So we've got this phenomenon called gaming...you know the one 
It's about 30 years old by now and it has grown tremendously.
Now we've got HD, online multiplayer, DLC, motion controls, 3D is on the rise...and there's also a thing called "streaming" (OnLive). All in all, it looks to be a great time to be a gamer.
But to me it seems that the gaming industry doesn't really have a long term vision, say 20 years into the future (apart from perhaps Nintendo). It isn't pursuing a goal it has set for itself...it's more like it is fighting day-to-day battles...or more accurately stated: "financial quarters" and "fiscal years". They call it competition but it's more like they are trying to survive by any means.
If the strategy is...do everything that ensures survival...then creative experimentation and innovation will be considered a risk often not worth taking. Serving the lowest common denominator becomes very attractive...and using all kinds of attention attracting gimmicks a necessity.
And so a clear move away from substance towards form is distinguishable, conditioning us to act like magpies....SHINY...DO WANT...MUST GET!
If gaming is ever to evolve to the point of having it's own "War and Peace" or "Citizen Kane", shouldn't we all effectuate a move in that direction? Why?
Because there's a huge difference between the following two questions:
"Where are we going?" (as in...being taken to)
"Where do we want to be?"
The first is reactive...as it contains a passive resignation (I have no hand in the matter). The second is proactive...as it contains a choice...the use of one's will.
Because gamers are a passive crowd (doesn't have to be so...but often is)...and the industry doesn't know where it wants to be...we get nowhere.
Time to move...because there are few things that are as f*cked up as great potential that is never realized.
It's about 30 years old by now and it has grown tremendously.Now we've got HD, online multiplayer, DLC, motion controls, 3D is on the rise...and there's also a thing called "streaming" (OnLive). All in all, it looks to be a great time to be a gamer.
But to me it seems that the gaming industry doesn't really have a long term vision, say 20 years into the future (apart from perhaps Nintendo). It isn't pursuing a goal it has set for itself...it's more like it is fighting day-to-day battles...or more accurately stated: "financial quarters" and "fiscal years". They call it competition but it's more like they are trying to survive by any means.
If the strategy is...do everything that ensures survival...then creative experimentation and innovation will be considered a risk often not worth taking. Serving the lowest common denominator becomes very attractive...and using all kinds of attention attracting gimmicks a necessity.
And so a clear move away from substance towards form is distinguishable, conditioning us to act like magpies....SHINY...DO WANT...MUST GET!
If gaming is ever to evolve to the point of having it's own "War and Peace" or "Citizen Kane", shouldn't we all effectuate a move in that direction? Why?
Because there's a huge difference between the following two questions:
"Where are we going?" (as in...being taken to)
"Where do we want to be?"
The first is reactive...as it contains a passive resignation (I have no hand in the matter). The second is proactive...as it contains a choice...the use of one's will.
Because gamers are a passive crowd (doesn't have to be so...but often is)...and the industry doesn't know where it wants to be...we get nowhere.
Time to move...because there are few things that are as f*cked up as great potential that is never realized.
