Gaming Grooves

[Geen]

Anyone else have this problem? Some nights I am really in the groove with the game and everything just kind of flows like silk. Other times I couldn't have a successful run if my life depended on it. Strangely, for myself, this seems to mainly happen with Smash Bros Melee and Burnout 2 (My gaming crack of the moment). Just one of those strange little things, I guess...

[Diff-chan]

In sports, you know, its called a slump or being in the zone/on fire/el caliente/whatever.

It's like anything else in life. Some days I am playing guitar and it feels great. Some days not so much. Sometimes I cook and Im like holy shit Im unbelievable and other days... not so much

[James]

It's all about The Zone, that mystical place where your hands know what to do and you trail along for the ride. It's part of the reason I've gravitated more towards pure action games lately, because the Zone entrance is more easily attained.

I think for recent games the best one for it was Geometry Wars, the mini-game in Project Gotham 2. I know I cleared 400k but I'd hate to try to do it using logic and forethought rather than pure reflex.

And it's true that some days no matter how you play The Zone is just not going to be an attainable state. Thankfully I've got a pile of books to read for times like that.

James

[Dyne]

i get this way with racing games and to a lesser extent shooters. if i dont feel it right away i drop the game. but if i get that feeling i start zoning out. these are the only two genre that do it for me. going totally zoned in NFS Underground knowing one slip could ruin the race. can't wait to do it online with GT4.

[Jetman]

Yeah , I think everyone goes through phases and cycles like this. Thats what RPG's are for. For those days when your gaming skills are a little under the weather.

[Zerodash]

I got pwned royally in 3rd Strike last night. My friends dominated every character/trick I used against them. I most definately was not in the groove.

[Cheebs]

Man, the state of my groove is pretty glaring when I play shmups. Some days I see the path through the bullets...other days it's "bomb, bomb, bomb, die".

[dave is ok]

I was in the zone during a four player splitscreen Halo last night, won every match by at least 20 kills against my friends, who are pretty decent

[Wilykat]

I tried pulling out Gradius IV again last night and realized I was horrible. I have those off and on days. Usually outside factors like caffeine or alcohol help the situation.

The more I think about it, I have these off days in other areas as well. Drawing/painting comes to mind. I do one or the other several times a week, and some days I'm completely horrible. Other days I've improved to moderate mediocrity.

[Nick]

I call it Flowing, and when it happens it's sublime. Vertical shooters and Capcom fighters are the best ways to bring it out for me. At those moments, I am unbeatable. My heart pounds almost audibly and I do as I think, not after I think.

Then I go back the next day and fuck up.

One of my long-term goals is to harness the Flow and use it in more than video games.