Comments on: The Window to the World: What Video Games have Taught Me. http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/ Everyone knows girls don't play video games. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:58:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Jon http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7466 Jon Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:25:46 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7466 I find the phrase that "Games are art" to be a misleading art. Games have the potential to be art, of course, but this phrase somehow implies that EVERY game is art in some way. As much as I want to believe this, I know it's not the case. Yet it is this very same notion that makes an emotive game more effective than a work of art. You go into a gallery EXPECTING to see art, to observe every painting with the open mindedness needed to experience what the artist intended. With a game it's different. You go in with the intention of having a good time, and then when a game does illicit an emotional response you're unprepared for it, and it's much more effective as a result. "nothing else is so visceral, or marries an alien view-point with your own actions so decisively. " - A million times yes, best way I've ever heard this said. Thanks for the post. I find the phrase that “Games are art” to be a misleading art. Games have the potential to be art, of course, but this phrase somehow implies that EVERY game is art in some way. As much as I want to believe this, I know it’s not the case.

Yet it is this very same notion that makes an emotive game more effective than a work of art. You go into a gallery EXPECTING to see art, to observe every painting with the open mindedness needed to experience what the artist intended. With a game it’s different. You go in with the intention of having a good time, and then when a game does illicit an emotional response you’re unprepared for it, and it’s much more effective as a result.

“nothing else is so visceral, or marries an alien view-point with your own actions so decisively. ” - A million times yes, best way I’ve ever heard this said.

Thanks for the post.

]]> By: Jon http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7467 Jon Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:28:27 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7467 Oops typo, first sentence should read "I find the phrase "Games are art" to be a misleading one." Sorry. Oops typo, first sentence should read “I find the phrase “Games are art” to be a misleading one.” Sorry.

]]> By: Suzie http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7471 Suzie Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:03:42 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7471 @Jon - it depends, I think, on your definition of 'art'. Which is so tied up with culture, and highbrow critics versus mass consumers etc etc it gets quite tricky. I don't think you can say that any game completely lacks any artistic elements - even if the game as a whole is incoherant and crappy. I agree that we don't expect to have an emotional response to a video game though, and yet they are one of the most powerful mediums for delivering one (since we emphasise so closely with the central character). I'm glad you liked the post :) Thanks for reading! @Jon - it depends, I think, on your definition of ‘art’. Which is so tied up with culture, and highbrow critics versus mass consumers etc etc it gets quite tricky. I don’t think you can say that any game completely lacks any artistic elements - even if the game as a whole is incoherant and crappy.

I agree that we don’t expect to have an emotional response to a video game though, and yet they are one of the most powerful mediums for delivering one (since we emphasise so closely with the central character).

I’m glad you liked the post :) Thanks for reading!

]]> By: MrAnderson http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7491 MrAnderson Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:51:05 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7491 I really believe that Imagination is the key component in enjoying video games. Those of us who spent our childhoods as Batman, Davy Crocket, Luke Skywalker, etc. and spent hours at a time setting up epic battles with our army men (sorry I don't have any girl examples), have an easier time seeing past the reality of what our video game characters actually are -- elegantly displayed 1s and0s. I really believe that Imagination is the key component in enjoying video games. Those of us who spent our childhoods as Batman, Davy Crocket, Luke Skywalker, etc. and spent hours at a time setting up epic battles with our army men (sorry I don’t have any girl examples), have an easier time seeing past the reality of what our video game characters actually are — elegantly displayed 1s and0s.

]]> By: Katharos http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7503 Katharos Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:08:22 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7503 *cheers* *applause* (such intelligent feedback, I know) *cheers* *applause*

(such intelligent feedback, I know)

]]> By: FPSRantings.com http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7511 FPSRantings.com Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:06:26 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7511 On the top of my head, the most important life skill I can attribute to video games is 3D spatial awareness, which helps me in driving--especially in tight corners. This skill isn't something that one is born with and it takes a while to develop. You see, motorists don't usually have this ability when they start out. That of course is just one skill that I've learned. Aside from aesthetics, video games can be used as a powerful tool for education. We've all seen how video games are used for teaching kids basic lessons, or how flight simulators train pilots. Let's not worry about the medium's detractors. The future leaders of the world are gamers that play Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto. When the old die out and the young become the old, video games are just going to be one of those things that the "oldies" would look at in fondness, as the youth of that age are debased by a new medium that we gray gamers would view as corruptors of innocence. On the top of my head, the most important life skill I can attribute to video games is 3D spatial awareness, which helps me in driving–especially in tight corners. This skill isn’t something that one is born with and it takes a while to develop. You see, motorists don’t usually have this ability when they start out.

