Boredom versus painkillers
September 25, 2011 4:30 PM Subscribe
Is minecraft worth it? And more importantly, will it keep me from going insane?
Going to be in hospital for a short while - pretty much immobile for a month-ish - and am researching things to do to keep me from chewing on the walls while stuck in bed.
I keep hearing about this 'minecraft' thing and how fantastic a game it is - except doctors, you know, so expensive and devouring all my money, etc. This'll pretty much wipe me out savings-wise and 15 euros is money I could put towards food and my soon-to-be need for painkillers, but I don't mind paying for something if it'll make me a little bit happier during this whole ordeal. So I suppose my question is: if you have the game, was it worth your money and would it, if you were stuck in hospital with IVs and bad food all around, keep you from going out of your mind from boredom?
Also, is internet required for game functionality? Most hospitals won't have wifi and I wouldn't be interested in paying for broadband if they had it.
Going to be in hospital for a short while - pretty much immobile for a month-ish - and am researching things to do to keep me from chewing on the walls while stuck in bed.
I keep hearing about this 'minecraft' thing and how fantastic a game it is - except doctors, you know, so expensive and devouring all my money, etc. This'll pretty much wipe me out savings-wise and 15 euros is money I could put towards food and my soon-to-be need for painkillers, but I don't mind paying for something if it'll make me a little bit happier during this whole ordeal. So I suppose my question is: if you have the game, was it worth your money and would it, if you were stuck in hospital with IVs and bad food all around, keep you from going out of your mind from boredom?
Also, is internet required for game functionality? Most hospitals won't have wifi and I wouldn't be interested in paying for broadband if they had it.
I'm happy with Minecraft and after downloading it and creating your world you can play it offline. Get better soon!
posted by saucysault at 4:43 PM on September 25, 2011
posted by saucysault at 4:43 PM on September 25, 2011
Response by poster: Ah, sorry - I was trying to be snarky, heh. Faced with bills and whatnot, it's either snark or cry. I am not actually considering trading painkillers for a computer game - I'd just rather not spend money on something that ends up being a disappointment.
posted by zennish at 4:43 PM on September 25, 2011
posted by zennish at 4:43 PM on September 25, 2011
Are you a Lego person? I lasted about 8 minutes on Minecraft before I was bored to tears, but I never liked building with Lego and blocks and that sort of thing. If you are like my husband, who is into videogames and building things, you may last months like he has.
posted by brainmouse at 4:52 PM on September 25, 2011
posted by brainmouse at 4:52 PM on September 25, 2011
While technically minecraft is playable without a network connection, as a new player you'll be completely lost without access to minecraft wikis. Minecraft is completely opaque to a newcomer. If you buy it before you go in and play around a bit to get your bearings and memorize some recipes it'll be more usable.
I like minecraft for exploring but that's only exciting when a new version drops. Building stuff got old for me pretty quickly and the combat is atrocious.
posted by chairface at 4:57 PM on September 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
I like minecraft for exploring but that's only exciting when a new version drops. Building stuff got old for me pretty quickly and the combat is atrocious.
posted by chairface at 4:57 PM on September 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
I like Minecraft a lot and have definitely gotten my money's worth but I agree with the person above that you shouldn't start playing it without internet access because you really need to look up crafting recipes, the game doesn't tell you how to make stuff at all and you can't really do anything at all without making stuff.
posted by ghharr at 5:40 PM on September 25, 2011
posted by ghharr at 5:40 PM on September 25, 2011
Best answer: Minecraft kept me sane while I was laid up with a really severe multiple leg fracture earlier this year. I don't know what I would have done without it. But you do need an internet connection to get maximum fun from it. However it's completely playable without it, especially if you prepare by downloading a wiki or some crafting recipes first.
posted by unSane at 5:45 PM on September 25, 2011
posted by unSane at 5:45 PM on September 25, 2011
I disliked Minecraft when I tried the beta. I found the UI impenetrable and the main concept kind of boring. Obviously, though, more people seem to really like it than feel like me.
