Give games a chance
By Chris Stamas
Last year, I would often walk into my friend's room to find him entranced, gazing at his computer with an open mouth, playing "Karoshi Suicide Salaryman 2" on addictinggames.com. His dedication to computer games frustrated me. He memorized how to beat every level and could complete the entire game in less than a half hour. Internet flash games ate up hours of his time, leaving him in a zombie-like state.
Personally, I do not play video games anymore, and when I did, I always played sports games. Nowadays, I'll partake in the occasional NBA 2k10 or FIFA session, but nothing more.
Looking back though, I do have amazing memories of playing video games with my friends. We had epic late-night matches of "NBA Street" or "Major League Baseball Featuring Ken Griffey Jr." tournaments that spanned days, if not weeks. Although my nerdy-ness precedes me, I find video games an amazing avenue for entertainment.
That's why it hurts when I hear people rag on new video games in particular. People claim that games don't compare to the original Mario or that games are too realistic nowadays. People do not realize just how entertaining games have become.
Recently, my roommate thought I was watching the NBA on TV, until he saw the controller in my hands. As ridiculous as this story sounds, it is a testament to how life-like video games are nowadays. Sports video games look like nationally televised events, not only because of the graphics, but also through commentary, sound effects, and presentation.
And isn't that what video game makers have been striving for all these years? Instead of passively watching a game on TV, you can become an active participant. I can now live out my dream of being Kobe with the game on the line, or Tony Hawk executing the perfect 900, even though realistically I can only skate to the gym.
I've taken friends' suggestions and spent time playing the classic video games I adored as a kid. Once the nostalgia wore off, the games were devoid of any fun. Many believe these older games are unsurpassable in entertainment value, but sadly, this is largely due to memory.
During my youth, video game players resembled stick figures compared to their actual counterparts. Now, players not only appear life-like, but they play as they would in real life. Between plays, there are instant replays and the occasional sideline report from a well-known ESPN analyst. Today's video games even mix the game world with the real world. While you're playing, scores from real games appear at the bottom of the screen so you are up to date on actual sporting events. This might be extreme, but I'm not one to complain about convenience.
Due to the high level of entertainment video games have achieved, the video game industry has been booming. In 2009, according to the NPD Group, U.S. retail sales of video games earned close to $19.66 billion. In comparison, the movie industry, comprised of domestic box office and home video sales, earned approximately $19.5 billion. Yes, the video game industry is now larger than the movie industry.
Therefore, I implore you not to judge today's video games so quickly. Give them a chance, and they will shock you. Take a look at the beads of sweat running down the players' faces, or the way each player shoots or passes differently depending on how they would in real life. Look at the presentation, right down to the menu screens, which puts the gamer in a realistic atmosphere even before they start playing.
My friend no longer plays flash games, or video games, which is fine by me; they don't entertain everyone. But, I ask that you think twice before you judge, that you not be afraid, and perhaps that you even join the fun. Today's video games are no worse than yesterday's, and they might actually be far more entertaining.
Chris Stamas is a junior political science major.