First Week

In the world we live in, the term video game has become such an ubiquitous term that we no more need to say the term ‘video games’ but we rather talk about and specify what type of ‘video games’ we are specifically talking about, such as ‘Did you guys play PSP last night?’ Thus, video game now, has become part of our culture and thus the study of it is studying the popular art and involves much more to human psychology and media. Including myself and possibly other students who are taking this course, might have doubt about the existence of such course or perhaps the purpose or the importance of the topic. Bernard Perron and Mark J. P. Wolf in their essays, talk about the appreciation of the video games, as ‘new medium, a new art form, and a new popular cultural force.’ The appreciation comes from the passion and the work that the professionals have put in throughout the centuries beginning since 1970s when video games started. The professionals worked hard on the continuation of ideas and creations in making new games and developing them. Video games surround us as one of communication system as well as interacting and socializing device. As all the other cultural activities and culture practices do, video games have also, collected the group of people, connected them through sharing their interests together and enabled them to communicate. However in one’s opinion, one interesting thing about video games that is different from any other forms of human culture practice is that it is the least mobile act in physical sense, but in fact, can have the strongest and deepest influence in human mentality and or psychology. Compared to any other culture practices, video game does not involve going outside your place, sweaty exercise (except we are now too smart to make body-involving game such as Wii). You need your ten fingers, eyes, comfortable seat, immobile, you can visit and get into the most exciting world you dream about. The video game thus is the short cut leading into millions of options you would like to experience.