That of course is just one skill that I’ve learned.

Aside from aesthetics, video games can be used as a powerful tool for education. We’ve all seen how video games are used for teaching kids basic lessons, or how flight simulators train pilots.

Let’s not worry about the medium’s detractors. The future leaders of the world are gamers that play Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto. When the old die out and the young become the old, video games are just going to be one of those things that the “oldies” would look at in fondness, as the youth of that age are debased by a new medium that we gray gamers would view as corruptors of innocence.

]]> By: Kelly http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7545 Kelly Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:03:13 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7545 This post gave me warm fuzzies :) This post gave me warm fuzzies :)

]]> By: Suzie http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7547 Suzie Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:21:44 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7547 @ Mr Anderson - I agree, bringing able to bring a certain level of imagination to the table helps a lot. True of any media I think - the ones who role-play as the characters afterwards will get a lot more from it than the ones who don't! @ Katharos - @ Mr Anderson - I agree, bringing able to bring a certain level of imagination to the table helps a lot. True of any media I think - the ones who role-play as the characters afterwards will get a lot more from it than the ones who don’t!

@ Katharos -

]]> By: Jon http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7554 Jon Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:29:44 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7554 @Suzie - I'll agree that every game has artistic elements, but then these make up a very small part of what the entire game is. A character model in a game may be art in the same way that a physical sculpture is, but no one would call a character model a "game" would they? It's for this reason that I believe not every game is art, but all contain artistic elements. For every Shadow of the Colossus or Fahrenheit there's a million Fifa's and Gran Turismo's and whilst they may be beautiful in a way that a film or painting is beautiful, the act of experiencing the game through playing it is not emotive in the way art is. @Suzie - I’ll agree that every game has artistic elements, but then these make up a very small part of what the entire game is. A character model in a game may be art in the same way that a physical sculpture is, but no one would call a character model a “game” would they? It’s for this reason that I believe not every game is art, but all contain artistic elements. For every Shadow of the Colossus or Fahrenheit there’s a million Fifa’s and Gran Turismo’s and whilst they may be beautiful in a way that a film or painting is beautiful, the act of experiencing the game through playing it is not emotive in the way art is.

]]> By: Generic Enemy Number 12 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7572 Generic Enemy Number 12 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:51:47 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7572 That was a great article, I wish more people who are against games would read this. BTW, what is the name of the game you have a picture of up there? That was a great article, I wish more people who are against games would read this.

BTW, what is the name of the game you have a picture of up there?

]]> By: Brittany http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7578 Brittany Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:45:30 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7578 @GEN12: That's Every Extend Extra Extreme, for the XBLA. :] Also, Suzie, this was a fantastic post. I really enjoyed reading it...you should write us a whole book of these kind of things. Congratulations also on the EA thing! <3 @GEN12: That’s Every Extend Extra Extreme, for the XBLA. :]

Also, Suzie, this was a fantastic post. I really enjoyed reading it…you should write us a whole book of these kind of things.

Congratulations also on the EA thing! <3

]]> By: Monique http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7587 Monique Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:23:29 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7587 Brittany, the irony is that she nearly did have a book deal until it exploded :( Brittany, the irony is that she nearly did have a book deal until it exploded :(

]]> By: RiotMonster http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7643 RiotMonster Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:02:48 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7643 Omg this was an amazing article!! Simply amazing!! This should be published in your local paper or something.. my goodness!! =] It really did make me feel all warm and happy. I wish those video game haters would read this and think twice.. and just open their minds a little more.. Omg this was an amazing article!!
Simply amazing!!
This should be published in your local paper or something.. my goodness!! =]

It really did make me feel all warm and happy.
I wish those video game haters would read this and think twice.. and just open their minds a little more..

