If I have learned anything from our blog posts and the class in general, it is that games have multiple layers that cannot be fully explored by simply playing the game. Often I have found myself shocked that a game that I had played before could have multiple meanings, a feeling shared among my classmates. Not only do games have dark hidden meanings when analyzed further, but they often provide a false sense of control.
Jasmine points out a narrative that I had not even seen in Gone Home despite several play throughs. I had become so engrossed with Sam and Lonnie’s story, that I did not even pay attention to Uncle Oscar’s mysterious nature. Ryan mentions the dark side of Pokémon that I had not seen as a child. The graphics and overall environment of the game hide the fact that one is taking slaves captive and forcing them to fight other slaves. Lara Croft was always the badass girl who could do really cool moves, but Luke changes my perception of the Tomb Raider games. Andrew captures the essence of the dark controlling nature that GLaDOS has over you.
It is a very shocking experience to realize that seemingly innocent games could have such dark hidden meanings or implications. Having played all the games that my aforementioned classmates blogged about I would ask them: why do you think these dark implications are placed into the game? Do developers realize that not many will catch on, or they are doing this on purpose? Does the manner that the game was marketed to the public affect our lasting impressions of the game after it has been put down? I can see games being sold as innocent while having dark sides that will not be seen by many due to the perspective that the game is put in initially.
The most impacting realization I came across during my playtime is the lack of authority that we (the players) have. I had always thought of myself as the almighty player who could do whatever he wanted, because I had the controller and I was in control. However, games dictate much of what we can and can’t do, yet this isn’t inherently visible at first. Games often have us choose a certain path or make a certain choice that will allow the game to continue, but we never see that as the game limiting us. It is simply part of the “play” that we engage in. Paul brings up a good point in blog, where he discusses player choice, and how much a game wants us to perform a specific option. When playing games, it is important to realize that we are living in our world, and playing in theirs. It is essential to realize this, as the technology of games (i.e. VR) could eventually reach a point where the lines between game and reality become blurred.