[GTAO] What GTAO has Taught Me About Myself

[fw3]

In all cooperative interactions throughout our lives, be them through school, church, sports, work, or family and social areas, we are often able to glean some modicum of depth toward recognizing who we are as people and how the world views us, in a general sense.

Because we are acting and reacting to other people in an intimate setting, in close proximity, we develop certain skills in communication and reading body language to help refine them to create a more positive, productive interaction.

Of course, sometimes, it doesn't always work and annoyance or conflict can arise, which then creates a whole new level of communication and interaction.

But, with gaming, it's an extremely solitary experience, even if we are engaging with friendly counterparts online. We sit in our place, plug in, and immerse, alone.

With a game like GTAO, it's even more of an individual immersion, where we are explicitly directed to behave in a manner that is typically a contrast or counter to our real life behavior.

In other words, we get to run around saying and doing most of the things we can't do in real life.

And for us, this is FUN.

Go ahead and tell someone who doesn't play GTA that you play it, almost addictively, and they'll either look at you with an odd eye or they'll know exactly what kind of person you are.

So, with so much time invested in one game – one scenario, one style of play, one landscape – this "fun" we've all shared, many since inception in 2013 (or going back farther to prior iterations), we must have each gleaned some insight – some keen information – about ourselves, much the way we do in the intimate interactions in our day-to-day real lives.

Whether it's our structured habits or routines, behavior, vices, shortcomings, or even our ability to be a benefactor or mentor, there's a part of ourselves that goes into playing GTAO that is likely rare to be seen by anyone else. The question is, what has this game taught us about ourselves?

TL;DR: The point of the thread is to identify things about ourselves that have been revealed about us through extensive immersion in GTAO.

Now, this is not a Share Your Stories thread, so please click on the link to visit that thread if you'd like to share your stories.

This is a thread to simply list things you think you've learned about yourself through your experiences with GTAO.

 

I've recommend categorizing into the following, but feel free to reduce the list or add to it, depending on your response.

• Sense of Humor: that we appreciate it's all just a game and have learned to laugh at ourselves
• Gratitude: that we are grateful to have a like-minded community to share in an uncommon past time.
• Patience: to see the bigger picture and move through life at our own pace.
• Generosity: to know when we are among the "have's" and be able to share with the "have not's."
• Temperament: recognizing when we are quick to anger or slow to cool.
• Diligence: to respond quickly to circumstances, being reliable and quick to act.
• Tenacity: never giving up without giving it our all.
• Fortitude: going into a situation, despite going against the odds.
• Malevolence: understanding our evil side and that we can be cruel, just for giggles.
• Greed: we really do want it all for ourselves, and nothing for the rest of them!
• Respect: that at the end of a conflict, we can still come away friendly and enjoy others despite diversity.
• and more: I'm sure there's a lot more that can be added to this list.

I hope this is of interest and reveals some interesting replies! Cheers!

This is a thread for enjoyment and not to be taken too seriously, though it would be great that with any humorous replies, a note of seriousness could apply, too.

GTAO has taught me that even though I love the golf in this game, not a lot of people are into it as much as I am… and that's okay!

Edited April 26, 2018 by fw3

[HeavyDuke]

It made me realize agent Smith was right.

 

Edited April 26, 2018 by HeavyDuke

[REXX]

^Agent Smith has also taught me something referring to GTA Online.

 

... appearences can be deceiving.

 

 

I now look three times when crossing a road. Y'know, just in case a psycho is landing a jet

 

Edited April 26, 2018 by REXX

[Sanches]

About myself - nah.
About others - yeah.

[Rafae]

That I'm alot more patient and privy to details than I thought

[III-Ari-III]

What gtao told me about myself and others is that just like in real life.. there will be ppl with good intentions and ppl with sad, bad and toxic intentions and motivations.. so all in all.. i guess gtao it's a "safe" place to encounter all those experiences which in real life could produce shocking changes in your life.. but here you just block/delete/report, and move on.. as is when you find ppl that match your playstyle and then you friend them for years.. in that sense it's more of a controlled experience, which is extremely useful.

 

In my particular case i've met 3 players 2 years ago with which i play everyday to this day, and i'm glad for that. (On top of the 60 or so that i've also got to know to the point of voice chat but that for one thing or another.. aren't with me anymore).

 

So yeah, gtao=controlled life experience.

[Nihilist.]

About myself - nah.

About others - yeah.

I couldn't say it better myself.

 

In order for a game to teach me something about myself, I would have to be able to make choices, ones that matter. That's one of the reasons I loved Life Is Strange so much, despite it having a narrative path we, players, generally follow and can't change it. It's like a river, which goes in its own direction anyways. GTA Online, in contrary, offers a pretty shallow experience, with no freedom of choice for us. You could expect that from a prequel to something else, that being GTA V's story, but still, there's no denying that lack of any story or alternative paths to take leaves us with only one goal - play what's there to be played. That being said, I haven't got a chance to discover anything I wouldn't already know about myself, because there was no opportunity for me to do it. Do I think there's place in a GTA game to provide me that? Possibly, and hopefully the next online GTA game will be more roleplay oriented, or should I say, will allow us to actually roleplay if we want. I'd like to take a side in a conflict, like in Skyrim, with the entire civil war between the Empire and the Stormcloaks.

