Literate Gaming Analysis 86
aderack writes "The first issue of The Gamer's Quarter, a magazine that tries to take a more literary approach to videogames than do current publications, has been released in .pdf format. Included are fourteen lengthy articles, each with a unique perspective; one piece looks at the cultural meaning of Katamari Damacy, while another piece speaks of the writer's gradual acceptance of death as a learning tool."
Death is a really crappy learning tool (Score:2, Funny)
It really sucks. I mean you make a mistake, you die and you don't even get a chance to learn from that mistake. It's like game over, man! How the hell are you supposed to learn from that?
Oh you mean video game deaths?
Re:Death is a really crappy learning tool (Score:1)
Re:Death is a really crappy learning tool (Score:2)
Re:Death is a really crappy learning tool (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Death is a really crappy learning tool (Score:2)
What the hell? (Score:5, Interesting)
I can authoritatively say that no one at The Gamer's Quarter is a "wannabe-intellectual weenie." We're just a bunch of people who love videogames, and love to write about them. We're not out to be "journalists," as nothing in TGQ is traditional journalism. None of our articles are reviews, and nobody is pretending that they would be useful things to read if you want to make a purchasing decision.
Our writing is for a different purpose--not a "higher" purpose, not a "totally new purpose that's going to fucking rock your world," but a purpose all the same. Rather than writing dry, purely informative and objective articles about games, we try to give things a more personal, introspective spin. Yeah, if you want, you can look at a game, sitting down with it and saying, okay, it looks nice, and it sounds nice, but the control is shit and it's all over in six hours; 7.3/10. But...what is that accomplishing? In analyzing the game that way, have you learned anything deeper about the game, or even about yourself?
The idea is, we try to establish a personal context, and to analyze games more in terms of their themes, their tone. How do they make us feel? Is it important that they make us feel that way? What more can we get from them? You can say that they're "just videogames," but...what the hell does that even mean? Are books "just books?" Is the sky "just the sky?" Is life "just life," something that doesn't need to be examined?
People, you know, some of them care about games, and what they mean. I know I do. And it's not just videogames--you analyze everything you come into contact with, on a sensitive, personal level. When you read a good book, it's not something cut-and-dried, something that was assigned a numerical score by a reviewer for a huge media conglomorate. It's something you felt; something you understood.
The point is: the same thing applies not just to videogames, but to all things in life. The Gamer's Quarter just focuses on the videogame part.
And, you know, it looks like you don't want to think about this sort of thing. It looks, to me, like you're spouting off vitriol about how we're just freaks patterning ourselves on gonzo journalism having secret conventions and plotting to destroy your hobby. Trust me. We're not out to get you. No one, very likely, is out to get you. Relax.
There is no movement to speak of. When you talk about us being "frauds," what the--pardon--flying fuck are you talking about? No one is defrauding anyone. We think videogames deserve sensitive, critical analysis, for reasons I've already laid out. So, you know, we're trying to provide that. Maybe some of our writing is shit, and we need to work on that. Okay, fine. Maybe our magazine didn't catch your fancy. That's fine, too. People want different things, in life. If you think this is all "bullshit," that's cool. Don't read it.
But why the defensiveness? Why the vitriol? Why do you feel you have an obligation to stop this "nonsense?"
I mean, honestly.
That's not very sensible.
Re:What the hell? (Score:1)
Re:What the hell? (Score:1)
Re:What the hell? (Score:1)
Re:What the hell? (Score:1)
you just killed a baby.
Re:What the hell? (Score:5, Interesting)
It is very true that gaming journalism needs to evolve. Or rather, re-evolve. If you've ever read the older magazines, such as ZZap!64 or Your Sinclair, it is painfully clear that gaming journalism has gone downhill. Why? I don't know.
My two examples aren't particularly different than modern magazines. The demographics haven't changed very much. In fact, the average gamer in this day and age is probably older than the average gamer of 1985. It isn't because they were PC magazines. Look at PC Gamer for proof; proof that PC magazines are no more mature in tone than their console brethren.
