Monday discussion

What’s the big issue going into the future?

I believe the issue of games as media will be a big issue going into the future.  Media is used most often to portray a point or multiple points, and I believe that actually experiencing something is the best way to learn about it.  This is were games thrive and exceed all other forms of media, because they allow the player to actually experience the lesson.  With things like movies, music, and books, you are almost always a spectator.  With games, you can actually participate.

What’s an issue you want to talk more about?

I would have liked to talk about players and choice within a game.  I believe the amount of choice a player is given within a game is directly related to the level of immersion the player achieves.  If a player is limited in the amount of choice that they have, they can only engage with the game environment to a certain degree.  If a player has too much choice, they will have little to no indication of where they are supposed to go and what they are supposed to do.  The developer has to find the right balance to fit their game.

What game do you wish we had played?

The game I wish that we had played is Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.  The reasons for this:  Ocarina is a rockstar in the gaming world.  It was wildly successful and has a huge following even today.  Its blend of puzzle-solving, exploration, and fluid combat, along with great graphics for its time, allowed for a large level of immersion by the player.  The player could truly emphasize with the hero and wanted him to succeed.  You could explore a huge world and interact with a large number of people, each of whom were unique and often offer side quests or unique dialogue.