RE: RE: Interactive Terror
09 Nov 2009 1 Comment
This is a response to: http://aschrock280.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/reply-to-interactive-horror/
You certainly have some good points about the trends of gaming over the last few decades. I myself enjoy survival horror games, though I haven’t found one that actually frightens me in a long time. One thing that you also brought up, which I had fogotten about is the intense obsession that American gamers seem to have on war games. This month will see the release of the most anticipated war game ever created: Modern Warfare 2. Well, I don’t really care about war games. My favorite games of all time are the spectacular single-player experiences of such games as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Shadow of the Colossus, Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, and Mass Effect to name a few.
I have a friend who truly ONLY cares about Modern Warfare. Needless to say, I have told him many times that he is causing the downfall of western civilization through his attachment to games that offer only explosions and gunfights that really aren’t that realistic anyway. Now before anyone gets angry, most of this is sarcasm. I acknowledge that the first Modern Warfare was a great game, but it makes me angry sometimes how many gamers take no interest in the story-telling and world immersion aspect of games. Well, since I usually like to get my point across with youtube videos, here is a parody newscast of the Modern Warfare 2 hype.
Nov 16, 2009 @ 00:00:45
It’s funny you should mention the juggernaut that is COD MW2. Now that it’s out, I find myself almost being ‘forced’ into buying it. I too prefer single player story driven games like Ocarina of Time and Shadow of the Colossus (best example of ‘art as a video game’ you’re ever likely to find) and really don’t care all that much about war games that exist simply to showcase how ‘advanced’ our military is. Yet… surprise, surprise… all of my friends went out and bought it on launch day. This means that when I’m in a social mood and feel like playing online with friends, I have to own a copy of MW2. Like I said, it’s almost as if I’m being ‘forced’ into buying it!
I’m sure that Infinity Ward takes this very scenario into account during their development. For example, it seems like not so much of a coincidence that they chose to not include split-screen for their online multiplayer. This means that in order to play online multiplayer, every person must own a copy and be playing on their own counsel. I know of no other game where this limitation occurs. Evidently they DO hope to reach One Hundred Million Billion Kajillion copies sold! (that’s a freakin hilarious video, btw)
Well, I haven’t forked over the cash just yet… though it’s only a matter of time. On a more optimistic note, everyone is distracted by MW2… giving me the time to finally explore all that Fallout 3 has to offer.