My Thoughts on Wk 4- Is That All There Is??
So I have watched both Anthony Burch’s rant and also David Jaffe’s response to it and here are my thoughts.
Both of them make interesting points however, I must say I have to agree with a lot of what Anthony is saying here. It is funny to see how people react to the thought of “change” to a standardized format. I mean look at this David guy, its obvious that Anthony hit some personal nerve with him, like his argument that games can benefit much from greater artistic exploration was in some way a personal attack on him, stating that he “failed” as a game developer or whatever. Or that he is arguing that games should not be fun and should be “arty” instead.. like the two things must be seperate from each other. However, this is not what Anthony is proposing. From what I can see, he is very much aware of the obvious fact that “fun” or “entertaining” games will be much more profitable and will therefore be more popular than games that explore artistic expression, respond to the human condition, or simply do not have “fun” as their complete focus. What he is saying is that there is much more potential for games that has not been fully utilized or accepted. No doubt, “fun” games are awesome and I am completely satisfied with the enjoyment I get from capping zombies in CoD:WoW (I appreciate the game for what it is) a “fun” game about shooting zombies (I’m talking about the mini game nazi zombies btw, it is awesome fun if you havent played it.) But to think that games can ONLY be “fun” and this is really the limits to what it can do, I think is being quite pessimistic. I believe games can be enjoyed in many other ways. Actually its prob better to say that, I believe games can be “appreciated” in other ways.
For example, the film industry. The film industry does not have this problem because, can I say.. it is much older than the video game industry. It has a long history of experimentation, and many movements such as “third cinema, avante garde” and its early adopters experimented with what the camera can do, and different ways it can affect or reflect our human condition. These works have been respected and appreciated by the film audience. Mainstream commercial films that generate massive revenue will always be the mainstay of the film industry as they are more profitable and more widely accepted within society. However, art films are also appreciated in film festivals such as Cannes etc.. Look at Italian Neorealist films.. French Avant Garde films.. they are boring as hell and watching some of them might make you want to stab yourself in the eye with a fork, but they are appreciated nevertheless, not as forms of entertainment, but forms of art. Because of this people have been inspired to produce them, and some people show interest in them and watch them. So there is this appreciation for a boring “good” film.. The video game industry does not have this kind of appreciation. Currently, I believe, its been given a lower class.
Is it really impossible for a game to be appreciated and have some commercial success if it is not centered entirely on a “fun” experience. Or should I say, popularized form of fun that involves no artistic exploration or exploration of the human condition. I mean look at what a game essentially is. Wikipedia describes it as, “an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device.” Can we not make a game then that does not have “fun” or mindless violence as its central and only focus. Perhaps use it as an interactive visual medium to create educational experiences or provide a daring exploration into the human psyche. Seeing how immersive video games can be at transcending ppl to new worlds or experience certain emotions (silent hill for example), in some ways I think it can do it even better than film. Won’t these works be appreciated differently than to “fun” first person shooters, wouldn’t they be bought by people seeking completely different things. Maybe a game that deeply explores ideals of friendship, loyalty, human behavior, politics… come to think of it.. I think the closest thing we have to that is something like.. Metal Gear Solid 4.. or Zelda..i mean c’mon.. We can do heaps more with it I think. It might not be as fun, but perhaps it will be interesting, intriguing or even inspiring.
Here’s an idea.. how about a game called “the photojournalist.” It is an open world game where you control a man with a camera. Each day you are given a roll of film to capture photos of events occurring around the world. These “events” are actually real life news stories, or events that have occurred from the past. You can gain clues to when and where a particular event will take place in order to take a photo of it, by asking NPCs or if you know your history. The game can be set in an actual year, or a particular theme. At the end of the day, the player returns back to the office with his roll of film. If he has some interesting shots, he will be rewarded with an in depth look or historical account of what actually happened. The stories behind the photos if you will. Players will be rewarded with a in-game- print article of the event, which they can collect. This game will be both educational and meaningful, giving light to current social or political issues. It will actually be fun, so no one can bitch about it either
On a side note.. popular games are an art form themselves. The art of inventing new ways of “interactivity.” New ways of “play.” However, I do think it is possible to have this incorporated with better, more meaningful themes.
