I have been replaying “Mass Effect” recently, I came to conclusion that I was emotionally invested in some of the characters. So, I pose a question-Are we in a transitional period where games will be viewed in the same light as literature, films, music, etc? I know it has briefly been touched upon with Devin in the past. But I really would like to see how Alex feels about the whole thing in some sort of Op-Ed piece for MCP…
Later..
I will say this for gaming, I’ve got to the point that due to the scripting in GTA IV, the Prince of Persia games and Mass Effect that piss poor dialogue really can throw me out of a game.
Thanks for the threads Justin,I’ll read those threads later…
I see what you mean Spike, but I think given enough time and money invested into the industry-that may start to change..
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| Originally Posted by Spike Marshall View Post I will say this for gaming, I’ve got to the point that due to the scripting in GTA IV, the Prince of Persia games and Mass Effect that piss poor dialogue really can throw me out of a game. |
So, you’re saying that GTA IV was well scripted as opposed to Prince of Persia titles and Mass Effect? The way you worded that post towards the end threw me a bit.
He means all three are well scripted.
I meant due to how well those games are written it’s hard for me to deal with badly written games nowadays. I’ve just come to expect most games to have a script which is at the very least engaging.
I’ll never get into the whole games as art thing, but as pulpy fiction games like Mass Effect, BioShock, GTA IV are miles ahead of the games produced last Generation.
It’s possible to have high concept games with large production values and great scripting, but I don’t think anyone’s ever going to deem video games as art.
Goddammit, Cordo.
I don’t want any new fangled vidya games bein’ no art.
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| Originally Posted by Eric Cordo View Post I don’t want any new fangled vidya games bein’ no art. |
That’s great, but now we’re in for 5 pages of bickering about it.
Someone should PM me later and let me know how that goes.
Hey, it’s better than another atheism debate.
I believe it’s worse. I base this view on no evidence or logical reasoning, but I don’t need to because it makes me warm and moist in my Irrational Place.
I want copious, damn near gratuitous amounts of artistry in my games, I don’t need my games to be classified art. End of discussion.
Art or not (and really, does it matter?), I agree with Spike that those titles really set the bar as to how the story can be written in a game. Sure, I like my Puzzle Pirates and hell, digital backgammon, but if you’re going to give me something with a plot, make it worth my while. I’m looking at you, Space Marines.
It may be the first real “era” of gaming where the developers actually attempt to pull at your heartstrings, but there have been plenty of games that have made me emotionally involved for years.
I think the early Squaresoft years from 1994-1998 gave a lot of games like Chrono Trigger, FF6, FF7, Tactics, Xenogears, etc that gave plenty of moments that got its players emotionally involved in the game. Metal Gear Solid is another example.
As for video games being art… I would say that at least 70% of the movies coming out in the past decade should not be called art if video games are not art. If we are going to define art at its lesser form as being dung thrown onto the portrait of the Virgin Mary, there is no way we cannot call video games art IMO.
Would we call porn art?
Well… I would if the guy painted Rembrandt on her stomach post coitus.
Yeah we’re seeing a new age of gaming.
It’s hi-def.
That’s the major change we’ve seen. Graphics.
I haven’t had the emotions tweaked in me since… christ… Longest Journey? Grim Fandango?
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| Originally Posted by Bees?! View Post Yeah we’re seeing a new age of gaming. It’s hi-def. That’s the major change we’ve seen. Graphics. I haven’t had the emotions tweaked in me since… christ… Longest Journey? Grim Fandango? |
I think that we are in a new age of gaming and I would partially agree with you that the hi-def graphics brings a real sensory experience to the video game player.
I also believe that co-op play has been so advanced that it could be labeled as the new “it” in video games.
The other major part of this era of gaming has to be the melding of online play with gaming. Not WoW type games, but rather the Playstation Home and the Xbox Live experience.
If you’ve ever had an emotional reaction to a Squaresoft game I question your mental stability. Also reproduction of existing art, without comment or intent, doesn’t represent art.