Social Impact of Games or Are Games Just For Fun?
by Anton Bursch · 09/22/2007 (10:19 pm) · 7 comments
Are games just for fun or can games make serious statements and raise serious questions about social and political issues? Should they?
Music, paintings, sculpture, photography, poetry, movies... Art has been a means of social and political discussion. Should games join the discussion? Are games Art? Or are games just for fun?
For the mainstream games industry I think the answer is a clear and resounding NO! But what about the indie game industry? Is there a place for a social and political discussion in the indie game industry?
I watched a film about health care in the US a few months ago called Sicko. I walked out of Sicko thinking that regardless of what anyone thinks of the social and political statements made in the movie... could a game be made that made statements?
I watched a film last night on DVD, one of my favorites, called Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. It was an action/comedy from the writer of the Lethal Weapon series and other films such as The Last Boyscout and The Long Kiss Goodnight. It's a very very funny modern noir film. One thing I really liked about the film is that in the midst of humor and action it had a lot to say about some very serious social issues: child abuse, date rape, homophobia, fame, murder, self defense, vigilante justice. All dealt with very seriously even though it was ussually softened with humor.
I've been writing short private detective stories for a number of years now. Kind of an on/off again thing. I've wanted to tell private detective stories for a long time and I've debated whether or not to try to tell it in the form of a game. My hesitation has always been that the story and the characters are not shallow. There is a lot discussed(not with lectures, but with story and characters) that would be considered political or at least heavy social commentary. Can a game be accepted if it has something to discuss about society and politics? I honestly don't know.
What do you think? Can games handle serious discussions about child abuse, slavery, genocide, curruption, rape, theft. What about health care, education, peace, fame? What about lieing, cheating, stealing? What about religion?
Can games take part in the discussion of the things that impact society? Or are games just for fun?
Music, paintings, sculpture, photography, poetry, movies... Art has been a means of social and political discussion. Should games join the discussion? Are games Art? Or are games just for fun?
For the mainstream games industry I think the answer is a clear and resounding NO! But what about the indie game industry? Is there a place for a social and political discussion in the indie game industry?
I watched a film about health care in the US a few months ago called Sicko. I walked out of Sicko thinking that regardless of what anyone thinks of the social and political statements made in the movie... could a game be made that made statements?
I watched a film last night on DVD, one of my favorites, called Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. It was an action/comedy from the writer of the Lethal Weapon series and other films such as The Last Boyscout and The Long Kiss Goodnight. It's a very very funny modern noir film. One thing I really liked about the film is that in the midst of humor and action it had a lot to say about some very serious social issues: child abuse, date rape, homophobia, fame, murder, self defense, vigilante justice. All dealt with very seriously even though it was ussually softened with humor.
I've been writing short private detective stories for a number of years now. Kind of an on/off again thing. I've wanted to tell private detective stories for a long time and I've debated whether or not to try to tell it in the form of a game. My hesitation has always been that the story and the characters are not shallow. There is a lot discussed(not with lectures, but with story and characters) that would be considered political or at least heavy social commentary. Can a game be accepted if it has something to discuss about society and politics? I honestly don't know.
What do you think? Can games handle serious discussions about child abuse, slavery, genocide, curruption, rape, theft. What about health care, education, peace, fame? What about lieing, cheating, stealing? What about religion?
Can games take part in the discussion of the things that impact society? Or are games just for fun?
About the author
#2
With all personal opinions aside, the creator of the game claimed it was meant to be a social commentary. He hoped it would spark debate, controversy, and most importantly, thought. The game was not created for profit, or even entertainment. This is definitely strange considering he could have made a movie or even a flash cartoon. Instead, he chose a "game engine." He created a game to present his thoughts and art.
Now, whatever you believe about the purpose of games, whether it be escapism, entertainment, or social bonding, the creator of "Super Columbine Massacre RPG" accomplished his goals using this electronic entertainment format. An Indie movie covering the controversy and impact this has had on society, particularly the skewed view of video games, has been made. However, I'll leave it to the unsophisticated posters of IMDB to cover that.