 

As for other people, I've learned how many of them have a terrible taste, noticeable with their clothing or vehicle customization, how many are absolute primitives looking for cheapest possible thrills, picking on those who are peaceful and don't harm anyone, minding their own business (that applies also to modder scum, who ruin others' experience. It's not just the tryhards who ruin this game), how many are satisfied with lowest common denominators like all DLCs from 2017, and finally, how many of them don't want to play with others and actually cooperate. The last one requires some explanation - you see, it wouldn't be a problem if we were talking about games in general - some prefer single player experience, like yours truly, some prefer to play with other human beings. That's okay. But why bother engaging in co-op activities with no intention to be a part of a team? I've played plenty of contact missions and heists with people who just didn't care, didn't work with the rest, didn't listen to them and stick to the plan. Hell, there are people who aren't interested in playing the game in general - just look at these pathetic money beggers poisoning public sessions!

I'm not saying I haven't experienced anything good in the game - quite contrary, I've met couple of really reliable, like minded players, that's how I've completed my Criminal Mastermind team - all three were at some point randoms to me. We eventually learned to trust each other and work together, which was great. Still, if I have to be honest, most of whatl I've learned about GTA Online players was negative, though.

[MadTitanThanos]

Grow up.

[Verbal Soze]

So far GTAO has taught me that i'm a generous person splitting the heists finale all in half and that i'm tempramental but systematical, i can't stand a f*ck ups only 2 tries max and i'm out, even after the missions i keep killing the person that ruin the missions especially those who didn't use a cover or destroying the mission's objective but i have schedule ffs i don't just sit around for hours playing GTAO that also makes me diligence? Hahaha

 

But i'm also a naughty boy, blocking stores stealing other's MOC, ramming other's PV and so on, but i never do a PvP combat i suck at it and i respect other players who can beat me in a race in a fair way no ramming or blocking, i commend those guys because they've proven that good guys didn't finish last

 

So TL:DR i'm systematic, diligence, tempramental, malevolence in a naughty way not menacing killer, and respect (i think lol)

[FlacidJack]

Taught me that I'm a rare breed and I should stay on my path and avoid becoming toxic because being toxic can be as addictive as being kind.

 

And patience of course... lots and lots of patience...

[Karami]

Gratitude - THIS!

Patience - Ranging from how I am about upcoming DLCs, and making money/money management on GTA

 

Tenacity - THIS! As well

Malevolence - Guilty for this one. Lml

Respect - This varies

[PwnageSoldier]

It's probably pretty well known I can be quite cruel playing this game, as I can attack people for no reason, use a jet, play unfairly, etc. I don't usually EWO or OTR and such but I'll admit I have done it just so people would get even angrier. I honestly love the pain people get from me demolishing them.

 

I'm also pretty generous and helpful at times. I love giving low level players who are new a jet, and letting others use my vehicles (Oppressor, Starling, Buzzard, Rogue, Hunter, IPUC, etc). I love to play with people who can strategize what to do in a combat situation and can play similarly to me (I find it easy to befriend military players).

 

I can respect my adversaries however. If you best me in a jet and don't act like trash towards me (ex. LZZZZZZZ 1-0 UR TRASH) I'll generally commend your flying skills.

 

I also display a lot of tenacity, as I've been here since the beginning, and I won't leave until the very end.

Edited April 26, 2018 by PwnageSoldier

[Arrows to Athens]

It made me realize agent Smith was right.

 

Is that Howard Jones from KSE?

[lll-H-I-M-lll]

Flying fighter jets when drunk doesn't end well lol

[RANDOMv2]

According to the friends I've been playing this game with for years I am boring.

According to the players that I have been playing with the past few months I am very helpful and an asset to the team.

I find that I carry over my same sense of fair play and respect towards others from the real life into my gaming life. I also find that in gaming, as in life, I find myself trying to work and talk through a conflict instead of just mindlessly trolling someone to prove a point. When that doesn't work then the trolling begins.

[fw3]

Flying fighter jets when drunk doesn't end well lol

"People who fly off in a rage always make a bad landing." - Will Rogers

[ALifeOfMisery]

That I'm even more antisocial than I thought.

 

I knew I enjoyed my own company but enjoying the feeling of being the only sentient being in a city while in solo public lobbies probably shows something less than positive about my personality.

[Big Molio]

Taught me that procrastination is good.

[Lonely-Martin]

Without doubt, much I feel.

 

I'm far better at communicating with foreign players for sure. Getting a job done and needing to work together without the basic, easily relied on simplicity of talking the same language, very rewarding.

