But of course...

Right on the tail of my last post I ran across an article examining a recent study by BYU that says playing video games (any kind, not just the violent kind) is bad for you. Here's a quote:

The impact of videogames on relationships is described as statistically "modest," but according to BYU Professor Laura Walker, the lead author on the report, "Everything we found associated with videogames came out negative." Women who play videogames "a lot" have lower self-esteem (presumably than women who don't play) while gamers who play daily smoke marijuana twice as much as "other players" and three times as much as people who don't play games at all.

Now take a second and think about that approach. Does something seem a little funny to you? A little...off?

I believe that those doing the study began with a bias against gaming and therefore (possibly subconsciously) skewed the results.

Isn't it possible that girls who have a low self-esteem tend to play more video games and not the other way around? Isn't it possible that people who smoke a lot of marijuana gravitate towards video games (something regarded as fun to many while high)? This team took two pieces of information and came up with a result; but they had to figure out which piece of information was the catalyst for the other.

For example: I notice that there are periods during the 24-hour cycle where the sun is not visible; and I also notice that there are periods during the cycle that it is significantly cooler than other times. I now have three choices for a conclusion. Either 1) The temperature often cools due to the lack of the sun, or 2) The sun is not visible due to the cold temperature, or 3) These two observations are not actually related and it is coincidence (or some other factor) that they happen at the same time.

Now you and I know that at night, when there is no sun, it is often cooler than when the sun is blazing. We would never think to say that a cold weather front moves in and forces the sun to slip below the horizon. But the BYU team found that there were girls who have low self-esteem, and that often times these girls played video games, and concluded that games lead to low self-esteem (not the other way around (which is totally feasible) or deciding that many, many other factors come into play).

This is simply a perfect example of how society at large views video games and those who play them.

::
::

p.s. What if those girls have a low self-esteem because they very much enjoy themselves when playing video games but people like the BYU team keep telling them they are rejects for doing so?

A Valid Complaint

Yeah yeah, I already posted tonight...but I want to post again. You have a problem with that? Too bad anonymous imaginary friend I am arguing with, I defy your wishes!

Anyway, on to the topic at hand:

I play video games. Yeah, you heard me...I'm admitting to playing video games. There is some kind of strange mark of the reject applied to anyone in today's age who plays video games (at least those over the age of 15 or so) that I don't understand. We're fine with alcoholics (at least functioning alcoholics), street racers, weightlifting fiends, and a myriad of other bizarre (or harmful) activities; but the moment you say you play video games people get this look in their eye that says, "oh, you're one of those."

Well, video games not only relieve stress and supply entertainment; but they do so in a way that is (in all non-extreme cases) harmless.

Video game playing is, in my opinion, on par with the audiophile's hunt for perfect sound and the best albums or even the film student who can't get enough of new techniques and methods for making movies.

Enough of that...that wasn't even the point I was going to make. But I felt I should preface my point with that in case you began reading my rant about video games and tuned out due to a predisposed objection to gamers.

The point at hand: The Drive for Realism in Video Games and it's Impact on Games

There are two major trends in video games right now, those who want to make/play games as realistic and close to our non-gaming world as possible, and those who want the fantastical and out-of-this-worldness.

For a miniature case study, I will look at two games: Grand Theft Auto 4, and Saint's Row 2. Here we go!

GTA 4

GTA 4 cost around $100,000,000 to make (yes, you read that right, one-hundred-million). It is, without a doubt, one of the most realistic representations of a living breathing world in a video game ever created. As you walk around you will witness gunfights, street vendors, car accidents, and regular pedestrian life (and it will be happening whether you are there to witness it or not). The city is dirty and grey-brown and eroding like you would expect if you were walking the streets of NY city. Cars handle like their real-world counterparts and cops flank and call for backup like they would do if being attacked. Everything is as perfect as possible with today's technology.

But is that a good thing?

The colors (other than the sky and occasional park vista) are non-attention-grabbing and the physics system leaves one unable to partake in the supernatural feats usually associated with video games. The main character is an anti-hero who both demands pity and garners hatred. Many of the side-quests are as mundane as delivering pedestrians to their desired locations in a taxi (hopefully without killing them in the process with Evil Knievel style stunt-driving) or taking your friends out bowling or eating in order to keep their friendship.

The bottom line: The realism is amazing. From dust particles in the air to voice acting, everything is awe-inspiring to some extent. Yet something about the game reeks of everyday life in such a way that the game almost feels like a job. Whether it's "Oh, I need to take Michelle out on a date or she'll dump me," or the first 8 hours of the game that are steeped in tutorials (due to complexity), the amount of fun can easily be lost.

Saints Row 2

I'll admit, I ignored this game for months because it sounded so pedantic, so immature that I couldn't see it being any good. I rented it solely because the Blockbuster near my house sucks and never stocks the games desired by the masses. I fired it up, expecting nothing more than a few hours of mindless gunplay; but I was given much, much more.

