Quote:
Originally Posted by Despare
A lot of games, the good ones at least, are like watching a movie or reading a book only you control some of it.
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Exactly why I don't like video games. If the general public controls it, it can't possibly be art.
In a book or movie an artist is taking you on a voyage that is specifically designed to ellicit specific emotions and reactions. Every bit of it is crafted to deliver the artist's message, his or her words and/or images exactly as they are intended. Immersing yourself in a book or movie is to relinquish control, to give in completely to a creator's will.
Video games have no set path. Yes there are game perameters and specific scenarios, characters and environments. Yes they are crafted by skilled individuals who are telling a story, but the experience of controlling the action yourself eliminates the possiblilty for artistic expression and reflection.
Mostly it's just BOOM BOOM BOOM and people living out thier most malicious intents.
I will concede that eye-hand coordination and problem solving skills can certianly be improved by playing these games...I can see it in my children.
But honestly what do you like most in your gaming experience? Shooting and blowing shit up, right? You don't walk away from a 4 hour gaming marathon puzzling over the arc of the characters or the social/philosophical implications of what alien contact would mean to mankind, or how path global terrorism is going to affect our daily lives - you just want to shoot the fuckers.
It plays to the basest human instincts and I will not soil myself with it. I hate the medium.
There, I'm done. I'll leave you gamers alone now.