Video games play an important role in all our lives. Wait a minute. Did I say that? Collin, one of our grandchildren, is spending the summer with us, as a stopover on his way to college in Boston this fall. My wife, Patricia, and I have known for a long time now that he is an avid computer-game player; we also know that he is one who gives a lot of thought to things (maybe not as much as we would wish, but, nonetheless, quite a bit).
I asked him to please explain to me why he finds them so interesting. After he did, I found his reasons so interesting that I asked him to put it in writing, so that I could share it with you. If you are a young person, you may be asking, “How did you stay so long in the dark?” If you are older, you may have been as uninformed as I was.
But before I turn to Collin’s piece, let me add, a surgeon told me that when I am considering minimally invasive surgery (MIS), look for a young doctor, because he or she may be more adept at using computer-controlled devices.
Video Games’ Inaccurate Stigma
By Collin Hall
As a medium, the video game has always struggled against an unfair and inaccurate stigma. For most people, it is understood that video games are a waste of time, or that video games at large are “immature.” Yet for those willing to put in the effort, video games reward the player with thoughtful design, stunningly immersive worlds, and staggering depth.
In many ways, this reputation comes from what dominates the best-selling charts each year. In 2016, five of the top 10 best-selling games were shooters, and three were games based on real-life sports. While there is certainly nothing wrong with either genre, my argument is not best made here. From these games comes the tired stereotype: a newly-pubescent boy who sits in his room all day, alone and generally without friends.
Yet the best-exposed and best-selling material can hardly define a medium. It would be silly to dismiss movies just because many of the most popular films are action flicks or to dismiss music because of what is trending on the radio.
Video games are not a lesser art form than films or books or music; they are a melting pot of music, sound, art design, player interaction and player agency that creates a cohesive and immersive experience, unlike any other medium.
In “Journey,” the player takes control of a hooded figure that must make its way through a lonely and once-thriving desert to struggle against the daring mountain on its far side.
In “Bioshock,” a man discovers a lighthouse in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and rides an elevator to an abandoned underwater Utopia.
In “Kentucky Route Zero,” an antique deliveryman must make his final delivery on the magical and surreal Kentucky highway, the Zero.
These are not stories that are the structure of a novel or a movie; these are stories that could only be told through a game, through interaction and player agency. “Journey’s” most touching moments come with random interaction with other travelers.
When I first played “Journey,” a stranger with no name traveled alongside me, and we experienced this strange world together. We braved sandstorms, solved puzzles and avoided danger as an inseparable pair. A strong bond was formed without uttering a single word; our only communication was the chirping of the scarf-creatures we controlled.
I never learned this person’s name or anything about him/her at all, yet I will remember this person and the time we spent together for the rest of my life. When we finally crested the mountain’s peak — the end of the game — with stringed instruments whirling their final climactic goodbye, my new friend chirped in my direction for the final time, and I was nearly moved to tears.
“Journey” and countless other games – eschew a traditional narrative structure in favor of joyful discovery and mystery. Games are not always powerful because they tell a deep moral or because they have a daring political statement, although that can certainly be the case.
Video games are at their best when they draw out the player’s sense of pure childlike mystery and wonder.
Games like “Super Mario Galaxy” excel at this. “Galaxy’s” masterfully-designed, surreal levels are a joy to explore; the grand orchestral score doesn’t hurt either.
These are not just “games for children.” While children certainly love Mario, he is also adored by tens of millions of adult fans around the world for a good reason. These games resonate with timeless charm and creativity.
Yet video games face a unique hurdle; they are largely inaccessible when compared to movies, albums or books. You cannot simply buy a video game. They require the correct hardware and a complete setup, which can cost hundreds of dollars.
Also, the time to finish some of the best games is immense. “Breath of the Wild,” a recent critical darling, takes upwards of 30 hours to finish its main story.
Compared to the low investment of a two to three-hour movie, it is easy to see why so many people have opinions on video games without quite understanding the whole picture. If you are one of those people, I urge you: play a video game!
To those whose kids love games but never quite understood why: sit down and play a game! You might just be better for it.
