I actually really enjoyed this movie. As a guy who's of the same age group of the developers featured in this movie, I can say that in many ways, I felt a sort of connection to their journey -- that is, their drive and aspirations as indie-game developers (not that I'm a developer).
As both a kid of the 80's and game-developing hobbyist myself, I found this documentary to be inspirational while my wife found it to be depressing.
If you haven't seen it, I recommend doing so on Netflix, which is where I saw it a year ago.
I'm excited to play this game, but I really wish it was also coming out for the next-gen consoles and PC (I'm sure it will in time, but I want it at launch). The game looks great, but judging from the gameplay video, it looks like the screens we've been seeing are a step-up from what we can realistically expect when we play it in September.
Graphics aside -- the gameplay looks to be unprecedented.
Yeah... it's a shame that popular media, ignorant politicians and parents are on a witch hunt to blame digital entertainment for poor parenting, mental illness, psychopathy and sociopathic tendencies.
Sure, PC gamers have shown a great deal of support for indi developers, but it's not coincidence that the frequency of these kinds of simple games -- games that are wholly appropriate for mobile devices -- have increased over time, commensurate with that of "smart phone" proliferation. Because of the ease of publication on either Google's or Apples Marketplace, we're seeing a lot of these kinds of games being made, which would otherwise be much more difficult to bring to a traditional platform, such as the Xbox or Playstation.
Dude, I AM LOVING this indie-developer explosion! I'm guessing we have the open mobile marketplace to thank (in large part) for these kinds of titles :)
As a kid of the 80's who grew up obsessing over these kinds of games, I'm both excited and thankful that indie-devs are pushing these out, while implementing many of the more modern gaming conventions we've collectively grown to accept over the years.
The First Amendment is a beautiful thing, Katie! In a country where we're able to enjoy the fundamental freedom of speech (albeit limited in certain narrow categories), I think it's safe to say that if Ms. Couric's messages are protected for their "contribution to society and search for truth," then those that are found in digital media (I refused to broadly label them all as mere "games") should, and in fact, ARE protected forms of speech.
Again, to allow either the State or Federal Government to find something like... oh, I don't know, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" enjoy the protections of the First Amendment Freedom of Speech Clause, but somehow deny this medium of speech would serve only to diminish our liberties as a society. While simulated violence may be a component of games, so too, could be said of many films, books and other forms of speech which are equally protected under the First Amendment.
If we're out to protect the children, we should not do so in a way that infringes on the rights of adults in the process. Again, another "fundamental right" that parents enjoy is the right to privacy, which includes the right to raise their children.
Also, guys, this has very little to do with how you vote -- whether politically conservative or liberal, this is an issue pertaining to fundamental rights. :)
The First Amendment is a beautiful thing, Katie! In a country where we're able to enjoy the fundamental freedom of speech (albeit limited in certain narrow categories), I think it's safe to say that if Ms. Couric's messages are protected for their "contribution to society and search for truth," then those that are found in digital media (I refused to broadly label them all as mere "games") should, and in fact, ARE protected forms of speech.
Again, to allow either the State or Federal Government to find something like... oh, I don't know, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" enjoy the protections of the First Amendment Freedom of Speech Clause, but somehow deny this medium of speech would serve only to diminish our liberties as a society.
Also, guys, this has very little to do with how you vote -- whether politically conservative or liberal, this is an issue pertaining to fundamental rights. :)
The problem we're facing here isn't (IMO) one of assault rifles or "violent" video games. Rather -- again, this is my opinion -- it's an issue pertaining to morality, societal development, emotional/psychological health and good old fashioned parenting.
As a 31 year old man who's been playing these things before I could form a complete sentence, I can say from my own experience that yes, there are games that shouldn't be played by young children -- particularly those who are unusually impressionable. With that said, I have no problem with both state and the federal government protecting CHILDREN from purchasing games with mature themes. I do, however, take great umbrage with said governments impeding on my safe, reasonable and ultimately private enjoyment of them.
As a future patent, I would hope that Walmart, Gamestop or online digital distributors (Steam, Xbox Live or the Playstation Network for instance) would prohibit the sale of these kinds of games to children in accordance with the ESRB ratings. It's no different than prohibiting my kids (can't say the same for my own... lol, Freddy Kruger, Snoop Doggy Dogg (yeah, that's what he was known as when I was a kiddo, Dr. Dre, Mike Tyson and Arnold Schwarzenegger were my childhood heroes) go see an R-rated movie without my supervision and consent.
What I think a lot of politicians are missing, however, is that the average gamer is of the age of majority (more like early 30's to be honest) and shouldn't have their right to play games such as Grand Theft Auto, Saint's Row or other diminished in any way. Video games have been a particularly attractive scapegoat regarding gun violence committed by bat-shit crazy kids, but I chalk it up to political theater. Yeah, the intentions (on the surface anyway) seem to have our best interests in mind, but as they say "the road to hell is paved with the best intentions."
Unfortunately, the reality of it is that we have kids (and adults) who not only suffer from debilitating psychological/emotional disorders, but some also have sociopathic tendencies that can only be controlled through parental diligence (whether that child receives the medical, emotional or other attention he/she needs typically starts in the home with mommy and daddy). We can debate all day -- with little-to-no objective evidence beyond subjective conjecture -- about whether kids like this are compelled by these games or movies to commit such atrocities, but one thing is for certain -- bad parenting does more to engender such conduct than does an mature-themed game.
Just something to think about before making any rash decisions.
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