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It really is a tradegy that games that have the potentiol to be incredibly powerful and moving like Luc Brenard's Imagination is the Only Escape get so misconstrued by the media and are regarded as, like you said, an insult to the subject matter :( Grwat post though! I agree with you though, as much as I love my mindless fun, games with a message have a place too.
Unfortunately the video game idustry is not widely looked upon as an art form as you pointed out. I think that alone makes what you're talking about difficult to do. It's a bit hard for me to imagine something like this happening at this point in time, but nevertheless a good idea. Good read!
I think social activism in games could be construed as a major buzzkill for the guy trying to sell a million units the the parents of 6-13 year olds.
Also, games are a means of pacification. Getting greenlit for potantially millions of dollars of development money to make a political statement is just not going to happen.
The medium, nor the people that use it are quite there yet.
Also, games are a means of pacification. Getting greenlit for potantially millions of dollars of development money to make a political statement is just not going to happen.
The medium, nor the people that use it are quite there yet.
You said: "There must be other gamers like me who want gaming to be more than just an escape from reality but also a way to change reality, a way to shape our world for the better. The possibility is there, we just have to change a few things about the world of gaming."
I cannot think of a more eloquent way to sum up how I feel about this issue than that. I am 100% in a agreement with you, and I hope this piece gets promoted.
I cannot think of a more eloquent way to sum up how I feel about this issue than that. I am 100% in a agreement with you, and I hope this piece gets promoted.
Good god. I just read my comment and am quite ashamed at the amount of typos in it.
Vishusdelishus brought up an intersting point though. Although you, I and the rest of the dtoid community might buy a game like that, few else would. Were not the average consumer, the homophobic dicks on XBL are, and I can't imagine of them ever buying or reading Night, or playing a game like it. That's why games like Passage and Stars Over Half Moon Bay are published as free flash games. They would be commercial failures if they were made into a for sale game.
Vishusdelishus brought up an intersting point though. Although you, I and the rest of the dtoid community might buy a game like that, few else would. Were not the average consumer, the homophobic dicks on XBL are, and I can't imagine of them ever buying or reading Night, or playing a game like it. That's why games like Passage and Stars Over Half Moon Bay are published as free flash games. They would be commercial failures if they were made into a for sale game.
Yeah, I have to say this is probably the best cblog article I've read since I got here. I was intending on writing a piece with the exact same thesis in the near future (although I wasn't clever enough to think it could fit into the monthly musing category). In fact, I've formed a collective that's working on a few games that are intended to be socially active; I can't talk too much about them yet, sadly, but I'm making these games because you're EXACTLY right-- for games to be considered art, they also need to convey more complex messages, and not simply be vapid entertainment mediums.
However, I think a site like Destructoid is doing leaps and bounds for promoting these types of games, or at least has the capacity to, through its "Indie Nation" column. Furthermore, with game programming truly getting easier and easier (see: XNA Studio, Game Maker), we might see games come out of the era they appear to be stuck in (which is, IMO, comparable to music's disco phase-- entertaining and without substance) into a new renaissance, a place where social messages can be conveyed (kinda like how punk killed disco).
Then again, maybe I'm a hopeless optimist. Regardless, fucking CLASS post. I'm in awe.
However, I think a site like Destructoid is doing leaps and bounds for promoting these types of games, or at least has the capacity to, through its "Indie Nation" column. Furthermore, with game programming truly getting easier and easier (see: XNA Studio, Game Maker), we might see games come out of the era they appear to be stuck in (which is, IMO, comparable to music's disco phase-- entertaining and without substance) into a new renaissance, a place where social messages can be conveyed (kinda like how punk killed disco).
Then again, maybe I'm a hopeless optimist. Regardless, fucking CLASS post. I'm in awe.
@ Scary Woma...SWPM
That's why I brought up the idea of govt. or foundation funded gaming. I realize that people just aren't just going to buy games like this (sadly) so there needs to be an outlet where games are developed becasue they should be not just for a profit.
That's why I brought up the idea of govt. or foundation funded gaming. I realize that people just aren't just going to buy games like this (sadly) so there needs to be an outlet where games are developed becasue they should be not just for a profit.
@cowzilla
Sadly we'll have to wait till the goverment is populated by more gamers then not, which could be a couple of decades. Plus theyd have to be devoted gamers. Most of the people I know, IRL, who play games consider games just games, with no potentiol to be anymore then that. I hope someday we can change that though.
