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GAMING: An Intro


I have been waiting and hoping for months, a little note on my calendar, telling me today is the day. Standing in line, toes bouncing, head bobbing back and forth, waiting. Always waiting. Finally, the line moves, I get to the register. My card is handed over without a thought. Quickly sign, then out the door. After an excruciating ride home, tucked in the bag in the passenger seat, I toss aside everything else and hold it in my hands. Cellophane tries to prevent my feverish progress as I grasp at the exasperating corners of plastic. With this aside, I slide a scissor along the security strip, finally able to open the case. There it is. So perfect and beautiful, this copy having never been seen before by human eyes. Lovingly, I extrapolate the game from its gripping tabs and place it into the tray of my XBOX 360. The adventure is ready to begin.

I: If Necessity Is the Mother of Invention, Boredom Is the Brainchild of Innovation


Yes folks, I speak of the classic video game, in this case a video game for the XBOX 360. Without a doubt, upon first reading this, many would suspect that I, the author, am a boy. It's a stereotype that has been perpetuated both in the video game industry and in society throughout video games' history. So for me, a twenty year old woman, to not only like video games, but to be avidly obsessed with them, as well as proficient at playing them, takes many by surprise. 


What isn't surprising is how the video game industry has evolved, especially over the past two decades. Contrary to popular belief, video games are a lot older than many suspect. The first video game, titled "Tennis for Two", was created in 1947 to play on an oscilloscope-like device. Incredible advances have been made in game design, specifically: AI (artificial intelligence), "real life" physics, and graphics.


Video games were once a "sport" of solitude, or played with any friends you could convince to come over and gather around the screen. Unfortunately for me, my friends would complain I was too good, that they didn't "get" how to play, and would rather do something else- like go outside, God forbid. But with the implementation of multiplayer and networks that can connect tens of millions of people from every country and language in the world, video games have become anything but a solitary activity. Such became the ultimate competitiveness that we see. Gamers constantly talk (or type), their language always evolving. Some phrases thrown around, like "pwning", "n00bs", "campers", "snipers", "fanboys", "NPCs", "RPGs", "RTFM", all sorts of lingo and insults that anyone outside of the gaming community wouldn't fully understand. Simple differences in spelling can be key as well. While a "newb" is a newbie, someone new to a game and inexperienced, but with a will to make mistakes and learn, a "n00b" is once again an inexperienced player, but put quite simply, a pain in everyone's ass. They whine and complain on forums, on chats, and during games about how terrible they are, but will not accept anyone's help or take advice on how to better their skills. Instead, they choose to pick on other players, many times accusing them of cheating, or outright begging for items that any player could easily earn with a little work. 




II: You Think You're Smart, Private? Well, Do Ya?


Because the gaming industry is geared towards a predominantly male audience, it is obvious the industry will cater to its consumer. And what is expected to please adolescent boys? Violence, fast cars, and girls. Lots and lots of girls. Jokingly said, "Video game boobs are the closest those boys are ever getting to second base, much less a home run."


III: The Long Road to Success Is Dangerous... And Filled With Zombies




IV: So You Think You Want More Adventure? Look Out For Knee-Seeking Arrows


I just decided to add this little section because they are some pretty cool sites that I found and used for my research that I wanted to pass on to my readers. 


http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2008/12/video-game-design-between-1990-2008/