Even fairies will not survive the 'Krotoski chop'
I’m not suggesting that the way to appeal to more people is to base all games on happy human families (primarily because I know that any product with such a premise which has been released instantly devolves into a cesspool of lasciviousness, usually spearheaded by the role players), but for goodness sake, why can’t we have games which, like TV and movies, require only a minimal suspension of disbelief?
Games are sophisticated technologies. They push the boundaries of interactivity and they have millions in their thrall.
They don’t need to be dressed up in silly outfits; their mechanics inspire films and TV creators to make products which don’t have any orcs in sight.
"The key to the next level in gaming is to look closely at what's at the bottom of great TV and film."
But the reason games’ characters and plots do so badly in the transition to non-interactive screens is because they’re so preposterous that they leave billions cold.
The best thing that could happen for me, grown-up gamer, is to see a Terry Gilliam-inspired franchise, or something that takes itself less seriously, like a Comic Strip series.
But rather than take these things and simply import them to the controller, the key to the next level in gaming is to look closely at what’s at the bottom of great TV and film and, using games’ history of compelling entertainment, to incorporate those elements into an interactive product.
Please, before I commit hara kiri on my sword of überness.
Published 7th February 2007