posted by Andrhia at 5:46 PM on September 25, 2011
posted by Andrhia at 5:46 PM on September 25, 2011
I LOVE MINECRAFT. Though, I would definitely follow the advice of others and start playing now so you can build up the knowledge needed to know what Minecraft stuff is what. I think it's wonderfully complex, and with a small amount of wiki research, it's really quite easy to get lost in. I don't think you should listen to those who say "I hated it (after playing it for less than ten minutes)". If you can spare the... $15(?) to try it out, you'll know.
posted by two lights above the sea at 5:55 PM on September 25, 2011
posted by two lights above the sea at 5:55 PM on September 25, 2011
Best answer: Sorry to hear about your situation! Minecraft will absolutely keep you from going insane and can be a real time sink. I've lost multiple hours to this game with out even realizing it.
If money is tight the best would be to read up on the game via the Wiki or offical forums. Watch some YouTube videos as well.
Also, take a look at the demo version(for the PC): http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/04/19/download-the-minecraft-demo. The game gets updated often though, so not sure if this will have all the new additions.
posted by Funky Claude at 5:58 PM on September 25, 2011
If money is tight the best would be to read up on the game via the Wiki or offical forums. Watch some YouTube videos as well.
Also, take a look at the demo version(for the PC): http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/04/19/download-the-minecraft-demo. The game gets updated often though, so not sure if this will have all the new additions.
posted by Funky Claude at 5:58 PM on September 25, 2011
Can you get some friends (real life or online) to play it with you? My best friends play together (but I don't) and they really enjoy the interaction with each other along with the actual game. Even if you're not actually online at the same time most of the time, you can still build stuff together or interact with the things the other person has built when they're not around.
posted by chickenmagazine at 6:00 PM on September 25, 2011
posted by chickenmagazine at 6:00 PM on September 25, 2011
Best answer: Have you considered Dwarf Fortress? No internet connection required and it is a massive time sink. A bit opaque at the beginning, maybe take a dump of the wiki before you go in.
posted by Joe Chip at 6:25 PM on September 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Joe Chip at 6:25 PM on September 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The only real functionality of Minecraft you miss out on in offline play is the multiplayer. I STRONGLY suggest you get better really quickly so that you can come play on the Metafilter Server. I spent hours just walking around looking at things before I even thought about building anything.
As far as "will you like it?", its a game where you tell your own stories. If you're the sort of person who notices a particular apartment complex architecture would be easily defended in the Zombie Apocalypse and that if you removed one side and added a sentry tower that you could see the whole western wall. And man, if you added a moat...
posted by JimmyJames at 6:29 PM on September 25, 2011 [5 favorites]
As far as "will you like it?", its a game where you tell your own stories. If you're the sort of person who notices a particular apartment complex architecture would be easily defended in the Zombie Apocalypse and that if you removed one side and added a sentry tower that you could see the whole western wall. And man, if you added a moat...
posted by JimmyJames at 6:29 PM on September 25, 2011 [5 favorites]
Minecraft is awesome. The thing you need to know about it: Like Tetris, it will make you dream in blocks. If that would make you go insane—it drove me nuts, to the point where I had to stop playing it—it may not be for you.
posted by limeonaire at 7:35 PM on September 25, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 7:35 PM on September 25, 2011
My kids, ages 11 and 14, get the most out of multiplayer, although my son has been building stuff for a new server for the past two weeks and has the grades to prove it. Definitely read about Dwarf Fortress here on metafilter.
Also, if you're going to be in the hospital and are broke I am sure that there are 15 people on here who would be happy to toss you a euro, if it's not breaking any rules.
posted by mecran01 at 7:50 PM on September 25, 2011
Also, if you're going to be in the hospital and are broke I am sure that there are 15 people on here who would be happy to toss you a euro, if it's not breaking any rules.
posted by mecran01 at 7:50 PM on September 25, 2011
Also, if you're going to be in the hospital and are broke I am sure that there are 15 people on here who would be happy to toss you a euro, if it's not breaking any rules.