Also, Front Page Plox!
Sadly we'll have to wait till the goverment is populated by more gamers then not, which could be a couple of decades. Plus theyd have to be devoted gamers. Most of the people I know, IRL, who play games consider games just games, with no potentiol to be anymore then that. I hope someday we can change that though.
Also, Front Page Plox!
Firstly, I'd like to say that this is by far the best article I've ever read on this website; thank you for taking the time to compose this.
My sentiments more or less match yours, however I'd have to disagree with the idea that the gaming community isn't "mature enough" (or what have you) for intellectually challenging video games. It's like any other segment of society: there's a portion comprised of loud idiots who are looking for little more than tits and explosions in their entertainment, and another, quieter section that enjoys actual art. If you build it, they will make themselves apparent, and all that jazz.
I also think the gaming industry mirrors that of the film industry. Hollywood makes shitty movies that are appealing to the eye (geared toward the lowest common denominator) and cost millions to make, are made solely for profit and have no soul. The only way that a good film can be made is either if there's a ("revolutionary") filmmaker who has a lot of pull in the industry or a lot of money, or a smaller, independent company makes it (and this is because of the cost of producing / distrubuting a film, which due to new technologies is decreasing). The problem with the gaming industry is that it costs a lot of time and money to make a game, however as many have already said XBLA, WiiWare, PSN (and digital distribution as a whole) are really opening doors for those smaller companies to create their art and deliver them to a mass audience.
In short: mainstream shit usually sucks (no matter what venue), people are generally good at heart (well, at least half of them), and technology will save us all (at least those of us who desire fine films, games, and bionic penises).
My sentiments more or less match yours, however I'd have to disagree with the idea that the gaming community isn't "mature enough" (or what have you) for intellectually challenging video games. It's like any other segment of society: there's a portion comprised of loud idiots who are looking for little more than tits and explosions in their entertainment, and another, quieter section that enjoys actual art. If you build it, they will make themselves apparent, and all that jazz.
I also think the gaming industry mirrors that of the film industry. Hollywood makes shitty movies that are appealing to the eye (geared toward the lowest common denominator) and cost millions to make, are made solely for profit and have no soul. The only way that a good film can be made is either if there's a ("revolutionary") filmmaker who has a lot of pull in the industry or a lot of money, or a smaller, independent company makes it (and this is because of the cost of producing / distrubuting a film, which due to new technologies is decreasing). The problem with the gaming industry is that it costs a lot of time and money to make a game, however as many have already said XBLA, WiiWare, PSN (and digital distribution as a whole) are really opening doors for those smaller companies to create their art and deliver them to a mass audience.
In short: mainstream shit usually sucks (no matter what venue), people are generally good at heart (well, at least half of them), and technology will save us all (at least those of us who desire fine films, games, and bionic penises).
Interesting. Quite frankly, I don't think the 'industry' is ready for it yet. One could argue if there are games that are Art, personally I haven't seen or played them yet. However, I happened to do a small study on http://darfurisdying.com/, which has a flash game that tries to show the horrors of living in the conflict zone. It also shows a horribly onesided and biased view which ultimately led to little effect on subjects who were tested with it.
But there are a number of these kinds of games out there; short gameplay experiences that are made to shock the player into the perspective of someone or some culture that they only see from their own perspective.
One the one side, this is highly effective because it gives people a way to instantly recognize problems rather than just reading about them. Then again, dying from rape/murder/starvation/thirst gets really boring. One of the reasons people play games is escapism, and people don't want to be forced into a realistic perspective if they are paying 60 bucks for it. Even if it sounds harsh, you can't expect the general public to care for longer than 5-15 minutes.
Even Hotel Rwanda had to pace its horror to deliver the story effectively, if it was just 2 hours of dead africans, people would've walked out or got bored with it. Or perhaps they would get some kind of The Passion of the Christ reaction to it because of the continuous exposure to human horrors.
You make a good point at gov. funding, since they fund other art-forms. Smaller, cheap/free games look like the way to go for now, unless someone will make a highly addicitive and successful AAA title that will cover social commentary and whatnot. Haze tried that with its story, and look where it got them.
I think we need our own Citizen Kane before we can move to Hotel Rwanda's and Constant Gardeners. It feels to me that we are still in the 80's action movie era with games. Then again, if someone could make a free XBLA/PSN game that helped spread awareness about social dilemma's etc, that would be great and probably a lot of people would play it.
