Rebranding Video Games

[Yassen]

I could have sworn I've seen this topic before but I searched and found nothing so figured I'd make one so people could throw around their ideas.

Anyway, we're all aware of the way the public views our medium. Not for the content, but because they are "games". Apparently they still haven't grown out of the idea that video games are just toys for children. Do we need to rebrand our medium to exclude ourselves from the stigma that the title "video games" creates? Like how comic books had to call themselves "Graphic Novels".

If you agree, post your ideas of what we could call our medium.

 

[Cornish]

I disagree.

A "new" name won't change a thing, it won't magically alter the out-look of individuals on gaming.

 

[SgtWaffles]

Just wait for all the old people to die out XD

 

[S.R.S.]

I disagree.

A "new" name won't change a thing, it won't magically alter the out-look of individuals on gaming.

Flawless Victory.

A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. To horribly misquote a great man.

 

[FallenJellyDoughnut]

Just wait for all the old people to die out XD

Waiting is for suckers! Lets fire them into the moon!

 

[Cornish]

I disagree.

A "new" name won't change a thing, it won't magically alter the out-look of individuals on gaming.

Flawless Victory.

A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. To horribly misquote a great man.

Heh, Shakespeare. Now there's something out of place on a gaming forum.

 

[Yassen]

I disagree.

A "new" name won't change a thing, it won't magically alter the out-look of individuals on gaming.

Flawless Victory.

A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. To horribly misquote a great man.

Maybe so, but would you still smell a flower you've never smelt before if it was called "Shit pedals"?

 

[S.R.S.]

I disagree.

A "new" name won't change a thing, it won't magically alter the out-look of individuals on gaming.

Flawless Victory.

A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. To horribly misquote a great man.

Maybe so, but would you still smell a flower you've never smelt before if it was called "Shit pedals"?

Had that coming didn't I? I would just to see why it's called that. At least it's not called rotting animal corspe.

 

[Hurr Durr Derp]

I disagree.

A "new" name won't change a thing, it won't magically alter the out-look of individuals on gaming.

Flawless Victory.

A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. To horribly misquote a great man.

Maybe so, but would you still smell a flower you've never smelt before if it was called "Shit pedals"?

Had that coming didn't I? I would just to see why it's called that. At least it's not called rotting animal corspe.

Well, there is such a thing as a <url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrion_flower>Carrion Flower...

 

[Mordwyl]

I don't know, after all,it worked for this [http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/4/7/].

 

[Kollega]

Yes, i suppose that to be taken seriously, we'll have to throw out "video games" and invent another term. Like, i dunno, "interactive storytelling experiences" or whatever. I don't know how could we "rebrand" videogames to exclude "games" part.

The real question is: do we want to?

Sure, the medium can use more respect. Coming back to comics -> graphic novels analogy: there are graphic novels depicting Holocaust, and they are not even remotely "comic". I'm sure that "interactive storytelling experiences" can be also used to tell (LOL tautology) more serious stories.

But here's what i'm getting at. All those power-armored space marines replacing Duke Nukem and Serious Sam? That's the result of videogames desperately trying not to be videogames. Somewhat realistic FPS about space marines is good once in a while, but when every game is trying to be "mature" and "serious" and "gritty"... the fun disappears somewhat, now dosen't it? See what i mean?


TL;DR version: we can - and probably should - "rebrand" the medium to allow for more seriousness, but we should definitely keep crazy fun around. And how do we do that - here's the real question.

 

[Henrik Persson]

I could have sworn I've seen this topic before but I searched and found nothing so figured I'd make one so people could throw around their ideas.

Anyway, we're all aware of the way the public views our medium. Not for the content, but because they are "games". Apparently they still haven't grown out of the idea that video games are just toys for children. Do we need to rebrand our medium to exclude ourselves from the stigma that the title "video games" creates? Like how comic books had to call themselves "Graphic Novels".

If you agree, post your ideas of what we could call our medium.

I don't see it. The public views video games as a nice way to spend some time. People aged 40+ might see it as something young people do and some even fear it. But as time passes on it will constantly become more and more normal.

This discussion is atleast 10 years too late.