My Gaming getting a bit out of control

[skiny899]

Hey guys, basically last Christmas I got a game called Far Cry 3 ... I think it's absoloutly amazing! However ... I think I'm getting a bit effected by it. The game's about a group of friends who go skydiving and accidentily get kidnapped by pirates, you play as a guy called Jason. Basically I'm practically loving this game so much I'm wanting to talk, dress, look and be like Jason. I'm even do specific workouts at the gym to accomadate the things that go on in the game ... I'm even lookinh online about places around the world like the island they go to to possibly visit one day to best replicate the experience in real life. It's given me a very inward style strength and has pushed me away from God. I'm now starting to play the game less and less and I think things are improving. Just kinda wanted to tell someone and get peoples opinions. Thanks!!!

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Well sometimes we get into characters that are much like ourselves. Alot of games like Farcry often place you in hero type roles. Theres nothing wrong with working out and visiting places like in the game (I forget what islands its based on). BUt past that you probably don't want to start doing things like you do in the game.

 

[Bobby64]

You're doing the right thing by backing off on how much you play. I'd say staying active in other parts of your life is the best way to combat negative habits.

 

[Blackwater]

Well, there is nothing wrong with playing games (I even do it too much since I'm currently unemployed) but trying to be all like the main character in real life is kinda not healthy. I played tons of games with different roles that just suck you in and you can't stop playing for a while but what's in the game should stay in the game. Jason's tattoos are pretty cool tho

 

[elephunky]

I get like that with games. When I was playing LA Noire I wanted to dress like I was from the 40s and was listening to only 40s music.

When I was playing DA: Origins I was walking, talking and even dreaming the characters. No joke.

 

[Blackwater]

When I was playing DA: Origins I was walking, talking and even dreaming the characters.

I'm no stranger to dreaming about games I play a lot. Dreaming about playing them, dreaming about being IN them (like a character or something), things like that. It can be creepy when you wake up.

 

[immortalphoenix]

My friend dreamed a game he played. His sister told me he was walking around the house, grunting as if he got shot or something, and limping. Weird.

 

[elephunky]

My friend dreamed a game he played. His sister told me he was walking around the house, grunting as if he got shot or something, and limping. Weird.

It is a bit disturbing when you dream you are a in relationship with a game character...an animated character...of the gender you are not even attracted to

 

[Raven122]

Something similar happened to me, but with an anime. Code Geass if you haven't heard of it. I can't explain why but I love and adore (in a "wow that is cool" kind of way) characters who are warriors that mask their identity, don't know why. But I had started loving this character so much, that when he accidentally caused something VERY bad and wrong to happen I felt guilty thinking I had done it. Taking a break from it for now, if God wants me to watch it again in the future I will. But be careful with this stuff, it isn't wrong in itself and to enjoy, but it can mess with you if you let it.

 

[USCGrad90]

I haven't played the game, but understand the feeling of wanting to take on the aspects of the character and be able to do what they do. There are some positive things you can take from this. Working out to become more physically capable is a good, healthy thing. You may want to try Parkour and even find a MMA training facility. My son is involved in both with some other Christian young men and it is a good outlet for him physically, socially, and spiritually. As far as the trip to an island goes - maybe instead of a personal trip for your pleasure, you find a way to serve a missions purpose. There are lots of summer mission trips to places like the Phillipines, Mexico, South America, and other locations that are in fairly remote locations and will give you the opportunity to use your passion for a Godly focus. Men and women from our church have taken trips to these places to distribute medicine, build houses and churches, and work and play with the local people. Taking your passion and physical abilities into a real world scenario with a Godly intent would be an awesome way to serve God and give you a lot more satisfaction than the game ever could.

 

[JoshIcedogs]

I commend you for being so honest with your self, that sometimes is difficult for me to do when I am realizing something I love to do (like a video game) may not be the best thing for me to do. Best of luck here.

 

[Follower3]

It's best not to replicate things you see in action games / shooters XD

 

[Thunder Peel]

There's nothing wrong with becoming immersed in an experience like movies or video games; that's what they're there for. However, you're right about going too far and allowing it to affect your walk with Christ. If it's a stumbling block you should back off or stop completely.

 

[Follower3]

you wouldnt go running down the street, jumping on things, eating mushrooms, dressed in red overalls if you played Mario, would you?

 

[CounselorForChrist]

you wouldnt go running down the street, jumping on things, eating mushrooms, dressed in red overalls if you played Mario, would you?

Does that mean me doing that is not normal?!? It explains the weird looks I get.

 

[HigherGround]

Here's my take on it:

Far Cry 3 is one of the best games from the last couple of years, truly brilliant. From a psychological standpoint, you relating to the character is absolutely understandable. At it's core, it's about a young man who feels weak and inferior (particularly in comparison to his war hero older brother), finding this inner strength he didn't know he was there, and being forced to push himself to his physical and mental limits. It's an awesome journey, and it's how we all hope we would react to the circumstances.

That said, you do find yourself in situations within the game where the character is forced to do some truly questionable things. I approach any game I play with Christ in mind. I want to know and understand a character's motivations, and if I don't like what he's doing, or why he's doing it, I back off. Far Cry 3 is unique in that, while you're not always doing "good" things 100% of the time, it's all coming from a pure place, and much of it is a result of circumstance beyond the character's control. Ultimately, you're trying to rescue friends and family, and one of the side results of that journey is bringing down an organization of brutal murderous pirates, and basically destroying a major drug operation. There are also plenty of opportunities to help out locals and natives by doing a good deed here and there, all in all, there are worse characters you could model yourself after. However, do keep Christ in mind in whatever choices you decide to make. Physical fitness is awesome, great for body, mind, and soul, plus it's good to put down the controller once in a while. I take breaks and hit the home gym as often as I can. Traveling will also do wonders for the spirit, and I agree with the person who suggested making a mission trip out of it, it would be an amazing and rewarding experience on all counts. The most important thing to remember, though, is to glorify God above all.

 

[FollowerOfJesus777]

There is a proportion to be made between escape and defense.