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David Rankin

4/18/17

Professor Kays

Eng 390

Video Games and New Media

Video Games have been a staple in the history of new media. For years, they have evolved from

simple running platformers and fighting games to ways of interaction. They act as forms of

escape for people. As well as new forms of interactions during playthroughs. They can also be

ways of expressing views with their messages in the stories while also being exciting hold a form

to them.

Games can also help fulfill three core needs in a person which also a reason why people play.

The first is competence a sense of completion and accomplishment that can be seen in most

games this can be seen in many platformer games. The next is autonomy which brings players a

sense of control in their games and the world around them which has been placed in many open

world games. Finally, they give a person a sense of relatedness making one feel as though they

are making a difference in the world that can be seen in many of multiplayer games.

Some scholars are discussing the use of videogames having a genre to appeal to the players. This

was defined as having a representational characteristic. While also using the more interactive

features of the games to create a more nuanced, meaningful, and critical vocabulary. They also

look to the aesthetic look of videogames as well. Describing how some games would stick to a
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regular play style players would seek out games that speak more about current topics. The genres

of videogames may seem like the standard genres may seem similar to that of a book and film.

It may be hard to explain why there is a love for such things like genre but it may come from

how videogames can create some moving and emotionally driven stories that deal with topics

rarely discussed on television. This can be seen with the game Bioshock Infinite many may see

it as a violent first person shooter but actually has a moving story that involves the use of string

theory that play heavily with the ending. On a television or film series this wouldnt have been as

successful but with the game having this interactive ending it brought in a great word for the

game as well as being a highly talked about topic on many online forums.

The creator of the game went onto state in an interview, The whole ending we could have had

as a cut scene with talking to each other. But we had to make that whole sequence interactive.

That was really tricky because it wasnt just complicated from development standpoint, but it

was also conceptually a complicated notion. But with this the players were able to piece

together the ending of the game and praise it to this day.

The videogame industry has created a new form of storytelling that can get the players involved.

Another example of this can be seen in the hit game from 2013 the The Last of Us that focuses

on a very choice filled ending. It involves the main character Joel killing a group of unarmed

doctors to get back Ellie. Throughout the game the player goes through killing zombies until

reaching the end when they must save the character Ellie. This scene gives the player of choosing

weather to let the doctors live or to kill them all. After playing the game for so long many players

went onto believe that this was actually part of the story and required you to kill the doctors.

Many didnt find out they have to kill the doctors until after the game was over and they went
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online seeing the different ending that others had discovered. The player acted in the mindset of

the character Joel appealing to this aspect of the game.

The videogame genres can be placed into four different categories: Platform, Mode, Milieu, and

Simulation. The platform genre includes most console and hand held games as it refers to the

hardware systems on which a game is played. Each design of the games change depending on the

console as the software is adjusted. This can cause a different type of experience as the game is

adjusted to cope with a new controller. Platform games can dictate what can on in a game

including the use of social use that will take place.

Platforms can bring enjoyment to players by having the use of strategy and action in games. This

can be seen in games like Pokmon that require players to create a team of six to complete the

game. The game can be seen as a turn-based strategy as it involves both players to take turns

when attacking for this some have taken a strategy in creating teams with a strong attack and

defense. Players of the game go out and search for a specific Pokmon to be on their team. Once

the team is complete they soon begin adding in and taking out certain moves with the TM

system that can benefit them.

In the action category games can be placed into two different subgenres first-person shooters like

the call of duty games that makes it seem like what is on the screen is what the player is seeing.

The next subgenre is the third-person games which is a common practice in most game that place

players in the body of avatars that are visible to the player. In these types of games the players

are placed in a world where they are running through areas getting past all of the minions until

they reach the boss.

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Many who seek competence in games are attracted to the platformer genre as they enjoy going

through a game completing levels and being able to see their characters grow as they go through

the game. The more confident they feel as having done everything in the game correctly. This

can be seen games that require level ups and give players objects that make their characters

stronger.

The mode genre of games is what appeals to the players. This can be known as the world that is

created by the game. This is also described as the spatial and temporal arrangements of the

games. One of the key features of the mode genre is how a game varies on how it is played

whether it be single or multiplayer. When set to a single player setting a videogame will follow a

solid narration. While a multi-player feature will focus take on a number of scenarios in which

players will join together and play against each other. Examples of this can be seen in many

online completive games. While allowing a form of escape to some the players while also

providing a sense of relatedness as a gaming experience that can best be shared with others.

Videogames have developed a large virtual community seen in many of online games. This has

created a larger form of social activity outside of a single-player game. While playing a

videogame a player may be stuck in a difficult task that they cant get past by themselves. When

in this situation, a player can go online to a lets play of the game their playing or go onto an

online form to find how to beat the level. After this many of go onto forms to discuss what they

did in the game and they accomplished it.