Great post :)
But there are a number of these kinds of games out there; short gameplay experiences that are made to shock the player into the perspective of someone or some culture that they only see from their own perspective.
One the one side, this is highly effective because it gives people a way to instantly recognize problems rather than just reading about them. Then again, dying from rape/murder/starvation/thirst gets really boring. One of the reasons people play games is escapism, and people don't want to be forced into a realistic perspective if they are paying 60 bucks for it. Even if it sounds harsh, you can't expect the general public to care for longer than 5-15 minutes.
Even Hotel Rwanda had to pace its horror to deliver the story effectively, if it was just 2 hours of dead africans, people would've walked out or got bored with it. Or perhaps they would get some kind of The Passion of the Christ reaction to it because of the continuous exposure to human horrors.
You make a good point at gov. funding, since they fund other art-forms. Smaller, cheap/free games look like the way to go for now, unless someone will make a highly addicitive and successful AAA title that will cover social commentary and whatnot. Haze tried that with its story, and look where it got them.
I think we need our own Citizen Kane before we can move to Hotel Rwanda's and Constant Gardeners. It feels to me that we are still in the 80's action movie era with games. Then again, if someone could make a free XBLA/PSN game that helped spread awareness about social dilemma's etc, that would be great and probably a lot of people would play it.
Great post :)
Well written. This should be promoted.
I hope social activism in gaming comes about in the future. I definitely has the most potential as a medium to spread awareness due to its immersive qualities. The best way to enlighten and inform others is to have them experience or see the situation firsthand. Though a game obviously wouldn't be firsthand experience, it has the potential to be the next best thing.
I hope social activism in gaming comes about in the future. I definitely has the most potential as a medium to spread awareness due to its immersive qualities. The best way to enlighten and inform others is to have them experience or see the situation firsthand. Though a game obviously wouldn't be firsthand experience, it has the potential to be the next best thing.
Unfortunately, most 'gamers' (ie the people that only own Halo 3, GTA IV, and MAYBE CoD 4) don't care about games as an art form. They're too busy throwing keggers and impregnating high schoolers. The fact is: people don't care about art. If they haven't had a strong background in something, they aren't going to seek it out, and they won't be affected by it in the same way that the artist/creator/author intended. Same thing with Night: A lot of my class mates didn't care, and they didn't get past the first chapter or so because they did't want to read it. It's a shame though, they're missing out on being enlightened :(
Just gonna comment on a few things I found interesting in this fantastic article cow.
"If you brought up a game about the genocide in Rawanda to a person their first thought would be of a gamer shooting a group of Tutsi with a machine gun."
Unfortunately, that's still what a large percentage of uninformed talking head viewers would still think, even if explained to them in pictures. Until we can come together and make gaming a culturally acceptable medium to all types, such as movies and music, this will always be a problem.
"The problem arises when that(money) is all the industry is about and thus support for other types of products is almost completely absent."
This is where you hit the nail on the head. Until we get a big studio willing to give major chances to a little guy, or make huge sacrifices to personal gain to release what they want (a la nin and radiohead), this is probably the major stopping point. Frankly put, the "social activistic" game is not gonna sell well. Maybe over a long period of time as word of mouth spreads, maybe with a site like this pushing it along it would, but frankly them xbox live bigots you mention will not spend cash or time playing a game like that.
Also, you mention how we get our games will change how developers and gamers alike will view them. Yes. The key word here is "eventually". When a smart, dangerous (because the first few will probably have to be, shock tactics sometimes are the only thing to get people to listen or watch) game eventually comes out on XBLA or PSN, you know at least most of the members of this site will own it. After backlash and what-not, if those games can show that not every game has to be pew-pew-bang-bang to make money (the driving force), then we'll start to make some changes.
I may have misconstrued some of your points, or gone off a different way then what you were talking about, just felt I had to read and respond to this. Great article. Front page plz.
"If you brought up a game about the genocide in Rawanda to a person their first thought would be of a gamer shooting a group of Tutsi with a machine gun."
Unfortunately, that's still what a large percentage of uninformed talking head viewers would still think, even if explained to them in pictures. Until we can come together and make gaming a culturally acceptable medium to all types, such as movies and music, this will always be a problem.
"The problem arises when that(money) is all the industry is about and thus support for other types of products is almost completely absent."
