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I play games to relax. I like to immerse myself in a world where I am the biggest, the most powerful, the most badass and generally the saviour of all the world. The Nerevarine was pretty much my ideal storyline. I play games to escape the mundane rat-race.
Others couldn’t care less about plot. They thrive on challenge, being knocked back again and again but refusing to give up. They derive some sort of sick pleasure from suffering under capricious whims of evil game designers who like to change the rules with no warning, rhyme or reason. In short, they play games like R-Type.
I don’t get it. (Obviously.) The idea of playing something over and over just to memorise the patterns and reach the end of the game bores me to tears. Perhaps there’s something physiological at work there. Perhaps these achievers get the same buzz from reaching the end of a level, that I get from learning something new about a fantasy world.
At the end of this month, the Dana Centre in South Kensington will be hosting In The Game (supported by Nintendo). They’re claiming to show how our bodies react to games by measuring excitement and stress levels. It’s even topped off with live physiological demos! (o_0)
Here are the details:
When?
21 November 2007, 7pm to 9pm
Where:
The Dana Centre
165 Queen’s Gate
South Kensington
London
SW7 5HD
How Much?
Free!
The Upcoming listing says you need to register beforehand. Drop an email to the address given at the Dana Centre’s In The Game page if you’re interested.
Maybe see you there!
Surely if they are measuring “They’re claiming to show how our bodies react to games by measuring excitement and stress levels” that’s going to come down in favour more of R-Type style games?
I have to say, I love both types of game. Did I mention that I was addicted to The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion or that I was once 49th best in the world at Ikaruga? That clearly shows my support for both!
A part of me would argue that clearly one of those types of game reacts much more with the developed brain, whilst the other engages on a more instinctual level. I suppose you could argue it’s a quick thrill versus a more longer term (and potentially more satisfying) tale to be told and quest to be won…
On a more general note, I’d be keen to agree that twitch-gaming such as R-Type may not be as relaxing as, say, Katamari Damacy or similar!
Yes, I’m not quite sure what they’re trying to show at the event. I’d be very interested if they profiled, say, Beyond Good and Evil against something like Ratchet and Clank. Would be nice to see if similar excitement levels are triggered by shooting with a camera rather than a gun.
49th in the world? That’s impressive! How much practice did you need to get that good?
For 49th best? About 14 hours of gaming in total. I think I only ever played 16 hours. I still have it and play it now and again. If you follow the chaining tactics to the letter (and don’t shoot anything that would break your chain) you can easily get a really good score without even getting to the start of the third level!
It’s interesting how shooters (and other twitch-games if you will) have become ever more tactical. Sure, Ikaruga looks pretty, but more importantly there’s a lot of depth at play as well. Interesting topic, keep up the good work!