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Videogames offer and portray many things, but for me some of the best and most memorable in-game moments are those of "aloneness".
Take Grand Theft Auto III for example.
During a wild and wreckless police chase there is something strangely tranquil about caning it on foot as a "5 star criminal" to a hidden place of safety where the cops can't get at you.
The craziness of Liberty City is going off all around you, but you have found an unlikely haven of solace, and for now you can just wait in silence thinking about what your next move will be.
For a few brief moments, all is perfectly still.
You are totally alone within the calm before and after the violent storm.
Many games have space for this "aloneness".
In the Tomb Raider games you could take Lara preferrably to a high location and just look down on the mysterious surroundings.
She was alone - you were alone.
It created a tangible feeling of immersion in the game's virtual realm.
The same thing can be said of Metal Gear Solid 2, where staying unseen and alone is the primary aim.
Hiding in the darkness of a locker as guards patrol and search the area is probably the best moment of in-game aloneness I can think of.
I think it is this in-game aloneness that makes using "Sniper Mode" so kickass enjoyable.
You are hidden from the enemy, but within your sights you can see them.
You zoom in on their oblivious minds and slowly squeeze the trigger.
POP.
It's the same with driving games.
I'm sure most of you take advantage of the Time Trial to just go for a power cruise on an empty track in your favourite vehicle.
You are alone with the open road stretching out before you.
Perfect in-game aloneness in motion.
I think what I'm trying to get at is that this feeling of aloneness in a game's virtual environment is tantamount to a feeling of "freedom".
It's like we can stop and just observe and take in the game's surroundings as if we were in fact that character in or on the screen.
In-game aloneness can also be found in the unlikeliest of places.
For instance in the driving seat of a Formula One car during a long and arduous Grand Prix.
I know it's not real, but you can become completely lost in the virtual participation and find yourself concentrating like IT IS an actual race and that the outcome seriously matters.
For me, this in-game "aloneness" or "solitude" (or whatever you want to call it) is a very important feature in the visual/gameplay experience.
It creates a feeling of immersion, and that's what gaming is all about.
Take Grand Theft Auto III for example.
During a wild and wreckless police chase there is something strangely tranquil about caning it on foot as a "5 star criminal" to a hidden place of safety where the cops can't get at you.
The craziness of Liberty City is going off all around you, but you have found an unlikely haven of solace, and for now you can just wait in silence thinking about what your next move will be.
For a few brief moments, all is perfectly still.
You are totally alone within the calm before and after the violent storm.
Many games have space for this "aloneness".
In the Tomb Raider games you could take Lara preferrably to a high location and just look down on the mysterious surroundings.
She was alone - you were alone.
It created a tangible feeling of immersion in the game's virtual realm.
The same thing can be said of Metal Gear Solid 2, where staying unseen and alone is the primary aim.
Hiding in the darkness of a locker as guards patrol and search the area is probably the best moment of in-game aloneness I can think of.
I think it is this in-game aloneness that makes using "Sniper Mode" so kickass enjoyable.
You are hidden from the enemy, but within your sights you can see them.
You zoom in on their oblivious minds and slowly squeeze the trigger.
POP.
It's the same with driving games.
I'm sure most of you take advantage of the Time Trial to just go for a power cruise on an empty track in your favourite vehicle.
You are alone with the open road stretching out before you.
Perfect in-game aloneness in motion.
I think what I'm trying to get at is that this feeling of aloneness in a game's virtual environment is tantamount to a feeling of "freedom".
It's like we can stop and just observe and take in the game's surroundings as if we were in fact that character in or on the screen.
In-game aloneness can also be found in the unlikeliest of places.
For instance in the driving seat of a Formula One car during a long and arduous Grand Prix.
I know it's not real, but you can become completely lost in the virtual participation and find yourself concentrating like IT IS an actual race and that the outcome seriously matters.
For me, this in-game "aloneness" or "solitude" (or whatever you want to call it) is a very important feature in the visual/gameplay experience.
It creates a feeling of immersion, and that's what gaming is all about.
SHENMUE and GTA3 are the best games for in-game aloneness.
Just go to a high vantage point and watch the weather change from sunny to rainy, and listen to the thunder roll.
Then observe the sunset as day turns to night.
Wait for the twinkling stars to come out.
And then watch the first shimmers of a golden dawn.
Ah, such aloneness - such beauty.....
Just go to a high vantage point and watch the weather change from sunny to rainy, and listen to the thunder roll.
Then observe the sunset as day turns to night.
