So the NEA now recognizes video games as art — take that, Ebert. So now someone can apply for an NEA grant to make a video game, though somehow I doubt any game that gets funded will be … you know… fun, because it’s like a principle of the left that our tax dollars never go towards anything we’d like. An NEA funded video game would probably something like where Bowser kidnaps the princess, and then you can control Mario crawling around and weeping as he slowly dies of despair. Or a game like Tetris, but none of the pieces fit together and all your efforts are futile — you know, it’s like symbolic of life.
Gah! I hate art!
On a more practical note, now that I’ve been a husband and a father a little while, I have some requests for video games. I find myself playing a lot more games on my DS and iPad just because they’re easy to pick up, play a couple minutes, and set down — and that’s the thing, I just don’t have these hours of uninterrupted video game time anymore. One thing that would be helpful — and this is way overdue — you should be able to pause anywhere, including cut scenes. Come on, people, we have the technology; let’s make it happen. Also, every game should allow you to save anywhere. Quicksaves can kill the challenge in some games, but every game should at least allow a temporary save at any point that when you turn the game on again it starts from that point and removes the save. I don’t have these hours of extra time to traipse around waiting for save points.
Oh, and make sure you’re working on large-type video games. As soon as I get old and retire, I plan on playing a lot of video games.
Some games are art, some aren’t. Bioshock is a good example of what video games can do, balancing a great story, awesome game play while explaining various political philosophies. Modern Warfare is an example of a video game that is anything but art, and yet is a load of fun.
I agree about being able to pause at any time.
This explains “Paint for Cats.”
“Gah! I hate art!”
Basil, could this explain his stick figure cartoons?
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–|─⌐ <─── Bad comment means Jimmy dead
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“Paint for Cats.”
Why? You already have a cat – the very epitome of beauty – any painting will pale in comparison. Wise up, humans.
DamnCat:
For Mother’s Day, I gave Wife her own iPad (I had to in order to get mine back): the 64GB 3G version.
Today, she got Paint for Cats on it. Really. $829 for an iPad and she puts an app for the cat on it.
I suspect you support her decision. Meanwhile, I’m just shaking my head.
The NEA: Trying to stave off funding cuts, one crucifix in a jar of pee at a time.
I haven’t played a game without quicksave since Dark Forces.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Dark_Forces
That was hell, and I’ll never do it again.
I humbly submit Okamiden as a suggestion. It’s like Zelda, but instead of an elf with a sword and funky green cap, you play as an adorable wolf god.
Go ahead and try to play a full football game (Fifteen minute quarters) on the XBOX if you’re a working person. What are they thinking? Not every person is an unemployed punk.
I’m in the same boat, frank. DS, phone, or ipad are it, because they all have a “sleep” button, so I can go deal with my kids at a moment’s notice!
Basil, it sounds like you bought your cat an iPad. When we take over the world you will be allowed to live.
You may want to say goodbye to MarkoMancuso now.
Video games? is that like Pong?
Well then, if the NEA is going to start handing out cash to video game makers, it must have been decided that video games are made by liberals.
So does this mean that Michelle Obama is now going to go after NEA? After all, video games contribute to kids being lazy and obese. There it is, Shelley: Art is BAD for your health and MUST be banned!!
Jimmy, you have no ween in your drawing! Did it like fall off or (Gasp) did you have it surgically removed and are you on hormonal surgery and will you start posting as Jasmine soon? Concerned in Minnesota!
That’s right, ussjimmycarter! No ween to be seen. And this morning, I AM on hormonal therapy: COFFEE!!!
Remember, DamnCat, that your species will never be more than what you have always been: unemployed punks.
You’re absolutely right about the pause/sleep thing, Frank. I don’t need to be able to save right before the boss and keep trying it over and over, but I dang well DO need to be able to pause the game at any time and come back to it later. I don’t know what modern day game developers are thinking.
Then again, the newest game I’ve bought was probably for the N64. The latest game I bought was for the NES. I just bought the actual cartridge of Excitebike on Saturday, mostly for nostalgia.
Games are getting better about allowing pauses during cut scenes, but I agree it should be a standard feature.
I mostly agree I’d like to see more save-anywhere games, though there is a good argument to be made that limited saves are best in games where the goal is to make the player a nervous wreck (e.g., horror games).
The NEA is clutching at any straw to stay relevant. People are starting to realize that since they have been in charge education has gone completely down hill. Kids are in school longer during the day and for longer during the year and are not as well educated as kids 40 years ago.
Common sense and pride in performance have been replaced by subpar achievement and fiscal irresponsibility. Thank you NEA for taking an awesome system and dismantling it to fit your own biases and bigotry. We wouldn’t know the face of evil if not for you.
Instead of better the devils you know, better that you can recognize the devils.
I thought your post on the NEA offering video game developers grants was amusing. It will be interesting to see whether any games get funding considering how many taxpayers probably oppose the idea. Personally, I think they’re just as intricate and sometimes beautiful as other art forms. Some are almost like watching a movie, while others are just plain fun (have you played FIFA World Cup soccer? Awesome!). I too hope they continue to improve games and I’m sure when we’re old they’ll be light years ahead of where they are now. Anyway, I wanted to share this video on the NEA grants with you. I think you’ll appreciate how it analyzes news coverage from different sources and discusses requirements for developers (no violence, interactivity, etc.) and sources for the funding, which taxpayers might have a problem with. I hope you’ll consider embedding the video in your post.
Thanks.
Here’s the video
http://www.newsy.com/videos/video-games-now-eligible-to-receive-grants/