But I don't know the answers to that. What I do know is that gaming journalism needs to be more mature and intelligent in tone.
But I don't think you guys are the solution. At least, not the complete solution. What are you? In your final paragraph, you claim that you are analysts. Analysts of the way a game makes you feel. This is the whole point of a game in the first place. To make you feel. Elation at victory, satisfaction at solving a puzzle, or pure emotion during a cinematic moment.
Incidentally, did you notice that emotional moments usually occur in pre-scripted events? Something to think about. I can think of a few RPGs and adventure games where you have a direct choice on events and thus feel greater emotion at their outcomes, but those are few and far between. But I digress...
Anyway, gaming reviewers have been analysts of the personal impact of games because that is the whole point we play them. A crew that has the right idea, I think, is Way Of The Rodent [wayoftherodent.com]. Check out their reviews. They're awfully similar to your articles, yet stunningly different.
So what is the solution? Perhaps a combination of traditional gaming journalism (which has its basis in movie and music magazines) and this 'new games journalism' (which really feels closer to literary criticism than anything). Now that I think about it, the two styles are almost a before-and-after. Traditional gaming journalism, as flawed as it may be right now, attempts to answer the question "Why should I play a given game?" New gaming journalism is a gamer's (not journalist's or reviewer's... there seems to be a distinction) response to this question, phrased as "I played this given game and this is what I felt." You only concentrate on one aspect of that, so you will never be the whole solution. But perhaps you're a partial solution.
One of my major dislikes of current 'new gaming journalism' is that the majority of the writers seem to be Japanophiles, including you. Why have you ignored Western RPGs? A comparison of something like Planescape: Torment to Chrono Trigger would have been very benificial to your article. You talk about Splinter Cell's limitations, yet ignore the even more limiting constraints of Metal Gear Solid. Not being able to move in first-person comes to mind. You ignore many of the fantastic western games that truly allow the gamer to play the game any way he sees fit. Instead of only discussing the limitations of games such as GTA, you should have also taken a look at a game such as Fallout, which truly lets you play it any way you wish.
You really should get a non-Japanophile on staff. Someone who plays western-style games and understands the distinct philosophies that surround them. You guys certainly understand Japanese games, much more than I do at the very least, but your opinions on western games seem very shallow and dismissive.
Perhaps combining your current form with more traditional gaming journalism and reviewing would also improve your magazine. Like I mentioned in one of my earlier paragraphs, it would really provide the full sp
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
First off, I do agree that Gamer's Quarter, and New Games Journalism, et al are not the answer. Everyone's spending all this time tripping over themselves trying to be the next Hunter S. Thompson, but we haven't found the Game Journalism's Woodward & Bernstein yet...it isn't TIME for that yet.
Gamer's Quarter is fine and dandy...for people who aren't me. In 10 years or so, I can imag
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
What? The West invented the video game RPG, and you say that we "haven't quite got [them] down yet"? Are you kidding?
Rob
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
A lot of the old Western RPGs were just straight up conversions of D&D modules that SSI cranked out to the tune of 3-4 year. That isn't even close to "getting it down". As I stated there are about 5 Western RPGs that are classic. There are far more that come from Japan. The West started the fire, and then Japan threw all the logs on and kept it burning.
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
There's a difference between saying that the Japanese make better RPGs on average and saying that the Japanese have made 99% of all of the RPGs that are worth playing, ever. One is a matter of opinion, the other is just silly.
Rob
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Re:What the hell? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:What the hell? (Score:3, Funny)
Rob
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Re:What the hell? (Score:3, Insightful)
If you're assuming that "JRPGs are still doing the typical check-the-dresser-for-a-health-potion 'interactivity'!" you haven't played one in the last 5 years. Try picking up Dark Cloud 2 to see how different things have gotten.
