Slashdot Mirror
Video Games Find Their Voice with GTA
GamesIndustry.biz editor Rob Fahey has an editorial discussing how the games industry is beginning to find its own voice alongside the move and music businesses. He uses the hype and launch of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as an example of the increasing popular culture acceptance of games and gaming. From the Article: "The videogames industry is fond of comparing itself with the movie and music industries - as long as the figures show it in a positive light, of course. For years, a host of slightly dodgy statistics have been dragged out at the drop of a hat to prove that videogames generate more revenue than rival mediums, usually missing such crucial points as the fact that movies generate both box office and DVD/video revenues."
I agree, the article could have used more than one example to back up his statement. Plus his example is from the UK, not the main representative of the english speaking movie industry.
The article mentions the game beating the release of a harry potter movie. that got me thinking. when you buy a movie ticket, you get a two hour experience for about the same price considering what a large popcorn costs.
When you buy a DVD, you get that same experience, only on a smaller screen and for the same two hours. and unless it is a film, you will get less and less out of the movie each time you watch it. so maybe 20-30 hours at the most of duplicate entertainment.
With GTA SA I get hundreds of hours of playing time. each time you play it, whats happening on screen will be completely different. when you discuss it with your friends, it's the same people and locations but the story is different. There's a familiarity in the discussion as there would be between two people that have seen the same movie, but there is also a new story you haven't heard.
I for one welcome our new entertainment overlords.