I'm almost positive that you've seen the Nintendo Wii commercials back in the day. Do you remember? A pair of Japanese men invaded some homes and brought fun and excitement all around the world. Heck, I wouldn't even be surprised if a large number of you had Wii's yourself. It was quite innovative for its time!
I remember I went to a graduation party for a good friend in high school, and the group was supposed to all go to the pool, but a few of us stayed behind because wii wanted to keep playing Wii Sports (no regrets!).
And the Wii is a great representation to non-gamers in showing the power of video games and how it separates itself from all other forms of media...
Interactivity.
Because games are interactive, it adds certain elements to entertainment that can't be found in movies, TV, or books. Further, games are far from the "interactive movies" people normally associate games as being, though those do exist (Heavy Rain, Beyond Two Souls, Until Dawn, Uncharted, Quantum Break, Mass Effect, etc.).
Unlike movies, TV, and books, games don't require a plot. There are plenty of games that I've played that don't have stories to drive them (The new Star Wars: Battlefront game and the first Timesplitters come to mind...4 team Capture the Bag on the Chinese level was the best!). As many developers like to say, "Gameplay is king." After all, chess doesn't need a story to be enthralling--or depressing, if you're not good, like mii.
Some games even embrace the lack of story, like this one!
I remember I went to a graduation party for a good friend in high school, and the group was supposed to all go to the pool, but a few of us stayed behind because wii wanted to keep playing Wii Sports (no regrets!).
And the Wii is a great representation to non-gamers in showing the power of video games and how it separates itself from all other forms of media...
Interactivity.
Because games are interactive, it adds certain elements to entertainment that can't be found in movies, TV, or books. Further, games are far from the "interactive movies" people normally associate games as being, though those do exist (Heavy Rain, Beyond Two Souls, Until Dawn, Uncharted, Quantum Break, Mass Effect, etc.).
Unlike movies, TV, and books, games don't require a plot. There are plenty of games that I've played that don't have stories to drive them (The new Star Wars: Battlefront game and the first Timesplitters come to mind...4 team Capture the Bag on the Chinese level was the best!). As many developers like to say, "Gameplay is king." After all, chess doesn't need a story to be enthralling--or depressing, if you're not good, like mii.
Some games even embrace the lack of story, like this one!
Interactivity allows consumers to fulfill certain desires that other media cannot. Studies show that the three main reasons why people play video games are as follows: competency (challenge, progression, completion), autonomy (choices and impact), and relatedness (playing with others).
For mii, personally? Why watch some dude save the world when I can take control and save it myself? And sometimes save it in my own way! I set the pace and tone for whatever lies before me, and finally get to be the hero I long to be.
In other words, interaction is the foundation for video games as a whole. It asks the player to not just follow, but to lead the characters, the world, and the story to their respective end and beyond. All games inherently ask the question, "How far can you go?"
And herein lies the problem.
I'm in control.
I've slain millions of soldiers in my time, many of whom scream as they fall dead...
I nuked a town with no remorse for its residents...
I slept with all those women who I treated like objects in order to get an achievement or a collectible card reminding me of all my past conquests...
I went on a rampage in Vice City and massacred random innocents going about their day...
For fun...?
Because of interaction, wii are not just watching these horrible events unfold. Wii are the reason for it.
Is this the kind of hero I long to be? Better yet, is this the hero I'm called to be?
I'm reminded of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount when he says, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire." (Matthew 5:21-22, ESV).
A few verses later, he further stresses this point by saying, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell." (Matthew 5:27-30, ESV).
Do you see the connection? If you look on your brother with anger, then you have essentially murdered. If you look at a woman lustfully, then you have essentially committed adultery. Therefore, if your interactions in video games involve killing, swindling, lusting, stepping on people, etc. then is that sinning as well?
I've struggled answering that question for years. Shoot, I still struggle with it.
But this is where most naysayers of video games seem to stop. Both Christians and non-Christians alike fear the extent of this interaction. Scientists keep trying to gather data on the influence of video games and it always seems to end up being vague and/or somewhat inconclusive in some form or fashion.
From my experience, it's complicated (all the more reason to bring faith into it).
As Christians, I think wii should think about this stuff. As I touched on in the introduction, wii should be willing to give up our desires (or tear out our eye, in Jesus' terms). Wii also should be vigilant and aware of not only what wii are taking in, but also what wii are putting out on the screen.
But there's more than one way to interact with something--especially in video games--so wii have to go more in depth with what makes up the word "interaction."
If you are trying to audit the whole, then you need to look at the details...
Therefore, the main topics I will discuss are violence, fantasy/escape, romance, religion, and multiplayer. Along with this, there are three specific games that I have played that are wonderful examples that embody one or more of what will be discussed throughout the blog.
Ready to dive into the thick of the fight? Excellent!
Sii you next week, soldier!
***To unlock more of the discussion, simply buy the $29.99 season pass, with plenty of extras for you to experience the blog to the fullest! NOT!!!***
For mii, personally? Why watch some dude save the world when I can take control and save it myself? And sometimes save it in my own way! I set the pace and tone for whatever lies before me, and finally get to be the hero I long to be.
In other words, interaction is the foundation for video games as a whole. It asks the player to not just follow, but to lead the characters, the world, and the story to their respective end and beyond. All games inherently ask the question, "How far can you go?"
And herein lies the problem.
I'm in control.
I've slain millions of soldiers in my time, many of whom scream as they fall dead...
I nuked a town with no remorse for its residents...
I slept with all those women who I treated like objects in order to get an achievement or a collectible card reminding me of all my past conquests...
I went on a rampage in Vice City and massacred random innocents going about their day...
For fun...?
Because of interaction, wii are not just watching these horrible events unfold. Wii are the reason for it.
Is this the kind of hero I long to be? Better yet, is this the hero I'm called to be?
I'm reminded of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount when he says, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire." (Matthew 5:21-22, ESV).
A few verses later, he further stresses this point by saying, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell." (Matthew 5:27-30, ESV).
Do you see the connection? If you look on your brother with anger, then you have essentially murdered. If you look at a woman lustfully, then you have essentially committed adultery. Therefore, if your interactions in video games involve killing, swindling, lusting, stepping on people, etc. then is that sinning as well?
I've struggled answering that question for years. Shoot, I still struggle with it.
But this is where most naysayers of video games seem to stop. Both Christians and non-Christians alike fear the extent of this interaction. Scientists keep trying to gather data on the influence of video games and it always seems to end up being vague and/or somewhat inconclusive in some form or fashion.
From my experience, it's complicated (all the more reason to bring faith into it).
As Christians, I think wii should think about this stuff. As I touched on in the introduction, wii should be willing to give up our desires (or tear out our eye, in Jesus' terms). Wii also should be vigilant and aware of not only what wii are taking in, but also what wii are putting out on the screen.
But there's more than one way to interact with something--especially in video games--so wii have to go more in depth with what makes up the word "interaction."
If you are trying to audit the whole, then you need to look at the details...
Therefore, the main topics I will discuss are violence, fantasy/escape, romance, religion, and multiplayer. Along with this, there are three specific games that I have played that are wonderful examples that embody one or more of what will be discussed throughout the blog.
Ready to dive into the thick of the fight? Excellent!
Sii you next week, soldier!
***To unlock more of the discussion, simply buy the $29.99 season pass, with plenty of extras for you to experience the blog to the fullest! NOT!!!***