]]> By: Old-Wizard.com http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7645 Old-Wizard.com Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:23:34 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7645 Great article! Great article!

]]> By: Suzie http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7655 Suzie Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:22:34 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7655 Thanks for all the positive feedback on this article! :D Thanks for all the positive feedback on this article! :D

]]> By: Alyssa http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7682 Alyssa Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:40:28 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7682 *Joins Katharos in cheering & applauding* :) *Joins Katharos in cheering & applauding* :)

]]> By: Demosthenes http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7788 Demosthenes Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:05:11 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7788 Wow, Congrats if you ever finished reading House of Leaves, especially if while intoxicated. I found reading it sober was a confusing enough experience :) Great article btw Wow, Congrats if you ever finished reading House of Leaves, especially if while intoxicated. I found reading it sober was a confusing enough experience :)

Great article btw

]]> By: Corvus http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7801 Corvus Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:51:45 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7801 Great read, thanks for submitting it Suzie! @Jon So you're presupposing art needs to be emotive in order to qualify as art? I would argue that the entirety of choices made during the development of any game pretty much qualifies it as art--from the models, textures, lighting calculations, to the mathematics governing drift in a racing game. Besides, you and I may not have an emotive response to Grid or GT, but I know a lot of people who do. Great read, thanks for submitting it Suzie!

@Jon So you’re presupposing art needs to be emotive in order to qualify as art? I would argue that the entirety of choices made during the development of any game pretty much qualifies it as art–from the models, textures, lighting calculations, to the mathematics governing drift in a racing game.

Besides, you and I may not have an emotive response to Grid or GT, but I know a lot of people who do.

]]> By: David Lee http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7964 David Lee Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:04:07 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-7964 The most pleasing aspect in gaming to me is being directly involved in a story. Unlike books or in movies where you merely watch, in RPG games like Final Fantasy and Gensosuikoden you take a part in it directly. Your mistakes in the present will affect your future, like in real life. This is the one aspect games have that beats things like books and movies. Eventhough books have game books like 'Lone Wolf', it isn't as interactive as a game. What's nice to me in RTS gaming is the constant concentration needed, especially in games with units where you cannot afford to lose like Warcraft III, DOW Soulstorm and Starcraft. Rampantly getting your units killed will affect your overall performance, unlike in Red Alert II where you can easily churn out an army. This is a very nice article, made me smile amidst my boring class where the lecturer is mysteriously missing. *Joins in the cheering too* The most pleasing aspect in gaming to me is being directly involved in a story. Unlike books or in movies where you merely watch, in RPG games like Final Fantasy and Gensosuikoden you take a part in it directly. Your mistakes in the present will affect your future, like in real life. This is the one aspect games have that beats things like books and movies. Eventhough books have game books like ‘Lone Wolf’, it isn’t as interactive as a game.

What’s nice to me in RTS gaming is the constant concentration needed, especially in games with units where you cannot afford to lose like Warcraft III, DOW Soulstorm and Starcraft. Rampantly getting your units killed will affect your overall performance, unlike in Red Alert II where you can easily churn out an army.

This is a very nice article, made me smile amidst my boring class where the lecturer is mysteriously missing.
*Joins in the cheering too*

]]> By: Jon http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-9270 Jon Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:55:47 +0000 http://girlsdontgame.com/2008/08/21/the-window-to-the-world-what-video-games-have-taught-me/#comment-9270 @Corvus Yes, I would say that the very definition of art is that it's emotive. All the model's, texturing, graphics etc. are artistic yes, but artistic in the same way that a painting is artistic. If I take a beautiful screenshot from God of War that doesn't make the game art, it makes the graphics art. Who are these people that have an emotional response to racing games? I want to meet them. If by your statement you mean happiness as an emotion these games evoke, surely it would follow that something like paintballing is art? @Corvus Yes, I would say that the very definition of art is that it’s emotive. All the model’s, texturing, graphics etc. are artistic yes, but artistic in the same way that a painting is artistic. If I take a beautiful screenshot from God of War that doesn’t make the game art, it makes the graphics art.

Who are these people that have an emotional response to racing games? I want to meet them. If by your statement you mean happiness as an emotion these games evoke, surely it would follow that something like paintballing is art?

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