Archetypes on Acid.

No one ever thinks of going to play big ol video games in an arcade anymore, we simply have those video games to play at home now! The article explores the journey of the video game from the arcade to the home. One thing that was brought to my attention was the fact that having video game consoles are probably cheaper then going to an arcade. If you had to pay a quarter each time and were an avid gamer who went often...you'd be broke! now a day you spend a small fortune on a console and you are set for life. Although video games are much more accessible now its not to say that people do not enjoy playing all the games that started it all, like donkey kong, super mario, or galaga. We revert to playing these games because they are that good. We dont always need the graphics to be amazing, it is simply enough for the game to be good.

Batman

I am a batman girl, I love batman. Owning the game, I know it is incredible. The whole mood of the game is dark and mysterious much like the character. It is unreal how life like the avatars are. The scenery is very detailed and leaves no stone unturned-there is something everywhere. The cut away scenes are very movie like and really draws you in. This I think, could be a perfect example of video gaming as an art. This game is beautifully done. What I found interesting is that in the beginning of the game there is a villain and she is female, she is the jokers sidekick. In my experience it is rare to see a woman play a bad guy. When she is portrayed as a bad guy she is very under dressed and very sexual. Although she is wearing a short dress, nothing else about his character screams SEXY! Batman's go to person is also a woman, the oracle she finds out all information when batman needs it. She comes thru on Batman's earpiece to help him whenever necessary. It was nice to see a woman also being on the helpful side and did in no way need rescuing. I would recommend this game to anyone, it is entertaining, enjoyable, and seems very real.

The Sims

This article while being very entertaining presented many good points. The main one being when we create avatars like in the sims, and the power that we feel that comes along with it. We feel like the all mighty creator who is in charge of everything. Especially when you model characters after yourself and you family, when something goes wrong?? WATCH OUT because 9 times out of ten you are going to be upset with that person who messed up. Feeling all powerful because you can control everything can be a good thing and a bad thing. Its a good thing because you can have control over this virtual world when in reality we dont have control over much of anything. Its a bad thing because, lets face it, that will carry on into your personal life and may cause problems. You can control things in the sims like what someone will look like and when they will eat and when they will use the bathroom. You are the puppet master- i think in a sense it really fulfills some fantasies people have of being in control. And just think you can total control of everyone and everything you create in the Sims in the comfort of your living room.

Uncharted 2

This game has unbelievable graphics and a great story line. I really enjoyed sitting there and watching the game play as it happens-usually i am not into that but i have to say, I was completely sucked in. It really did feel like i was watching a movie not just because the graphics were so amazing and realistic, but because the story line drew me in and got me emotionally involved. They days of video games not getting you emotionally invested i think in the near future are a thing of the past. I believe video games like this one are doing a better job at keeping everyone emotionally invested-even if you aren't playing! Another thing i really like in the game was the woman's role. She was a bad ass who did not need a man to take care of her and to protect her, she could do it on her own. She in more than one instance saved the lead male character and was viewed as a bit of a hero even though we are still weary of her because of certain actions. I actually really enjoyed this game. Between the movie like story line and life like characters, and on top of the fact that the woman is not portrayed as a victim i am considering buying it. I think this is proof that video games aren't just games and can really break out and be main stream.

Hot Dates and Fairy Tale Romances

I really enjoyed this article, I enjoyed the article because it doesn't focus on violence in video games like everyone else does-but it focuses on sexuality in video games. It looked at Final Fantasy 9 and The Sims. One thing that was brought up repeatedly about FF9 was the Erotic Triangle theory- i thought it was so interesting and It would have never even crossed my mind! The theory is that there is a sort of triangle between the person playing the game, the avatar, and the love interest. Its like they begin to fight and pawn over the love interest. I was completey mind blown by this, who would have thought of it? What i also found interesting was when it was stated that the main character does not have many details and at times may even look androgynous when you are playing with it, but when they cut to little video you can tell that its a boy. It allows for the player to be able to identify more with the character-girls can see themselves in the character as well as boys. In the sims you have the option to create whoever you want, different skin colors, body types, sexes etc. You can even choose to live with a man if you want and aren't backed into just being in a heterosexual relationship. i think the game has made strides in making it a world where people can all really relate to their actual lives. True, in the game homosexual marriage is not allowed but having a child is, so i think we are really making progress in a sense. The article also discussed how heterosexuality is considered to be the norm- in FF9 your love interest is a woman(like so many other games) and on top of that the main character is always commenting on other women. It makes me wonder how homosexuals and women feel playing a game like that-where you are constantly reminded that being hetero is "normal." Game makers truly have to start developing games where people can actually identify with the characters- not just an androgynous character they kinda identify with. I think a game where you can choose to be a man who wants to have woman as a love interest or a man who wants a man as a love interest! the same goes for women! I think it would be a great stepping stone in getting more people interested in video games.

Art Form For The Digital Age

Video Games are everywhere, in almost every home, on t-shirts, and even influencing film. But can video games be considered an art? And i dont mean the process of creating a video game i mean an actual video game. Most people will say no. I myself am on the cusp. I think my problem is that I know that it is just a game and in reality i want to disconnect from my reality and just play a game. I feel that the graphics and sometimes story lines of a game can be amazing. Is that enough to consider it art? I think art is suppose to make you think. Considering the fact that the whole idea of video games has really got me thinking..... i would have to say yes, video games can be considered art! A new modern form of art but art nonetheless. I think now this generation growing up has come up with video games, so in the future i think it is going to be accepted as a form of art. And people wont dismiss it as just a game. One thing I think that must be changed in video gaming is how well known it is. For example we go to film from a certain director and expect to see certain things. Once people start buying video games for a certain creator then i think i will slowly start to blow up, and to my understanding its already happening. Im glad that eventually, if people are educated enough art wont only be considered paintings or sculptures, that now it can be digital, fun, and entertaining. If anything if videogaming can lure more people into the art world and even introduce people into other art forms.

Its a Video Game Certainly, but is it Art?

A good point was brought up in this article, the point being that when most people think of video games the think of adolescent boys in their boxers playing these games all day. I think that is true and it is the stereotype, but as stated video games are in that quarter century mark between it being a hugely accepted art or one that is only found in a select group like comic books for example. Jenkins also makes a great point in stating what our video games need-which is more of an emotional connection with the character and the game itself. I myself have never been emotional with a game or even cried but I think if we make video games with a more emotional connection that video games will become more relate able to people, in turn it being a media that all types of people would want to partake in. Also, I think Jenkins makes and excellent point in saying that we need to create a critical vocabulary for video games and the genre. I think if we did have a critical vocab people will understand that this can be something serious and it does have more aspects to it that just being a fun past time adolescent boys play. I think art is what you make it be. I personally dont think that a urinal on top of a table is art, but I do think that art is something that's makes you ask questions and think, I believe video games can do that and i think with time they have only gotten better and will continue to do so.