Alright, so Jesus doesn’t fit in with the other fictional characters, but the others are what I am interested in talking about today. I have recently been looking into the future of video games and gaming in general, as it might be a possible venture for me in life. I’ve been playing games since I was very young, as is the case with many of my generation. I’ve been obsessed with computer games mostly, simply because they are usually the most technologically advanced (how could a console be better off than a computer when a console is just a specialized computer? I digress.) .
I’ve been looking into this because the past 2-3 years have been astonishing for the gaming industry. While the economy has been floundering and fluttering this industry has only grown larger and larger and gained enormous strength. Interestingly enough, what was considered to be a “nerd” thing has become one of the strongest and most prevalent industries in our economy and culture. If anyone says to you “What profession is Mario?” what is your first thought? The fat Italian in a red jumpsuit jumping through pipes after mushrooms, or him thrown onto a go-kart, depending on your age. Another name that most of my generation will probably never forget is Master Chief, or Solid Snake, depending on your platform of choice. If you don’t get it, you’re either too old (sorry), or chances are you’re a girl (not sexist; studies show males are 90% more likely to play videogames avidly than girls are).
I looked into the future of gaming because there seems to be a want to spread this industry as far as it can reach, and that means pushing it more into the online forum than ever before, and to market to people other than adolescent boys (read: less “Coke-bottle” nymphs as sidekicks in games). Growing up with games always geared towards me was very interesting and I am very much excited to see where gaming will turn to for influences and how it will help to shape society.
July 22, 2008 at 1:25 am
Yo TheCakeIsALie, Portal some expansion pack for half-life 2, right? I’ve played through half-life 1 and 2 but haven’t played portal or team fortress 2 (which was supposed to come out like 10 years ago) at all. You said in your intro how some of us might get your name and others might be confused. When I knew it was Half-Life related, I could easily imagine the G-man screaming, “The cake is a lie!” at Gordon Freeman or something. Needless to say, Portal must be played!
July 22, 2008 at 10:13 am
Hey CakeIsALie, I always thought Mario was a pizza maker-maybe because I worked in an Italian rest during high school-loved the game but I too was addicted to it, and just had to give it up!!
Anyways, my COMM 287 is with Sut Jhally-it is AWESOME-definately make me look at things from a whole new perspective!!
July 25, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Response for Assignment 4.1
Hi TheCakeIsALie, I am sorry you had to go through the same experience that I had in school. Its amazement whether its school or society, if you are different in some way shape or form you are either treated as an outcast or differently from the others. If you think about not everyone I the same and everyone has their weird quirks. Like I was telling gym411, from my experience school is just a popularity contest and that should not matter, its what kind of person we become that should matter. Anyway I am glad that it turned out well for you, and to answer your question I am enjoying my major, it has opened a lot of doors for me.
July 25, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Well I think I can stop banging my head against the wall now-I’m getting it-it becomes less of a struggle everyday to take these on line courses. Yes-I’m actually starting to enjoy it! Took my first on line exam today for COMM 287-boy was it tough!! It’s a good thing I took such good notes and am sooo into the class or I would have bombed. Thanks for the encouragement.
So tell me where do you see the future of games headed?