Be Realistic

            Have you ever played a game that seemed so realistic that it felt like you were there? I have played my share of games to say some are real in many ways. I have played action-shooters based on war and the characters, the weapons, and environments seem to replicate real life. In one way or another, the games we play replicate some form of realism that impacts the society.

            Realistic gaming graphics is seen as a way to teach people. For instance, realistic gaming can teach about using technology. As stated in the article, “Social Realism in Gaming,” “…Because life today is so computer-mediated, gamers actually benefit from hours of realistic gameplay. The time spent playing games trains the gamer to be close to the machine, to be quick and responsive, and to understand interfaces”[1]. Gaming can actually be a teaching tool to understand how computers work.

Realistic gaming can be useful for the armed forces. “This was Ronald Reagan’s argument in the 1980s when he famously predicted that action videogames were training a new generation of cyber-warriors…Today it is evident that he was right: flight simulators, Doom and America’s Army (2002) are all realistic training tools at some level…”[1]. Training future soldiers for war is simple to the fact that with realistic games, soldiers will be familiar with the basis of combat and replicating the feeling of war. Realistic games that showcase environments will teach soldiers about terrain layout and have a sense of what the world looks like.  

Ever taken a good look at the colors and artistic style of some games? Another important use of realism is to emphasize aesthetics in art. “To find social realism in gaming one must follow tell-tail traits of social critique and through them uncover the beginnings of a realist gaming aesthetic…there are games that begin to approximate the core aesthetic value of realism…”[1]. Games are starting to become works of art that artists find them as inspiration.

            Gaming graphics have improved from classic 8-bit to HD three dimensional figures. As the graphics start to become realistic so to on how they impact us. Realistic games influence education, self-defense, art, and much more. When you play your next video game, take time to appreciate what you see.

References

[1]. Galloway, A. R. (2004, November). Social Realism in Gaming. Game Studies. Retrieved from http://gamestudies.org/0401/galloway/