This is where you hit the nail on the head. Until we get a big studio willing to give major chances to a little guy, or make huge sacrifices to personal gain to release what they want (a la nin and radiohead), this is probably the major stopping point. Frankly put, the "social activistic" game is not gonna sell well. Maybe over a long period of time as word of mouth spreads, maybe with a site like this pushing it along it would, but frankly them xbox live bigots you mention will not spend cash or time playing a game like that.
Also, you mention how we get our games will change how developers and gamers alike will view them. Yes. The key word here is "eventually". When a smart, dangerous (because the first few will probably have to be, shock tactics sometimes are the only thing to get people to listen or watch) game eventually comes out on XBLA or PSN, you know at least most of the members of this site will own it. After backlash and what-not, if those games can show that not every game has to be pew-pew-bang-bang to make money (the driving force), then we'll start to make some changes.
I may have misconstrued some of your points, or gone off a different way then what you were talking about, just felt I had to read and respond to this. Great article. Front page plz.
Thanks blehman. You make a valid point and one I don't think I stressed enough in the blog. Eventaully is a very key word here. The kind of change I'm discussing would and could never come about quickly and even if it did that might not be for the best as a gradual progression towards including this style of gaming would probalby benefit the industry as a whole.
Even though this type of activism would work on other media, it's kinda hard to put it in a game for the masses, since most people see games as a form of entertainment more than anything. Distribution of a game that shows for example the problems in other countries wouldn't get into people.
Another thing, I see gaming as this; it's a form of entertainment, but with the potential to become a medium of art, so it could work to do something like this, but it just wouldn't get the attention besides the gaming community.
That's why that indie games would work, only that would transmit a message for the said community.
Sorry if I said something that has been repeated in the posts (haven't read them yet).
What a great post Cowzilla, as always.
Another thing, I see gaming as this; it's a form of entertainment, but with the potential to become a medium of art, so it could work to do something like this, but it just wouldn't get the attention besides the gaming community.
That's why that indie games would work, only that would transmit a message for the said community.
Sorry if I said something that has been repeated in the posts (haven't read them yet).
What a great post Cowzilla, as always.
Here is the number one problem: Money.
Video games take years, and alot of money to produce and develop. No one is going to want to make a game that "opens eyes" if it's going to cost them X dollars. Sad but true.
Video games take years, and alot of money to produce and develop. No one is going to want to make a game that "opens eyes" if it's going to cost them X dollars. Sad but true.
I actually would rather games stay out of social activism, I don't want to play anti abortion hero, or something like that. I want to have fun.
@Yashoki
I tried to promote that in that gaming needs support from independent sources that care more about the message than the money. They're out there for film and books and art but not for gaming.
I tried to promote that in that gaming needs support from independent sources that care more about the message than the money. They're out there for film and books and art but not for gaming.
Wonderful read thank you for posting this.
Personally, I believe the reason we are not seeing these types of game in the mainstream is because no one has ever tried to create something you are describing. The closest thing I can honestly think of is something along the lines of Bioshock or the "morality choices" in splinter cell double agent. However, I believe these aspects of the games do not serve for us to question our own morality but instead are included just to benefit the game story-wise. The little sisters do not represent an arguement against let's say, who has the right to kill. They instead represent a tool to fascinate gamers and make the game seem deeper than it is. By all means I'm not calling Bioshock a bad game at all.(in fact I want more games to follow in it's footsteps.) Bioshock is simply the closest thing we have to compare the idea of social activist games and unfortunatly, it is syill a long ways away from being a game that truly is able to make us questions our choices.
Personally, I believe the reason we are not seeing these types of game in the mainstream is because no one has ever tried to create something you are describing. The closest thing I can honestly think of is something along the lines of Bioshock or the "morality choices" in splinter cell double agent. However, I believe these aspects of the games do not serve for us to question our own morality but instead are included just to benefit the game story-wise. The little sisters do not represent an arguement against let's say, who has the right to kill. They instead represent a tool to fascinate gamers and make the game seem deeper than it is. By all means I'm not calling Bioshock a bad game at all.(in fact I want more games to follow in it's footsteps.) Bioshock is simply the closest thing we have to compare the idea of social activist games and unfortunatly, it is syill a long ways away from being a game that truly is able to make us questions our choices.
Social activism in gaming? Sure why not. I mean we have macho, right-wing, might is right, America fuck yeah in video games, why can't we have social activism?
Then again I am sure many game developers/publishers will ask "Why challenge people's perceptions of the world, why make people consider social implications in their actions, when it's so much more profitable to appeal to people's more savage nature?"
