Post by: Karl Castaneda #2 on September 20, 2005, 02:43:12 PM
Can a Video Game Make You Cry?
Today's youth feel video games will soon equal or surpass other forms of entertainment in emotional impact
Half Moon Bay, Calif.-September 20, 2005-More than two thirds of all video gamers feel that video games already surpass, or will soon at least equal movies, music and books in delivering an emotional impact, according to a study released today by Bowen Research, a firm that studies consumer attitudes and behavior regarding high tech products, consumer electronics, software and web sites.
"It is striking that young people today look at games as an entertainment medium that surpasses or will equal the more traditional things that touch us deeply, like books, movies, and music," says Hugh Bowen of Bowen Research. "Half of all gamers think conveying emotion is extremely or pretty important which suggests that games which can achieve more of this will be extremely popular."
Role-playing games evoked the most powerful emotions, but despite the explosive growth of multiplayer online role-playing games in recent years, most respondents still feel it is the single player role-playing gaming experience that delivers the greatest emotional punch. The next two most emotional genres are first-person shooters, followed closely by action games. Flying games and flight simulators ranked lowest on the emotional scale.
While "competitiveness" ranked as the top feeling conveyed by games, it's interesting that "honor/loyalty/integrity," "awe and wonder" and "delight" also were mentioned frequently.
Respondents overwhelmingly cited the Final Fantasy series of role-playing games from Square Enix as the most emotionally rich games, and the death of Aeris in Final Fantasy VII was the scene many people said made them cry.
Post by: Bill Aurion on September 20, 2005, 02:47:28 PM
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 20, 2005, 03:53:34 PM
/masculinity
Post by: odifiend on September 20, 2005, 04:39:18 PM
Ha. I guess watching that guy who is on your side die in the never ending cliche would get emotional... I've played hundreds of games and I can honestly say I've never cried (though I still haven't played Bill's mentions). But I guess until recently that hasn't really been the aim of video games. I do admit to feelings of sadness when really good games end after I've connected with the characters.
If you want to test your machoness try listening to a song called "Christmas Shoes". It is the most emotional charged christmas song ever. Cried like a baby I did.
Post by: KnowsNothing on September 20, 2005, 04:46:00 PM
Post by: RABicle on September 20, 2005, 05:15:20 PM
QuoteOh for christ sakes. If Final Fantasy fanboy wern't a bunch of whining, weak willed, soft, socially deranged losers, there'd be a lot less crying over it. Aeris death was about as sad as learning that Koopa the Quick spent his life savings on better running boots only to lose to Mario again.
Respondents overwhelmingly cited the Final Fantasy series of role-playing games from Square Enix as the most emotionally rich games, and the death of Aeris in Final Fantasy VII was the scene many people said made them cry.
Post by: PaLaDiN on September 20, 2005, 05:26:59 PM
Although games have a ways to go till they're as emotional as books. If you want something really emotional, Song of Ice and Fire is the way to go. That series will rip your heart out and throw it into the woods.
Post by: gally on September 20, 2005, 06:09:36 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: PGC NewsBot
"Half of all gamers think conveying emotion is extremely or pretty important which suggests that games which can achieve more of this will be extremely popular."
HALF??
Yeah right. Where did they get that number from? Unless by "conveying emotion", they really mean that games should be able to portray atmosphere and convey mood and setting well, then I don't believe that.
What emotions?
Fear? Silent Hill 3 did a fantastic job of that for me.
Anger? Any frustrating game can do that. Do they expect you to truly hate a villian?
Happiness? Sadness? THAT would be tough, and I seriously doubt the people questioned were referring to that. Unless, they were the so-called "hardcore" gamers who play only RPGs and like games *only* for their storyline. Ugh.
But I doubt the average gamer cares that much about emotion, unless "emotion" really refers to atmosphere.
Post by: Bill Aurion on September 20, 2005, 06:39:54 PM
There have been a few baddies I've truely hated, and they aren't the big ones you'd expect like Ganondorf...The big one being Pokey (Earthbound!) To have such a realistic, selfish kid for a "rival" was absolutely genius on HAL/Ape's part, and I love them and hate them at the same time for it...
Post by: Nephilim on September 20, 2005, 06:41:13 PM
Post by: Famicom on September 20, 2005, 09:53:26 PM
Post by: Hostile Creation on September 20, 2005, 10:30:03 PM
Another great example is the end of Paper Mario 2, during the final battle. If you've played it you know what I mean.
Post by: Arrow on September 20, 2005, 11:08:09 PM
Post by: KDR_11k on September 20, 2005, 11:45:08 PM
Some games make me sad but I've never cried since back then because of a game.
Post by: Infernal Monkey on September 21, 2005, 03:15:44 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Bill Aurion
Terranigma and Link's Awakening always make me cry at the end, no matter how many times I've played it...
Quoted for truth. =o
Also, years ago when I was somehow thought Counter-Strike was worth playing for $3 an hour at an internet cafe, one guy started screaming at another guy when a match ended, pushed him over and kicked him in the chest several times. Then some other people got involved and a monitor was shoved to the floor, shattering the screen. It was funny because I was getting the hell out of there. Is this emotional attachment?
Post by: KirbySStar on September 21, 2005, 03:45:11 AM
Post by: KDR_11k on September 21, 2005, 05:44:53 AM
That already puts her above Yuna or Rinoa.
Post by: Renny on September 21, 2005, 07:02:35 AM
I hate FMVs.
