When the Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, came out, and I played it, I didn't like the game, was in fact one of the few of my circle of friends that didn't. I don't like time limits, never have, and likely never will.
After reading "The Place of Games in Culture", I might have to go back and actually play through it.
I'll admit I've never really searched for or recognized cultural themes in video games; usually, I just play the thing. I've never thought too hard about what cultural significance a game could have, until now, when I see whole fields about it.
Was the "mask as chance to experience a culture firsthand" always in Zelda and thought up by the developers, or is it entirely after the fact? This concept makes me think of the novel Black Like Me, by John Howard Griffin, where the author travels around southern states passing as a black man. Can games provide a sort of cultural passport for gamers, as a way to experience a culture, at least virtually? Maybe that in itself is a powerful cultural tool a game can use. While movies can give viewers a glimpse into a group of people, a video game, through interactivity, can provide some small measure of being that culture.
Seems easy enough. All arts been doing this for years, and video games seem to be becoming another medium.
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I know what you mean about not really looking into the game from a cultural sense. I do the same as you by just playing it without looking at from the sense that the article stated.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me think more about the games I've played in the past that had a story (which is limited), but I guess I know appreciate the time and development that goes into creating a story that will keep people interested.
As for Zelda, I can't comment too much since I think I played that game once or twice for about ten minutes before like you said getting bored with dealing with the time constrants.
Its strange but I think a lot of people over look the hidden cultural aspects of games. I know when I play games I look for some cultural sense but not as deeply as this article did.
ReplyDeleteI haven't played that Zelda game I'll admit, but reading the article made me want to borrow it from a friend and play it.
I look forward to play games in the future where I can see the the different aspects that I so easily over looked before.
It would be very interesting to see if video games can be new look into differnt cultures. The only thing I would worry about is who's piont of view are you seeing in that game. It would be important to make sure that the cultures where represented in an accurate fashion verses and stero type.
ReplyDeleteI haven't considered the cultural aspects of games either. Except for the stereotypical regional characteristics of video game characters in the street fighter series. Even the background music is supposed to add to the characters development. It's neat to see how these things bleed through.
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