope he is doing his duty.

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Wow... And here I thought we were supposed to love... LOVE... even our enemies, and those who hated us...

What part of my post expressed hatred of you? I don't hate Muslims but I won't laugh and play with them (I work with one at my job and we get along quite well - despite that I have told him he's on the road to hell). I don't hate Protestants, but I treat them the same way. If I hated these people, I'd just let them think they were all fine and dandy.

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2010, 04:12:32 PM »

Quote from: Lybus

Quote from: Catholic Samurai
Come on, Lybus! Rome:Total War is A STRATEGY GAME! Civilization III is for kindergartners!

:rolleyes: Total War doesn't have to take aspects from all of human history now does it?

Not everything. But it takes into a account the main factors, and your leaders dont live forever like you do in the Civilization games... I havent played long enough to know how long the soldiers live though... they usually dont live long enough for me to find out anyway. A single soldier fighting another single soldier representative of an undefined number of soldiers isnt my idea of "military strategy".

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Quote from: sedetrad
Civilization 4 is one of the best strategy games ever produced. Any of the total war series games are also very well done.

Agreed, and I'm sure Catholic Samurai would agree too. Hehe

I'll withhold judgment on C-IV since I havent played it or seen it. I dont intend to buy very many video games in the future since my time is very limited, and I want my recreation to be productive.

I actually bought Rome:Total War as a birthday present for my little brother. As desired and expected, he is now interested in Roman history because he's seen so many different soldier/unit designs that he wants to get an idea of what the real Romans were like. I think the unit designs are pretty historically accurate.

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But yea, so it appears that video games are not always an abomination then. I heard in my greek class today that they are actually coming up with technology that allows players to move things on a screen with their mind, or move a robotic arm. Imagine what strategy games will be like in the next 20 years. Moving armies with your mind....

... with ME at their head leading them to victory! BONZAI! BONZAI! BOZAI! :good-shot:

But really I wouldnt put anything like that on my head. That would be way too hypnotic and would disconnect you from reality to a devastating level. It would definitely not be something constructive or beneficial to your mental health!

CM · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2010, 03:06:30 AM »

Quote from: CM

I feel that Arma2 is okay so long as you envision "just war" type scenarios and download addons that remove the foul language the soldiers sometimes use when hit by friendly fire or running out of ammo.

And of course ignore the american flag on their uniforms.

I take this back. The game is unacceptable, and I am getting rid of it.

clare · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2010, 05:37:44 AM »

Chess and draughts are good.

Lybus · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2010, 09:32:10 AM »

Chess is probably my favorite board game. It can certainly be challenging if you find the right opponent.

What is draughts?

clare · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2010, 09:40:18 AM »

Quote from: Lybus

What is draughts?

Draughts is easier than chess. You play it on a chess board. In fact, it might be the same as what you Yanks call checkers?