Attention citizens of Destructoid!

I think it's about time that we had a town meeting. The topic of tonight's meeting is legitimizing our medium. Now, before you all run away screaming because you think I'm slinging pretentious Reverend Anthony jibber jabber your way, just hear me out.

I saw this video recently, and though it is a couple of months old, I think it does a good job summarizing the crossroads at which the gaming industry finds itself. I ask that you watch it, as it will give the basis for the rest of the article. Go ahead, I will wait.



....

Are you done yet?

Good.

Moving on. The whole video is very well done, but I think the fascinating part comes in Mr. Floyd's thought that perhaps the gaming industry should rebrand itself. His primary example was the comics industry and their move to the term "graphic novels". I've never really thought about it before, because by the time I was old enough to read comics, "legitimate" comics had fought their way into the mainstream. Alan Moore was in full production mode and I was not subject to the social awkwardness that a comics fan in the '70's would've endured. Yet, unfortunately, there is still a difference in my mind between a "comic" and a "graphic novel". A comic can be ridiculous in its plot points, and dance in and out of light social activism whenever it fancies. A graphic novel seems to be a more focused affair that sets out to say something meaningful.

It seems that the games industry could take a few lessons from the history of the comic book medium:

1. We must shed the misconception that videogames are for _______. Games started off as a distraction for kids and a tech demo for old computers. The industry, however, is now in a position to expand. Some games are great for children and some games are great for adults. There is certainly enough room (and money!) floating around in the industry to suit the needs of every niche. However, first we must:

2. Establish that we want something new. By reading this blog, I can assume that you are a) interested enough in gaming to take it beyond a passing interest and b) give thought to what media you consume. The unfortunate reality is that mass media has a proven pattern, and we have done nothing to break it. Movies publish sequels until they stop making money, Madden will sell a billion copies annually, and for some reason, Britney Spears is considered relevant. My intention though is not to make Modern Warfare 2 less popular. I am much more interested in showing publishers that there are developers out there who have artistic potential, can create a faithful following, and, logically, earn them money and respect. In the same vein, developers who have creative ideas that rely on minimalistic production values must be supported, both by large publishers and by grassroots efforts.

3. The barrier between "artgame" and "mainstream game" needs to be dissolved. The idea that a game needs to be shallow or simple to appeal to the populous at large is perhaps our greatest challenge as a culture and as an industry. Also, the concept that a game has to sacrifice fun, entertainment, or the ability to engage to be meaningful is inane. I am aware that many AAA games are multimillion dollar gambles, and the inefficiency of bloated companies is to blame for that. But there is a middle ground that has only recently begun to come into focus (World of Goo and Portal being prime examples) that allows for games to be fresh while also maintaining a high level of polish.

I enjoy games. I love games. I love playing games and thinking about games and reading about games and writing about games. Gaming has been a part of my life since I can remember, and they have remained as my only constant. I am not wont to argue about whether we should call them "videogames" or "interactive experiences" or something else. I simply hope that by banding together, we can take control of our medium and experience something incredible because of it. But you, as a reader of Destructoid, as a consumer of games, must fight to close the gap between the indie and the mainstream. It is up to you to invest in the future of gaming, both financially and otherwise. Our medium's expansion depends on the work that we support today.