A Time Before Computer Games

When I was young (that was the time before the internet, that was the time before Windows. I'm talking of the time when computers run purely on DOS.) I remember when my father would type random sentences (or commands as they are called) into the computer, then the computer responded with more sentences. It was plain, it was confusing, it was boring.

However, on occasions my father would stick a floppy disk into the computer and the words disappear, and lines and shapes appear which is more appealing to my young brain. He had just introduced me to a world of computer games. But that time the only games I had were PAC-MAN. Although, it was entertaining at first, in the end it was still plain, and boring.

And it looks like this for all levels

Just like all games that runs on DOS, though it was amusing at first, it still lacked what a child look for in a game. To fully experience its fun, I had to invite my friends over or go to the arcade and play PAC-MAN, it was just much more fun that way. So how does it fulfill my male adolescent needs?

1. Challenging - VERY! Early games don't come with easy mode. To beat a game is as if slaying a dragon, glorious.

2. Visually Simulating - All games were in 16-bit those days. Watching TV or read books was much more fun.

3. Story - I still don't know why is PAC-MAN chomping on the dots. I'd read or play board games for that.

4. Competitive - Being able to be better than somebody in almost anything is fun for a boy. That's why its better to play with my friends around so i can show off. Then they'd play just to challenge me.

5. Achievement - Having a high score record helps. Nothing like telling my friends that the high score was mine.

6. Socialize - PAC-MAN can't do that. You'd have to go mix with friends.

7. Accessible - No way. Games technology were big and bulky, you can't be playing games everywhere.

8. Money - You can't make money from that. I have to wash my dad's car.

9. Girls - Taking a date out to play games is a risk. Not many girls like games.

So you see games don't fulfill all the needs. They are like little gimmicks to have fun for a while. You'd still have to socialize to have the most fun out of the game.

These days, digital (PC/Console/Phone Applications) game companies have a better understanding of what digital gamers want in a game. With advances in technology and the birth of the internet, all good games has one way or another to fulfill these wants. How they do it?

1. Challenging - They know that some people do not like really challenging games. Adjustable difficulty was born.

2. Visually Simulating - Amazing visuals that capture the imagination well and its the only aspect we can expect it to constantly improve.

Teaching history better than textbooks with old photographs

3. Story -All good games come with a plot. Great ones have very imaginative and intellectually stimulating ones.

4. Competitive -Multiplayer modes over the internet helps players to play with not only their friends but people they never met before.

5. Achievement -Levels and achievement medals helps boasting your success over the internet.

6. Socialize -Massive Mutiple Online Role Playing Games allows for complex socializing system so you can play, chat, hang around with your friends even those you never met like in real life.

7. Accessible -Very. Portable Consoles, Smart Phones, and Wireless Internet makes it all possible.

8. Money -You can convert money you earn in some games into real money and vice-verca. Some could sell characters they played for thousands of Ringgits.

9. Girls - Read here (Article yet to be written)

So what you have is a games that fulfill most of an adolescent male's wants by just playing them. Sounds great? My answer is no. Here is what we end up creating.

The games are so entrancing and portable, it sucks the attention away from the gamers even in social settings and with games being so fulfilling, there is not much incentive for them to get their attention away from these games. As an adult now, it does not affect us much because we grew up in an age where virtual games were at an infancy. We just socialize less often now. 

But, what of our children? What happens when we bring them up in a society where there is so much stimulus from TV, games, and the internet? We do 2 things:

1. Grow children with weak willpower. (Read more in Article yet to be written.)

2. Grow children who has problem socializing. (Read more in Article yet to be written.)

There's a reason why I support the return of non-virtual games (Boardgames and the such). They are fun, weakly addictive and don't take the socializing out.