You have probably heard the term "next gen" or "next generation" game in the video game industry. For the most part, this usually means nothing more than better graphics, but for at least some designers, it means a whole lot more.
One of the reasons I am not more into video games - there are a few, actually - is because they are generally very linear: there is a specific path you need to follow, specific goals you must accomplish, a specific time you have in which to accomplish them, and then you fight a "boss." After that, you go to the next level and repeat the process. There is no wiggle-room, or very little anyway. I prefer pen and paper role-playing games for this very reason.
But the new next gen games are moving beyond that, allowing players to manipulate basically any and every object in the game, as well as go anywhere they wish. Background characters can be more diverse and do more than they used to - all characters are more lifelike, in fact. This is all possible nowadays because of the new consoles with multiple core processors.
While this does not make me want to get into video gaming - as I said, there are several reasons I am not into them, the primary one being that they are addictive and you are not accomplishing anything worthwhile when you spend all your time playing them; they are a waste of time - I do applaud the effort. Like an industry insider said in an earlier report from today, the media are beginning to diverge and it is exciting.
No longer are video games partly interactive with movie-like segués; they are a multi-media package with motion picture sections, hit music for themes and background, and interactive characters you control - just as DVDs allow you to control camera angles, provide additional features and background material and more. Eventually, video game enthusiasts will be in complete control of the entire game and its environment, as well as their character's appearance, movements, expressions, and more.
This is when video games will actually be mini-studios - a media turned medium - where the player(s) will create their own goals, storylines, cast of characters, music, and more. Now that's when I'll start playing video games!
One of the reasons I am not more into video games - there are a few, actually - is because they are generally very linear: there is a specific path you need to follow, specific goals you must accomplish, a specific time you have in which to accomplish them, and then you fight a "boss." After that, you go to the next level and repeat the process. There is no wiggle-room, or very little anyway. I prefer pen and paper role-playing games for this very reason.
But the new next gen games are moving beyond that, allowing players to manipulate basically any and every object in the game, as well as go anywhere they wish. Background characters can be more diverse and do more than they used to - all characters are more lifelike, in fact. This is all possible nowadays because of the new consoles with multiple core processors.
While this does not make me want to get into video gaming - as I said, there are several reasons I am not into them, the primary one being that they are addictive and you are not accomplishing anything worthwhile when you spend all your time playing them; they are a waste of time - I do applaud the effort. Like an industry insider said in an earlier report from today, the media are beginning to diverge and it is exciting.
No longer are video games partly interactive with movie-like segués; they are a multi-media package with motion picture sections, hit music for themes and background, and interactive characters you control - just as DVDs allow you to control camera angles, provide additional features and background material and more. Eventually, video game enthusiasts will be in complete control of the entire game and its environment, as well as their character's appearance, movements, expressions, and more.
This is when video games will actually be mini-studios - a media turned medium - where the player(s) will create their own goals, storylines, cast of characters, music, and more. Now that's when I'll start playing video games!
No comments:
Post a Comment