The graphics are cartoony (compared to GTA 4), the voice acting isn't quite Hollywood worthy, the physics are a little bit wonky, and the goal of the game leads you to the absurd and back.

But is that a bad thing?

With bright colors, more character customization than GTA 4, an easy learning curve (which ramps up appropriately for those desiring controller-throwing hardness), and general insanity coursing through the game's veins, it doesn't take long to revert the player to a place where fun is once more the goal.

When Mario jumped 5-times his own height and swam underwater with no breathing apparatus people didn't jump on the forums and scream, "Wut?!? This game iz totaly stoopid! Mario couldnt do all that sh**!!!1" In the same way, the anti-hero of Saint's Row can spray fecal matter onto high-end housing to lower pricing, smoke a joint anywhere in public, partake in massive gun battles in old churches, and do most anything he or she wants with nearly no repercussions.

The bottom line: The realism is lacking (people don't fall off motorcycles when you hit them at 80mph in your car) which, in turn, lessens the amount of drama raised by the cut-scenes (and the overall story); but who cares? The game lets you revel in base tendencies or be a nearly perfect citizen (e.g. you only get points for killing gang members, and you get extra points for avoiding other cars). In other words, the game is actually fun.

The Actual Bottom Line

There is a place for realism and there is a place for fantasy. Case in point: a film called The Brown Bunny came out in 2003 at the Cannes Film Festival. This film was only 93 minutes long; but (from what I am told) the first 80 or so minutes are a man on a motorcycle traveling cross-country (with brief interruptions for flashbacks, etc) in order to meet the only woman who can satisfy his loneliness (read: the woman who will fellate him (yes, actually doing the act) at the end of the film). The film was realistic in that his travel time was supposedly close to accurate and the audience has to (or gets to) live every minute with him on the way to his destination. But is that great film making, or experimental crap?

Another (even better) example is a game called Desert Bus which simulates a drive from Tucson Arizona to Reno Nevada in a bus that tops out at 45mph. This trip takes about 8 hours and no pretty scenery is added for the players benefit. Also, the bus veers slightly to the right which means the player has no way of rigging the controls and stepping away for a break. Once the player makes it to Vegas, the bus turns around and starts heading back. There is no end. Penny Arcade even made a fundraiser out of the game (apparently the inanity of the game has drawn much attention as well as people determined to conquer the boredom.

The point of the last two examples? Realism isn't always a good thing. Do we, as consumers, want to come home from our extraordinarily real lives just to partake in faux realism (whether movies, TV, or games)? Probably not. So a game like GTA 4 has a serious mark against it. Then again, when a game offers character creation or naming of a character, why do most people make a digital duplicate of him or herself? If we can put ourselves in a hyper-realistic (yet simultaneously fake) environment, we can act in ways totally opposite to our morals, ethics, and values, but with no repercussions. So Saint's Row 2 has a mark against it (due to the lack of believability).

In my humble (read: non-programmer, non-gaming company executive, non-gaming investor) opinion, game makers need to make up their minds. Too much realism breeds boredom and repetition (yet offers possible escape from our normal realistic lives) and too much fantasy leads to goofiness and fluff. The answer to the problem? Stop walking the fine line. Make a crazily-realistic game and give up trying to make it realistic plus being funny, surreal, and touching. Those who want to escape into a very realistic alternate reality will play it and love it. Or, make a fantastical game that doesn't also try to be uber-dramatic, impactful, and semi-realistic. Those who don't want to deal with which camouflage to pick or whether leaving a dead guard on the ground will alert the other guards will flock to it.

In other words: pick a genre, make a kick-ass game, and give up trying to be everything at once (how many dramatic-romantic-comedic-documentaries have you seen?). Oh, and make it fun...please.

Heh

So, a quick thought on blinds. I have always thought that, if I want privacy in my room (e.g. I'm getting dressed after a shower) I should turn the blinds facing down. You know, so the only way to see in your window would be by getting at an extreme angle below the window...and even then, all you would be able to see is the ceiling.

Tonight, I have realized a flaw in my theory.

I live in a condo complex that is 2 stories. I live on the first floor. From my backyard (or should I say "back strip of concrete and a little dirt") I can see the windows of some of my second story neighbors. Most of which, I noticed, have the blinds pointed in the position that I just described.

Maybe this is a bad idea when the downward position means I can (as just happened to me) see into your room, the wall the TV is on, and you're watching porn.

Just a thought. Maybe turn those things facing up if you're on the second story.

Oh no!

I've been TAGGED!

I know that it's incredibly unlikely that you are reading this post and still have no idea what this whole "tagging" thing is about; but I'll recap anyway. The farthest back I can go is Aro who tagged a group including Megan; and then somehow Ed was tagged (Megan ignored the "tag other people" rule) who then tagged me. I must admit, I was secretly coveting all those tagged and was holding my breath hoping it would be my turn soon. Now that it's my turn, I'm worried that I have nothing to say. But here goes!

