That thing about games...

You know that thing… Just can’t put my finger exactly on it…


81px-Mario_Thinking_PM2.png

Video games are often hailed as the 8th art, and not without proper justification. But there's so much more to them. From their storyline, art, music, voice acting, cinematic, spin-off items, dedicated fan support and pure effort of their developers, video games could define a whole art genre on their own. It might sound like crap to some, but hey, so is 90% of everything else! What makes video games so special for each of us differs from gamer to gamer.

Nostalgia is one of the key factors that gets most of us attached to video games. That iconic Super Mario Bros. theme or the original Playstation startup sound sure evokes deep and meaningful feelings and memories to whoever spent quality time with them. Game companies have been accused of exploiting and profiting off our nostalgia but then again, they are companies, not charities.



Music is another major component of video games. We’ve come from Konji Kondo crafting the timeless catchy Super Mario Bros. theme for the NES to Journey’s soundtrack being nominated for a Grammy. We even have concerts and orchestra that perform for them. That the popularity and quality of video game music has grown so much speaks for itself. Without music, games wouldn’t be as meaningful as they are.


Did you check the recent performance of The Legend Of Zelda: Symphony Of The Goddesses?

Other games yet entice you with other features. Some, like the Metal Gear Solid series, have a strong and captivating storyline, albeit confusing for some. Others, like BioShock, tell a whole story with its environmental, visual and level designs. These aspects have been exploited in games more recently, giving them more of a sense of professionalism.

bioshock_games_no_gods_kings_only_man_desktop_1920x1080_hd-wallpaper-58311.jpg


Video game visuals are not to be forgotten. For long gamers have been dreaming of photo-realistic graphics but there’s a certain charm to pixelated games that won’t die, and is instead on the rise, especially in indie games. Moreover, video games visuals can be inspirations for fan art. For instance, most of my hobby drawings are based on video game characters, and they are what keeps this hobby of mine going. (Don't forget to share your fan arts for Temp'n!)

There are also, often less appreciated, features to video games. Take for example title screens, pause menus and even continue screens. These are all subtle pieces of work that forms part of the game and deserve our appreciation.

18nv05wy6d497gif.gif

I mean, look at Xenoblade Chronicle's title screen!
You might currently be enjoying those features, or others that are more appealing to you, by sneaking around in Metal Gear Online or keeping track of the current League of Legends World Championships or even by eagerly awaiting the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes to enjoy those features. In any way, don’t let the hype down. And let me know what’s it about video games that makes them so special for you!
 

Master Xehanort

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You know that thing… Just can’t put my finger exactly on it…


Video games are often hailed as the 8th art, and not without proper justification. But there's so much more to them. From their storyline, art, music, voice acting, cinematic, spin-off items, dedicated fan support and pure effort of their developers, video games could define a whole art genre on their own. It might sound like crap to some, but hey, so is 90% of everything else! What makes video games so special for each of us differs from gamer to gamer.

Nostalgia is one of the key factors that gets most of us attached to video games. That iconic Super Mario Bros. theme or the original Playstation startup sound sure evokes deep and meaningful feelings and memories to whoever spent quality time with them. Game companies have been accused of exploiting and profiting off our nostalgia but then again, they are companies, not charities.



Music is another major component of video games. We’ve come from Konji Kondo crafting the timeless catchy Super Mario Bros. theme for the NES to Journey’s soundtrack being nominated for a Grammy. We even have concerts and orchestra that perform for them. That the popularity and quality of video game music has grown so much speaks for itself. Without music, games wouldn’t be as meaningful as they are.


Did you check the recent performance of The Legend Of Zelda: Symphony Of The Goddesses?

Other games yet entice you with other features. Some, like the Metal Gear Solid series, have a strong and captivating storyline, albeit confusing for some. Others, like BioShock, tell a whole story with its environmental, visual and level designs. These aspects have been exploited in games more recently, giving them more of a sense of professionalism.


Video game visuals are not to be forgotten. For long gamers have been dreaming of photo-realistic graphics but there’s a certain charm to pixelated games that won’t die, and is instead on the rise, especially in indie games. Moreover, video games visuals can be inspirations for fan art. For instance, most of my hobby drawings are based on video game characters, and they are what keeps this hobby of mine going. (Don't forget to share your fan arts for Temp'n!)

There are also, often less appreciated, features to video games. Take for example title screens, pause menus and even continue screens. These are all subtle pieces of work that forms part of the game and deserve our appreciation.

View attachment 27224
I mean, look at Xenoblade Chronicle's title screen!
You might currently be enjoying those features, or others that are more appealing to you, by sneaking around in Metal Gear Online or keeping track of the current League of Legends World Championships or even by eagerly awaiting the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes to enjoy those features. In any way, don’t let the hype down. And let me know what’s it about video games that makes them so special for you!

