Jun 23 2005
Who keeps up with the latest video game technology because the games are fun to play?
Something that has been bugging me a lot lately is how video and computer gaming is turning more and more into just a fight over what system has the best technical specifications with the latest controversial/mature games, it seems to me the majority of this is originating from pissing contests and wanting to be cool. There are exceptions of course but I just think for the most part people don’t play games any longer just because they are fun and satisfying.
Statements like “I can’t play that, it’s too kiddie looking” really irk me, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Walker is one that often gets such a comment and apart from all of the sailing involved it really is a great game, it is enjoyable, satisfying & has excellent graphics but it doesn’t have any blood, gore, scantily clad women or a hip hop soundtrack so many people refuse to play it. That is ultimately their choice but I think if most people sat down and thought why they like those games and dislike the “kiddie games” they would be hard pressed to come up with a reason that isn’t based upon the opinion of their peers.
We are such whores for marketing these days and so eagerly eat up the latest and greatest that companies shove down our throats, which is something I’ve seen myself do oh so often so now I sit back and think “now why do I really want this gadget?” before purchasing it and you know what a lot of the times I realize is because “it is cool”, then I think “do I need it?”, now of course all purchases aren’t needs there are wants so if it isn’t a need then I ask “am I going to use it?” and even then I still think long & hard before laying down my cold hard cash on it.
Now that isn’t to say I still don’t suffice to the ocassional impulse purchase *glances over at his PSP*, the PSP doesn’t really have any games released worth playing right now so it is hardly getting used and is probably my last example of a purchase based upon cool factor alone, although it didn’t help that I had a bucket of beer or so from Little Woodrows beforehand (my g/f was driving). 