Posts Tagged: videogames


23
Oct 10

The biggest problem facing the games industry

We have met the enemy, and he is an angry game nerd. So says NBA Jam developer Trey Smith on the MTV Multiplayer blog:

MTV: What do you think is the biggest problem current games suffer from?

Smith: I think there are a number of problems we have with the way games are being developed today, but honestly, I think one of the biggest problems right now is the actions and attitude of some of the gamers out there. You know who they are. If they spent less time spewing ignorant hate on the boards and in online games, and more time rallying behind the great games they love and helping to build a thriving community that welcomes everyone that shows up to play with them – everybody wins.

There is truth in this. I doubt anyone who has visited a videogames forum – any videogames forum – would disagree. And the comments threads on even the most genteel game websites are rarely free of venom. But is it really fair to call it “one of the biggest problems right now” with games? Continue reading →


18
Dec 09

What my television set can learn from videogames

People often pick up my Wii Remote trying to change the channel. It’s not a bad idea.

Observe the following evidence.

My Wii Remote:

IMG_0161

Continue reading →


16
Nov 09

Modern Warfare’s hollow victory

modern-warfare2

Two years ago, I was first in line to praise the mature sentiment of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Things have changed.

(The following contains strong spoilers for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.)

Almost two years ago, I wrote in praise of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

The game was, I suggested, about as close to an anti-war first-person shooter a videogame could get. Despite its surface of gung-ho militarism, there was a definite undercurrent of thoughtfulness.

Modern Warfare illustrated clear motivations for terrorists. It was hardly a simple case of ‘us versus them’. Things were difficult, things were complex. Our modern lexicon of images relating to the War on Terrorism was invoked, and twisted into a clever alternate meaning. War, said Modern Warfare, is not good. War, said Infinity Ward, is never good.

And despite the consequence-less appeal of multiplayer, and the cries of Infinity Ward wanting to have their non-violent cake and eat their violent fun too, I was able to argue that Modern Warfare held deeper meaning. In short, I was able to reconcile myself with the game; I was able to accept the images presented on the assumption that a greater and more important point lay underneath.

I am unable to do this with Modern Warfare 2. Continue reading →