Socialising Gamers: The Guitarhero Controversy
Socialising Gamers: The Guitarhero Controversy
Submitted by Alexa Booth on Wed, 01/23/2008 - 20:02.
In a recent blog post & web radio show on radio3.cbc.ca, Grant Lawrence asks the burning question: IS GUITAR HERO STUPID? - The people vote NO - 63% and YES - 37% I missed the web show, but I did leave my own two cents.
I realised I was blabbing a bit too much for a comment, and decided it would make a good follow up blog post to some recent discussions I've been having with my good friend UnConeD as well as others.
It's funny how people refer to it as being a waste of life and pointless, and stupid. And yet, a game like World of Warcraft or Lineage or *insert any MMORPG* which have massive fanbase, is addictive, time-consuming and neverending, have not managed to gain this much controversy.
I certainly am addicted to Guitarhero. I was skeptical at first at playing with a guitar that resembled a Fischer price toy I once owned. I've never been one for games with extra peripherals. And I've tried my hand at DDR and other music-related games. I think what makes this game so addictive is the same reason why people hate it, because it's relatively easy to pick up, and is based on a simple concept: match the large coloured buttons with the other large coloured buttons on the screen. And to some people it would seem that if it's 'mind-numbingly' simple, then it is pointless and a waste of time.
I'd hate for these people to realize how mind numbingly tedious power-leveling is in RPGs. And yet, it's fine to play Final Fantasy or Chrono Trigger.
And to the retort that it's pretend music-making, that guitarhero is for people who only WISH they could be playing in a band or playing the guitar. Well, I challenge any of you to try playing the game, I've been playing the guitar for years, and just recently picked up the violin, I'd say that besides possibly having more finger dexterity, the main source of my skill would be the years of finger/eye co-ordination practice from 'regular' video games.
And why not want to be in a band? Does the roleplaying in games have to be unrealistic? It's ok to want to be an mage and join a mages guild, but not to play a game where I'm playing in a band touring?
I think I didn't leave the house except for work while playing through mass effect, guitarhero is easy to put down, and yes! have friends over and SOCIALIZE. It's probably the best multiplayer game I can think of right now, and for once the local multiplayer is better than online play. Tournaments, bring them on! I've never had more people over to my apartment to play a video game for a long time, not since the days of LAN parties, but even that managed to be unsocial, as we were all hunched over our laptops and desktops in a friends basement.
Let's face it, gamers are not social creatures, and if it takes a plastic guitar, some criticism and the knowledge that I'll never be in a 'real' band to bring some friends over (especially those friends who would have never otherwise gone for a night of gaming) enjoy some great music, laugh, have a few beers and have a great night. Well, then I'm all for it.
I can't see why anyone would have a problem with a game that puts socializing into gaming, something that has been been blamed for creating anti-social behavior.
It would appear that alot of you agree with me.
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