March 2013
Game Over
Let's face it, there are going to be times where you mess up. This is even moreso evident when you playing your favorite game. Most of the time, when you mess up, you are bombarded with a message on your screen that has the words, "Game Over". This signifies that you game has ended and you'll have to restart the game from a certain point. So, is this necessarily a bad thing? And what do you do when this happens?
Imagine this scenario if you will, you're playing you favorite game and you've made it to the very end. You have worked so hard on getting to that point and you wish to complete the game. You're on your last life and you're about to die in the game and you do so hard not to get hit. You are hit, and you get the infamous Game Over screen. What do you do? Do you quit the game and go do something else? Do you play through the game again hoping to do better and succeed? Do you decide that the game is too hard and never play it again? There are many ways you can respond to this message and the way you respond is entirely up to you.
In some cases, the Game Over screen may be a good thing. If anything, the Game Over screen is a signification for you to try harder so that you don't wind up making the same mistakes. In fact, there are some games in addition to having a Game Over screen, also include a "Continue" or "Retry" option prompting players to replay the game. Plus, there are some games that acknowledge those who wish to take a break by prompting them to step away from the game for a while and come back to it later. So, the players are not the only ones reacting to the game, the game itself takes the opportunity to give you the option to either continue or to take a break from it.
Nobody likes the idea of failure, even when it comes to playing a video game. But we learn from our mistakes, and the Game Over screen is a signifier for players to try harder to avoid from seeing it again. But also, keep in mind that the game will also know when it's appropriate to keep going or when it's time to try again later by giving you the option to do either. So next time you get a Game Over, think for a second. Do you wish to continue, or do you wish to take a break for a little while? Remember, it may be a Game Over, but it's not a Game Over Forever.
Imagine this scenario if you will, you're playing you favorite game and you've made it to the very end. You have worked so hard on getting to that point and you wish to complete the game. You're on your last life and you're about to die in the game and you do so hard not to get hit. You are hit, and you get the infamous Game Over screen. What do you do? Do you quit the game and go do something else? Do you play through the game again hoping to do better and succeed? Do you decide that the game is too hard and never play it again? There are many ways you can respond to this message and the way you respond is entirely up to you.
In some cases, the Game Over screen may be a good thing. If anything, the Game Over screen is a signification for you to try harder so that you don't wind up making the same mistakes. In fact, there are some games in addition to having a Game Over screen, also include a "Continue" or "Retry" option prompting players to replay the game. Plus, there are some games that acknowledge those who wish to take a break by prompting them to step away from the game for a while and come back to it later. So, the players are not the only ones reacting to the game, the game itself takes the opportunity to give you the option to either continue or to take a break from it.
Nobody likes the idea of failure, even when it comes to playing a video game. But we learn from our mistakes, and the Game Over screen is a signifier for players to try harder to avoid from seeing it again. But also, keep in mind that the game will also know when it's appropriate to keep going or when it's time to try again later by giving you the option to do either. So next time you get a Game Over, think for a second. Do you wish to continue, or do you wish to take a break for a little while? Remember, it may be a Game Over, but it's not a Game Over Forever.
Storytelling in video games
There are many things you can become immersed into when playing your favorite game, as I have mentioned in several other blogs such as the music, the art, the gameplay. But there's one other aspect that makes the whole game and is what helps keep the game going, the story...or plot, if you will.
Let's take for example, the beloved story behind the original Super Mario Bros. Quite simply, really. That pesky Bowser goes and runs off with Princess Peach, and Mario has to get her back. He goes through a world full of Goombas, Koopas, and even Piranha Plants eventually making his way to the castle where Bowser is hiding. Upon defeating Bowser, Mario enters a room where a Toad is being held, who says "Thank you Mario! But our princess is in another castle!"
This is by all means not a super complex story to absorb, but the way it sets up the game is what really matters. The beloved Princess Peach has been captured by the evil Koopa King, Bowser, and Mario must venture through all odds to rescue her. Only upon entering the castle and defeating Bowser, he finds that his journey is far from over. The plot doesn't just tell a story, it sets up the main objective of the entire game. Whether it'd be rescuing a damsel in distress, destroying an entire alien race, or even just getting revenge, the story can be as simple or as complicated as it can be and becomes the essence of the entire game.
For those who think that the plot of the game is not necessary, stop and think for a second. How would you go about playing a game if you were not instructed what to do? The story is not just there to set up the main goal of the video game, which is to beat it, it helps guide you along step by step, telling you what needs to be done next. Sure there are games out there that tell a better story than others, but as long as you know what's going on and what is going to happen next, it makes the game much more enjoyable. Although, don't be too surprised if upon entering a certain castle, that you are bombarded with a certain message about the princess being "in another castle". It may seem cheap, but it still tells a story nonetheless!