No...wait, I'm going to interject a mini-post I've been meaning to write before I write my 7 things. Sorry, you'll have to endure my ramblings if you want to read my oh-so-exciting "stuff about me."

New year's eve was a truly amazing event and I wanted to say a few words about it. Megan and I met a group of friends and went to Together as One which, if you don't know, is an organization who puts on massive events. This one was at the LA Coliseum which can fit about 115,000 people (including the field area). Add to that outside tents and the number jumps to something quite absurd. We all got in around 11:40pm, made our way to the very top row of seats, and looked out at a view indescribable by words.

Thousands of people rang in the new year with us and then proceeded to partake in Armin Van Buuren spinning everything from well known hits to remixes of Obama speeches. Hours passed with amazing lights, fantastic music, and great friends. It was, in a word, perfect. There was no better way to begin a year that I'm sure will be full of major (and wonderful) changes.
Anyway, on to the reason for this post...I've been tagged!

7 Strange or Weird Things About Me!
(Wow, it's much harder to think of things than I expected...)

1 - The first instrument I learned was the trumpet (I'm not counting the recorder. Hot Crossed Buns in a shrill squeal does not count in my opinion). Our group was designated to play the typical graduation song for the 8th graders and this seemed like a vastly important task to me. While cleaning the spit valve of my trumpet next to the sink (where my mom was washing dishes), I accidentally knocked my mouthpiece into the running garbage disposal. A horrible metal-on-metal clanking ensued and my mouthpiece was dinged and semi-mutilated. Lacking a replacement mouthpiece, and the graduation being only days away, I continued to practice diligently. As you might know, brass instruments take vibration of the lips against the mouthpiece. By the time we performed for graduation my lips were cut and bleeding due to metal protrusions caused by the garbage disposal. And so began dedication to any given craft, even to the point of personal pain.

2 - I have lied (possibly read: exaggerated) on every resume I have ever submitted. E.g. The boss of my first serving job thought I had worked at least 2 restaurants prior to applying to his restaurant.

3 - I didn't have my first full alcoholic beverage until the age of 20. By "full" I mean a drink all to myself...I had partaken in sips of wine before said age.

4 - I played the role of Bill Sykes in the musical Oliver when I was in Jr. High despite the fact that I cannot sing. The first night of the play I walked on stage for my big song (My Name) and froze. I went a full two stanzas into the song and all I could do was utter a couple of "err"s and "uhh"s. It was, at that point, the most embarrassing moment of my life.

5 - [Disclaimer: this one is kinda graphic, skip if you are easily offended] Before I was ever given the big sex talk, my friends and I (in elementary school, not sure what grade) had a huge argument about sex (which none of us knew anything about). The argument was between my best friend and I and the subject was whether typical sexual intercourse was in the "front hole" or the "back hole" (we didn't even know the terminology).

6 - A girl who I thought was a friend (I later realized the truth) in high school convinced all my other friends that I tried to commit suicide. I, to this day, do not know what made her think that was true (or if she had some other agenda).

7 - I once packed 6 people into my 2-seater convertible in order to get all of us to a location to shoot a scene for a student film that never saw the light of day.

Alright, there's a few tidbits for ya. I don't know anyone whose site I regularly visit who had not already been tagged, so I'll accept that I'm the end of the line. If you have a blog and have not done this, consider yourself tagged. It's fun to try and think of things that your close friends don't know of.

Hope everyone is having a great beginning to the new year!

Ed posted this quote recently and it really struck a cord with me, so I'm going to share it with you in case you don't frequent both sites:

Why do I make room in my mind for such filth and nonsense? Do I hope that if feeling disguises itself as thought I shall feel less? Aren't all these notes the senseless writhings of a man who won't accept the fact that there is nothing we can do with suffering except to suffer it? Who still thinks there is some device (if only he could find it) which will make pain not to be pain. It doesn't really matter whether you grip the arms of the dentist's chair or let your hands lie in you lap. The drill drills on.
- C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed, p 33.

So this is the new year...

I had this trend of making new year's resolutions and then checking up on how I did once January of the next year hit. The internet's death-grip on me has loosened over time and I have slipped into complacency in areas that once seemed indescribably important to me. My compatriot Aro recently posted his new year's resolutions much in the same vein of my past posts and inspired (read: guilted) me to resurrect ancient traditions.

New Year's Resolutions - 2009

1 - Find a new job (something in the film world)

2 - Find a new place to live (dependent on resolution #1)

3 - Make a positive major life change (something other than #1 or #2)

4 - Finish Brother's Karamozov and read at least 10 more chapters in Ulysses

5 - Go to the gym more

6 - Grow (whether personally or professionally) in both writing and art

Ok, so there we go. That seems ambitious enough for my taste. In other news, I'll tell ya'll about my new year's eve in a later post. It's late enough that I feel as if I'm indulging in my minor insomnia by writing in the first place, let alone writing about detailed events.

Happy new year to you all and I sincerely hope this is the best year of your life.