Counterfeited Simulation

Christmas, 1989. 

I was 8 years old.  I remember opening a bulky rectangular package that contained something called a Game Boy. My aunts and uncles seemed more excited about it than I was. What was this grey brick-like device? What were Super Mario Land and Tetris? More importantly, why would I want to play these games on the go versus on the TV? I was a kid. I had no clue that I was holding the portable future of video games in my hands.

Today my iPod is a constant companion. When I’m not listening to music in the car, I find myself browsing the net or playing the latest iOS game on the Apple-made device.

Now, I’m a sucker for a good simulation game. I grew up with Theme Park, Sim City 2000, and Roller Coaster Tycoon. I love spending hours micro-managing and designing environments for my virtual denizens. Because of my love for this genre, I have been suckered into what can only be called mere imitations.

Simulations are not all created equal on the iOS. Some, most, are built around artificial time constraints and real life money transactions. Want to increase your build time? Buy a 1000 Tower Bucks for $5.99. These “games” are usually fun for the first few hours and then they slowly reveal their true selves. A digital gaming relationship of sorts gone down the drain. Like a spurned lover, the following is a list of such games that have suckered me  in only to drop kick me later on:

The above games–and there are many many more like them–boil down to a simple equation:

time constraints + breeding monsters/building cities/routing planes + virtual money = supporting video game heresy

Disguised as simulations, these games prey upon your time and offer what is ultimately a counterfeit experience versus something real such as Game Dev Story.

As a follower of Christ, I find myself constantly sifting, weighing, and comparing what I am being told daily versus what the Bible says. I don’t want to settle for the counterfeit and end up cheated out of my time and money. I want the truth. I want the real deal. Don’t settle. No matter how flashy the gameplay may be; no matter how deceptive the lie is that you’ll never find anyone to marry. Don’t settle. God always has a better way. There is always a better alternative than embracing and engaging the counterfeit.

Surf Report – 3/4/2013

Surf Report

Welcome to the Monday edition of the Surf Report.

.: God :

On Sunday nights, my church has been going through a series called P-52. Two weeks ago, our speaker for the evening, Brent, talked about the concept of silence. Brent talked about how we are constantly bombarded with audio and visual noise. He said that this noise can serve to distract us from our relationship with God, specifically in the area of prayer. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with prayer. I’d much rather listen to something on my commute to work than sit there uncomfortably and talk to God. Why?!? This is another one of those areas, in my life, that requires discipline.

I want to encourage you to take some time to be silent.

.: Life :

Life is complex. My wife and I are on the brink of making several decisions which impact our future in a great way. These decisions require us to step out of our comfort zones and trust God. Is God who he says he is? Prayer would be awesome.

.: Gaming :

Fire Emblem: Awakening and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood have been my distractions lately. I finally fired up AC and completed the Passion Play mission. That finished off Memory Sequence 7 which leaves me with two more sequences to go until the game ends. Best $20 I’ve spent in a long time.

Fire Emblem has become my go to lunchtime game. I love portable games! I’ve been plugging my 3DS into my car’s stereo and gaming the lunch hour away. Good times so far.

wavesplinter

That’s it for this weeks Surf Report. Make sure to comment below and have a good week!

Rewind Wednesday – Video Game Addiction: Level 1

Video game addiction is a topic that flares up just about as often as the devastating Southern California wild fires. Which is to say that every year the words “video games” and “addiction” get tossed into the media blender. Unquestioningly accepted as truth, the case for video game addiction is built upon statements such as,  ”My son plays My Little Pony’s Adventures in 128 Bit Land x-amount of hours, he must be an addict!” Is it fair though to compare video games to something as addictive as sex, drugs or alcohol? Take a look at the following DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition) Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Dependence entry below:

A maladaptive pattern of alcohol use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three or more of the following seven criteria, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:

  • a) A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
  • b) Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.

2. Withdrawal, as defined by either of the following:

  • a) The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol (refer to DSM-IV for further details).
  • b) Alcohol is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

3. Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.

4. There is a persistent desire or there are unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.

5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol or recover from its effects.

6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.

7. Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the alcohol (e.g., continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption).

Now, I can see how video game “addiction” can be compared to alcohol dependence. There are many similarities:

  • The Time Escalation Component: Where the gamer increases his gaming time as he becomes more engrossed in the game.
  • Withdrawal Symptoms: Especially from games that employ the “carrot on a stick” philosophy (“just have to get to the next level…”).
  • Gaming Culture: Checking out video game web sites through out the day. Reading the latest walkthrough and immersing oneself into the particular game’s community.
  • The Social Sacrifice: Family, friends and loved ones fall to the wayside as the gamer becomes more immersed in the game. This, in my opinion, is when things become a problem. The gamer has lost any sort of balance between the digital and the real. Welcome to the world of escapism.

What do you think?

  • Are video games and alcohol on the same level?
  • Do we overuse the word addiction?
  • Is this a matter of what society deems acceptable?
  • Could you apply what was written above to your favorite hobby?

Leave a comment below and let me know.

The Podcast Trinity

212276640_704607b4e7
*Photo by flattop341, Creative Commons

Trying to shave off time on my morning commute, I decided to take another route today. Riding shotgun was a podcast that I will not name. As the tires spun and the traffic lights frequently slowed me down, I began to notice some things:

1. The route I was taking was actually slower. I was going to be late.

2. The podcast I was listening to kept violating the podcast trinity.

 

 

– The Podcast Trinity –

Format – Find a format that works and stick with it. Like a bowl of tasty oatmeal, listeners find comfort in a solid format. Also remember that having no format is a format.

Identity – Pretending you are a radio show host will get you no where. You aren’t. While ranting and raving can be an identity, for me, it leads to you being turned off. Unless you are part of that 1% of ranters/ravers that appeals to me. So act professional. Develop your voice.

Quality – Darth-breathing, eating, sounding like you’ve been auto-tuned due to Skype, these are turn offs. Invest in a good microphone. Learn to edit. Create amazing content. My ears and brain thank you in advance.
Thanks to @jacobingalls for helping me out with this list. 
Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started