Then again I am sure many game developers/publishers will ask "Why challenge people's perceptions of the world, why make people consider social implications in their actions, when it's so much more profitable to appeal to people's more savage nature?"
Wonderful post man, I recently posted an idea for a game based upon the very principles that you describe in here :-)
hope you like it.
And I do believe there allready is a small amount of all this in our games, just in a way that is too subtle for the mainstream media to notice... ( like the alien in AssEffect that want to copulate with other races since they believe 'inbreeding' is bad for their species, which is a quite open rejection of the common misconception that inbreeding is good for a race... or even the whole bioshoch which basicly shows what the result of a world without morals could be... )
I really hope they'll get it right one day...
hope you like it.
And I do believe there allready is a small amount of all this in our games, just in a way that is too subtle for the mainstream media to notice... ( like the alien in AssEffect that want to copulate with other races since they believe 'inbreeding' is bad for their species, which is a quite open rejection of the common misconception that inbreeding is good for a race... or even the whole bioshoch which basicly shows what the result of a world without morals could be... )
I really hope they'll get it right one day...
Excellent, excellent article. Cowzilla, I continue to hold you in high esteem. I've often had thoughts like these kicking around in the back of my head and wondered if a game could ever actively engage with society and improve it in more than just a cultural sense.
I think rich companies should sponsor Achievement points. They're moving toward heavier amounts of advertising in videogames anyway. Imagine this:
"TACO BELL ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: You killed 100 Zombies with headshots. 3 bowls of rice were just donated to orphans in Malaysia."
C'mon! You know it would work.
I think rich companies should sponsor Achievement points. They're moving toward heavier amounts of advertising in videogames anyway. Imagine this:
"TACO BELL ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: You killed 100 Zombies with headshots. 3 bowls of rice were just donated to orphans in Malaysia."
C'mon! You know it would work.
I'm going to pick apart a whole bunch of comments.
One thing I would like to point out that I didn't see explicitly mentioned was this. Think of a social activism game as similar to getting a documentary film made. From my experience, that is probably the closest parallel.
@vishusdelishus
Getting greenlit for potantially millions of dollars of development money to make a political statement is just not going to happen.
Millions of dollars is only if you are going to create something of massive scope. A bioshock, a GTA4. A flash game can be done for 50 grand (more likely even less). An xbla game will run you around 300-400k.
@Scary Womanizing Pig Mask
Were not the average consumer, the homophobic dicks on XBL are.
Not quite true. If the numbers are to be believed the average consumer on Xbox is actually the ones with Silver accounts.
@Professor Pew
Then again, if someone could make a free XBLA/PSN game that helped spread awareness about social dilemma's etc, that would be great and probably a lot of people would play it.
Free or not, you will still have to get MS to accept it. They still foot the bill for your download/online bandwith. PSN would be easier since they just host the content, provided you can get through their cert process. Also, if you own a website, you could make a flash game and distribute it to all the various flash networks out there as well pretty much on your own.
@blehman
Also, you mention how we get our games will change how developers and gamers alike will view them.
Honestly, its the marketing and PR types that will be the most difficult. I've never met a marketing person at any of the companies I've worked for that played many games. Anything outside of what they were required to play as part of their job usually wasn't a wide range of genres either.
One thing I would like to point out that I didn't see explicitly mentioned was this. Think of a social activism game as similar to getting a documentary film made. From my experience, that is probably the closest parallel.
@vishusdelishus
Getting greenlit for potantially millions of dollars of development money to make a political statement is just not going to happen.
Millions of dollars is only if you are going to create something of massive scope. A bioshock, a GTA4. A flash game can be done for 50 grand (more likely even less). An xbla game will run you around 300-400k.
@Scary Womanizing Pig Mask
Were not the average consumer, the homophobic dicks on XBL are.
Not quite true. If the numbers are to be believed the average consumer on Xbox is actually the ones with Silver accounts.
@Professor Pew
Then again, if someone could make a free XBLA/PSN game that helped spread awareness about social dilemma's etc, that would be great and probably a lot of people would play it.
Free or not, you will still have to get MS to accept it. They still foot the bill for your download/online bandwith. PSN would be easier since they just host the content, provided you can get through their cert process. Also, if you own a website, you could make a flash game and distribute it to all the various flash networks out there as well pretty much on your own.
@blehman
Also, you mention how we get our games will change how developers and gamers alike will view them.
