Well, shit.
I think i may be the only one here who doesn't feel a rush of pleasure from watching my video game characters suffer. This is awkward....
In DF i always strive to have the most successful fort possible, while trying to have my dwarves lead somewhat enjoyable lives.
When my little brother got Sims 3 for his birthday and wanted me to play with him, i eventually started trying to become the most powerful person in the town. With a kickass mansion i built from scratch, i might add. None of that trailer trash starting house bullshit.
In Black&White 2, i walled myself in and tried making life a paradise for all who resided within, i remember how happy i felt knowing that i was defeating the other rulers purely because their civilisations looked like crap compared to mine.
God i loved my giant wolf....
I could go on and on about all my obsession with wanting to be the best/provide the best for any little game character i have control of. I don't mind mercilessly slaughtering those who dare try to harm the little buggers too much, though.
Oh aye, sadism doesn't have to be directed at the dwarves under your care. While a lot of players have shining stories of cruelty upon their dwarves, probably those same players also have magnanimous bastions of wealth and safety to talk of. Just that the latter means cruelty and sadism upon the goblins and optionally, the elves (they make useful trash collectors if kept alive).
I see my dwarves as a bunch little retarded children. Incredibly strong, and able to handle only simple tasks on their own. So i feel like a dick if i start killing all them off for no reason. That, mixed with my intense fear of failure, and my desire to have unmatched power, and i tend to try and be the absolute greatest at whatever it is i'm interested in.
I mean, Sure, they may stand on the wrong side of the wall they're building, effectively trapping themselves. But they're too stupid to know any better.
and yeah, they may tear a friend's head off when they fail a mood, but they just don't know how to properly express their emotions.
Eh, you may be right though. No matter what, someone's gonna end up a mutilated corpse on the floor. Unless....
I think just came up with a new challenge....