Do You Think Games Should Have Philosophy/Politics/Propaganda?

GGD, what's your opinion on the above in video games? There have been plenty of games that used them and were great, but some used them and were horrible, but what do you guys think about it?

I think games should have them just for a better story that people could relate to, that people could really think about, Splinter Cell is deeply based on politics and propaganda, and that makes it intriguing and keeps the game tense to the point that sometimes everything's turning around. Metal Gear Solid is full of philosophy, politics, and like SC, propaganda, this series always keeps you on your toes with the plot twists and the confusion, not everything turns out like it was, what you once knew could've been a lie and the truth was revealed, but the supposed truth could've been just another lie to fool you even more, the enemy could've been your closest friend, your cloesest friend could've been the enemy, they use them for the surprise.

I KNOW there are plenty more, but what are your opinions on games including this?

Sure, as long as it's not overused, and people don't take it seriously. Just about anything that might add to a games expierence is ok by me.

I don't think games should ever have a limit on what they should have on them. That doesn't mean you can just put anything on a game though

Philosphy - Sure, that'd be awesome.

Politics & propaganda - Ehhhhh I don't know...

Philosophy? Sure, as long as it doesn't get too pretentious. Cryostasis is a very good example of philosophy in a game done right.

Politics & propaganda? A lot of games already have these elements. Games such as Modern Warfare and Medal of Honor already reflect upon current political events, or speculate on what is yet to come. In this sense they are also propaganda. Not in the sense of willfull manipulation, but in the sense that they reflect the current political Zeitgeist of the Western world and have the capacity to influence people's perspective on this, intentionally or not.

Philiosophy is great and makes the story better for games. Political events I really don't care about same as propaganda.

They can hint at philosophy but a game is first and should be about entertaining. Even then it should not be a main focus on the game.

for politics and propaganda they are really the same thing and there already too much of it.

No, games are entertainment products (i.e. ment for fun) and should be kept non-political and not advertise products too much. But if it does include politics it should be an intelligent take on them not a one-sided propaganda. I don't have problems playing propaganda games if they're free however (like America's Army).

Wow, this came off to a good start for once.

I'm just saying about the quantities of them, I, like you guys, enjoy games that use them in a certain amount. Sometimes games will actually make you think hard about what it had said, and that's always something developers would like, because if you think about what the game has said and like it, that might increase your opinion on the game and more people would buy it. I, overall, think they should all be used in a certain quantity.

I think it really helps create a sense of reality in a storyline, as long as it is for the storyline and isn't an attempt to affect real-life politics (like supporting or taking shots at a political figure to help or hurt them).

Well the thing is, you gotta know first all perspectives of this game, that way you're not swayed into whatever truths are in it, if you know where you stand in the story then you shouldn't really worry about the game's story having any effect on you as a person. On the other hand, I do agree with the other posts that putting these things in the game make the game much much more interesting, like I said it's all about perspective, from the main character's view, and it pulls you into the game

Forgot to say I have no problems with games that use satire as a means of a criticism (like the Postal games) either.

**** yeah. I want games to be more pretentious. because that's how I roll

As long as it's not in your face with it, I say go for it.

Absolutely. If games want to be considered an art form they need to have some kind of deeper meaning and message. Stories need to be more than "hey here's something that happened". Just like anything though it has to be done properly and not all franchises/genres are appropriate for it.

i would most definitly yes !!!! the problem lies in fundamentalist christianism=nazi ism Republicans trying to infiltrate the minds of the free !!!!!!!

would love to have xbox 360 players VS PS3 player matches!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 c who's better!!!!

I think the same as some of you, if it's not in your face then it's used just the right way most of the time.

What is the propaganda in Metal Gear Solid? Is it the Outer Heaven thing?

What is the propaganda in Metal Gear Solid? Is it the Outer Heaven thing?

Kuroda99

The problem I have is many stories that just suck because they force too much Philosophy/Politics/Propaganda into it.

well, statements shouldnt be shoehorned into a game thats only meant to be entertainment. theres nothing wrong with a game that just wants to be fun.

there should definitely be a place in gaming for serious statements too. however, it irks me a bit when the message is only superficially implemented. "heres a cutscene about the costs of war. now go have fun shooting nazis in the face! ****ing fascists!"

All the messages in a game or any other story is for the reader/wachter/player to come to.

I think those things can be well-done in a game. My favorite example is the Mass Effect series. It has an entire universe of political, social, economic, ethical, and religious systems.

The writing in most video games is so weak and juvenile, I just wish developers would put a basic story together that doesn't rely on cliches and tired old gimmicks. (

Playing recent games, you'd think most developers never read a book in their lives.

Just look at Bioshock. I bet the developers were mighty pleased with themselves for having constructed a "philosophical world". While they were bro-hugging each other, they forgot to make a game that's actually worth playing.

Clive Barker, Warren Spector - these are guys who know how to tell a smart and engaging story.

Today's game developers can't look further than the 140 characters of their twitter feeds.

How about a game about metaphysics? Or epistemology? Ontology? Or perhaps one about Frederich Nietzsche and his views on society? Games shouldn't have to be too limited in their scopes.Mawy_Golomb

Interesting thought. Would require a generation of game developers not raised on comic books, Pacman, SuperMarioBros, and greasy bags of Doritos.

[QUOTE="Mawy_Golomb"]How about a game about metaphysics? Or epistemology? Ontology? Or perhaps one about Frederich Nietzsche and his views on society? Games shouldn't have to be too limited in their scopes.Ricardo41

Interesting thought. Would require a generation of game developers not raised on comic books, Pacman, SuperMarioBros, and greasy bags of Doritos.

And, maybe, just maybe, using these ideas for more than just shooters or RPGs. I know that adventure games might need fresher stories and gameplay, so why not apply it to this genre? Such ideas should apply to all genres, but I feel that the ones being largely ignored deserve to be the center of attention.

[QUOTE="Mawy_Golomb"]How about a game about metaphysics? Or epistemology? Ontology? Or perhaps one about Frederich Nietzsche and his views on society? Games shouldn't have to be too limited in their scopes.Ricardo41

Interesting thought. Would require a generation of game developers not raised on comic books, Pacman, SuperMarioBros, and greasy bags of Doritos.