My own opinion and response to Anton's excellent post: game content can entertain, educate, evoke emotion, spark political controversy, present philosophy, and so much more. Honestly, if you are a game developer, how can you not feel satisfied, blessed, and challenged? While I read as many magazines, books, and articles as I can, I still believe the following:
Oral Transmission->Printed Books->Radio->TV->Games->???
Each format has provided a means of entertainment, but also provided so much more. Do not neglect the forms of delivery that came before games, but do not neglect the present and future of the new delivery format that has been dubbed "video games."
09/22/2007 (10:58 pm)
Frequent readers of Gamepolitics.com and gamers who take the time to study the world around them will undoubtedly recognize my response to this interesting .plan. Not long ago, a creative mind decided to use the RPG Maker 2000 engine (which, btw, was the first system I experienced game development) to make a game called "Super Columbine Massacre RPG."With all personal opinions aside, the creator of the game claimed it was meant to be a social commentary. He hoped it would spark debate, controversy, and most importantly, thought. The game was not created for profit, or even entertainment. This is definitely strange considering he could have made a movie or even a flash cartoon. Instead, he chose a "game engine." He created a game to present his thoughts and art.
Now, whatever you believe about the purpose of games, whether it be escapism, entertainment, or social bonding, the creator of "Super Columbine Massacre RPG" accomplished his goals using this electronic entertainment format. An Indie movie covering the controversy and impact this has had on society, particularly the skewed view of video games, has been made. However, I'll leave it to the unsophisticated posters of IMDB to cover that.
My own opinion and response to Anton's excellent post: game content can entertain, educate, evoke emotion, spark political controversy, present philosophy, and so much more. Honestly, if you are a game developer, how can you not feel satisfied, blessed, and challenged? While I read as many magazines, books, and articles as I can, I still believe the following:
Oral Transmission->Printed Books->Radio->TV->Games->???
Each format has provided a means of entertainment, but also provided so much more. Do not neglect the forms of delivery that came before games, but do not neglect the present and future of the new delivery format that has been dubbed "video games."
#3
But one thing that separates games from movies I feel is the fact that the player is the one who does the actions, so if they don't agree then is it fun? Of cause many things will work better than others.
I think educational games for example loose there touch quite often with what makes games fun. They think that putting in educational material in a game world will automatically be fun.
Same goes for social and political issues, they can't be too focused on that they leave the player utterly bored.
I think it could work very well as the underling story and world.
09/23/2007 (1:10 am)
I think games can be and in many cases have political and social ideas on our world.But one thing that separates games from movies I feel is the fact that the player is the one who does the actions, so if they don't agree then is it fun? Of cause many things will work better than others.
I think educational games for example loose there touch quite often with what makes games fun. They think that putting in educational material in a game world will automatically be fun.
Same goes for social and political issues, they can't be too focused on that they leave the player utterly bored.
I think it could work very well as the underling story and world.
#4
Ian Bogost, the main contributor to the site, was recently on "The Colbert Report" to discuss exactly this topic.
09/23/2007 (4:55 am)
To answer your question I would suggest looking at this web site: Water Cooler Games, "a forum for the uses of videogames in advertising, politics, education, and other everyday activities, outside the sphere of entertainment."Ian Bogost, the main contributor to the site, was recently on "The Colbert Report" to discuss exactly this topic.
#5
At the same time, a game must focus on fun, so developers have to keep any other message to the background. Or it becomes serious gaming, pedagogic mechanics.
We (the Frogames team) asked ourself this question when working on Penguins Arena, because our game try to delivred a message. After some discussions, we decided to use the game intro and the level design to delivred our message, but the gameplay keeps focus on fun.
09/23/2007 (11:28 am)
I think the answer is YES. Of course!At the same time, a game must focus on fun, so developers have to keep any other message to the background. Or it becomes serious gaming, pedagogic mechanics.
We (the Frogames team) asked ourself this question when working on Penguins Arena, because our game try to delivred a message. After some discussions, we decided to use the game intro and the level design to delivred our message, but the gameplay keeps focus on fun.
