Psychosis Syndrome

As far as I’m concerned, video games represent not just the next big digital entertainment medium, but the most important one. And it feels like more and more people are starting to agree, at least partially.

Currently, I would argue the biggest entertainment medium would be movies. Big budgets, big audiences. And so I thought I’d start with some reasons as to why video games are a more important medium.

1. Story. Like movies, video games have a plot. Unlike movies, in a lot of games this plot is malleable, changeable, interactive. Hence the appeal of the game. Which means that not only does a game have a story, it has multiple stories, and the audience get the story that best appeals to them. And given the poor quality of movie plots these days, it’s fairly easy to find games with vastly superior stories.
2. Characters. Again, a common element. But unlike movies, in which characters are simply an actor reciting lines and scripted movements, in games, characters are interactive. They act, and react, to you and what you do, providing a level of depth not found in any movie. And the quality of acting in games, both for voices and for cutscenes, is rapidly catching up to movies, as people realise the importance of both games and the actors in them.
3. Interactivity. In a movie, you see a story pan out in front of you. And every time you see it, it’s the same. But in a game, you’re a part of that story. You choose the rate at which it progresses, and in many cases, how it progresses. When something happens, you feel it as it affects you, and not some actor on a screen. This is because in a game, you control that person, and you develop a connection with them.
4. Less restrictions. A movie lasts only a set amount of time, usually between one and three hours, rarely coming close to either of those limits. The entire story and everything in it must be conveyed within that time frame. But in a game, the story can be as long, or short, as the developer wants. You can fit in far more elements than you could in a movie, and entertain the audience for longer.
5. Less restrictions 2. Movies are quite limited in what they can actually convey. Elaborate sets and costumes, or expensive special effects, are as far as they can go. Almost never do you see a movie without people, for example, and a huge percentage take place in relatively modern times. In a game, you don’t have those restrictions. It can take place whenever, wherever, and with whatever you want. Thus, games have a far wider scope of content.
6. Co-op. Many games feature multiplayer support, allowing people to experience the story together, and shape it together. This is something movies will never be able to do. You can watch a movie with someone, but that doesn’t change the movie or how you experience it. But in a game, it can make a world of difference, and provides a whole new level of social interaction.

1. I enjoy the fictional worlds. When you’re playing a game, you can go anywhere and do anything. People used to say this about books, but really, a book is just a ride. You go exactly where the author dictates. In a game, you’re unchained. You can go to the same place and do the same things, or you could do something completely different.
2. They’re consequence-free. In real life, everything you say and do has consequences. In a game, those consequences are limited to that game. You can feel free to be whoever you want, without worrying about what people will think or do. And you can do those things you could never do in real life, like murdering someone for giving you a dirty look.
3. They’re entertaining. If you need something to do, play a game. They can amuse you for hours on end, or just fill in a few spare minutes. They’re fun, relaxing, and rewarding. And there’s a game for everyone, really.
4. They can provide a sense of achievement. Not all games are just for fun. Some aren’t fun at all, they’re just incredibly hard. And you spend hours swearing and stomping and getting angry, and when it’s all done, you feel like you’ve really accomplished something.
5. They’re cheap. Of course, to a non-gamer, they seem expensive. $500 consoles and $100 games don’t really sound attractive. But when you consider the amount of hours of enjoyment they can provide, they suddenly seem a lot less overpriced. And when you buy them cheaper, it’s even better. I’ve sunk over 20 hours into The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, for example, a game that retails for $80.  That’s what, $4 an hour? And I’m still free to go back and play it more. Which I probably will. And when you add in the social aspect, playing with friends, it’s a very worthwhile cost to endure.
6. But mostly, I play games as an escape. Because when I play a game, I can get lost in it completely, and forget about everything else. I don’t need to worry about anything that’s bothering me, and there are few ways to achieve that. Movies aren’t really that stimulating, and books, well books are great, but I never feel connected to a book. I feel like a passenger. You can only get so absorbed as a passenger.

So there you have it. A whole lot of crap about video games, and why I love them. Thanks for reading this much