Let's take for example, the beloved story behind the original Super Mario Bros. Quite simply, really. That pesky Bowser goes and runs off with Princess Peach, and Mario has to get her back. He goes through a world full of Goombas, Koopas, and even Piranha Plants eventually making his way to the castle where Bowser is hiding. Upon defeating Bowser, Mario enters a room where a Toad is being held, who says "Thank you Mario! But our princess is in another castle!"
This is by all means not a super complex story to absorb, but the way it sets up the game is what really matters. The beloved Princess Peach has been captured by the evil Koopa King, Bowser, and Mario must venture through all odds to rescue her. Only upon entering the castle and defeating Bowser, he finds that his journey is far from over. The plot doesn't just tell a story, it sets up the main objective of the entire game. Whether it'd be rescuing a damsel in distress, destroying an entire alien race, or even just getting revenge, the story can be as simple or as complicated as it can be and becomes the essence of the entire game.
For those who think that the plot of the game is not necessary, stop and think for a second. How would you go about playing a game if you were not instructed what to do? The story is not just there to set up the main goal of the video game, which is to beat it, it helps guide you along step by step, telling you what needs to be done next. Sure there are games out there that tell a better story than others, but as long as you know what's going on and what is going to happen next, it makes the game much more enjoyable. Although, don't be too surprised if upon entering a certain castle, that you are bombarded with a certain message about the princess being "in another castle". It may seem cheap, but it still tells a story nonetheless!
The next generation of consoles
With the last generation of consoles, including the Wii, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360, drawing to a close, the next generation begins to unfold. And with Nintendo's recent release of the Wii U, the announcement of the Playstation 4, and the new Xbox codenamed Durango yet to be revealed, there's a lot to speculate. So much so, that we can only imagine where this new generation is heading.
Last year, Nintendo had finally released their latest home console which began the eighth generation, the Wii U. This console has become known to be Nintendo's first ever true HD console, with claims of it being just as powerful, if not, more powerful than the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The main controller for the Wii U, the Gamepad burrows control gimmicks from both the Nintendo DS/3DS and the Wii. Using an embedded touch screen as well as motion controls, the GamePad also can be acted as the main screen itself, allowing players to play without the need of a television. Nintendo hopes that this console will be the successful predecessor to their previous home console, the Wii.
Recently, on February 20, 2013, Sony had announced their next home console, the Playstation 4. Although the console itself was not showcased, Sony had revealed their controller to be integrated with its own touchpad, as well as two new buttons with the functions of selecting "Options" and "Share". The console has also been confirmed to have compatibility with the Playstation Vita as well as turning smartphones and tablets into a second screen to enhance gameplay. Not much else has been confirmed as of yet, but Sony predicts the imminent release of the Playstation 4 to be some time during the 4th quarter of 2013.
In addition to the successor of the Xbox 360 yet to be announced, other consoles such as the Shield Project, Steam Box, and GameStick are also being put into production as an attempt to compete in this market. Not much is known about them as of this point, but one thing's for sure, the next generation of consoles is starting out with a bang. Although, with stiff competition from the smartphone, tablet, and Smart TV gaming markets, some people are already speculating this generation to be the last for home consoles. Whether or not this will come true, I'm sure we're all looking forward to what this next generation of gaming consoles has to offer!
Last year, Nintendo had finally released their latest home console which began the eighth generation, the Wii U. This console has become known to be Nintendo's first ever true HD console, with claims of it being just as powerful, if not, more powerful than the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The main controller for the Wii U, the Gamepad burrows control gimmicks from both the Nintendo DS/3DS and the Wii. Using an embedded touch screen as well as motion controls, the GamePad also can be acted as the main screen itself, allowing players to play without the need of a television. Nintendo hopes that this console will be the successful predecessor to their previous home console, the Wii.
Recently, on February 20, 2013, Sony had announced their next home console, the Playstation 4. Although the console itself was not showcased, Sony had revealed their controller to be integrated with its own touchpad, as well as two new buttons with the functions of selecting "Options" and "Share". The console has also been confirmed to have compatibility with the Playstation Vita as well as turning smartphones and tablets into a second screen to enhance gameplay. Not much else has been confirmed as of yet, but Sony predicts the imminent release of the Playstation 4 to be some time during the 4th quarter of 2013.
In addition to the successor of the Xbox 360 yet to be announced, other consoles such as the Shield Project, Steam Box, and GameStick are also being put into production as an attempt to compete in this market. Not much is known about them as of this point, but one thing's for sure, the next generation of consoles is starting out with a bang. Although, with stiff competition from the smartphone, tablet, and Smart TV gaming markets, some people are already speculating this generation to be the last for home consoles. Whether or not this will come true, I'm sure we're all looking forward to what this next generation of gaming consoles has to offer!