 

Patience was never an issue, being a parent and carer saw to that, lol. But heists certainly added to my patience too, especially early on. I'm strong minded here and IRL, but I like to think I'm reasonable and fair with things/people. Of course, as mentioned above by another, if that won't work, I've no issues being a twat to another I find an idiot.

 

Definitely a better gamer from playing online, as the missions became secondary to the bullsh*t going on, lol. Racing with twats, heisting with fools, fighting dickheads, there's always more to it than 'go here, do that' out there.

 

And like others, I learned so much about gamers. Good and bad. But I focus on the good and just ignore, mock, or block the bad if wanted/needed as best as, the pap that can come of a bleeding videogame, lol. I mean, the kids and girl gamers out there don't half get a rough time of it, again, just for a damn game. The lengths some go to to get a rise out of others was most definitely a short sharp lesson, though I can still be drawn in, but these days it's on me as I'm just having fun with it. Funny old sods, lol, people will soon start complaining when some of these kids grow up into arseholes and troublemakers, many folk give them reason too (Even if just future c*nts in games, lol). Hearing groups of grown men making children scared and cry will stick with me for a long time, damn right that sh*t'll stay with those kids too. It vexes me just talking about that side to GTA:O/online gaming really, so I'll end it here, lol.

 

Just sad that some defend all this sh*t really. I enjoy banter and a challenge, but we all know it goes far further than that. Great thread fw3, saw it earlier, but could write an essay here so had a think and hope I didn't ramble too much, lol. Learned quite a bit really, from my first online game. (First 'social media' being here too).

 

Peace out.

[Smooth Longsack]

I'm much happier with people when I can hit a button and make them go away.

[Malibu Club]

I'm nowhere near as bad as PVP as I make myself out to be.

[Non Funkable Token]

Taught me that I'm definitely better working-grinding on my own than working as a part of a group.

 

Not a thing that surprises me, but real life is replicated here pretty accurately.

[Rafae]

That I'm even more antisocial than I thought.

 

I knew I enjoyed my own company but enjoying the feeling of being the only sentient being in a city while in solo public lobbies probably shows something less than positive about my personality.

THIS

 

This is me down to a f*cking T. Being in normal public lobbies gives me anxiety lmao.

[xwinkx_girlYakuza]

GTAO has taught me that "owning things" is not the answer. Being in good company and having fun together(no matter how unproductive or idiotic it may be) is what i really cherish about this crazy game

 

p.s. being in a firetruck hosing down friends while yelling "are you clean now?!" is a lot more fun than people realized LOL

Edited April 27, 2018 by xwinkx_girlYakuza

[Cackling Jack]

Enjoy being alone rather than being with ppl at the same time keeping Good company with my online friends. Learning to deal with idiotts. Just small things like that I’ve found myself doing better at them. Don’t know if that makes any sense.

[Rykjeklut]

It has definitely strengthened my belief in the theory that 90% of people are retarded.

[Dr.Rosenthal]

I'm much happier with people when I can hit a button and make them go away.

 

Comment of the day, thank you my dear Sir. If only there was a way to change session in real life, that'd be gold. Not to mention an orbital cannon.

 

Semi-seriously though; GTAO has mostly cemented beliefs about myself that I already had. Such as me being more of a cooperative-focused person rather than a competitive one.

But it has also made me realize that while I'm mostly a kind-hearted player at first glance (for example, I almost never take the first shot at somebody) I can be completely ruthless when it comes to revenge - at those times I truly enjoy being as evil as possible. Never a troll, just a psychopath I guess.

[PwnageSoldier]

Here's another to add to the list:

 

Definitely strengthens my belief that I may as well be one of the very small amount of actual human beings playing GTA:O (as everyone else shows the IQ of a cucumber). Also strengthens my belief that a lot of the human population needs to burn (because most of us on GTA are cancer anyway).

Also, it also deadens my emotions towards others in the game; if you lose 20 mil, I might act like I care, but in reality I won't give a sh*t and might be laughing about it.

 

TL;DR, strengthens my belief that the human race is the cancer upon this Earth.

 

 

EDIT: I'd also like to add that I feel like a ruthless sociopath when I play this game in public lobbies. 80% of the time I'm in a public lobby you'll find me usually murdering people for sport (i.e they didn't attack me but I'll blow them up for no reason because PEOPLE NEED TO DIE MAN).

Edited April 27, 2018 by PwnageSoldier

[No Homing]

I need help

 

Halp pls

[fw3]

I'd also like to add that I feel like a ruthless sociopath when I play this game in public lobbies. 80% of the time I'm in a public lobby you'll find me usually murdering people for sport (i.e they didn't attack me but I'll blow them up for no reason because PEOPLE NEED TO DIE MAN).

Makes me wonder if you'd feel less like a ruthless sociopath when playing GTAIII, Vice City, or any of the other solo versions of the game?

 

Those games didn't teach me anything, as the whole game just ended up with PvCops every time.

 

GTAO is a living, breathing community, so there's a connection there that is absent from the other games.

For me, knowing that I'm playing against real people and not just NPCs does come into my mind at some point, even though it's usually when I'm being owned.