We Need More Gamers
- Thread starter Shamus Young
- Start date
While I agree that it is probably best for the gaming industry and culture to reach out to non-gamers of all stripes, I am still troubled by what I see as a lingering stigma towards "gaming."
I agree with Abedeus and Shamus when they say that gaming has potential as an art form and a means of expression, especially in regards to adult and mature topics. I think we need games that are not only good, but tell thoughtful stories. So far, the games that attempt this seem to be aimed at the "hardcore" crowd (your Mass Effects, Fallouts, etc.)
More people than ever, particularly at university, play games. Everyone can gather around Rock Band or WiiSports at a party or with a group of friends. Even women are playing Peggle in class. The problem is that they still see a disassociation between themselves as gamers and people like me, who are also gamers. They see it as a party game or time waster, and when was the last time Twister or Solitaire told you a good story? Even though they may be gamers themselves, they still see "gaming" as the province of geeks, nerds, etc. Hell, my roommates play Madden like I played Fallout and they still accused me of "wasting my life" and being "one of those nerdy gamer types."
What I'm afraid of, I guess, is the permanent association of my beloved hobby with childishness, despite the number of people who participate in it.
Also, I don't know about the old folks, but kids are critical to the future of gaming. I mean, I started playing video games at 6 years old with a Nintendo classic and Mario, Zelda, etc. Without clever, family friendly games for kids, they may never get into gaming the way those of us who really care about the hobby do.
I agree with Abedeus and Shamus when they say that gaming has potential as an art form and a means of expression, especially in regards to adult and mature topics. I think we need games that are not only good, but tell thoughtful stories. So far, the games that attempt this seem to be aimed at the "hardcore" crowd (your Mass Effects, Fallouts, etc.)
More people than ever, particularly at university, play games. Everyone can gather around Rock Band or WiiSports at a party or with a group of friends. Even women are playing Peggle in class. The problem is that they still see a disassociation between themselves as gamers and people like me, who are also gamers. They see it as a party game or time waster, and when was the last time Twister or Solitaire told you a good story? Even though they may be gamers themselves, they still see "gaming" as the province of geeks, nerds, etc. Hell, my roommates play Madden like I played Fallout and they still accused me of "wasting my life" and being "one of those nerdy gamer types."
What I'm afraid of, I guess, is the permanent association of my beloved hobby with childishness, despite the number of people who participate in it.
Also, I don't know about the old folks, but kids are critical to the future of gaming. I mean, I started playing video games at 6 years old with a Nintendo classic and Mario, Zelda, etc. Without clever, family friendly games for kids, they may never get into gaming the way those of us who really care about the hobby do.
jesus christ.Abedeus said:
the point in the article is that the wii is getting people introduced to gaming.
when i was 5 years old, i watched power rangers. i don't now, but i did.
i was being introduced into television shows, getting acquainted with a little violence and such.
kids don't start out playing fallout, they play colorful things with an E rating that their parents will let them play.
they like swinging shit around, like a wiimote. important thing is that they're getting used to gaming, the whole idea of it, maybe they'll want something deeper and more mature later on, maybe not. but they'll feel that it's normal. that's important.
also, i don't guess you remember this but old people have the most voter turn out, so if old people feel more comfortable with video games then there's less chance of stupid laws passed due to ignorance.
i love xbox with all my heart. i am no wii fan girl. but seriously, think about what you're saying.
kids are the future and old people make the laws.
why would you not want them to be introduced into gaming, even if it's by a sell-out system like the wii?
Can you actually play tennis or bowl a perfect frame, hell can you even box? No all games are simulations for things people find hard to do, or illegal in fifty states and the District of Columbia, not to mention a few countries.
A light gun and what the Wii controler can actually do are quite different. A light gun uses a laser to pick out where you're pointing at the screen you pull the trigger it reacts. You could google it and get a better answer.
The Wii remote uses all sorts of nifty technobabble that's quite beyond me but it can pick up your distance your motion of your whole body all sorts of neat stuff. Now I'm not saying it's revolutionary but it's a nice step foward from arbitrary button pressing and whatnot.
It adds a level of depth and that's what a large part of gaming is about, interactivity.
A light gun and what the Wii controler can actually do are quite different. A light gun uses a laser to pick out where you're pointing at the screen you pull the trigger it reacts. You could google it and get a better answer.
The Wii remote uses all sorts of nifty technobabble that's quite beyond me but it can pick up your distance your motion of your whole body all sorts of neat stuff. Now I'm not saying it's revolutionary but it's a nice step foward from arbitrary button pressing and whatnot.
It adds a level of depth and that's what a large part of gaming is about, interactivity.
A light gun and what the Wii controler can actually do are quite different. A light gun uses a laser to pick out where you're pointing at the screen you pull the trigger it reacts. You could google it and get a better answer.
The Wii remote uses all sorts of nifty technobabble that's quite beyond me but it can pick up your distance your motion of your whole body all sorts of neat stuff. Now I'm not saying it's revolutionary but it's a nice step foward from arbitrary button pressing and whatnot.
It adds a level of depth and that's what a large part of gaming is about, interactivity.
Can you actually play tennis or bowl a perfect frame, hell can you even box? No all games are simulations for things people find hard to do, or illegal in fifty states and the District of Columbia, not to mention a few countries.Abedeus said:
A light gun and what the Wii controler can actually do are quite different. A light gun uses a laser to pick out where you're pointing at the screen you pull the trigger it reacts. You could google it and get a better answer.
The Wii remote uses all sorts of nifty technobabble that's quite beyond me but it can pick up your distance your motion of your whole body all sorts of neat stuff. Now I'm not saying it's revolutionary but it's a nice step foward from arbitrary button pressing and whatnot.
It adds a level of depth and that's what a large part of gaming is about, interactivity.