Column: Video games. Play them.

Wrench in hand, I made my way through the dark, flooded corridors of the failed underwater city, Rapture. Rapture was “a city where the artist would not fear the censor. Where the scientist would not be bound by petty morality. Where the great would not be constrained by the small.” But, the city is now in turmoil with a recently failed government. It’s overrun with splicers, disfigured junkies looking for some more of a miracle drug developed in Rapture. The drug ran Rapture. Now, I’m in it trying to make sense of it all and escape.

Sure sounds like something out of a movie or novel doesn’t it? Wrong. You’re dead wrong. Rapture is the fictional city of Bioshock, a video game released in 2007 by developer 2K.  Aw, it’s a video game you say? Most of you are probably turned off at the idea, but video games are one of the greatest mediums out there – right up there with film, maybe even better. I’ll bet many of you dismiss games without as much as a second thought. “Games are for children,” you say. Nonsense. You’re really missing out. They’re worthy of so much more recognition then they’re given now.

There are some really great, enthralling stories to be found in video games. These stories can be told in ways that other mediums simply can’t imitate. For example, Bioshock employs a chilling, eerie musical score, a design that borrows from Art Deco and Steampunk, and a keen eye for cinematic composition to create an atmosphere that really makes your hair stand on edge. Video games can draw from the best of many mediums to create something distinct and worthy of praise.

Yes, there are bad games and there are great games. But then again, there are bad films and great films. It all rests in the craftsmanship. Development cycles and production costs for some video games can even rival or surpass that of a Hollywood blockbuster film. Take a gander at the sci-fi blockbuster Halo series. Each installment had three-year development cycles and millions of dollars poured into them. Let’s not forget about the tender loving care that the developer, Bungie, put into the entire series. With some careful research and an open mind, you could sift through the garbage and find a gem of a video game – and there are a lot.

I’ll concede that video games may be less accessible to the average Joe and plain Jane when compared to other mediums like film, paintings, and other entertainment media. Those are more passive and won’t gouge your wallet. Video games require a console or computer to play. They cost an average of $60 for a new, current game. They can typically last six to eight hours for a trip through story mode or campaign. And most importantly, they require some sort of input or interaction on your part. Games aren’t for lazy-asses.

You shouldn’t let that hold you back. Nowadays, many games have a ton of replay value usually through some sort of multiplayer suite, downloadable content, or just a kickass story that demands you play it again (like a movie you just had to see twice or thrice). Simply put, video games can be an engaging and worthwhile pursuit.

It saddens me to see video games remain offstage, not getting the recognition they deserve. It seems that the only times they get any mention are when they stir the pot of hot controversy. You’ve seen it and heard it: people blaming video games for violent behavior or a teenager shooting his parents for taking away his copy of Grand Theft Auto. Video games seem to have a really bad reputation, especially amongst the older generation. It’s time to usher in a more open-minded generation to really embrace video games.

Love ’em or hate ’em, video games have a sizable and growing foothold in today’s entertainment market. One of these days they will have their moment in the spotlight and be showered with praise from everyone. Whether or not you choose to play and experience them is up to you. They certainly aren’t for the lazy. Call me an elitist (only peasants call me that), but I think you owe it to yourself to devote some time to a video game, chump. Think about it, will ya? I’ll be gouging Poseidon’s eyes out as Kratos on his quest to destroy Mt. Olympus in God of War III in the meantime. 

LARRY HINH is a gamer, but doesn’t fear sunshine or women. Let him know if you think he’s elitist at lthinh@ucdavis.edu, peasant.