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Why is gaming so special to all of us? Why is it so addictive? Why do we spend all of our hard-earned (or in my case, easily-earned,) money on boxes with electronic stuff inside them, and CDs/DVDs/Catridges/Mini-Discs which generate simulations on our TV Screen?
I’m not going to say, “Oh, because it’s fun,” although it is, and I’m not going to say, “Oh, it’s a challenge,” or, “something to do when we’re bored.” These may be true, but it’s not what I’m really trying to say here. I think the word ‘Simulation,’ comes into play quite a lot here. Basically, most games are simulations of something-whether it be sports, driving, an Army simulation, God sims and even simulations of being some sort of Commander (real-time strategy games such as Command and Conquer.)
But some games don’t fall into any of those categories. Games like…well, quite a lot of shooters such as Metal Gear Solid and Red Faction, and also futuristic games like Zone Of The Enders, Metroid and Deus Ex. What simulations could these be classed as? Well, I guess there are a few stealth assassins out there like Solid Snake. Is there a name for that sort of simulation? A stealth-sim? Maybe, but there aren’t enough of these sorts of games to actually give it a name like that. But still, it’s a simulation of some kind. What would you class Perfect Dark as? Perhaps PDark, as well as other sci-fi shooters like Aliens vs Predator AREN’T simulations, as do you ever hear about people going round killing aliens called Elvis? Do you ever hear about hundreds of aliens with green blood, a strange, blood-crazy creature and some Soldiers battling it out? No, not really. These don’t happen in real life (although, you never know, do you? {)
But for the moment, we shall ignore those games. Put them to one side for a bit, and concentrate on games that are actual simulations of real life. Why do people love to play games? Because in a video game, you can be a Formula 1 driver! In a video game, you can be something many boys (and girls as well, no sexism on these forums,) have wished to be since they saw Manchester United take on Liverpool that day back when they were 3 years old-proffesional footballers. You can become a member of the Army in video games, taking part in wars and battles-in which you personally won’t be killed, but perhaps your character will. In a game, you can become mythical creatures, a manager of a football team, a Jedi Knight (okay, so perhaps there aren’t Jedis in real life, but it’d still be cool to be one,) a pilot, God, almost anything!
A boy loves Formula 1, and wants to become an F1 driver for Ferrari when he’s older. He can all he wants for it, but most of the time, he wouldn’t achieve this. Perhaps if he’s lucky, or very talented, but it’s not likely. What’s the closest he’s going to get without sneaking into Ferrari HQ and driving off in Michael Schumacer’s car? In my opinion, playing a Formula 1 game is the closest he’s going to get. Okay, he can drive karts, but the closest he’s going to get to being an actual Formula 1 driver, is playing an F1 simulation.
The same goes for most sports, with proffesional footballers being the most popular one. Only the very lucky and the very talented get to become players for their favourite Premiership club. Okay, you can play for your local team, but it would be nothing compared to the Premiership.
Are you ever going to get the chance to be God? Unless you create your own tiny intelligent species with your own hands, then the answer’s no. But with games such as Black and White, you can become God-at least to a reasonable extent.
I believe that most games are based on simulations. Creating an experience for the player that he/she is not likely to get in real life. In video games, you can become almost anything. And as technology continues to develop, and as most games become more and more realistic, hopefully these experiences will at some point be nearly as good as real life.
Thanks for reading, Ant.
I’m not going to say, “Oh, because it’s fun,” although it is, and I’m not going to say, “Oh, it’s a challenge,” or, “something to do when we’re bored.” These may be true, but it’s not what I’m really trying to say here. I think the word ‘Simulation,’ comes into play quite a lot here. Basically, most games are simulations of something-whether it be sports, driving, an Army simulation, God sims and even simulations of being some sort of Commander (real-time strategy games such as Command and Conquer.)