Wait for the twinkling stars to come out.
And then watch the first shimmers of a golden dawn.
Ah, such aloneness - such beauty.....
A Link To The past on the SNES. Never have I felt so alone.
I agree with the feeling of aloneless in Tomb Raider. I think that sense has been heightened in games like Ico (I know you have a partner but you know what I mean), where you look down at the scenery around you and feel fully immersed in the experience
good post V.V.V.V.V.!
good post V.V.V.V.V.!
Videogames offer and portray many things, but for me some of the best and most memorable in-game moments are those of "aloneness".
Take Grand Theft Auto III for example.
During a wild and wreckless police chase there is something strangely tranquil about caning it on foot as a "5 star criminal" to a hidden place of safety where the cops can't get at you.
The craziness of Liberty City is going off all around you, but you have found an unlikely haven of solace, and for now you can just wait in silence thinking about what your next move will be.
For a few brief moments, all is perfectly still.
You are totally alone within the calm before and after the violent storm.
Many games have space for this "aloneness".
In the Tomb Raider games you could take Lara preferrably to a high location and just look down on the mysterious surroundings.
She was alone - you were alone.
It created a tangible feeling of immersion in the game's virtual realm.
The same thing can be said of Metal Gear Solid 2, where staying unseen and alone is the primary aim.
Hiding in the darkness of a locker as guards patrol and search the area is probably the best moment of in-game aloneness I can think of.
I think it is this in-game aloneness that makes using "Sniper Mode" so kickass enjoyable.
You are hidden from the enemy, but within your sights you can see them.
You zoom in on their oblivious minds and slowly squeeze the trigger.
POP.
It's the same with driving games.
I'm sure most of you take advantage of the Time Trial to just go for a power cruise on an empty track in your favourite vehicle.
You are alone with the open road stretching out before you.
Perfect in-game aloneness in motion.
I think what I'm trying to get at is that this feeling of aloneness in a game's virtual environment is tantamount to a feeling of "freedom".
It's like we can stop and just observe and take in the game's surroundings as if we were in fact that character in or on the screen.
In-game aloneness can also be found in the unlikeliest of places.
For instance in the driving seat of a Formula One car during a long and arduous Grand Prix.
I know it's not real, but you can become completely lost in the virtual participation and find yourself concentrating like IT IS an actual race and that the outcome seriously matters.
For me, this in-game "aloneness" or "solitude" (or whatever you want to call it) is a very important feature in the visual/gameplay experience.
It creates a feeling of immersion, and that's what gaming is all about.
Take Grand Theft Auto III for example.
During a wild and wreckless police chase there is something strangely tranquil about caning it on foot as a "5 star criminal" to a hidden place of safety where the cops can't get at you.
The craziness of Liberty City is going off all around you, but you have found an unlikely haven of solace, and for now you can just wait in silence thinking about what your next move will be.
For a few brief moments, all is perfectly still.
You are totally alone within the calm before and after the violent storm.
Many games have space for this "aloneness".
In the Tomb Raider games you could take Lara preferrably to a high location and just look down on the mysterious surroundings.
She was alone - you were alone.
It created a tangible feeling of immersion in the game's virtual realm.
The same thing can be said of Metal Gear Solid 2, where staying unseen and alone is the primary aim.
Hiding in the darkness of a locker as guards patrol and search the area is probably the best moment of in-game aloneness I can think of.
I think it is this in-game aloneness that makes using "Sniper Mode" so kickass enjoyable.
You are hidden from the enemy, but within your sights you can see them.
You zoom in on their oblivious minds and slowly squeeze the trigger.
POP.
It's the same with driving games.
I'm sure most of you take advantage of the Time Trial to just go for a power cruise on an empty track in your favourite vehicle.
You are alone with the open road stretching out before you.
Perfect in-game aloneness in motion.
I think what I'm trying to get at is that this feeling of aloneness in a game's virtual environment is tantamount to a feeling of "freedom".
It's like we can stop and just observe and take in the game's surroundings as if we were in fact that character in or on the screen.
In-game aloneness can also be found in the unlikeliest of places.
For instance in the driving seat of a Formula One car during a long and arduous Grand Prix.
I know it's not real, but you can become completely lost in the virtual participation and find yourself concentrating like IT IS an actual race and that the outcome seriously matters.
For me, this in-game "aloneness" or "solitude" (or whatever you want to call it) is a very important feature in the visual/gameplay experience.
It creates a feeling of immersion, and that's what gaming is all about.