Videogames can act as forms of escape to some do their use of interaction and setting players on

a path to become heroes theyve wanted to become. This can be seen in open world type games

that allow players to take their own paths. It allows those playing to make the character in

whatever form they wish. Players are able to work out whatever method they deem necessary to
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play this do to their way of playing that they are comfortable with. An example being people who

prefer being up close in a fight will fit their characters out to be those who can lash out with

heavy attacks. Those who prefer to stay away from battles make their characters with lighter

clothing and made to attack from a distance.

Videogames can also act as forms of interaction between people with similar interest. An

example of this is the multiplayer system. Although people can still get together and play at

home the new system known as online playing allows those from around the world to interact

together and play. This can be seen with games like Over Watch and Dragon Ball Xenoverse. For

a game like Over Watch players all go online and play with those theyve never met before on a

mixed team. They quickly play with their strengths and weaknesses those who are good at

healing stay behind while those who can use a sniper rifle go to high ground and defend those

who prefer being up close in the fight.

This is done with offensive characters who are meant to take charge in the battlefield and do the

most damage to the enemy. Defensive characters are the ones who take control of the field to

stop the opposing team from invading. Tanks are characters who are meant to take the most

damage and lead the others in the charge. Support characters act as the most vital in these types

of games as they are made to take care of the other players and to keep their health from falling.

Players can also talk to each other if they choose to open communications they soon develop

straggles in order to win.

Games may appeal to those in other countries as well like how most games in America are

centered around action and adventure. Games in Japan are more heavily focused toward dating

games and dancing games due to the countries stricter lifestyle. Some people can connect more

with games from other countries which a reason why some games centered around anime come
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to the states as either English dubs or just imports. The same can be said about American games

coming to Japan as some Japanese players prefer to play the first person shooters that those in

the states love so much because it is something different than what they are used to seeing.

In a game like Dragon Ball Xenoverse and like other online fighting games while not only

having an offline mode with a story it also allows players from different parts of the world to

interact. This is done through the online mode where players can compete against each other and

test their skills together. They fight in the games using everything they have, to beat the other.

Originally this was done by having to people in the same room together but with systems like the

Xbox Live and the PlayStation system people can interact together without having to be in the

same room. They can also get together to form what is known as a party where they assist each

other in defeating stronger bosses that a player cant handle on their own.

These types of online gaming also lead into a sporting type of event known as the Eleague. With

different games that have come out that involves multiplayer and team work many have come to

form teams. These teams soon begin competing in different events at many tournaments like that

of a sporting event. By using all of their skills they begin competing with large players across the

globe to earn the titles of champions.

The next genre used is the milieu which describes the visual aspect of these games. There are

several established game genres for milieu these include: science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The

horror genre benefits the most with milieu due to them being enhanced by mechanical and

structural rules. This mostly comes from horror games relying heavily on shock value examples

can be seen in the game Outlast and the latest Resident Evil as both use extremely gory

scenes that the player cant take their eyes away from them. While setting them in horrifying
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environment and scenario, most commonly being hunted, where they are running from an

individual or monster.

Another system that many enjoy in the gaming world is the use of designing your own character.

This system lets a player design their characters based on how they prefer to play and their own

personalities. The games allow players to become visuals of the version of themselves they want

to be. This can also be known as character transformations. This is done in what are known as

RPG games that allow characters to have an open experience in a world that enjoy being in. This

type of game genre has close ties to the literary genre of fantasy. An example of this can be seen

in the game Spider-Man Web of Shadows" in this the character plays as either the good Spider-

Man or the evil black suited Spider-man. Players are given different scenarios that effects how

the game will end either with Spider-Man saving the day or Spider-Man taking over the city.

These games also take place in an open world type of environment where the choices one makes

a difference to the game.

The point of choices in the game is another appeal that draws many toward them. They give us

the opportunity to take risky choices without dealing with the real-life consequences. They can

be taken to other worlds and fight monsters without fear what may happen or blow up a building

with a rocket launcher without being a wanted criminal. Videogame designer Jane McGonlgal

makes a statement in her book Reality is Broken about how the workplace would be more

bearable by having a consequence reward system seen in most videogames. Games are

providing rewards that reality is not. They are teaching and inspiring and engaging us in ways

that reality is not. With this statement, she shows how with games we are able to focus on what

we want in life. Becoming the person, they have wanted to be in life.

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Games open the door to players to get lost in solving unsolvable problems. With the problems,

we see today in the world many seem to lose hope. But with solving gaming issues like beating a

hard level in a game brings hope to people with trying to find a solution to a problem. They also

open players up to getting new opportunities. They provide needs that many people want to

fulfil. While also being able to tell a compelling story that allows players to take risk that would

have consequences in real life. They also open up to the idea of having a community where

others can talk and give advice.

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