I like Ultima 6 better than 4. 6's story gives it classic status in my book, 4 is on the cusp. 5 just seemed like an update to 4
Re:What the hell? (Score:1)
To be honest, I dislike the majority of Japanese rpgs. Instead of just dismissing them outright (though I do sometimes deride their cliches), I simply ignore them. This keeps the fanboys off my back and preve
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Front Mission 4, Generation of Chaos IV, Arc the Lad: Twilight of Spirits, Phantasy Star: C.A.R.D. Revolution, Kingdom Hearts, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time...
I think this represents 7 of the last 9 RPGs I've played, all of them have a battle engine that has freedom of
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
The Dark Cloud series is the exception that proves the rule. Most Japanese RPGs haven't moved too far from the styles of gameplay that Dragon Warrior, Shining Force, and Secret of Mana made popular.
On top of that, I just don't see the need to fracture the RPG or any other genre f
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Just nitpicking, but Splinter Cell is a much more limited game than Metal Gear Solid (the first!).
Yeah, you cannot move in first person, but WHAT KIND OF STUPID LIMITATION THIS IS! This is like saying "MGS is not a First Person Shooter, so it's not a good game!".
Splinter Cell lacks in several areas in which MGS excels. Better storytelling, a
Ouch! (Score:1)
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
Wow. Where do you get your informative, objective articles about games? It sure as heck ain't from any of the magazines out there now! :p
Oh. And I'm quite intereted in your endeavour. Haven't had the chance to read it yet, but will do soon.
Re:What the hell? (Score:2)
I'll agree with all of that, and it's the #1 reason why I don't buy most print magazines. A game can have as much influence on someone's emotions and outlook as a book, a movie, a song, a painting - just different. If I come away from a game feeling slightly disturbed about my actions (like playing "Command and Conquer" and feeling guilty about killing townspeople), then that's a side of the game I'd like to see explored.
How many people have played "Grand Theft Auto" and come away with another look
Re:Awful... (Score:1)
Oh my.
Quick question: Why do you keep on bringing up postmodernism with reference to all the NGJ stuff? Looking at - say - Bow Nigger [alwaysblack.com] or Possessing Barbie [alwaysblack.com] could you tell me where either is actually postmodernist or attempts to hide its message behind obscurist terminology? Both are written in common language, and are probably less obscurist than the average videogame review due to their lack of any gaming slang and explanations of everything t
Re:Awful... (Score:1)
Re:Awful... (Score:1)
That's why your attacks are coming across as slightly hysteric: your prejudices (whic
Re:Awful... (Score:1)
finally, if you guys don't want to be associated with p
Re:Awful... (Score:1)
It's also worth noting that, as the chaps and their PDF mag do, they're nothing to do with the concept of New Games Journalism. That was *specifically* about use of the subjective experience when relating games. It wasn't really meant to be used
Re:Awful... (Score:1)
2) Sokal and Bricmont's book DOESN'T perform a slash&grab on postmodernism (both Lacan and Deleuze, two of the authors given a "beat down" in II, certainly aren't postmodernists anymore than they are greengrocers). What it does do, and very well, is call out the use of bad science
Re:Awful... (Score:1)
1) this i will skip, since it's just an introduction to point #2
2) this is exactly what pisses me off about postmodernism. the whole philosophy has been intentionally ill-defined and muddled-up so thorough so as to facilitate exactly the type of counterattack you just made. even the thinkers most associated with postmodernism will, when backed into a corner, deny any label or allegiance to any movement. if you really worked on derrida, you could probably get him to den
Re:Awful... (Score:1)
Note before we go on: II, the primary text, is IN ITSELF a book-length form of deconstruction.
"We sho
Re:Awful... (Score:1)
2) i'm fully aware that sokal and bricmont's criticism is limited strictly to the abuse of scientific concepts. however, as dawkins pointed out, when someone gets caught commiting intellectual fraud, they've blown their credentials when it comes to things i don't know anything about.
