Subconscious Gaming

[la-li-lu-le-lo]

I was playing Shenmue today and I realized that I was spacing off. I had drunk a few Kirin Ichiban, among other things, so I was not thinking entirely clearly. I had just wandered into the dojo, not thinking about why I was going there. Not really even paying attention to the game while I was doing it. I realized afterwards that that's where you're supposed to go in the beginning of the game. I have played Shenmue so many times that I no longer have to be consciously aware of what I'm doing while I'm playing it. It's so deeply rooted into my subconscious. Or unconscious. Whatever.

Anyone had an experience like this?

[graciano1337]

I know at Halo lan parties, after several hours of multiplayer, i just get into the zone. Kinda like a zombie state almost. Everything just just happens so easily and naturally, it's like i don't even have to think about it.

[7Force]

Yeah, it's happened to me many times, especially in 2D shooters and other reflex-based games. Nothing too special about it, since it's a psychologically recognized thing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_%28psychology%29

[la-li-lu-le-lo]

Not sure if that's really what I'm talking about. Flow usually means that a person is very focused on something. I was not focused on it at all; I was thinking about other things and not paying much attention to the game. When I became aware of what I was doing, I realized that I had done the right thing. Does that make sense?

I've experienced flow, too. Sometimes in videogames, but more often when I'm playing the guitar or driving.

[XerdoPwerko]

There even was an official explanation about needing to play Ikaruga in a "state of zen" similar to what you describe up there.

Things like this have happened to me quite often, playing Mario and other older games back in the day. Also, with Ace Combat; I've had conversations and everything while clearing a whole mission - and I've replayed many levels almost asleep.

Have you had that other situation when you're so asleep that the game you are playing sort of seeps into your perception of reality? Like after playing Vandal Hearts for hours when I was 16, I was really afraid of heading to the bathroom at 4AM, because it would take me more than one turn to get there and I might get attacked...

[SuperGrafx]

I can do this with Gradius III on the SNES.
The game has a good flow to it and the excessive slowdown makes it quite enjoyable to play in a mindless manner.

It was my first SNES game that I bought back in 1991 and I love the whole atmosphere and soundtrack to it. I can just sorta zone out and relax as I go through the motions.

[Anthaemia.]

This has happened to me countless times, usually when playing driving games. Come to think of it, I seemingly "autopilot" my way through Sega Touring Car, WipEout 2097 and the endurace mode in Daytona USA on most occasions.

[XxHennersXx]

Rockband/Guitar Hero. First time I absolutely nailed the solo on Dead or Alive without thinking.

Call of Duty Black Ops is a game I just zone out to play. The Map design and weapon sets just ...flow with my play style REALLY well.

The Modern Warfare series I can do it to an extent but that depends on who I'm playing with.

[HEX1GON]

This is me on Vigilante 8 pretty much, and Mario Kart 64. I don't have to think while playing those games at all and still get great results.

[Shadowlayer]

I have the same "problem" with sandbox games, from GTAVC to Red dead redemption

I guess is the really big open spaces that trick my brain into thinking I'm not in a level but in the world

[sonicdude10]

This has happened to me playing Sega All Stars racing on the Wii. Most noticeable on the first level when playing as Shadow. I later got on a web site that had the world record lap times and I had beat the at time record by 2 seconds. I was so out of it that I didn't come to until the race was over. Never shared my time so it can't be proven but I put my life on the fact it happened. Don't remember the times or have the game anymore, it was borrowed. Same for the Wii... :dammit:

[CrAzY]

Super Metroid. I dunno how, but every couple of years I %100 it. Couldn't imagine where all the pickups are, they just come as I go (hidden deep in my mind).;-)

Matta fact, my brain input/output is so low during a play through of this... The game basically just beats itself! :-)