No kidding, I've been there too recently to forget!
posted by unSane at 7:58 PM on September 25, 2011
No kidding, I've been there too recently to forget!
posted by unSane at 7:58 PM on September 25, 2011
One important thing to check is whether your computer can handle it. I don't really know a good way of figuring this out beforehand, though. Maybe ask people on the forums whether anyone's got the same computer as you?
Personally I don't find the single-player game worth it at all; the fun is in showing off the cool stuff you've built and checking out other folks' cool stuff, working together on projects or infrastructure (roads/rail so people can get around), etc.
I think there's basically three aspects to playing Minecraft: 1. building structures/gathering resources, 2. experimenting with the game mechanics (i.e. is it possible to build an X that does Y?), and 3. the actual "game" part, fending off monsters and such. IMO the first two are great, the third is crap. So it depends on what kind of games you like, really.
posted by equalpants at 11:12 PM on September 25, 2011
Personally I don't find the single-player game worth it at all; the fun is in showing off the cool stuff you've built and checking out other folks' cool stuff, working together on projects or infrastructure (roads/rail so people can get around), etc.
I think there's basically three aspects to playing Minecraft: 1. building structures/gathering resources, 2. experimenting with the game mechanics (i.e. is it possible to build an X that does Y?), and 3. the actual "game" part, fending off monsters and such. IMO the first two are great, the third is crap. So it depends on what kind of games you like, really.
posted by equalpants at 11:12 PM on September 25, 2011
Actually, never mind what I said about the single-player game. It doesn't compare to multiplayer, I think, but it certainly beats the hell out of staring at a TV all day. Depending on what your other entertainment options are, it could be very good indeed.
posted by equalpants at 11:22 PM on September 25, 2011
posted by equalpants at 11:22 PM on September 25, 2011
Response by poster: mecran01 and unSane, that's incredibly thoughtful of you, and no lie, I teared up a little when I read that because the past few months have been an epic vortex of suck (the details of which doesn't bear mentioning because I will start whining like there's no tomorrow). But I think that would be against the rules and I don't want to break any.
Joe Chip: I haven't heard of Dwarf Fortress but will check it out!
Funky Claude: Thank you for the demo, I didn't know there was one - that's AWESOME, thank you! That's perfect and if I look up at the clock and wonder there the last few hours went, I'll know if it's worth the cost or not.
posted by zennish at 11:44 PM on September 25, 2011
Joe Chip: I haven't heard of Dwarf Fortress but will check it out!
Funky Claude: Thank you for the demo, I didn't know there was one - that's AWESOME, thank you! That's perfect and if I look up at the clock and wonder there the last few hours went, I'll know if it's worth the cost or not.
posted by zennish at 11:44 PM on September 25, 2011
Well, disclosure: I have not played Minecraft. I only have stories from people who have.
A good friend of mine is the sort of person who loves playing with Legos and generally having creative stuff to do. He told me that he bought Minecraft and installed it and all that, just to see what all the fuss was about. He apparently did this around eight at night.
He then said, "And suddenly it was three in the morning."
If you play the demo and you like it then it certainly seems like it'd be a good way to while away some hours.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:22 AM on September 26, 2011
A good friend of mine is the sort of person who loves playing with Legos and generally having creative stuff to do. He told me that he bought Minecraft and installed it and all that, just to see what all the fuss was about. He apparently did this around eight at night.
He then said, "And suddenly it was three in the morning."
If you play the demo and you like it then it certainly seems like it'd be a good way to while away some hours.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:22 AM on September 26, 2011
Best answer: And you'll notice we haven't heard from zennish for several hours ....
posted by saucysault at 7:47 AM on September 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by saucysault at 7:47 AM on September 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh, and I recommend you get the too many items mod if you want to create crazy big things without having to spend hours actually mining to get the individual blocks.
posted by saucysault at 7:49 AM on September 26, 2011
posted by saucysault at 7:49 AM on September 26, 2011
Best answer: sidetrack: look into rouglikes like Angband or DoomRL (which recently had a FPP mention). They're similar in ways and different in others but they're great time-sinks that keep your brain engaged and can run on virtually any PC in existence.
