12-17-2007, 08:09 AM
sforzando Wrote:Now, a question I wanted to bring up is this - what's so fun about playing games that have wartime settings? Is it any different from other FPS? I'm not a fan of the genre myself, not because I don't like it but more because I never had the time to play them.
Another point that might be up for discussion is the trivializing of war in general, and if it stands a chance of affecting the psyche of younger players, making them more willing to result to violence in situations where disagreement with another party is present.
Lastly, what differentiates mecha-based games such as those of the Gundam, Armored Core and similar franchises from other war games? I'm guessing that it's easier to detach from reality because of all the fictional technology/settings.
What are you opinions? I thought that this might be worth asking since I know there are some with Politics and/or Psychology backgrounds here.
Its like watching an interactive war movie. Chances are, if you don't like war films, then you might not like the genre of shooters as well.
The single player campaign of these games often focus on the heroism of specific individuals (mostly fictional), during a conflict that was mostly portrayed in mass media as being black and white (Allies were good, Nazis were bad). The stories and scripted events were well done to have a sense of epic grandness to each story, as WWII shooters typically involve the player in historic battles based on real historic events such as the Normandy landings on D-Day, Operation Marketgarden, and The Battle of the Buldge. Lesser side stories were also included, though some of them slightly fictionalized to for the sake of gameplay.
The characters of the game are also a big factor, since you're often paired up with with a squad, whose members are often likable characters whom you get to know. This gives a sense of camaraderie or brotherhood and players identify themselves with the squad mates despite not being able to directly communicate with them. Stories also deal with how war changes individuals for better or for worse. It can break down even the toughest men into crying babies through shell shock, or elevate the lowest of common thieves into heroes through their bravery (such as the case of one of the characters in Call of Duty 3).
The selling point of these games is not so much as they are WWII in setting, but they're just that nicely done as FPS games. There's varied terrain that represents different locations where the conflicts happened, and multiple weapons that were based on their real life counterparts. In addition, the gritty atmosphere of a war-torn world coupled with the shear scale of the conflict unlike anything seen in human history immerses players into the story.
As for the "violence in games affecting youth in resolving conflicts" issue, I think players in general can clearly distinguish between playing a game and a real life conflict and know how to handle things differently. Though I'll point out that people who do stupid things don't really do it because of video games alone. There are other larger contributing factors such as the mental state of the person perpetrating the act, and the influence of various media, his household environment and his accessibility to do stupidity (if weapons are within reach etc.).
Oh and to answer your last question. I just love giant robots. their apeal to me is just because of that.
