I’ve never truly thought about why I play video games. Now that I have, I feel dumber. The question that continually comes to mind is what makes a virtual world more engaging than a real world where things actually affect me? I guess because I can never be an NBA basketball player, but the minute I fire up NBA 2k7, there I am, crossing over Kobe and taking it to the rack. But there is a control aspect involved also. The ability to have full control over a virtual world, including the control to turn it off at any moment, is both empowering and safe. I virtual world allows me the opportunity to take risks without the consequences. I can run through the streets in Grand Theft Auto and beat up old ladies and police officers with no substantial consequence.
I think the facet of video games that is most interesting is the continual theme of good versus evil. This theme spans from virtual gaming, to the film industry, to politics, and never seems to wear itself thin. This brand of us versus them ideology has captured people’s hearts and minds throughout history. We use it in politics all the time: “You are with us or against us,” “There are evildoers who hate our freedom,” etc. If you took these Sound bits out of context and put them in the newest first-person shooter, you wouldn’t think twice about their legitimacy.
Another thought: The idea of erase-ism ties into what Stuart Hall reefers to as meaning through absence. This is the notion that what is not included in an image is just as important in conveying meaning as what is included.
Final Thought: This is one of the funniest things I have seen in a while. It is a response written on behalf of the lowest rated player in John Madden Football 07’. This is funny concept to hear the responses of the real players who are sculpted in virtual worlds. Of course, the superstars are happy they can dodge tackles and throw it a mile, but how do the 3rd stringers feel that they can’t catch a 5 yard pass?
http://www.thephatphree.com/features.asp?StoryID=3159&SectionID=2&LayoutType=1
I think the facet of video games that is most interesting is the continual theme of good versus evil. This theme spans from virtual gaming, to the film industry, to politics, and never seems to wear itself thin. This brand of us versus them ideology has captured people’s hearts and minds throughout history. We use it in politics all the time: “You are with us or against us,” “There are evildoers who hate our freedom,” etc. If you took these Sound bits out of context and put them in the newest first-person shooter, you wouldn’t think twice about their legitimacy.
Another thought: The idea of erase-ism ties into what Stuart Hall reefers to as meaning through absence. This is the notion that what is not included in an image is just as important in conveying meaning as what is included.
Final Thought: This is one of the funniest things I have seen in a while. It is a response written on behalf of the lowest rated player in John Madden Football 07’. This is funny concept to hear the responses of the real players who are sculpted in virtual worlds. Of course, the superstars are happy they can dodge tackles and throw it a mile, but how do the 3rd stringers feel that they can’t catch a 5 yard pass?
http://www.thephatphree.com/features.asp?StoryID=3159&SectionID=2&LayoutType=1
posted by Barry Lird at
12:09 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home