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Oregon Coast Trail @killyourfm@layer8.spaceThe (tragically under-watched) show "Halt and Catch Fire" did a terrific job of conveying that sense of wonder people felt about video games from the mid-80s to the mid-90s.
From text adventures to the single-dev games at Atari, from Mario Bros to DOOM.
Why don't I feel that anymore?
Last night, as I was playing the newest Ratchet & Clank, seeing the world's rich detail and astounding graphics, I wondered: Is it because our imaginations did most of the work back then?
@killyourfm It's a topic I ponder on almost daily. And not only about videogames: in a way, easy, quality and cheap streaming is doing the same to the mind a visceral classical and jazz music collector like me. Quality and abundance makes us satiated, less driven, even when the work in question is of unquestionable quality. We need to add something on our own, the work needs to leave some void for us to fill. The Minds They Are a-Changin'!
@ezahn "Quality and abundance makes us satiated, less driven, even when the work in question is of unquestionable quality."
This is poignant.
And yes, I definitely feel that -- as someone who adores music and collects vinyl.
@killyourfm The good thought here is that maybe bigger, fuller, richer works or mediums can stimulate our minds to create bigger, voider, more barren plains to explore.
But it requires training. And time.
@killyourfm much of it is youth yes but games in the 90s and 2000s were going through a very rapid change in culture and technology. Consider that in 10 years we went from Doom to HL2. And in 5 we went from Mario to Quake. It's hard to not be excited around that time with all the optimism and change. Then around 2007 we stagnated. There's a part of us that never left the 360/PS3 era.
@Evol The rate of progress and then the stagnation...that's a really interesting observation.
For the most part, the IDEAS have stagnated while the technical and graphical side has accelerated.
But we need the "newness" of discovery, meaning we need those fresh ideas.
Really great comment.
@killyourfm I think you nailed it, honestly.
I think we're so overwhelmed by the sights and sounds--and the music, oh how the music can make an entire game--that our imaginations almost... turn off--almost as if to say, "I see we're not needed here. Holy cow."
BUT, that being said, I feel that old feeling when I play smaller, indie titles a lot.
Just over the weekend I played Mega City Police and I felt like a kid again, astounded by every pixel and synthwave beat.
@the_broly_arms @killyourfm "I feel that old feeling when I play smaller, indie titles a lot." - This, very much.
@killyourfm the new Ratchet & Clank is fucking amazing, I played it on PS5 and it was just fantastic.
@ahoneybunn Oh yea, it's a freaking blast. I used it as an example just because of its incredible presentation. (not to disparage it)
@killyourfm Wondering about imagination? Maybe it was partially due to imagination. Also remember that we were different ages at the time, and so that may have affected our perception and enjoyment of this medium.
@killyourfm Never thought about this before (granted, I wasn't around in the 90s to experience video games of the time) but it is kind of interesting.
Also, Halt and Catch Gire is a great show! I kinda stopped watching it after getting busy with school and never got back around to it, but I should pick it back up!
@gortbrown Definitely find time to pick it back up, especially if you didn't see Seasons 3 and 4.
@killyourfm A couple of major changes happened inbetween now and then. First is that many games went on and became more and more of a collaborative project in the same way tv series, films, and comics are. Anti-capitalist as well as anti-egalitarian circles lean towards seeing that negatively. But I think there was merit to embracing film as a democratic form of art.
Second, the internet. We're subject to much more criticism as well as information.
@killyourfm Early video games had to be sold on simply but catchy mechanics, since graphics were so limited.
But also, those games still exist and can still be played. The fact that you don't play them anymore (or enjoy them the same way if you do) is because they aren't novel.
Video games were like a jump scare for your brain. Exciting at first, but now you know it's coming, so it doesn't land the same way.
New games aren't bad, but they definitely aren't revolutionary in the same way.
@killyourfm@layer8.space I've got that show up next after Mr. Robot, heard a lot of good things about it.
@killyourfm@layer8.space I think people are sick of hearing me go on and on about halt and catch fire... But all they have to do is watch it and I'll shut up. Everybody wins. It's so good.
@ward True story: I just binged the entire series in the last 2 weeks (for the first time), and after the series finale's credits rolled, I just started over at Season 1.
It's just a perfect show.
@killyourfm@layer8.space It's the only show I've watched 3 times. This is probably my favorite line:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeY_5n75zPM