To many gamers not associated with alternative gaming (speed-running, tricking, glitching, hiding, trick jumping, etc.) a common question is "Why?" Why do stunts, why make such a huge video, why 'waste' your time on this? I'm going to do my best to answer these questions as I understand them.
So why do stunts? Why do I, and others like me, go out of our way to find aspects of a video game that weren't intended to be there? What's the point? Well, one reason is it's fun. At many times it's like an easter egg hunt, or solving a complex puzzle. Finding stunts/glitches can be very difficult, so when you are actually successful you can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
There are other reasons as well, but this is the primary reason. Other players may compare stunting to art or music, saying they find it relaxing. Some players will say they like the social experience. Others like to share and teach stunts with friends online. It really varies from person to person, but overall it all comes down to the fact that people find it enjoyable due to competitive, emotional, intellectual, or social reasons.
Many gamers who aren't familiar with alternative gaming will get hung up on the fact that many stunts/tricks don't serve an actual function in achieving the objectives in the game. E.g. a hog balance doesn't serve any function in helping you kill your opponents faster/easier, asides from the slight chance of it distracting them if they've never seen it before. I personally find this somewhat frustrating. I can play the game however I want, and if I want to make a hog balance on its nose because I think it looks cool, I can. Stunting is something of a meta-game, a game within the game. Stunters ignore primary objectives in video games for the chance to have a different, altogether unique experience within the game. "Instead of thinking how they want you to think, you have to open your mind to the possibilities." --Bumi
I personally feel that everyone should give stunting a try because the experience is so unique. In the right environment, stunting can be a lot of fun, and a fantastically rewarding endeavor. Remember, you don't know whether or not you'll like it until you try it. ;)
So why do stunts? Why do I, and others like me, go out of our way to find aspects of a video game that weren't intended to be there? What's the point? Well, one reason is it's fun. At many times it's like an easter egg hunt, or solving a complex puzzle. Finding stunts/glitches can be very difficult, so when you are actually successful you can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
There are other reasons as well, but this is the primary reason. Other players may compare stunting to art or music, saying they find it relaxing. Some players will say they like the social experience. Others like to share and teach stunts with friends online. It really varies from person to person, but overall it all comes down to the fact that people find it enjoyable due to competitive, emotional, intellectual, or social reasons.
Many gamers who aren't familiar with alternative gaming will get hung up on the fact that many stunts/tricks don't serve an actual function in achieving the objectives in the game. E.g. a hog balance doesn't serve any function in helping you kill your opponents faster/easier, asides from the slight chance of it distracting them if they've never seen it before. I personally find this somewhat frustrating. I can play the game however I want, and if I want to make a hog balance on its nose because I think it looks cool, I can. Stunting is something of a meta-game, a game within the game. Stunters ignore primary objectives in video games for the chance to have a different, altogether unique experience within the game. "Instead of thinking how they want you to think, you have to open your mind to the possibilities." --Bumi
Bumi from Avatar: The Last Airbender.
I personally feel that everyone should give stunting a try because the experience is so unique. In the right environment, stunting can be a lot of fun, and a fantastically rewarding endeavor. Remember, you don't know whether or not you'll like it until you try it. ;)
