Monday, June 9, 2014

When Video Games Were Games

                                                                          
It was Christmas 1982, and my life would change forever. I received an Atari from Santa Claus with the coveted video game, Pac-Man. It was a simple game, but addictive; just catch the ghost before they catch Pac-Man and you pass to the next level. The next level meant the ghosts became faster, but there were also great prizes; fruit that gave Pac-Man extra energy & immunity for a time-span, to gobble those ghosts.

What's that you ask? Where are the swords, M-16's, or claymore mines to advance to the next level? You commented on the graphics? Don't like them? Not realistic enough? Can't hear the avatar breathing heavy as he crosses enemy lines? The blood doesn't look real as it gushes from an innocent victim (avatar) caught in the crossfire; which will cost you ten points?

I cringe when people call some of today's products to purchase for their Wii or Nintendo a 'game'. A game doesn't hurt someone. A game isn't violent. A game doesn't teach a child sometimes you must do the wrong thing to get promoted.

The Atari games of the early 80's didn't look real. They weren't real, and the children playing them knew that. Harry of Pitfall was a stick, who made beeping sounds when you hit the orange button to make him jump.
 
                                                                                


Many of today's video 'games' glorify violence and validate the 'end justifies the means'. The next time you see a child playing a video game, ask yourself why you are allowing them to play it. Is the child learning from the experience, and if so, what are they learning?