3) this has everything to do with NGJ, as I pointed out in the original post that spawned this thread. i will likewise refer you to this post [slashdot.org]. i've already explained how i'm
the crow flies at midnight! (Score:1)
the revolution is drawing nigh!
After reading 3 articles and skimming the rest. (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:After reading 3 articles and skimming the rest. (Score:1)
if ever you should RTFA, it is this time (Score:4, Insightful)
The articles are all well-written (saw a typo here and there, though), with insightful content relating personal experiences, gaming epiphanies, reviews of interesting games with novel ideas. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I would without a doubt subscribe to this magazine were it distributed as such.
Re:if ever you should RTFA, it is this time (Score:2)
I also wouldn't bother R-ing TF-ing A this time. Basically, take your standard review. Then multiply the length of the review by 20. That's this mag.
a pox on all of you lit majors! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:a pox on all of you lit majors! (Score:1)
Gaming needs this. (Score:3, Insightful)
It is nice to have an alternative to the sort of games writing that will only tell us if a game is totally awesome or not, and if the grafixx are 10/10.
Personally I find this sort of game editorial of value, and indeed cool 2 tha maxxxxx! 93%!!OMG.
Re:Gaming needs this. (Score:2)
next page, an ad for Big Gun Shooter Guy 3
Pretty good, actually (Score:3, Insightful)
Sure, I have some specific complaints regarding what they were saying (the PoP author never mentioned the Dahaka), and I was a bit overwhelmed by the massive amount of knowledge that they possessed (especially the Sonic Article. Major fanboy of the originals), but the idea is exactly what is needed.
It treats video games as something of an art form, which is something that I think is sorely needed. I like the lack of focus on the visuals when compared to the gameplay. In the entire MGS article, he mentioned the graphics only once, to say that they were a bit sluggish when compared to the first two games, because of the massive environments. He spent the other ten pages talking about the gameplay.
Definitely looking forward to the next issue.
More overanalysis. (Score:3, Insightful)
I'm trying to remember if I've ever read anything interesting that contained a question along the lines of "But what do we mean by 'X'?"
Literate? Are you sure? (Score:2, Funny)
Hey, they do write very good!
Sure (Score:2)
"The crux of the emotional impact of this game is clear: achieving the stated goal of the game, that is, to defeat your similarly-armed enemy in an equal contest, and utilizing the chat key in the 'pre-game' stage of the subsequent round, broadcasting to every player the following statement, to signify your dominance over your chosen opponent: pwned."
As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:1)
then join me in fighting the real revolution.
Re:As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:1)
As for Sokal's book, having read it, I have to say, his utter failure to understand most of the theory that he's criticizing doesn't do any wonders for his argument.
Re:As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:1)
Re:As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:1)
As for Sokal... he presents out of context quotes and dismisses the rest of books as "unintelligible," when in fact he means "I didn't understand them." And he accuses people of intellectual fraud when, in fact, he's the one who has deliberately and knowingly tried to publish fraudulent results. Minimal does not even begin to describe my sympathy for his cause.
How much Derrida have you read? Foucault? Lacan? Deleuze
Re:As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:1)
physicists and mathematicians are two groups of people for which i have tremendous respect. if they can't understand this psychobabble, that's s
Re:As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:1)
Then again, I also n
Re:As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:1)
--paul boghossian, chair of the philosophy at NYU
--allan franklin, physicist and participant in philosophy of science program at the university of colorodo
--paul gross, molecular biologist at the university of virginia
--john huth, physicist at harvard
--margaret c. jacob, professor of the history and sociology of science at the university of pennsylvania
--philip kit
Re:As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:1)
Re:As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:1)
Re:As an academic doing work on video games... (Score:1)
And you misread what I was saying as an attack on the scientific method. I can't imagine an emotional/non-mathematical science either. You confuse identifying something with having a solution, or thinking a solution is possible. Coming up with a soci