http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aw-42JO3qk
Video games have been around since the 70's. It is no surprise that it would have a huge emphasis in our culture and even our everyday lives. The images and video above may be games you have all seen or played before. The impact of video games is very prominent and deeply ingrained if our culture. When the first original Mortal Kombat hit the arcades (and eventually console) it was immediately met with controversy over its graphic and bloody gameplay. So much in fact that current the Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman initiated hearings in 1992, which would eventually lead to the creation of the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) which contineus to this day rating days for children, parents, and adults.
Video games also seek to continue to milk the cash cow of other forms of entertainment, specifically movies and music. The very popular rythemn/instrument-based games bank millions and millions off not only the game itself, but also for the instruments used to play teh game. Some games are even entirely based on a certain artist, to capture the fans and demographic of that artists music style ( Rock Band The Beatles). In Hollywood, James Cameron's Avatar in 2009 was an enormously huge blockbuster, becomign teh first film to crack 2 billion in grossings. The above image is just a picture of the now many video games that are based on highly successful Hollywood movies.
One of the arguments against videogames is the reasoning that they are unhealthy and causes children to participate less and less in physical activities. However, there are many video games out nwo that require physical activity. Many children-based programs commonly combine or use games with physical exercises. These include (pictured above) Dance Dance Revolution machines, WII sports, and Playstation MOVE sports to name a few.
All in all, videogames are many things to everybody. In the video posted above, the computer game Starcraft is so immensely popular in South Korea, that players are paid thousands to play like professional athletes and are even revered on the same level same as music stars. Whether we play videogames to move crazily on a dance mat, beat and trash-talk with friends, relive a movie, or just to kick back and relax, videogames are here to stay.
Alex, you made many interesting points in your post. You showed how video games have evolved from games where you sit in front of the television and play them with little or not activity to how some of them are today where they actually require some physical exercise to play them. It was amazing to find out how video game players in South Korea are paid to play. I never heard about this before. Thank you for this interesting post. Mary Ann Reday.
ReplyDeleteA very intersting topic. I agree with your post, and would like to comment that video game playing has caused quite the opposite effect on several generations. Instead of being outside, enjoying fresh air, exercising, many today are staying inside gaming, with little communication or interaction with other people. Hours go by without the realization that people have missed appointments, meals, and even work and school. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteThe history of arcade games have come a long way. I remember when nitendo's where out and my cousin's and I would play super mario. I think the games have become more popular today because we can play with people all around the world.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Alex. I have been a Mortal Kombat fan myself growing up. I never looked into the cultural aspect of video games before. I know that most games and game systems originated out of China. Whenever I would watch the credits to a game, I noticed that all the names were Asian names. I think video games out destroying Americas youth. I never see kids outside playing anymore.
ReplyDeleteI found this blog to be very informative. And I agree that video's are deeply ingrained in our culture.I agree that videos contribute to the high obesity rate in American children. When I was a child I never heard of or sawa video games. The only entertainment I had was my imagination.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that the video game industry has progressed to the point of providing games that involve physical exercise and fun activities such as dancing and yoga. Up to that point, it was disheartening to see young children sitting in front of a television just playing violent war games.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting points. Controversy with video games may never go away because they can be very graphic. I think now that video games are becoming educational this might turn a blind eye to the horrific graphs some have.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very informative post. It’s amazing to see how video games have impacted other forms of entertainment. There are many movies that began as video games in the arcade, Resident Evil, Lara Croft Tomb Raider, and Hitman, to name a few.
ReplyDeleteYes video games does have a culture just like any thing else. It brings people somewhat together. Like the post about pong, it brought neighbors together. One kid would be like "yo I got pong mofo wanna play?" And that brought togehter kids in neighbors. The video culture has people dancing with each other (facing the screen).
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