Saturday, January 10, 2009

Living in fear of the brainless

Today Nintendo revealed a patent for a system that may finally kick open the door to the pearly gates of the serious narrative driven video game for the main stream audience.

The patent, which you can read more about here, essentially allows video game virgins the option to watch a video of a developer playing the spot they are in if they are unable to figure out how to continue, or even have the computer take over completely and allow the player to jump back into the action when things look fun.

What's interesting about this news is the reaction it has been getting online. 

Forum dwellers and Kotaku Kommenters are acting as if this feature will finally drive the nail into what they believe has been a dieing feature in interactive entertainment; challenge. 

Any challenge, or neccessary build up of tedium even, can be skipped to reach the sweet creamy center of success. Instant gratification without any work, essentially turning our valued entertainment into an even cheaper source of "fun."

While I can understand the need to freak out and whine, I think that it's hard for these online social sevants to understand that this is no way meant for there kind.

It's for the people who have a hard time even comprehending how to control an avatar in a three dimensial plane. This system can allow them to come to terms with the fundamentals, and much like a toddler standing on shaky legs, learn to explore the world around them without help.

No comments:

Post a Comment