Eulogy. (Off-Topic)

by INSANEdrive, ಥ_ಥ | f(ಠ‿↼)z | ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ| ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, Wednesday, January 01, 2025, 16:10 (20 days ago) @ Coaxkez

Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and fellow gamers,

We gather here today to remember and honor a beloved companion — a pastime that once brought us joy, challenge, camaraderie, and adventure. Today, we bid farewell to gaming as a hobby. As we stand here in this digital void, let us reflect on the memories, the highs and lows, and the lasting impact it has had on our lives.

Gaming, in its prime, was more than just a hobby. It was a gateway to other worlds, a platform for storytelling, a way to explore the uncharted and the imaginative. It was a place where we could become heroes and villains, where friendships were formed, and where every victory felt like a triumph — not just of skill, but of spirit.

We remember the first time we picked up a controller, the first time we sat before a screen that transported us to places we never thought possible. From the pixelated landscapes of Super Mario Bros. to the sprawling vistas of Halo, not to mention the breathtaking adventures of ...well, GETTING to the LAN Party. These weren’t just games — they were experiences. They shaped us, taught us, and gave us a sense of belonging in an ever-changing world.

For some, gaming was an escape, a reprieve from the mundane. For others, it was a challenge, a way to test themselves against the impossible. But no matter the reason we played, we found solace in the ritual of it all: the click of the mouse, the hum of the console, the rush of competition, the warmth of shared victory, and even the sting of defeat. Camaraderie and adventure.

But, as with all things, time moves forward. The industry evolved, the technology advanced, and with it, so did the culture. What once was a personal refuge, a simple pleasure, became a sprawling, often overwhelming world of microtransactions, constant updates, and an ever-expanding universe of online play. The hobby that began in basements and living rooms transformed into a global marketplace — where the joy of gaming was sometimes overshadowed by the demands of capitalism, the pull of social validation, and the overwhelming pressure to keep up with the latest trends.

And so, over time, gaming began to lose the intimacy it once had. The casual player became a rarity; the joy of exploration was often replaced by the grind of progression. A game of fun became just another game of numbers. As screens became more connected, many of us felt a disconnect — not just from the games we loved, but from the very reason we played. The hobby became less about passion and more about keeping up. For many, the lines between work and play blurred. Gamers found themselves more invested in virtual economies than in the stories and experiences they once cherished. The simple joy of escaping into a game faded, replaced by the weight of expectations, both external and internal.

It is this shift — this evolution — that brings us here today. Gaming, as we once knew it, is gone, but not forgotten. The golden age of gaming as a casual, passionate hobby has passed into history and it is unknown if it can or shall return. In its place, we find something different, something complex, but also something that, for many, no longer holds the same magic.

As we say goodbye to gaming in its purest form, let us not forget the lessons it taught us. It taught us resilience in the face of adversity, it taught us teamwork and cooperation, it taught us the importance of imagination and creativity. We learned that failure isn’t the end, but just another chance to try again. We learned that the journey is just as important as the destination, and sometimes the best stories are those that we tell ourselves in the quiet moments between battles.

To the world of gaming, we offer our deepest thanks. Thank you for the countless hours of joy, the friendships forged in digital landscapes, the challenges that pushed us to be better. Thank you for the stories that moved us, for the worlds you allowed us to explore, and for the sense of community you built.

And to those who still find solace in games, who continue to play for the love of it, carry the torch forward. While the hobby may have evolved, the spirit of gaming — the wonder, the challenge, the joy — remains. It lives on in the hearts of those who remember when it was just about having fun. It lives on in every indie developer creating something unique, in every player who dives into a new world, and in every moment of quiet reflection that takes place after finishing a game that changed you.

So, let us raise our controllers, our mice, and our keyboards in tribute. Let us remember the hobby that once was, and let us honor its legacy in our hearts.

Farewell, gaming as a hobby. You will be missed, but never forgotten. ...is what an idiot would write LMFAO GOTT'M!

Death is 'finite folks, but change works both ways! Especially when it's simply a case of our dumb ass producing such a change, medium depending. So then... here is a question folks:

Why was this post made? Coaxkez. Buckaroo. Why was this post made?

I mean that with kindness and sincerity, why was the post made? Are you asking for permission there Coaxkez? As between the lines, it looks like it to me. 'Cause, even on just the face of it, we know why, right? Why... yes I have to say it, "silence fills the empty grave". There are so many social contracts ripped to shreds, I say, be it technologically, business wise, ...probably some other third thing, and now it's left to "what do you want to say", or "be the change you want to see in the world".

Cause, if you ask me, it doesn't look dead to me. I see three posts, made recently, all answered. Shorter then it used to be, yes... but dead? Eh. What do you want to say? We are so spoiled here, that we dare see this silence as an end. What do you want to say? And for whatever it's worth, thanks Wu.

OH! And speaking of death! How about an observation from something some where where ever what could it be *ahem*;

• ... so why do you hold these old things, left to dust? It's such a recklessly needless clutter, just get rid of it.
  
• It's the only tangible way to give my experience. When humans hold something, so odd made different in age, it tends to feel more real then the stories we give. Suddenly the embellishments have weight, because you can, could hold them in somewhere beyond an imagination.
  
• Sure, but ****** doesn't care. **** can't.
  
• Doesn't mean **** won't.
  
• OH, that's an evasion if I've ever heard one. Look at you holding out a hope for your clutter. **** doesn't need THINGS, **** needs **** *****. YOU need to be here NOW, not lost your THEN!
  
• AND WHEN YOU FORGET THE THEN IS HOW YOU GET LOST IN THE NOW! Do not DARE mock my care because you disapprove how I see best to be it's caretaker. Now, get out, I need not your nag, I have neither the patience nor the oats for it.
  
• ...
  
• I think I see why it's so dusty in here. (Leaves.)
  
• *Sigh* ... ... oh what strange future, I hold in my past.

And, finally, the reason why I jumped on here in the first place; Happy New Year All! And BUCKLE UP BUTTERCUPS, and STUDY THAT HISTORY! 'Cause WOO! LEARNING IS FOR DUMB PEOPLE! WOO HOOooo...oh wait. Hold on. shit.