Games and their place in our society

[trippy200]

Games are a fast growing medium. They grew from kids entertaintment to more mature (sometimes scandalous) entertaintment and it is still growing. And games still aren't respected as a medium that can be as fullfilling as a classic novel, which is sad. Do you think these attitudes will change?

[Ichiro Matsuchani]

Games are just going through the same thing that tv and movies went through. It will blow over in time

[Tinkerboi]

more kids an teens just want to fit in cause a new system is in an 2 more on the way.but after next year nobody will care about the new systems an back to the same o same o .

[neo_wolfwood_187]

Simon, Eventually It Will Change...

[Blade08]

They help you live

[trippy200]

more kids an teens just want to fit in cause a new system is in an 2 more on the way.but after next year nobody will care about the new systems an back to the same o same o .

haha! So true, at some point, they hafta stop calling "next-gen" consoles "current-gen" and the cycle starts anew . . . though i hope that as time goes by that systems will offer more than just nice visuals. Sure, cool graphics are a plus, but that won't keep us happy forever will it? mario's sidescrolling screen and 3D graphics were innovative, and hopefully Nintendo will do their innovation thang with the revolution...

[Alucard0]

If you like naruto then visit this web site its a battle forum

http://p4.forumforfree.com

[gene the man]

I hope that they change the way that they view games. Always saying that games are the reason for most of the problems with kids who go on rampages when actually video games teach children and some adults many things. I learned how to read from video games. ^_^ I also hope that the people in our society stop dissing gaems for what they show and start talking about what they do. They stimulate the mind and help with growth and development. I love VIDEO GAMES.

[Manhattan_Project_2000]

Games aren't as fulfilling as a classic novel, unless you're very, very shallow. I love games, but games are decidedly a commercial product more often then not. It's like comparing "Terminator 3" to "1984." You instantly lose.



I mean, let’s take the last classic novel I read, "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy and compare it to one of the deeper games out there, Deus Ex.



Characterization

The Death of Ivan Ilyich- Compelling. I felt for Ivan, and really empathized with his illness.

Deus Ex- Bland. Emotionless protagonist, versus a Conscienceless Antagonist.

Winner: The Death of Ivan Ilyich.



Plot

The Death of Ivan Ilyich- Man dies from organ failure, realizes futility of his accomplishments.

Deus Ex- Man learns of conspiracy, defeats conspiracy. No character growth.

Winner: The Death of Ivan Ilyich.



Moral

The Death of Ivan Ilyich- Happiness, in retrospect is illusionary.

Deus Ex- Never build a damn world governing A.I. smarter than you are.

Winner: The Death of Ivan Ilyich.



And that’s one of the deeper stories available. Imagine if I compared it to Super Mario. Comparing video games to classic novels is just erroneous. They are nothing alike.

[Darth Tyranus]

And games still aren't respected as a medium that can be as fullfilling as a classic novel, which is sad

Perhaps that's because games aren't as fullfilling as a classic novel, or most novels. Novels carry meanings, steeped in symbolism messages. Games involve shooting and jumping on things, and sometimes you get a moral lesson. Not the same by any stretch of the imagination. And keep in mind I own 18 different consoles and hundreds of games from all generations, I am as avid a gamer as they come. But this is just something I can not agree with you on.

[trippy200]

I read an aritcle on Gamespot, where they said that games probably should'nt be compared to works such as novels or movies. Why? Because a games can do well without an overly intricate plot chock-full of character growth and development, but they can't do well without engaging gameplay. Games are entertainment, and they do have the ability to make you think, to feel for the character, to cry (don't say they don't, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time made me teary!), though originally, that wasnt what they were intended to do. A games' ultimate purpose (other than bringing in moolah) is to draw the player into a different world where they could escape from the pressures of the daily grind where they can live out dreams and just have fun, thinking, 'hey, at least i don't have to save my girlfriend from some deranged ape'! And perhaps, that's how they should be judged, as to how well the game is able to provide enjoyment, . . .

[ShinNatsume]

That odd ????

[poppy]

games are a different thing to books and stuff
theyre different because what makes a good game might ruin a book
people use them for different reasons (all recreational though)
and differnt people have different interests so some peple will be attracted to game s and others books

personally i like both but i cant decide which i like best
ps i like really dificult books (so long as i can just about understand them) and complete no brainer games (!VIOLENCE!)