#6
Computer games have been sending out messages from day one, even if they weren't directly intended. However, they are perceived differently by different users. People have been concerned for a while now that Computer games are sending out violent messages. Granted games of this nature should be targeted to an older audience but up till now, I didn't really feel that the games had gone to far . However, when I saw Grand theft auto for the first time it changed my mind somewhat. Because I think those games went to far
But back to the idea of sending positive messages, or statements, or even just a thought provoking game. There is an entire genre of games called "Educational games". These games probably don't come to your mind when thinking about games that send messages because you probably haven't played on recently. Why? Because they are educational first, and games second. In pseudo code, while (playing educational game) { learning > fun }. Bluntly put educational games aren't fun
It seems to me that you are talking about reversing that to be fun > learning. So that the game is fun and everyone plays it. But the learning aspect or the message/statement you want to make is still there. But people are more likely to react to it since they actually played the game. It's been my long held opinion that if you want to send a message through a game it needs to be in the background, players will pick up on it.
09/24/2007 (11:47 am)
Undoubtedly games can make statements about politics, cultures, society, or anything else you can come up with. The real question is should they do it? and can they make it fun?Computer games have been sending out messages from day one, even if they weren't directly intended. However, they are perceived differently by different users. People have been concerned for a while now that Computer games are sending out violent messages. Granted games of this nature should be targeted to an older audience but up till now, I didn't really feel that the games had gone to far . However, when I saw Grand theft auto for the first time it changed my mind somewhat. Because I think those games went to far
But back to the idea of sending positive messages, or statements, or even just a thought provoking game. There is an entire genre of games called "Educational games". These games probably don't come to your mind when thinking about games that send messages because you probably haven't played on recently. Why? Because they are educational first, and games second. In pseudo code, while (playing educational game) { learning > fun }. Bluntly put educational games aren't fun
It seems to me that you are talking about reversing that to be fun > learning. So that the game is fun and everyone plays it. But the learning aspect or the message/statement you want to make is still there. But people are more likely to react to it since they actually played the game. It's been my long held opinion that if you want to send a message through a game it needs to be in the background, players will pick up on it.
#7
I disagree. I believe games, mainstream or indie, can and do reflect this. Games are just another for of expression. A different form of conveying thoughts and ideas, albeit one with interaction. I think this interaction gives games a much larger impact rather than a smaller. I also believe this is a responsibility we must take. It's easy to say it's just for fun and leaves no impact, but I think that's skirting the responsibility of games. Now is any for of these expressions responsible for the actions of a person, definitely not. Every person is responsibile for their own actions and blaming any form of media and expression is simply someone trying to justify themselves. Even with that said, one is responsible for their own message. Just like if you slander someone you can be liable to a lawsuit... games are no different. Whether people are trying to or not, their games are sending messages... whether messages of silliness, fun, and light hearted humor, or critical and harsh analysis of political situations. It's your choice what messages your games send.
09/24/2007 (5:34 pm)
Quote:For the mainstream games industry I think the answer is a clear and resounding NO! But what about the indie game industry? Is there a place for a social and political discussion in the indie game industry?
I disagree. I believe games, mainstream or indie, can and do reflect this. Games are just another for of expression. A different form of conveying thoughts and ideas, albeit one with interaction. I think this interaction gives games a much larger impact rather than a smaller. I also believe this is a responsibility we must take. It's easy to say it's just for fun and leaves no impact, but I think that's skirting the responsibility of games. Now is any for of these expressions responsible for the actions of a person, definitely not. Every person is responsibile for their own actions and blaming any form of media and expression is simply someone trying to justify themselves. Even with that said, one is responsible for their own message. Just like if you slander someone you can be liable to a lawsuit... games are no different. Whether people are trying to or not, their games are sending messages... whether messages of silliness, fun, and light hearted humor, or critical and harsh analysis of political situations. It's your choice what messages your games send.
Torque 3D Owner Alan James
I had other things to say, but they were eaten by a hyphen and my mind can't bring them back...Needless to say I believe any media/medium can be used to covey deeper ideas and or ideals...or they can be used just for fun and entertainment. I don't really have a problem with either as long as those behind it all are up front with what they are trying to accomplish, and don't overstretch their knowledge or insight into some nefarious land of covert propaganda and malicious intent...which can be from beliefs or agendas from every angle.