In our columns section we ask various local gamers for their opinions on certain topics. These articles are meant to create lively debate, and the opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect those of MyGaming. Are you a decent writer with a cool idea for a column? Let us know in the comments section.
Dreaming is one of my favourite pastimes. Being an avid gamer, I find the two often cross over. This column takes a whimsical look at the dreams we gamers have (well, myself specifically).
R.E.M Bliss
I am certain that most of you gamers out there have had some insanely wacky game inspired experiences in the realm between wakefulness and deep slumber. It is there that anything can, and does, happen. Personally, I tend to have the craziest of dreams when I have been hitting up any game far too much. Have any of you spent ages playing a game, say, like Diablo and for the next few nights all you can do in your sleep is maim endless monsters in search of epic loot? Or maybe, after a lengthy FPS session, you now find that when your head hits the pillow, in your dreams you are also running around, calamity erupting all around you, gun in hand, blasting away foes as they come?
It is too bad that dreams are so elusive. They tend to slip away just as you recall them. Just imagine, the great ideas and inspiration you have had while dreaming. The amazing worlds and award winning games that could be made from them. Instead, you’re usually left with but the foggiest recollection of the stories which unfolded in your head – sad really. I know that many artists use dreams as inspirations, and I am sure that numerous individuals involved in game development also draw inspiration from these ethereal whisperings.
I had a Dream
Thinking back, I have had some truly strange experiences while dreaming. One example took place a few years ago, when I started playing World of Warcraft heavily (I know; bad Myles!). That night, and many thereafter, I found myself questing all over my dreamscape seeing bright yellow exclamation and question marks above people’s heads. Conveniently, they offered an array of quests and, just like World of Warcraft, most were kill quests, to my glee (perhaps there is a psycho-killer conspiring inside me?). Too bad the loot sucked.
Oh yeah! XXX rated WoW action. A blissful night of hardcore WoW lovin! *cough*
Then, recently, after cutting a bloody path through Bulletstorm, I found myself that night sliding around and kicking the living poop out of anything in my dreams, all the while laughing and insulting as I went. I guess this one also supports the latent psychopath theory.
This is what I dreamt of after playing a liiiiittle too much Bulletstorm. Pretty awesome, I know.
However, there is also a darker side to gaming inspired dreaming. The first comes in the form of gaming nightmares. For example, when I would play games like Silent Hill or Resident Evil avidly, I found myself then experiencing those, “ZOMG! Run away!!” dreams – never able to escape my monstrous pursuers. But I figured that’s what I get for those long sessions in the pitch dark of my dingy room, (headphones wrapped around my head) splattering and being splattered by all kinds of beasts found within horror titles.
What is more fearsome than an evil clown lurking in your dreams? Nothing!
Secondly, as I mentioned earlier, occasionally overplaying a title fries your brain, going into an infinite loop of sorts. Almost as soon as you pass out for the night, you will repetitively do whatever action(s) you were partaking in while gaming before you fell asleep. I recall having many bleary-eyed days at school / college because of such dreams. Recently, my Pokemon fetish got the better of me in this regard. I spent my whole night catching Pokemon, throwing Poke Balls and battling endless Pokemon. “I choose you Pikachu!” It was a Poke-Hell!
Gotta… catch… ‘em… all!!!
Is Life the True Dream?
All in all, I love, nay, ADORE gaming dreams. Often I can fully take control of the situation whilst dreaming, as if I know I’m dreaming (lucid dreaming), going on to abuse the system (once even opening up a console command and cheating mid-dream – odd).
I decided to share this rather pointless column with you knowing that many of you have your own gaming dream stories.
So where do you go when you dream?
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