Mildly interesting
So Time's 100 list detailing 100 notable people of the year. Mostly I find it interesting to read the "Scientists & Thinkers" section, though some of the other sections can be interesting as well. Mostly I don't even bother looking at the artists and entertainers section, as that isn't my cup of tea per se. It is the first one listed though, and as I was scrolling past it an interesting name stood out: Rob Pardo. I'm guessing most of you have never heard of him, and with good reason. He isn't an actor, director, author, singer, or any sort of performer. He is actually Vice President of Design at Blizzard software, and is responsible for the greatest game ever made, Warcraft II (oh, and that World of Warcraft thingy, but I would rather play against six million people at Warcraft II than WoW. I might actually be challenged then).
I find it interesting because it is a slow acknowledgment that video games, once the venue of social outcasts and myself, are gaining credibility. Granted he is only one video game guru among a list of 20 entertainers, but one day names like Sid Meyers, Will Wright, and Miyamoto Shigeru may be common place on the list. I look forward to the day when games are as valid and appreciated form of entertainment, given equal artistic credit as books and movies. Some argue that video games are simply formulaic violence, and while several are, so are a good chunk of movies and books, and hey, the early pioneers of video games weren't racist propoganda, which can't be said about movies (Yes, I am looking at you D.W. Griffith when I say that). However the media distorts things concerning games. Only 6% of games each year get an M or Adult rating, which seems on par with movies, and a far cry from the rampant ultra-violence that the media likes to present.
Economically, video games are already a bigger industry. Take World of Warcraft for example. It currently has 6 Million subscribers. Those are 6 Million people who paid at least $40 for the game, so there is $240 Million as a low estimate, as well as an average of $13 a month in subscription fees (so $78 million a month total). Titanic has grossed $600 million total between box office, VHS, and DVD sales to date, making it the highest grossing movie ever. Thats revenue over 9 years. In subscription alone, WoW grosses that every 8 months (less actually, but lets not deal with fractions). I think its about time that games get a little recognition.
~El Chupageek
I find it interesting because it is a slow acknowledgment that video games, once the venue of social outcasts and myself, are gaining credibility. Granted he is only one video game guru among a list of 20 entertainers, but one day names like Sid Meyers, Will Wright, and Miyamoto Shigeru may be common place on the list. I look forward to the day when games are as valid and appreciated form of entertainment, given equal artistic credit as books and movies. Some argue that video games are simply formulaic violence, and while several are, so are a good chunk of movies and books, and hey, the early pioneers of video games weren't racist propoganda, which can't be said about movies (Yes, I am looking at you D.W. Griffith when I say that). However the media distorts things concerning games. Only 6% of games each year get an M or Adult rating, which seems on par with movies, and a far cry from the rampant ultra-violence that the media likes to present.
Economically, video games are already a bigger industry. Take World of Warcraft for example. It currently has 6 Million subscribers. Those are 6 Million people who paid at least $40 for the game, so there is $240 Million as a low estimate, as well as an average of $13 a month in subscription fees (so $78 million a month total). Titanic has grossed $600 million total between box office, VHS, and DVD sales to date, making it the highest grossing movie ever. Thats revenue over 9 years. In subscription alone, WoW grosses that every 8 months (less actually, but lets not deal with fractions). I think its about time that games get a little recognition.
~El Chupageek