I know that's not what you asked about but those are free and do maintain some parallels with Minecraft's focus of function over form or depth over appearance.
Best wishes while you're down and out.
posted by RolandOfEld at 11:55 AM on September 26, 2011
I know that's not what you asked about but those are free and do maintain some parallels with Minecraft's focus of function over form or depth over appearance.
Best wishes while you're down and out.
posted by RolandOfEld at 11:55 AM on September 26, 2011
Hey, your situation sucks. I'll tell you what--if you want, I'll give you access to my minecraft account so you can see if you like it. I haven't even downloaded a copy since like April, too many changes too fast for me to keep up. If you try it and like it, I'll either let you keep it or just buy you a copy.
I also bought the humbleindybundle and haven't done anything with that, if there's anything there you may like to play. I bought it before minecraft was added in, but it's complete besides that. I played Atom Zombie Smasher for a while until I mastered it, but that's all.
Shoot me a non-mefi email and I'll send you logins and such.
Also, get better.
posted by TomMelee at 12:42 PM on September 26, 2011
I also bought the humbleindybundle and haven't done anything with that, if there's anything there you may like to play. I bought it before minecraft was added in, but it's complete besides that. I played Atom Zombie Smasher for a while until I mastered it, but that's all.
Shoot me a non-mefi email and I'll send you logins and such.
Also, get better.
posted by TomMelee at 12:42 PM on September 26, 2011
Seconding the indybundles. I've bought 2 of them, and one as a gift. They're well worth it on the bang for your buck scale. If cash is that much of an issue drop me a line and I'll send you a download link for what I purchased as well as I think that's legit usage per the humbleindybundle's terms of use.
posted by RolandOfEld at 12:50 PM on September 26, 2011
posted by RolandOfEld at 12:50 PM on September 26, 2011
Response by poster: ...so I found myself looking around corners for green creeper bastards when I surfaced from the demo, so it's a pretty sure bet that this game is exactly what I was looking for.
You guys are fantastic. I know this sounds kind of frivolous - who gives a damn about a computer game when the scalpels are chittering away in the background, right? But I haven't been able to do things I like and find fun for a long time now, and when I was healthy I could never justify spending much time gaming. Now I've nothing except time and nothing interesting to fill it with - but Minecraft's going to be a lot of fun, going by the demo.
Thanks for all the offers of help and for not judging.
posted by zennish at 3:41 PM on September 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
You guys are fantastic. I know this sounds kind of frivolous - who gives a damn about a computer game when the scalpels are chittering away in the background, right? But I haven't been able to do things I like and find fun for a long time now, and when I was healthy I could never justify spending much time gaming. Now I've nothing except time and nothing interesting to fill it with - but Minecraft's going to be a lot of fun, going by the demo.
Thanks for all the offers of help and for not judging.
posted by zennish at 3:41 PM on September 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
Let me nth the Metafilter Minecraft Server. It's a thing of wonder.
posted by unSane at 5:56 PM on September 26, 2011
posted by unSane at 5:56 PM on September 26, 2011
Hope everything went well with your hospital visit!
posted by Joe Chip at 3:05 AM on November 7, 2011
posted by Joe Chip at 3:05 AM on November 7, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Minecraft is a hell of a lot of fun and is something that I've lost many hours to. I originally played by myself before I started playing multiplayer; you can play single player all you'd like, and it's still hella fun. I'm all for doing little things like this while you're laid up - favorite movies, games, etc.
Whether it's worth trading in for pain killers is a call I can't make, though. Depends on the surgery and a lot of other things.
Feel better!
posted by SNWidget at 4:37 PM on September 25, 2011