Video games are my social life and I think the time invested in making them Is what makes It so special! I've always loved them and to see that they're special in the community is what drives my passion further! So game on, life is short and better spent having fun with friends on whatever console you have! The original Paper Mario is what drove me to like RPGs but I couldn't say what drove me to my video game passion. It is what it is!
 

HaloEffect17

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No need to be a dick. The beauty of this site is that we can write what we want to write and @Prans is a pro at starting discussions in all of his threads.
The guy's obviously a troll trying to get some cheap responses. Anyhow, games will always hold a place in my heart because of the experiences I've had from playing them as a child. It is those special moments that you never forget.

And, as usual -- great article, @Prans. ;)
 
Last edited by HaloEffect17,

chartube12

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Video games hasn't been seen as a nerdy thing since the early 1990s. They have become an acceptable form of a hobby. So why does this thread need to exist?
 

Prans

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@Minuteworld the point of this article wasn't focused on nostalgia or whatsoever but mostly on what makes games special, with nostalgia being part of it.

@chartube12 this article isn't discussing about how society views video games and gamers. Rather take a look at my comment just up, it's about what makes games attractive, which varies from gamer to gamer.

Haha, @DinohScene I'm glad someone pointed it out without me explicitly stating it!

Interesting how a community can drive one's passion @Master Xehanort. And with the one we have here at GBAtemp, you're sure not to be disappointed

And thanks for your comments @Ericzander and @HaloEffect17!

I'm curious about the kind of experience you seek for in video games. And have they ever disappointed you in any way @HaloEffect17?
 

Minuteworld

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No need to be a dick. The beauty of this site is that we can write what we want to write and @Prans is a pro at starting discussions in all of his threads.
and there is no need to be oversensitive. I just asked why this was in the news. seeing that I am a newcomer, I don't get how this site operates and I was curious is all.

sorry for asking a simple question.

please don't call me a dick in the future, it hurts my feelings :(
 

TeamScriptKiddies

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I've been playing video games since the wee age of 3 lol. First game I ever played was the original Super Mario Bros on NES back in 1990 (yes I know, I was late to the party lol). Ever since then I've had a love for video games. When I was young, it was solely for the fun factor, but now as I get older (and am now developing games), I appreciate the creativity and hard work that goes into video game development/production. Its amazing what some developers have achieved and how they have captivated their audiences.

I love games for the fun factor and for the hard work that goes into making them. Games ftw! :P
 

Ericzander

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Aint this guy getting paid, he doesn't need to be treated w/ kid gloves
Not true. None of us reporters get paid a dime. We write because we want to write. This isn't IGN. This is GBAtemp where the writers actually care about games and don't do it for cash. The most we get in compensation is that we occasionally get review codes for games or maybe if we're lucky a piece of hardware that we would most likely buy anyway since we only review things that we want to review. Even then, we often do pay out of pocket to review games. There's no quota, we just do it because we want to and we like the discussion and informing people.

I'm just trying to clarify this really fast... If Prans wanted to he would never have to post a thread and there's no pressure for him to do it at all. He does it because he wants to and I think that the guy coming in and demeaning him for it was in the wrong, even if he claims it's because he's a newcomer (who wants that to be their first impression anyway?)

Edit: Oh one more thing. Before anybody asks why there are ads if we don't get paid... It's because running a website this big isn't cheap and that revenue goes to keeping the site afloat. I have no idea if the admins or mods get paid, but I know that the reporters don't.
 

yuyuyup

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Not true. None of us reporters get paid a dime. We write because we want to write. This isn't IGN. This is GBAtemp where the writers actually care about games and don't do it for cash. The most we get in compensation is that we occasionally get review codes for games or maybe if we're lucky a piece of hardware that we would most likely buy anyway since we only review things that we want to review. Even then, we often do pay out of pocket to review games. There's no quota, we just do it because we want to and we like the discussion and informing people.

I'm just trying to clarify this really fast... If Prans wanted to he would never have to post a thread and there's no pressure for him to do it at all. He does it because he wants to and I think that the guy coming in and demeaning him for it was in the wrong, even if he claims it's because he's a newcomer (who wants that to be their first impression anyway?)

Edit: Oh one more thing. Before anybody asks why there are ads if we don't get paid... It's because running a website this big isn't cheap and that revenue goes to keeping the site afloat. I have no idea if the admins or mods get paid, but I know that the reporters don't.
OK well I assumed by GBAtemp "hiring" people entailed cashmoney dollars but I guess not
https://gbatemp.net/threads/gbatemp-recruiting-writers-closed.392241/
 

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chavosaur

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Hell I bought that Anniversary PS4 controller just because I get to look at that little original PlayStation Emblem in the center of it.

The sounds and looks of gaming evoke so many emotional responses in me that it's practically an addiction. And that's why it's one of my most passionate hobbies~
 

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