GameGemini – Video Gaming Heaven

Developers strive for realism in games, as do critics expect and demand it. However, can a game ever be too realistic? What is the realism went so far, that you couldn’t tell the difference between the game and real life? Realism of this extreme nature has yet to be achieved, but you get the feeling that it’s not too far off, and may be done by the next generation of games.

People like realism in games, because it allows them to relate to it. The more they can relate and connect to something, the more effect it can have on them, and the greater the
experience is all-round. However, some people have criticised Grand Theft Auto 4 for being too realistic. The fact that you can do almost anything in the game (such as go bowling, go on dates, watch stand up comedy) almost make it an alternative to real life. It was also a big departure from the ‘cartoony’ style and graphics of previous games, and the gameplay (particularly the speed at which cars moved) was slowed down. So why would you want to do all of this stuff for fake? Why not just go outside and do it for real? Well for some people, it’s a chance to do these things in a comfort zone – where they can’t get ‘hurt’ for real. It’s ironic that in the game you can be gunned down by rival gang members, and yet it’s seen as safer. Another reason is that it’s rewarding. Modern day games in particular are built around rewarding the player for achieving/doing certain things. Just think of the trophy system on the PS3, or the experience points on XBOX Live. Getting a medal for doing something is a real mark of achievement, as it makes us feel it wasn’t all for nothing. It know people who have bought games that they otherwise wouldn’t have, just because they know there’s lots of trophies that can be collected.