Name: Anonymous 2014-05-23 15:31
David Cage: The Problem With Video Games is That They Are Too Much Like Video Games
In a recent interview with Play Magazine, David Cage claims that video games are the most fascinating medium ever made; however, the potential to become meaningful like films and books are wasted to all but a few. The problem lies in treating video games like video games he says.
“The moment a person holds a video game controller in their hands, all potential for that game to become meaningful is instantly lost,” wrote Cage in a follow-up article for Le Nouvel Observateur. He claims that video games need to become less like video games in order to become more like films and novels. Levels, bosses, and gameplay are all meaningless to people who require intelligent stimulation that truly feeds the mind.
Cage says the impetus for the original interview came from the realization that his video games are bad. He recently read a novelization of Beyond: Two Souls that was written by a dedicated fan who wanted the story to make more sense. Afterwards, Cage went on to play the game and realized how horrible it actually was. Since the problem clearly could not have come from his writing, the logical conclusion is that the video game medium is still in its infancy.
“As I stated before, games focus on simple themes and target teenagers who crave violence,” said Cage, “That is essentially the definition of a video game. I can not name a single game that does not do that. The closest I can think of is Sonic the Hedgehog and its pro-environmental theme, but that’s not deep enough for most people. Outside of that, all I see on the shelves are violence simulators that have no redeeming qualities like Spec Ops: The Line and The Last of Us.”
He even commented on the state of the video game industry and how traditional game makers need to wake up and realize that the world they are living in demands a more mature video game.
“Nintendo is slowly fading out of existence because of their refusal to adapt to what people actually want from their video games,” explained Cage, “Has anyone ever cried when Mario rescued the princess? Can you feel empathy towards a Goomba? The fact that Nintendo can not make a game on par with Schindler’s List is proof that they are incompetent.”
“And beyond Nintendo, most other developers still have a long way to go,” continued Cage, “They need to stop making video games that are essentially video games. I pine for the day where sophisticates can sit around a fireplace and discuss morality in the latest Call of Duty game.”
Cage knows that there should be different types of video games for different audiences, but then has a realization that maybe the audience for this mythical, meaningful video game does not exist.
“I don’t want to blame people for not wanting to play my video games, but they definitely are stupid for not demanding that developers make more games that are like mine,” remarked Cage, “I don’t want to dumb down my video games just to get more sales, I want to make them smarter. Smart people should not be avoiding my games, but for some reason, they do. I just don’t understand. Is there something about the video game medium that lowers our intelligence?”
While he sees nothing but despair for the future of video games, Cage says that there is hope yet from people who are inspired by him. He knows that there is at least one person out there, making a game that no one will probably ever play.
In a recent interview with Play Magazine, David Cage claims that video games are the most fascinating medium ever made; however, the potential to become meaningful like films and books are wasted to all but a few. The problem lies in treating video games like video games he says.
“The moment a person holds a video game controller in their hands, all potential for that game to become meaningful is instantly lost,” wrote Cage in a follow-up article for Le Nouvel Observateur. He claims that video games need to become less like video games in order to become more like films and novels. Levels, bosses, and gameplay are all meaningless to people who require intelligent stimulation that truly feeds the mind.
Cage says the impetus for the original interview came from the realization that his video games are bad. He recently read a novelization of Beyond: Two Souls that was written by a dedicated fan who wanted the story to make more sense. Afterwards, Cage went on to play the game and realized how horrible it actually was. Since the problem clearly could not have come from his writing, the logical conclusion is that the video game medium is still in its infancy.
“As I stated before, games focus on simple themes and target teenagers who crave violence,” said Cage, “That is essentially the definition of a video game. I can not name a single game that does not do that. The closest I can think of is Sonic the Hedgehog and its pro-environmental theme, but that’s not deep enough for most people. Outside of that, all I see on the shelves are violence simulators that have no redeeming qualities like Spec Ops: The Line and The Last of Us.”
He even commented on the state of the video game industry and how traditional game makers need to wake up and realize that the world they are living in demands a more mature video game.
“Nintendo is slowly fading out of existence because of their refusal to adapt to what people actually want from their video games,” explained Cage, “Has anyone ever cried when Mario rescued the princess? Can you feel empathy towards a Goomba? The fact that Nintendo can not make a game on par with Schindler’s List is proof that they are incompetent.”
“And beyond Nintendo, most other developers still have a long way to go,” continued Cage, “They need to stop making video games that are essentially video games. I pine for the day where sophisticates can sit around a fireplace and discuss morality in the latest Call of Duty game.”
Cage knows that there should be different types of video games for different audiences, but then has a realization that maybe the audience for this mythical, meaningful video game does not exist.
“I don’t want to blame people for not wanting to play my video games, but they definitely are stupid for not demanding that developers make more games that are like mine,” remarked Cage, “I don’t want to dumb down my video games just to get more sales, I want to make them smarter. Smart people should not be avoiding my games, but for some reason, they do. I just don’t understand. Is there something about the video game medium that lowers our intelligence?”
While he sees nothing but despair for the future of video games, Cage says that there is hope yet from people who are inspired by him. He knows that there is at least one person out there, making a game that no one will probably ever play.