But some games don’t fall into any of those categories. Games like…well, quite a lot of shooters such as Metal Gear Solid and Red Faction, and also futuristic games like Zone Of The Enders, Metroid and Deus Ex. What simulations could these be classed as? Well, I guess there are a few stealth assassins out there like Solid Snake. Is there a name for that sort of simulation? A stealth-sim? Maybe, but there aren’t enough of these sorts of games to actually give it a name like that. But still, it’s a simulation of some kind. What would you class Perfect Dark as? Perhaps PDark, as well as other sci-fi shooters like Aliens vs Predator AREN’T simulations, as do you ever hear about people going round killing aliens called Elvis? Do you ever hear about hundreds of aliens with green blood, a strange, blood-crazy creature and some Soldiers battling it out? No, not really. These don’t happen in real life (although, you never know, do you? {)
But for the moment, we shall ignore those games. Put them to one side for a bit, and concentrate on games that are actual simulations of real life. Why do people love to play games? Because in a video game, you can be a Formula 1 driver! In a video game, you can be something many boys (and girls as well, no sexism on these forums,) have wished to be since they saw Manchester United take on Liverpool that day back when they were 3 years old-proffesional footballers. You can become a member of the Army in video games, taking part in wars and battles-in which you personally won’t be killed, but perhaps your character will. In a game, you can become mythical creatures, a manager of a football team, a Jedi Knight (okay, so perhaps there aren’t Jedis in real life, but it’d still be cool to be one,) a pilot, God, almost anything!
A boy loves Formula 1, and wants to become an F1 driver for Ferrari when he’s older. He can all he wants for it, but most of the time, he wouldn’t achieve this. Perhaps if he’s lucky, or very talented, but it’s not likely. What’s the closest he’s going to get without sneaking into Ferrari HQ and driving off in Michael Schumacer’s car? In my opinion, playing a Formula 1 game is the closest he’s going to get. Okay, he can drive karts, but the closest he’s going to get to being an actual Formula 1 driver, is playing an F1 simulation.
The same goes for most sports, with proffesional footballers being the most popular one. Only the very lucky and the very talented get to become players for their favourite Premiership club. Okay, you can play for your local team, but it would be nothing compared to the Premiership.
Are you ever going to get the chance to be God? Unless you create your own tiny intelligent species with your own hands, then the answer’s no. But with games such as Black and White, you can become God-at least to a reasonable extent.
I believe that most games are based on simulations. Creating an experience for the player that he/she is not likely to get in real life. In video games, you can become almost anything. And as technology continues to develop, and as most games become more and more realistic, hopefully these experiences will at some point be nearly as good as real life.
Thanks for reading, Ant.
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Why is gaming so special to all of us? Why is it so addictive? Why do we spend all of our hard-earned (or in my case, easily-earned,) money on boxes with electronic stuff inside them, and CDs/DVDs/Catridges/Mini-Discs which generate simulations on our TV Screen?
I’m not going to say, “Oh, because it’s fun,” although it is, and I’m not going to say, “Oh, it’s a challenge,” or, “something to do when we’re bored.” These may be true, but it’s not what I’m really trying to say here. I think the word ‘Simulation,’ comes into play quite a lot here. Basically, most games are simulations of something-whether it be sports, driving, an Army simulation, God sims and even simulations of being some sort of Commander (real-time strategy games such as Command and Conquer.)
But some games don’t fall into any of those categories. Games like…well, quite a lot of shooters such as Metal Gear Solid and Red Faction, and also futuristic games like Zone Of The Enders, Metroid and Deus Ex. What simulations could these be classed as? Well, I guess there are a few stealth assassins out there like Solid Snake. Is there a name for that sort of simulation? A stealth-sim? Maybe, but there aren’t enough of these sorts of games to actually give it a name like that. But still, it’s a simulation of some kind. What would you class Perfect Dark as? Perhaps PDark, as well as other sci-fi shooters like Aliens vs Predator AREN’T simulations, as do you ever hear about people going round killing aliens called Elvis? Do you ever hear about hundreds of aliens with green blood, a strange, blood-crazy creature and some Soldiers battling it out? No, not really. These don’t happen in real life (although, you never know, do you? {)
But for the moment, we shall ignore those games. Put them to one side for a bit, and concentrate on games that are actual simulations of real life. Why do people love to play games? Because in a video game, you can be a Formula 1 driver! In a video game, you can be something many boys (and girls as well, no sexism on these forums,) have wished to be since they saw Manchester United take on Liverpool that day back when they were 3 years old-proffesional footballers. You can become a member of the Army in video games, taking part in wars and battles-in which you personally won’t be killed, but perhaps your character will. In a game, you can become mythical creatures, a manager of a football team, a Jedi Knight (okay, so perhaps there aren’t Jedis in real life, but it’d still be cool to be one,) a pilot, God, almost anything!
