A New Type of Violent Video Game

If you're a gamer, you've definitely heard of BioShock Infinite, the biopunk first person shooter developed by 2K Games. The game has excellent graphics, a creative theme, and game has received a plethora of praise because "its a rich narrative packed with philosophy."  However, the game has been called a "case study in unnecessary violence." I have personnally played this game and it does contain very violent themes. I remember sommoning crows from my hand with a vigor and the crows pecking the flesh off my enemies. Themes like this beg the question, could the story of the game be represented without depicting so much violence. In addition, what does the success of such a violent game say about our culture.

The sweeping generalization of games today is that their violent and corrupt youth.  Fortunately, games are starting to contain deeper underlying messages,but do they have to be paired with violence to maintain the attention of gamers? Considering most of the gaming population is male it might be so. Interestingly, scientists have yet to come to a consensus on whether or not the violence has negative effects on people. So, until then, lets enjoy the creative themes and "unnecessary violence" of BioShock Infinite.

Booker DeWitt of BioShock Infinite

NPR Staff. "Modern Video Games Go Beyond 'Jumping On Blocks'" NPR. Web. 26 Sept. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/06/28/326437835/modern-video-games-go-beyond-jumping-on-blocks>

The Emotional Side of Video Games

Let Video Games Take You on A Journey

Video games demand respect and thatgamecompany has a plan on how to get it. Thatgamecompany believes some people would rather read a book or watch a movie than play a video game because of the lack of emotional appeal.  And thatgamecompany might be on to something.  Most games today are first person shooters or online multiplayer games in which, unlike a book or movie, you are less likely to get emotionally invested in the characters.  Luckily, thatgamecompany has made more emotional and deeper games like Journey and Flower.  If video games began to have a deeper meaning to people and became more popular in our society, gaming could become part of our culture. 
Although nontraditional, thatgamecompany feels more depth in games will earn the industry more respect  and entice more mature gamers. After releasing Journey, a veteran told the president of thatgamecompany the game gave him hope and desire to go out and live again. As a gamer, I'm proud that something I love is evolving into an art. With that said, games focused on emotion sound like they're worth a try.

The robed character of 'Journey', released in 2012 for Playstation 3 by thatgamecompany.

 Stark, Chelsea. "Tapping Into the Emotional Side of Video Games: Developing Hope, Healing and Love."  Mashable.com. 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 9 Sept. 2014.