An interesting article from the BBC raises then question of whether there is cultural value in computer games? It initially made me stop and think what is actually meant by culture?
Wikipedia answered some of my questions but also opened up a whole lot more but I took this phrase from how they have defined culture:
"Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire society." As such, it includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, norms of behavior such as law and morality, and systems of belief."
Wikipedia 18/01/07
Computer games players appear to have established their own culture in terms of what they value and how they interact with games and each other but it appears that they main difficulty might be that computer games and associated culture may be seen as low brow.
But maybe no more! The BBC article refers to a new French game called Neopolis that is designed to investigate what life was like in France under Napoleon. The game is supposed to be an artistic triumph with beautifully designed sets and accompanying music. The question for me though is - is it a good game?!
My experience playing games is that occasionally I am taken with the visual design of games and the music that accompanies them. I can honestly say that at times I have been enthralled and touched by the aesthetic of some games.
Go and have a play of Loco Roco. The design is beautiful and the music can't fail to cheer and entertain you.
Electrplankton is yet another DS game that is aesthetically beautiful.
People gravitate to cultural areas because it appeals to them. As with anything be it Opera, gardening, model making, or sculpting , we need to find appreciate that there is something special that is switching people on to involving themselves in whatever cultural area they choose to pursue.
In future, I'm going to still enjoy playing games but will try to highlight what I experience in terms of aesthetic experience in future game play.
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