September 24, 2013 Outpost
Art that does not take himself seriously. The motor is junk
Whatever we think about video games, a fleeting look at the profile press (both modern and not very) shows that the range of aesthetic topics in them is extremely limited. The dominance of three directions is noticeable: fantasy (dragons, magic – mainly the Middle Ages), war (uniforms, weapons, vehicles – real or futuristic) and primitivism (pixels, retro, neon, minimalism – ironic or not).
Of course, any more or less enthusiastic player knows very well that exceptions are happening. But exceptions are exceptions. Unusual, highlighting games do not always pay off and receive sufficient attention of the public, and often go unnoticed at all.
A self -embarking ball
Despite the fact that players aggressively, almost autically protecting their hobbies, and the developers – their work, video games obviously do not perceive themselves seriously. Games are not a new art suffering from youthful complexes. This is a child who refuses to grow up. We understand that zombies are simply funny, dragons for children, racing are stupid, and war is not a game. But we ironically joke to any criticism, sometimes we pretend, deceiving ourselves that something really valuable is hidden under the poppy cover.
[[Bullet]] Tale of Tales consists of only two people – actually Michael and his companion Auria Harvey. Sometimes their friends-composers and invited freelancers are connected to them.
However, we are so reverent about the games only because they are dependent on them. And we do not take them seriously for the same reason.
We talk a lot about originality and depth, but when the next blockbuster comes out, we immediately discard smart thoughts and accept with rapture to cut the orcs and burn the aliens.
We dream that the games have cultural significance, so that society responds to our hobby. But at the same time, we want the games to preserve childhood – because without it we simply cannot live. We demand that artistic value arise from gameplay, which seems to us unshakable. And all because we are dependent. We want to play. Behind the trees we do not see forests.
Neoliberal consciousness
We prefer to cynically demand the assignment of a label “art” by works that definitely do not deserve it. We will rather destroy the very idea of art than we will adjust the games to its requirements. At the same time, the works created with a hint of highly artisticness are usually simply ignored – too complex, too boring, insufficiently impressive.
This trend is just part of the trend of modern Western civilization. It’s just that in games it is especially noticeable due to the strong influence of the Anglo-Saxon and American cultures that gave us capitalism in all spheres of life. Including in our souls.
[[Bullet]] The Graveyard. For obvious reasons, the game was met by the public very contradictory – the whole meaning of The Graveyard is that you are slowly shuffling in the role of an old grandmother to your death.
Society loves success stories. We want to win. And still, that someone is losing-they themselves are to blame, losers. We want to be popular. We really want. And to be popular means win. In the end, this is the essence of democracy, and democracy is good. And freedom is good too. We are inclined to the gods of our time.
The company of our zeal to popularity is the cult of stupidity. If earlier Homo sapiens was proud of his big brain, encouraged its development and admired exceptional examples, now we are collectively ashamed of our mental abilities. The world around us and its problems, which we created as a biological species, imply some modesty, yes, but it is not worth it to slide out and encourage the complete absence of any thoughts.
We demand that everything be simple. Complex means wrong. Truth in simplicity. We refuse to use our big brain. This is uninteresting and is unlikely to add popularity.
Not so young
Contrary to common opinion, the gameplay of most video games is an extremely passive lesson, not worthy of the potential of https://fat-pirate-casino.co.uk/ technologies that allow you to actively interact with the virtual world. In general, the games replace the possible freedom of the Code of Rules, which is comfortable for us just as for weak -willed people to serve in the army comfortably: you can not bother with our own thoughts and opinions, fulfilling orders.
[[Bullet]] The Path is a modern and, I must say, very unusual arrangement of the classic fairy tale “Red Red Riding Hood”.
It’s easier for us to do as it is said, without condemning, without thinking or taking responsibility for our decisions. This simple thesis is easily transferred to entertainment. Unlike other forms of art, games do not require us to look for pleasure in them, to work for its receipt. They tell us where to go, what to do, what to feel and what to think about.
Many use the novelty of the video game as an excuse of all format problems. However, the industry is not so young. During this time, at least some progress was supposed to occur. Children always try to grow up quickly, it is older to hold on to youth.