Honestly, its the marketing and PR types that will be the most difficult. I've never met a marketing person at any of the companies I've worked for that played many games. Anything outside of what they were required to play as part of their job usually wasn't a wide range of genres either.
Well, okay. This site has it fair share of twists and turns toward the academic (I present this article as exhibit A) but I don't usually feel the need to get all "college" on something. But let me throw this one out there real fast: There is a man named Walter Benjamin (who was a Commie, but never mind that) who very correctly pointed out that there was a sense of ritual, tradition and reverence in art forms before politicization. But now nearly every art form is politicized at the expense of this sense of authenticity, which he called the "aura," which is not the manliest name ever I'll admit. But it makes me think.
As we search for better ways to present video games as a true artistic medium and not an endeavor capable only of expression through previously established mediums, do we really want to start pushing to politicize games? Especially when they cause so much controversy on our own? I think there is a purity in the art form that hasn't even been attained and might not be until the technology develops much further than it is now.
So to me, there might be a place for politicized games but if there is a push for social activism we might waste this period of deliberation we're in now, when we are looking to the actual "art" in our art form, and potentially even further marginalize those independent game creators out there really searching for an interactive medium's unique authenticity.
Was that just retarded? I don't know. But there's a part of me that thinks as soon as a work becomes political, and to be sure 99.9 percent of artistic works in every medium are political in one way or another, it loses a unique quality and becomes just another of the many cliches we already know so well in this society. So I personally would resist a social activist movement in video games because I think the benefits are much less than the potential harm to the medium. I think it would be best to slow things down and really look to the future. As the Greeks said, "Sophrosyne," or as we might say, "Slow down, you're moving too fast."
As we search for better ways to present video games as a true artistic medium and not an endeavor capable only of expression through previously established mediums, do we really want to start pushing to politicize games? Especially when they cause so much controversy on our own? I think there is a purity in the art form that hasn't even been attained and might not be until the technology develops much further than it is now.
So to me, there might be a place for politicized games but if there is a push for social activism we might waste this period of deliberation we're in now, when we are looking to the actual "art" in our art form, and potentially even further marginalize those independent game creators out there really searching for an interactive medium's unique authenticity.
Was that just retarded? I don't know. But there's a part of me that thinks as soon as a work becomes political, and to be sure 99.9 percent of artistic works in every medium are political in one way or another, it loses a unique quality and becomes just another of the many cliches we already know so well in this society. So I personally would resist a social activist movement in video games because I think the benefits are much less than the potential harm to the medium. I think it would be best to slow things down and really look to the future. As the Greeks said, "Sophrosyne," or as we might say, "Slow down, you're moving too fast."
Really good read here,found the idea of really changing what we do in a game instead of just winning to something much more than just that would make games a lot more interesting. The fact that a game has the ability to give a message is amazing but sadly the only problem in the industry is that taking risky decisions like that don't necessarily fly with most publishers. That is really sad to think of because I agree that games can be so much more of an experience instead of just a mindlessly fun one.
not that i don't agree with the idea of untapped potential in games: it's there, no doubt about it.
But if you take a hard look at mainstream gaming since the last generation era, there are a few good examples of how this is already being done in some way. Metal Gear Solid, for one, is pretty outwardly critical of nuclear warfare and war politics in general. Shadow of the Colossus is trying to make you give a shit about lives other than yours. Manhunt was a sort of absurd critique on the bloodthirst and gratuitousness of videogaming. Bioshock is a pretty vicious condemnation of objectivism and humanity's tendency towards self-destruction and manipulation. Call of Duty 4 applies pretty neatly to the times we live in and the wars we fight these days. Half-life 2's opening levels bear a curious familiarity that's hard to ignore. The recent flush of casual games, the brain training games that are everywhere, also the Wii Fit: admirable, although flawed and riotously silly attempts at making gaming productive on some level as opposed to escapist.
I think the issue lies with video games being treated by and large as a form of entertainment. While entertainment does not have to be mindless by any means, video games in particular are expensive to make and relatively time/effort intensive. Thus, the consumer is forced to be a little picky, the publisher has to make tricky budgeting calls, the developer is challenged with developing a suitably compelling experience, and the gamer is challenged with putting forth the time and effort to complete said experience.
It's tough to find some room in there for the soap box. Considering the vast majority of games tend to boil down to "us versus them," i imagine it would be difficult as a designer to create a game that is fun and compelling while also socially relevant (or rather, activist) in a major way. That, and people who are making piles of money tend not to find activism in their best interests: it threatens the status quo, followed by the cash flow, word up.
