Sony's PS3 to use Blu-ray Disc

TalkBack 9 of 20:

Next »

« Previous

• Thread View
• Flat View

Not only for children

That does it! You finally touched a nerve by insulting my life's
work.

Though unrecognized as such by most people, video games are
an art form. They have just as much potential to be as
entertaining and enriching as cinema, television, drama,
literature, or music. In fact, I believe they have even greater
potential due to their interactive nature and their combination of
elements from all the previous listed mediums. This interactive
quality is most important because it allows the player to
experience a much greater suspension of disbelief. Instead of
merely being told a story, the player is part of the story.

Flippant remarks such as "games are for children" are insulting
to those who create games, those who play games, and children
in general. To those who would use their talents to create
games, this statement implies that their craft is meaningless.
Because adults would never enjoy games such games, these
works must inherently lack emotional impact and meaning.
This, of course, is untrue. Even if the target audience is young,
a well crafted work transcends the age barrier. The Harry Potter
series is one such success, drawing in readers from all age
groups.

Secondly, this statement marginalizes the players. It is an insult
to their maturity. By claiming that only children enjoy games,
logically anyone who enjoys games must be childish. This
statement is also false. There is a gargantuan variety of games
available today which targets a widely varying audience, albeit
little has been produce to target the 40+ age group. Even so,
nothing precludes this possibility save the difficulty of marketing
to this preconception.

Finally, this insults children in general. They are more
perceptive and rational than most of us would care to give them
credit for. We in the United States are overprotective. I'm not
advocating Manhunt for ten year olds. That would be foolish.
(In fact, I wouldn't advocate Manhunt for anyone, but that's
another subject altogether.) What I'm saying is that we do not
need to protect them from concepts. Violence and death do
occur in the world. Rather than hide this from children, we
should be honest. A tragic death of a developed character is
more poignant than fields of bloodless bodies mown down by
the player's weaponry, and yet both face equal scrutiny from
those who would seek to protect us from ourselves.

In closing, I know you have your differences with cybershoplifter.
Even I, normally easy-going, get annoyed at the advocacy of
quasi-legal Russian music sites. However, keep your arguments
pointed. Do not slander anyone who might happen to be
between you and the target in blanket statements which do not
apply.

Developer, gamer, and child at heart,
Astribulus

Posted by: Astribulus   Posted on: 08/06/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

• The Impact of Virtualization Software on Operating Environments VMware Today's use of virtualization technology allows IT professionals to ... Download Now
• Three Steps You Need to Know to Stop Data Loss Varonis Sensitive data exposed to misuse or loss... it is the stuff of nightmares ... Download Now
• Addressing Compliance Requirements for Privacy, Data Retention, and e-Discovery Trend Micro Protecting individual and financial data, retaining data, and meeting ... Download Now