It's just a GAME. Something to waste time on and have fun.

If you need to analyze it that deeply you probably shouldn't be playing it.

The idea that games are inherently a frivolity, with no perspective, nothing to say, and nothing worth analyzing or interpreting, is simplistic, naive, and obsolete.

spackle:

The idea that games are inherently a frivolity, with no perspective, nothing to say, and nothing worth analyzing or interpreting, is simplistic, naive, and obsolete.

So what then, pray tell is Spore saying to us that is worth analyzing?

If you want AI in a game to make something worth playing for more than 10 minutes it must have some set of rules. Should we then go looking for deeper hidden meaning in the Everquest AI, Wow AI, Desktop TD AI, etc...?

When your determination to analyze meaning revolves around video games you make Ceiling Cat cry.

Heh, you must be over the age of 30 then. Cute reference :) Also MMORPGs, and casual gaming will probably never have a message attached to it, because such gaming is essentially mental masturbation. You've probably never played a truly deep game before, so your comments on this reek of ignorance.

I haven't played spore, so I can't comment on what meaning it might have. However, the idea that games cannot carry a message is foolish and indicates that you've been playing the wrong games. Look at games like Deus Ex, System Shock, Outpost, or even the recent Bioshock, and please tell me how these games do not have some underlying theme. Deus Ex was a critique of modern political philosophy; System Shock talked about the dangers of sentience and dependence on artificial constructs to serve our every needs; Bioshock is a straight up satire of ayn rand's philosophy.

Of course, we play games for fun, and most games are not created to carry a message; naturally most music, movies, tv shows, poetry, paintings, and sculptures are drivel. Furthermore, I would agree that games have not reached a true art form as of yet, for art carries its message through form and content. Regardless, to make the argument that games cannot carry a message is simply ignorant.

I agree that overanalyzing things that have no meaning is rampant in our society, especially on Slate. But you propose that games are categorically unworthy of analysis. That's bunk.

spackle:

I agree that overanalyzing things that have no meaning is rampant in our society, especially on Slate. But you propose that games are categorically unworthy of analysis. That's bunk.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think there's anything wrong with analyzing ANYTHING, including games.

BUT, the author is asserting that there will be a controversy about whether or not to PLAY this game, as it may shape the feeble minds of the populous.

That *I* say is bunk. And if you HAVE to make a career of analyzing it to play it, why bother? You might as well go to work and get PAID for your efforts!

spackle:

The idea that games are inherently a frivolity, with no perspective, nothing to say, and nothing worth analyzing or interpreting, is simplistic, naive, and obsolete.

As others have already pointed out, I don't think that the position you're arguing against was the point being made. I would like to comment on what you said, though.

I agree that games are increasingly dominant entertainment media and are major creative works. There are great opportunities for games to explore serious topics with the depth we expect from novels and unpopular films. But just as it's a straw man argument to claim no game is worthy of analysis, so is it to say that all are. Sometimes a made-for-TV action movie is just stupid, visceral fun. Sometimes game is just a frivolity.

My experience from playing Spore is that it is a fun game but doesn't say much about the science or religion of the origin of the species. (Excepting the underlying assumption that creatures become more complex over time. But there's nothing about the mechanism that's suggestive of 'real world' ideas.)

i pwn u noob!

shortcut:

i pwn u noob!

I take it you play, "Spore the MMORPG"

Bondsman:

I take it you play, "Spore the MMORPG"

j00 5UcK, Old L053r. do Y0Ur gr4ndk1d5 KnOW j00 aRE On tH3ir computER? nooblet.

I think reading the opening message as defining a game (and therefore all games) as something to waste time on is a valid one, not a straw man. If that's not the author's intent, I retract my indignation. ;)