Over the weekend, after taking a break from writing I decided to load up some Pinball FX 2, when a family member walked by and said “don’t you ever get tired of playing video games?” which I promptly ignored.
I’ve been asked that question countless times and I’m willing to bet that if you’re reading this, then so have you. In response, today’s post is all about breaking one of the more popular misconceptions about games and gamers.
The Loose Definition of a Video Game:
Video games are treated by most people from the outside like a hobby: something with a limited appeal and basic interaction. We can categorize hobbies into passive and active experiences based on the amount of interaction there is.
Someone who just watches football has an entirely different interaction compared to someone who plays football regularly or professionally. What makes an interaction passive is that it requires the same interaction every time, while an active experience changes.
The category “video game” includes everything from a 2D platformer…
The misconception from most people outside of the industry is that playing video games is a passive experience: one that is the same every time regardless of whatever game someone is playing.
But the truth of the matter is that it is a very active experience.
Every genre features different interactions, mental processes and of course controls. Playing a game like Starcraft is fundamentally different from playing a platformer, or FPS. The rise of social and casual games has probably not helped matters either.
Social games like Farmville that earned millions of dollars coupled with news pieces on addiction have put that misconception that playing video games is akin to staring mindlessly in front of a TV or computer for hours on end. Actually, playing video games is about being engaged by the challenges on screen and making informed decisions to hopefully win.
Making things worse is that finding accurate studies on the effects of video games on brain development is hard. As there are as many reports on video games hurting children, as there are those that say they improve creativity and thinking.
Regardless of the studies, it is considered true that video games do affect the brain, but knowing for certain if it is positive or negative (or both,) hasn’t been concluded.
But let’s get back to the topic at hand — videogames are not a passive activity that can be lumped into a generalized activity. The discussion of “games as art” is something a bit too big for this piece, but video games do share a common element with other experiences considered art: There is a game for every gamer.
The Variations of Play:
When we look at activities that are considered by the general public as art: movies, painting and books, you can’t call someone a “movie fan” or an “art fan.” The numerous genres, styles and creators have created as many diverse fans as there are genres for their respective mediums.
… To complex grand strategy titles
Once again, the general public can try to lump all movie watchers into the same group but that is not what being a fan of movies is about.
You have people who watch nothing but horror movies the same way as there are people who love action movies. Neither group would be considered “the true fans” of movies in the same way that there is no genre that defines a gamer.
And for people like me, it means that I have a game for any mood that I’m in. Whether that is relaxing with some pinball, the tense gameplay of Dark Souls or even spending a weekend playing a consuming game like Crusader Kings 2 or Kerbal Space Program.
All the examples I’ve mentioned are of course video games, but none of them would be considered the de facto standard of the industry. Each one is completely different in its execution and design and most importantly, are active experiences that are engaging.
So the next time that a family member/friend tries to make fun of you while sitting for hours watching TV, send them this piece. It may not change their mind, but at least you have someone who agrees with you.