Videogames as art works in the mainstream because artistic intention is dependent on the game mechanic more often than it is at odds with it. However, it's hard to send a clear political or social message without being at odds with the game mechanic or the gamer. This is especially so in an industry as large and risky as this one is. a social message would have to be compelling enough to entice the gamer to pursue it in the context of the game, while also being palatable enough to sell many copies. This is not easy.
However, it isn't impossible. "The medium is the message." I think most artistic endeavours in general carry a degree of social relevance. Artistic intention in mainstream videogaming is already worth its weight in gold, considering how novel the medium is at the moment.
But if you take a hard look at mainstream gaming since the last generation era, there are a few good examples of how this is already being done in some way. Metal Gear Solid, for one, is pretty outwardly critical of nuclear warfare and war politics in general. Shadow of the Colossus is trying to make you give a shit about lives other than yours. Manhunt was a sort of absurd critique on the bloodthirst and gratuitousness of videogaming. Bioshock is a pretty vicious condemnation of objectivism and humanity's tendency towards self-destruction and manipulation. Call of Duty 4 applies pretty neatly to the times we live in and the wars we fight these days. Half-life 2's opening levels bear a curious familiarity that's hard to ignore. The recent flush of casual games, the brain training games that are everywhere, also the Wii Fit: admirable, although flawed and riotously silly attempts at making gaming productive on some level as opposed to escapist.
I think the issue lies with video games being treated by and large as a form of entertainment. While entertainment does not have to be mindless by any means, video games in particular are expensive to make and relatively time/effort intensive. Thus, the consumer is forced to be a little picky, the publisher has to make tricky budgeting calls, the developer is challenged with developing a suitably compelling experience, and the gamer is challenged with putting forth the time and effort to complete said experience.
It's tough to find some room in there for the soap box. Considering the vast majority of games tend to boil down to "us versus them," i imagine it would be difficult as a designer to create a game that is fun and compelling while also socially relevant (or rather, activist) in a major way. That, and people who are making piles of money tend not to find activism in their best interests: it threatens the status quo, followed by the cash flow, word up.
Videogames as art works in the mainstream because artistic intention is dependent on the game mechanic more often than it is at odds with it. However, it's hard to send a clear political or social message without being at odds with the game mechanic or the gamer. This is especially so in an industry as large and risky as this one is. a social message would have to be compelling enough to entice the gamer to pursue it in the context of the game, while also being palatable enough to sell many copies. This is not easy.
However, it isn't impossible. "The medium is the message." I think most artistic endeavours in general carry a degree of social relevance. Artistic intention in mainstream videogaming is already worth its weight in gold, considering how novel the medium is at the moment.
I couldn't agree more. One thing I could add is that your article seems to indicate that the change we want isn't happening, where in fact it is. A number of games have started to come out which, even subtly, do this.
One example is Call of Duty 4. During the first 4 hours of that game, I, as somebody who knows and reads about the middle-east conflict, felt like utter shit. Especially things like going into the TV station. The TV station in Iraq being a focal point for one of America's atrocities during the bombing of Baghdad.
I do agree I would love to see more though, again, very good article.
One example is Call of Duty 4. During the first 4 hours of that game, I, as somebody who knows and reads about the middle-east conflict, felt like utter shit. Especially things like going into the TV station. The TV station in Iraq being a focal point for one of America's atrocities during the bombing of Baghdad.
I do agree I would love to see more though, again, very good article.
This is probably my favorite article that I've read on d-toid.
Thinking back to games 10 years or so ago, there are quite alot more games that are thought-provoking. If a game can make someone stop their thoughts for a second and rethink something, then videogames are one step closer to becoming a real form of art.
Thinking back to games 10 years or so ago, there are quite alot more games that are thought-provoking. If a game can make someone stop their thoughts for a second and rethink something, then videogames are one step closer to becoming a real form of art.
Wow, awesome responses. I love when comments for an post are longer than most blog posts and really generate discussion. to those of you who said that this is already subtly occurring in games. I totally agree that games like Call of Duty 4 and Luc Bernard' game are taking steps in that direction but the end goal there still seems to be winning for the most part and not the story. Don't get me wrong I applaud these games for what they are doing but I just wanted to give my ideas on how the inudustry can and should do more.
