Movies and Music have always been in the forefront of popular culture. People make referacnces to movies all the time, whether your friend compares a movie to whats going on in his life or a certain song describes how one feels. These because all these things are well known, and once somebody refers to it, everyone can either relate or easily remember it. But up until now, Video Games have not had this. They have been set aside as something for ‘geeks’ or a very selective group. Today, many games are very well known and even game consoles are everyday household items. The character of Mario is just as recognizable as Big Bird or Britney Spears. Games making so called ‘mascots’ have been one of the big reasons games and their consoles have become popular. Mario is the mascot for the company known as Nintendo, which is apart of Forbe’s Asian Fab 50, is one of the more popular and well known game companies in America. Mainly because it was one of the companies to revive video games in the 90′s and ultimately make it such a popular form of entertainment. It rivaled with companies like Sega against its mascot known as Sonic the Hedgehog. It is names like these that give companies such brand power. More recent big name characters, if only to name a few, might be Master Chief of the Halo series or Gordon Freeman of the Half Life series. Characters power popularity and make the game a part of everyday speech. This is because when people get connected to a single character or group, they become attached to the game and thus they become relative to ones way of thinking.
Igenuity is another big part of why games are so popular today. Systems like the Wii and PS3 have released new ways to bring the player directly into the game. The Wii uses a Wiimote and a Nunchuk to control all motions of things going on in the game. This brings players almost directly into the game, making them perform actions that reflect what is going on screen. This would also connect someone to a game. It could also be used as a workout, which is different than other games where all you do I press buttons, which has long been a large problem with the overuse of gaming. Overall, something that is new will bring new players and something like the Wii will attract those who like the thought of not sitting down doing nothing.
Video games and their creators have worked hard over the years to change the view of the people who play them and the people who have put them down. After once being viewed as demonic and wrong, they can now be used for teaching, family fun and just plain entertainment. The entire industry is now booming and very industrious, almost or already on par with movies and music. Although still faced with persecution and hate, games will continue to influence the cultures around the world just have movies and music has done for so many years.
By Tyler Piantanida. staff writer
