On page 14 in An Introduction to Game Studies Laura Ermi and Frans Mayra state that "a player is rarely able to verbalize very well the exact quality of game play experience". I think that with a little thought we can figure it out and verbalize it. Good videogames are like movies and books: they tell a story, make one think, and have engaging characters. With a basis such as this people outside the world of gaming can begin to understand and relate to those who do play videogames.
In books or movies, you may be drawn in by likable characters or engaging tales, but you have no control over the events that conspire; you are just an observer. Gaming gives you the ability to be part of the story. In a complex game where you play as a character, you are, in a sense, that character. You control where your character goes, who they interact with, and even what they do in battle. In addition to playing this interactive story, you are also able to do things you would likely not be able to do in real life. After all, it is probably safe to say that you're not going to go into a dungeon to fight some monsters, use magic spells, or have some other amazing adventures or skills. This aspect of being someone you're not can be very appealing. Unlike yelling at some movie or book where the main character is about to do something profoundly stupid and you can't stop them, in videogames you have control. So if you have a feeling that a zombie or some other enemy is on the other side of the door, instead of yelling at the character, you can make sure your weapon is out and go to town. With games you get all the joys of a story but now you get to have some say in it.
On page 15 in the afore mentioned text, Mayra refutes his own argument when he quotes David Sudnow in his description of the game Breakout.
Mayra follows this description with his own explanation of the game's
popularity. If Mayra can explain how and why people like a game with
just a paddle, ball, and bricks, then it should be easy for him explain to non-gamers why people like more in-depth games. Showing that with a little thought a gamer actually could verbalize what in a game drew them to playing it.
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I like your post, yes videogames give the people who are playing them the ability of re-enacting a movie. I cannot help but think of the new movie that just came out that involves real life characters being controled by gamers. Either way, videogames are that sort of release for the players that they would not get by watching a movie plot.
ReplyDeleteI like your post. Videogames are great because it is a movie inside your head that you can control to a certain point. It would be kind of cool though if in everyday life you go to your base which happens to be a dungon and slay the dragon. Besides video games are much better than a movie because you see the dumb girl stay in the house with the killer instead of run outside to the car.
ReplyDeleteThere are some solid comparisons here between the medium of film and that of video games. I'm curious, though, if video games are in a process of moving beyond film, coming up with new ways to tell stories and engage us.
ReplyDeleteAlso, your post reminded me of this: http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/06/is-grand-theft-auto-iv-actuall.php