Yes We Can
It can be argued that the games will always be a little childish, that they help us to disable our children's impulses. Partly. This, perhaps, explains their high popularity in our time. But after all, video games, having relatively easily accessible and at the same time the most flexible technologies in history, are capable of more, it is even difficult to imagine – it would seem, forward, to art, even the invention of its new forms. No need to limit yourself to long -term genres. Cinema is not only militants, but literature is outside detective novels.
[[Bullet]], by the way, in 2009, The Path received from us the Anti-Guard of the Year award.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of developers openly shows the unwillingness to grow up, start a new chapter. It is necessary to choose. Or we will stubbornly grab the games, denying everything new that can be created with their help – and they will remain a cultural niche. Either we will accept the idea that they are able to be something big, mature and make our contribution to society.
New art for a new era
Video games need to lead society forward, and not be its slave. They can and, perhaps, should create a new way of thinking, a new lifestyle. It seems to me that we can all converge on the fact that society, our planet as a whole is in a deplorable situation. I'm not saying that video games are able to directly change the world. But the powerlessness of old arts does not help people solve their problems. In turn, video games do not suffer from the restrictions of their predecessors. They can inspire more inventive, more reasonable and more sympathetic behavior, push to communicate. Video games have every chance of becoming the main art of the 21st century. Art that will help society accept the changes necessary for its survival and prosperity.
It is not so difficult to achieve this. Everything is simple: you just need to change the concept of success.
Sincerity, not popularity
You need to begin to respect non -profit games. We must stop looking delightfully at glossy covers and huge advertising billboards, develop respect for sincerity, which is so missing in games. Not only in theory, but also in practice.
There is a conversation
We need to talk about works whose value is beyond the line. These serious work, no matter how invisible they are, must be shown and discuss as much as possible and as much as possible. We must simultaneously exalt them over the consumer goods and be very critical to them. There is little slight deviation from the norm, the format of the usual commercial game does not correspond to the desired level.
The banal phrase "This is not entirely a game" is meaningless. Of course, not a game. And does not even try to be it. Let's better discuss what it is. Let's try to understand what is happening, instead of raising my hands and squealing in despair: “I'm not used to this!"
[[Bullet]] The latest study of the studio today is Bientot L’Ete (“Summer Summer”). All that she offers is walking along a very strange beach to philosophical phrases that appear on the screen ..
The usual reviewing performs its function, it is definitely useful for evaluating products created as goods. But it has nothing to do with cultural, social assessment and criticism. One does not interfere with the other. It is necessary to separate video games that are not created for the market. Sharing, but not hide. They should not hide behind the high walls of the academies, they belong to all of us. And to some extent they must teach. We developers should not be afraid to educate the audience with good taste.
Our money is where our mouth
Simultaneously with the theory, it is necessary to develop practical solutions that will inspire the creation of non -standard work. At least there should be support. Here and there, governments and schools sponsor the development of games. And despite the fact that this is a good undertaking, social institutions are guided by their own goals that can easily change, especially considering that they are influenced by democratic elections.
The gaming industry itself does not fail if it begins to develop this direction. The expansion of the format and the audience can be a very profitable idea. And here, at the business level, we must become more serious. Yes, we all love shooters and platformers. But in the long run there is no economic meaning to make them indefinitely.
The gaming industry should invest in non -profit games. Ideally – for the development of society and culture. But if the indie studios are also guided by selfish and economic purposes, this is normal. The final result is the same: the framework of the format will become wider, and the public, public recognition and cultural impact – more.
The best world
Problems are clear, there is a solution, the advantages are obvious.
If we want, we will be able to get an adult, serious type of art, having a wide range of expressive means and genres. In current technologies, the potential has already been laid down, the variety of modern games clearly demonstrates. But we must get out of the niche.
Our habits and reluctance to discard what works, even if it works mediocre. That is why it is required to open to the world, open the doors.
[[Bullet]] … and playing no less strange chess (on the Internet or with AI), during which you can listen to music, drink wine and smoke cigarettes.
We must invite and support people who are ready to explore video games. People who do not necessarily share our love, but those who see the potential for creativity in games. We must help them, providing access to resources and technologies, in other words – to finances and software, which not only engineers can work with.
Video games must lead society forward, inspire people, learn kindness, and not be just a mirror that pleases the masses. We can be a change that this planet needs, the main driving force of the new art. But only if we ourselves want it.