Some people will say, "you know, how can you make a game about war?" Well, war unfortunately is part of the human condition and we have to be able to understand all the aspects of the human condition. And if you can read books about it and if you can see movies about it, then it's important also I think, to interact with it. And so what we're doing is we're creating this interactive experience that allows you to see something in a safe manner, that you wouldn't see, or I hope you'll never see.Colonel John Antal, Military and Historical Director for "Brothers in Arms: The Road to Hill 30", on realism in the game.
I guess that pretty much sums up why realistic and accurate war games are made - albeit in an informal way. I think it's also one of the reasons why I work on game modifications (mod henceforth) like True War 2, others being the enjoyment and satisfaction it brings, as well as the opportunity to use my skills in a productive manner.
Of course, the above quote would do nothing to justify violence in games like the infamous Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, but looking at it closer, the same idea actually applies; that this is really just a reflection of the human condition. So isn't it better that such actions, even though wrong to some extent, are carried out in a controlled and artificial environment instead of the real world? I strongly believe that computer and video games do not directly incite or encourage violence in children or gamers, because whether or not that happens depends on the child's education and more importantly, upbringing. But of course, this also calls upon game developers to be much more mindful of their audience and aware of the powers of influence that games today carry, they will have to keep their ethics in check while creating games to the extent of educating where parents may have failed. Whatever it is, games of today are simply getting better and better in all aspects, be it immersion and storytelling, sound and graphics, gameplay and interaction, or anything else, I just want to say that I am not going to stop buying and playing them any time soon.
And oh yea, I am getting Brothers in Arms, A levels or not.
Brothers in Arms
Ingame screenshot from gamespot.com
Anyways, (as) if you'd like to know more about my boring life, I spent half of my Saturday collecting newspapers and other recyclable objects as community service, and spent half an hour of a one and a half our bus ride with an inconsiderate person's knee shoving at my spine. The rest of the ride was torture with other inconsiderate people whom I could only identify as bengs doing rather idiotic things.
The other half of the day? Do you seriously think I spent that much time to think up this entry? No, I spent it catching up on gaming news and other random online activities I used to engage in.
Oh yea, I fixed the archive pages such that they now show individual entries instead of a monthly setup.