Way back when, gaming was simple. The graphics basic, limited by the technology of the age; therefore, the game play and goals were basic. All you had to do was play to get to the next level (even though all levels were basically the same in design/story) and play to achieve the highest score such as in Space Invaders. Gaming was a social event, being mainly played out in arcades in the accompaniment of your peers, where competition through high scores was key motivational factor to keep on playing.
The next incarnation was gaming consoles and games with more complex stories. The first I remember playing was Mario. The reasons why you played changed– you would play for the story and the main goals were no longer to rise in rank or to get the high score to impress your friends. You played to be a part of the environment, to explore different levels, and to be a part of the story as it unfolds. Gaming moved away from its social roots in the arcade to a more personal, home venture.
Jump ahead a few decades.
The advent of online gaming is claiming the time of committed gamers now. Call of Duty is one of the main games. The goals of the gamer have changed again. No longer do people play to get new levels nor for the story, but the goals mirror their arcade roots. The goal of the social gamer is to gain stats and play against friends to achieve the high score all from the comfort of your home.
Now, the social gaming consoles are limited to those who own them; however, with social games online, such as those on Facebook, the need for gaming is now met. It is no longer along the lines we once played such as Final Fantasy. It is back to the basics: simple levels, basic graphics, and the goal of social competition to keep you coming back.
Do high scores, ranking, and social recognition outweigh the story or the actual complexity of game play? I for one love a great game with epic stories that challenges you, but I can understand the even more addictive nature of surpassing your peers in competition. It is what makes you come back, even when the dynamics of the game is as repetitive as sowing crops.
Gwendolyn Borgen
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