Thursday 11 January, 2007

Now I've completed my second hour, more than I've played in 4 years, of GoldenEye for Nintendo 64 and my interest has only increased. I'm playing with the same three knuckleheads and still have the same desire to kill all of them. Who knew that bragging rights serves as the same sort of motivator in video games as it does in real activities. And this factor plays far greater a role in GoldenEye than in other games, with the exception of Madden or NBA Live. That's what makes it so fantastic. GoldenEye is one of, if not the most, universally played and accepted multiplayer games. All gamers, regardless of interest or personality, can relate when playing this game.

I suppose this is what people mean when they say that there is a social aspect to playing video games. I don't see why two polar opposite personalities couldn't interact and relate after playing a few games of GoldenEye. But a game with less of a universal effect couldn't splice various social groups in the same way. And this aspect of the game is what makes it worth playing.

Finally, although Goldeneye is a representation of an outstanding multiplayer game, its single player is nothing to sneeze at either. And while it's not on the same level as a Mario, Metal Gear Solid, or a Final Fantasy, it's elaborate enough to kill some time and necessary to have a memory card. The bad guys are already created but provide a motivating goal for the game.

Good assesment of the game. It is great that you are able to draw the parrallels of societal implications. I liked how you compared the game to other games, I would like you to see you draw that out a little more if you could. It is good that you are thinking in a more global sense with the video games you play, next time you could try to compare the game a little to another first person shooter, also try to talk a little more about your experience with the game. Did you prefer one map over another, why?