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5 votes
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Turns out the hardest part of making a game is...everything
8 votes -
Halo Infinite will release on December 8, 2021 - Limited-edition Xbox Series X and Elite controller now available for pre-order
9 votes -
Playdate hardware teardown
12 votes -
Everything shown during Microsoft's Xbox Gamescom livestream
3 votes -
Gamasutra is becoming Game Developer - Switching to a new name, domain, and website this Thursday
15 votes -
An obvious bug in Dungeon Crawl: Stone Soup that players failed to recognize for two weeks, and what it demonstrates about "cognitive decoupling"
20 votes -
A case study in digital radicalism
4 votes -
Quake renaissance: A short history of twenty-five years of Quake modding
6 votes -
Any tips for dealing with games that make you too uncomfortable?
I mentioned in this weeks "What are you playing" thread that I'm starting Fallout: New Vegas. I'm really digging the game, but I'm also having a hard time playing it, mentally. I've got something...
I mentioned in this weeks "What are you playing" thread that I'm starting Fallout: New Vegas. I'm really digging the game, but I'm also having a hard time playing it, mentally.
I've got something of a phobia when it comes to nuclear radiation, specifically in the context of, say, a nuclear apocalypse or meltdown. The issue is that any amount of knowledge about nuclear safety doesn't help, the very topic causes anxiety. I use the term "phobia" because I haven't got any rational reason to respond this strongly to this concept, especially since like most people I'll never actually be exposed to dangerous amounts of ionizing radiation. Surprisingly, I have no problems getting x-rays.
The specific issue I'm having is with the entire setting of Fallout: New Vegas, and the rest of the series, being in a post nuclear apocalypse setting. I get extremely anxious when my Geiger counter goes off, even if it isn't affecting my RAD levels in-game. I flinch when I do something that increases my RAD level like eating or drinking new items, and am paralyzed when it comes to consuming anything that boosts the RAD level, even after reading about the system and how it works. I was wound so tight tonight I blacked out for a short moment when a robot came around a corner and surprised me. I'm not screaming or anything, and it's not giving me nightmares or anything, I'm just panicking even just walking peacefully around the world dealing with minor enemy encounters.
My current solution is short frequent exposure to the game at appropriate times of the day/night. I want to play this series and at least finish the main stories of the games.
Does anybody have any similar experiences, and any advice on dealing with this fear and anxiety? I don't see not playing as an option simply because I'm enjoying the hell out of the game, so I'm trying to find a healthy way forward with this.
EDIT: More for posterity if somebody stumbles into this.
Radiophobia was a part of it, but the other part was a sensitivity to sound. The sound design of the game messes with me, and causes me to have a panic attack. It does not happen in FO4, but does in FO3, which uses similar techniques. It doesn't happen with TES4: Oblivion, which is on the same engine from a similar era, but the sounds are different. I don't know what it is, but it did result in me ultimately abandoning the early Fallout series. I can't do it, the joy doesn't outcompete the dread and panic.
17 votes -
Stop chess draws
7 votes -
Quake | Official trailer
9 votes -
Curt Schilling’s failed game studio finally sends last paychecks
7 votes -
Black Myth: Wukong | Unreal Engine 5 gameplay trailer
6 votes -
Why Steam games are getting mysterious sale spikes in Argentina
13 votes -
Quake renaissance: Where is Quake now, and how did it get here?
5 votes -
Victoria II, Part I: Mechanics and Gears
10 votes -
How a board game about birds became a surprise blockbuster
14 votes -
Remember when multiplayer gaming needed envelopes and stamps? The history of play by mail games
9 votes -
About one out of three men prefer playing female characters. Rethinking the importance of female protagonists in video games.
16 votes -
Adios - A cinematic narrative adventure l loved (+giveaway!)
10 votes -
Frostpunk 2 | Announcement trailer
12 votes -
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk | Official gameplay trailer
11 votes -
The rocks and minerals of Minecraft
6 votes -
Linus Sebastian tries the Steam Deck
27 votes -
Diablo IV game director out at Blizzard
7 votes -
Take-Two goes on another Grand Theft Auto mod-killing spree
5 votes -
What's a good book to (re)learn chess fundamentals?
Most people online seem to favor a practical approach to learning chess, but I tend to prefer something more structured, with a bit of theory, concepts, and explanations. I'd also rather use my...
Most people online seem to favor a practical approach to learning chess, but I tend to prefer something more structured, with a bit of theory, concepts, and explanations. I'd also rather use my physical board instead of an app. I already know how to play chess, but I'd like to give it another good and see if I can achieve a higher level than before, starting from the beginning. Any suggestions?
12 votes -
A thorough look at Resident Evil
6 votes -
Xbox and Xbox Game Pass are coming to more screens
7 votes -
Far Cry 5: Two years later
3 votes -
What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them?
What have you been playing lately? Discussion about video games and board games are both welcome. Please don't just make a list of titles, give some thoughts about the game(s) as well.
19 votes -
Meet the Apex Legends hackers - A Titanfall Online conspiracy
3 votes -
Blizzard turned game developers into rock stars. Misbehavior followed
11 votes -
Jupiter Hell has been released out of Early Access - DOOM-like, turn-based roguelike from the creator of DoomRL
11 votes -
Back 4 Blood beta impressions: A template for potential co-op greatness
4 votes -
Activision Blizzard are being sued by their investors now
9 votes -
How the founder’s toxic culture tore apart Fullbright, the studio behind Gone Home
11 votes -
Avatar Legends RPG on Kickstarter August 3rd
8 votes -
What was the last game you played that really surprised you?
“Surprise” can be anything from an unexpected plot twist to a novel mechanic to simply liking a game you weren’t expecting to like. What surprised you about the game, and why? Please mark any...
“Surprise” can be anything from an unexpected plot twist to a novel mechanic to simply liking a game you weren’t expecting to like.
What surprised you about the game, and why?
Please mark any spoilers. Code below:
<details> <summary>[Game Title] Spoilers</summary> [Spoiler text goes here] </details>
Results:
[Game Title] Spoilers
[Spoiler text goes here]
19 votes -
Why medieval city-builder video games are historically inaccurate
20 votes -
New leadership at Blizzard
16 votes -
How Blizzard's reputation collapsed in just three years
15 votes -
Activision Blizzard hires union-busting firm as workers start to come together
25 votes -
Valve argues anti-Steam suit lacks “the most basic elements” of antitrust case
13 votes -
The fall of Minecraft's 2b2t
20 votes -
Blizzard recruiters asked hacker if she ‘liked being penetrated’ at job fair
26 votes -
Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye | Reveal trailer
6 votes -
Playdate, the indie handheld gaming console with a crank, begins preorders on Thursday, July 29 at 10:00 AM PDT
18 votes -
Annapurna Interactive Showcase - July 29, 2021
8 votes