I also believe that we are nowhere near this goal. It will take many, many, many years for this to ever occur and will require much of the development of gaming as an art from that gabrielcoeli points out. And please if going "college" brings up interesting points like yours do it more often :)
I also believe that we are nowhere near this goal. It will take many, many, many years for this to ever occur and will require much of the development of gaming as an art from that gabrielcoeli points out. And please if going "college" brings up interesting points like yours do it more often :)
Well, just like movies, music, and books, we'll soon have games that are talked about far more than they are played.
Just like there are "Movies for Watching" and "Movies for Talking", "Music for Listening" and "Music for Talking" (etc.), there are soon going to be "Games for Playing" and "Games for Talking".
Look forward to conversations like these :
You : So, you play games?
Pony-Tail Guy (PTG) : Oh yes, games are wonderful.
You : You looking forward to Gears of War 2? I can't wait.
PTG : Oh, I've never heard of that. What I really want to play is Obama, Fighter From Hope 2.
You : You mean the Flash game -- the Galaga-clone where Obama's head shoots special interests with words?
PTG : Yes, I think it's most important game that's ever been made. It not only has the best gameplay of any game ever, but it's also completely true. It's far better than mainstream games, which only promote violence, oppression, and racism.
You : Ok ... hey, you really like that Obama game, how much time have you spent playing it?
PTG : Five minutes. By the way, you should really play the Obama game instead of that "War" game, from what you've told me I'm pretty sure it was created by Neocons.
Just like there are "Movies for Watching" and "Movies for Talking", "Music for Listening" and "Music for Talking" (etc.), there are soon going to be "Games for Playing" and "Games for Talking".
Look forward to conversations like these :
You : So, you play games?
Pony-Tail Guy (PTG) : Oh yes, games are wonderful.
You : You looking forward to Gears of War 2? I can't wait.
PTG : Oh, I've never heard of that. What I really want to play is Obama, Fighter From Hope 2.
You : You mean the Flash game -- the Galaga-clone where Obama's head shoots special interests with words?
PTG : Yes, I think it's most important game that's ever been made. It not only has the best gameplay of any game ever, but it's also completely true. It's far better than mainstream games, which only promote violence, oppression, and racism.
You : Ok ... hey, you really like that Obama game, how much time have you spent playing it?
PTG : Five minutes. By the way, you should really play the Obama game instead of that "War" game, from what you've told me I'm pretty sure it was created by Neocons.
Great article. Personally i think that games have their place as just entertainment as well as Art because i dont know any other way to describe the film Dark Sector and the film Indiana Jones.
But proper social deconstuction and questioning social norms are prevelent in many games. MGS, Bioshock and even SSBB, (i mean where else can you classify the cultural value that Sonic can beat Mario despite having shittier games)
But proper social deconstuction and questioning social norms are prevelent in many games. MGS, Bioshock and even SSBB, (i mean where else can you classify the cultural value that Sonic can beat Mario despite having shittier games)
There are plenty of examples of games tackling these sort of controversial subjects all the time - from Deus Ex to Gears of War.
It sounds like you have put alot of thought in the article, but perhaps you just aren't looking hard enough?
It sounds like you have put alot of thought in the article, but perhaps you just aren't looking hard enough?
@Capn Birdseye
Why should I have to look hard? Games are tackling these issues half heartedly and if you think Gears promotes anything but gun toting action and war than you're sadly mistaken. Not that I don't love Gears but taking a stance towards violence and war by having people shoot everyone around isn't really sending any sort of message. You learn moral lessons from any game with a plot even Mario what I'm talking about is actual real world experiences not an anit-war story covered in science fiction and then coated in the blood of all the people you just mowed down with your chainsaw.
Why should I have to look hard? Games are tackling these issues half heartedly and if you think Gears promotes anything but gun toting action and war than you're sadly mistaken. Not that I don't love Gears but taking a stance towards violence and war by having people shoot everyone around isn't really sending any sort of message. You learn moral lessons from any game with a plot even Mario what I'm talking about is actual real world experiences not an anit-war story covered in science fiction and then coated in the blood of all the people you just mowed down with your chainsaw.
Ok maybe the religion killing game would have been more artistic if it weren't just "kill Jesus" or "Kill Mohammed" and more along the lines of try to convince them to stop preaching because of the terrible things to come. The game still interests me.
btw Shadow of the Colossus made me cry when I beat it.
btw Shadow of the Colossus made me cry when I beat it.
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