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I was just looking at my DC game inventory, and it struck me that EVERY single game in my collection involved beating some form of AI using gameplay skills.
There's RPGs where I have to beat monsters, Racing games where I have to beat cars, Football sims where I have to beat an AI team, Shooters where I have to kill the bad guys, and Tetris where I have to beat a high-score.
What is this fascination that gamers have with 'beating' things, having to come first, nurturing our will to win all the time? Is this just feeding mankind's natural instinct for aggression and competitiveness? I think it is, but we just don't like to admit it in today's politically correct society.
Could a game ever be produced where we don't actually have to beat something to complete the game, but have something else to do? Like building something that worked, or designing something so that it provided a function, a kind of 'Sim Architect' or 'Sim Scientist' or 'Sim Engineer'?
I don't see why not. As well as providing food for thought, these 'games' would be educational, something that improves not our gaming skills but our minds as well.
There's tons of educational and design software out for the PC, why not let these types of applications take advantage with the power that the consoles can provide?
This would open up a huge market, because as your mum and dad browse around looking for Metroid 7 or Black and White 2 or Quake 4 for you next Christmas or for your Birthday, they might see a 'Sim Skool Syllabus 64' or 'Dorling Kindersley DC Atlas of the World' or 'PS2 Physics' on the next shelf along, and get you that as well.
Consoles should be used for so much more than just gaming because the potential is there, the consoles are already in place, it just takes a brave developer or two to think of new uses for them.
There's RPGs where I have to beat monsters, Racing games where I have to beat cars, Football sims where I have to beat an AI team, Shooters where I have to kill the bad guys, and Tetris where I have to beat a high-score.
What is this fascination that gamers have with 'beating' things, having to come first, nurturing our will to win all the time? Is this just feeding mankind's natural instinct for aggression and competitiveness? I think it is, but we just don't like to admit it in today's politically correct society.
Could a game ever be produced where we don't actually have to beat something to complete the game, but have something else to do? Like building something that worked, or designing something so that it provided a function, a kind of 'Sim Architect' or 'Sim Scientist' or 'Sim Engineer'?
I don't see why not. As well as providing food for thought, these 'games' would be educational, something that improves not our gaming skills but our minds as well.
There's tons of educational and design software out for the PC, why not let these types of applications take advantage with the power that the consoles can provide?
This would open up a huge market, because as your mum and dad browse around looking for Metroid 7 or Black and White 2 or Quake 4 for you next Christmas or for your Birthday, they might see a 'Sim Skool Syllabus 64' or 'Dorling Kindersley DC Atlas of the World' or 'PS2 Physics' on the next shelf along, and get you that as well.
Consoles should be used for so much more than just gaming because the potential is there, the consoles are already in place, it just takes a brave developer or two to think of new uses for them.
Hmmmm.....
I agree, consoles could be used for a lot more. BUT, I think the idea of beating something is really the challenge of the game, whether it's NSF Terrorists, or a Ferrari F50.
Also, they COULD bring out the, "SATS Revision Pack," on PS2 or something, but who would buy it??
If I had a choice between something like Shadow Of Memories, and a new game teacing you about physics, I'm pretty sure I'd choose Shadow Of Memories.
But if developers DID make these games, then it might encourage parents to buy their children consoles, and it may also improve the reputation of consoles (which is pretty damn good already).
You're right though. If they can play games, CDs, and now even DVDs, then why can't they be used for educational purposes??
I agree, consoles could be used for a lot more. BUT, I think the idea of beating something is really the challenge of the game, whether it's NSF Terrorists, or a Ferrari F50.
Also, they COULD bring out the, "SATS Revision Pack," on PS2 or something, but who would buy it??
If I had a choice between something like Shadow Of Memories, and a new game teacing you about physics, I'm pretty sure I'd choose Shadow Of Memories.
But if developers DID make these games, then it might encourage parents to buy their children consoles, and it may also improve the reputation of consoles (which is pretty damn good already).
You're right though. If they can play games, CDs, and now even DVDs, then why can't they be used for educational purposes??
I was just looking at my DC game inventory, and it struck me that EVERY single game in my collection involved beating some form of AI using gameplay skills.
There's RPGs where I have to beat monsters, Racing games where I have to beat cars, Football sims where I have to beat an AI team, Shooters where I have to kill the bad guys, and Tetris where I have to beat a high-score.
What is this fascination that gamers have with 'beating' things, having to come first, nurturing our will to win all the time? Is this just feeding mankind's natural instinct for aggression and competitiveness? I think it is, but we just don't like to admit it in today's politically correct society.
Could a game ever be produced where we don't actually have to beat something to complete the game, but have something else to do? Like building something that worked, or designing something so that it provided a function, a kind of 'Sim Architect' or 'Sim Scientist' or 'Sim Engineer'?
I don't see why not. As well as providing food for thought, these 'games' would be educational, something that improves not our gaming skills but our minds as well.
There's tons of educational and design software out for the PC, why not let these types of applications take advantage with the power that the consoles can provide?
This would open up a huge market, because as your mum and dad browse around looking for Metroid 7 or Black and White 2 or Quake 4 for you next Christmas or for your Birthday, they might see a 'Sim Skool Syllabus 64' or 'Dorling Kindersley DC Atlas of the World' or 'PS2 Physics' on the next shelf along, and get you that as well.
Consoles should be used for so much more than just gaming because the potential is there, the consoles are already in place, it just takes a brave developer or two to think of new uses for them.
There's RPGs where I have to beat monsters, Racing games where I have to beat cars, Football sims where I have to beat an AI team, Shooters where I have to kill the bad guys, and Tetris where I have to beat a high-score.
What is this fascination that gamers have with 'beating' things, having to come first, nurturing our will to win all the time? Is this just feeding mankind's natural instinct for aggression and competitiveness? I think it is, but we just don't like to admit it in today's politically correct society.
Could a game ever be produced where we don't actually have to beat something to complete the game, but have something else to do? Like building something that worked, or designing something so that it provided a function, a kind of 'Sim Architect' or 'Sim Scientist' or 'Sim Engineer'?
I don't see why not. As well as providing food for thought, these 'games' would be educational, something that improves not our gaming skills but our minds as well.
There's tons of educational and design software out for the PC, why not let these types of applications take advantage with the power that the consoles can provide?
This would open up a huge market, because as your mum and dad browse around looking for Metroid 7 or Black and White 2 or Quake 4 for you next Christmas or for your Birthday, they might see a 'Sim Skool Syllabus 64' or 'Dorling Kindersley DC Atlas of the World' or 'PS2 Physics' on the next shelf along, and get you that as well.
Consoles should be used for so much more than just gaming because the potential is there, the consoles are already in place, it just takes a brave developer or two to think of new uses for them.