A boy loves Formula 1, and wants to become an F1 driver for Ferrari when he’s older. He can all he wants for it, but most of the time, he wouldn’t achieve this. Perhaps if he’s lucky, or very talented, but it’s not likely. What’s the closest he’s going to get without sneaking into Ferrari HQ and driving off in Michael Schumacer’s car? In my opinion, playing a Formula 1 game is the closest he’s going to get. Okay, he can drive karts, but the closest he’s going to get to being an actual Formula 1 driver, is playing an F1 simulation.
The same goes for most sports, with proffesional footballers being the most popular one. Only the very lucky and the very talented get to become players for their favourite Premiership club. Okay, you can play for your local team, but it would be nothing compared to the Premiership.
Are you ever going to get the chance to be God? Unless you create your own tiny intelligent species with your own hands, then the answer’s no. But with games such as Black and White, you can become God-at least to a reasonable extent.
I believe that most games are based on simulations. Creating an experience for the player that he/she is not likely to get in real life. In video games, you can become almost anything. And as technology continues to develop, and as most games become more and more realistic, hopefully these experiences will at some point be nearly as good as real life.
Thanks for reading, Ant.
I’m not going to say, “Oh, because it’s fun,” although it is, and I’m not going to say, “Oh, it’s a challenge,” or, “something to do when we’re bored.” These may be true, but it’s not what I’m really trying to say here. I think the word ‘Simulation,’ comes into play quite a lot here. Basically, most games are simulations of something-whether it be sports, driving, an Army simulation, God sims and even simulations of being some sort of Commander (real-time strategy games such as Command and Conquer.)
But some games don’t fall into any of those categories. Games like…well, quite a lot of shooters such as Metal Gear Solid and Red Faction, and also futuristic games like Zone Of The Enders, Metroid and Deus Ex. What simulations could these be classed as? Well, I guess there are a few stealth assassins out there like Solid Snake. Is there a name for that sort of simulation? A stealth-sim? Maybe, but there aren’t enough of these sorts of games to actually give it a name like that. But still, it’s a simulation of some kind. What would you class Perfect Dark as? Perhaps PDark, as well as other sci-fi shooters like Aliens vs Predator AREN’T simulations, as do you ever hear about people going round killing aliens called Elvis? Do you ever hear about hundreds of aliens with green blood, a strange, blood-crazy creature and some Soldiers battling it out? No, not really. These don’t happen in real life (although, you never know, do you? {)
But for the moment, we shall ignore those games. Put them to one side for a bit, and concentrate on games that are actual simulations of real life. Why do people love to play games? Because in a video game, you can be a Formula 1 driver! In a video game, you can be something many boys (and girls as well, no sexism on these forums,) have wished to be since they saw Manchester United take on Liverpool that day back when they were 3 years old-proffesional footballers. You can become a member of the Army in video games, taking part in wars and battles-in which you personally won’t be killed, but perhaps your character will. In a game, you can become mythical creatures, a manager of a football team, a Jedi Knight (okay, so perhaps there aren’t Jedis in real life, but it’d still be cool to be one,) a pilot, God, almost anything!
A boy loves Formula 1, and wants to become an F1 driver for Ferrari when he’s older. He can all he wants for it, but most of the time, he wouldn’t achieve this. Perhaps if he’s lucky, or very talented, but it’s not likely. What’s the closest he’s going to get without sneaking into Ferrari HQ and driving off in Michael Schumacer’s car? In my opinion, playing a Formula 1 game is the closest he’s going to get. Okay, he can drive karts, but the closest he’s going to get to being an actual Formula 1 driver, is playing an F1 simulation.
The same goes for most sports, with proffesional footballers being the most popular one. Only the very lucky and the very talented get to become players for their favourite Premiership club. Okay, you can play for your local team, but it would be nothing compared to the Premiership.
Are you ever going to get the chance to be God? Unless you create your own tiny intelligent species with your own hands, then the answer’s no. But with games such as Black and White, you can become God-at least to a reasonable extent.
I believe that most games are based on simulations. Creating an experience for the player that he/she is not likely to get in real life. In video games, you can become almost anything. And as technology continues to develop, and as most games become more and more realistic, hopefully these experiences will at some point be nearly as good as real life.
Thanks for reading, Ant.
Page: