Digital Life: A Reality Knock-Off
"I'm not going to miss the opening minutes of next year's expo," said Lauren Scott, self-proclaimed video game thrill-seeker. "I overslept this year and, then, got stuck in traffic. I'm not going to go anywhere."
Data from NPD Funworld, a market research firm, show that United States sales of video game consoles, portable devices and the games made for those platforms were $9.9 billion in 2004. Current data project sales for 2005 to exceed this staggering spending.
Highlights announced at this year's show:
- The Sims: Prison Expansion Pack. Cashing-in on courtroom obsession (as evidence with soaring TV ratings during trial coverage for Martha Steward, Scott Peterson and Michael Jackson), the Prison Expansion Pack allows the prison-is-not-for-me snob to experience a Sim-prison fantasy life. Available immediately at upscale electronic boutiques.
The Sims: Pimpin' Hard Expansion Pack. Embracing a newly recognized occupational status set by the IRS, this expansion pack is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Guests appearing in this pack include Jessica Simpson, Anna Nicole Smith and Mr. Britney Spears. Available by Memorial Day weekend.
Grand Theft Moped. The Grand Theft Auto franchise has expanded to two-wheelers to increase game interest in key oversea markets, including Rome, Italy and Taipei, Taiwan, where mopeds reflect the popular mode of transportation. Available only in overseas markets.
Age of Empire: CEO Expansion Pack. A re-released title to inspire a new generation of CEOs due to the shortage of CEOs expected within the next decade. The current rash of CEOs in legal-wrangles for tax fraud and other creative accounting practice is creating opportunities for the single-minded entrepreneurs. Though the game lacks much-needed lessons on corporate-compliances and social responsibilities, the game is rich in take-over and government-evasion scenarios. Availability subject to state and federal regulations.
Tomb Raider: Laura Croft is going under the digital knife for pixilated reduction from double-D cups to C-cups. Pamela Anderson is to blame for the current fad of breast reduction. Also, it was revealed that Laura Croft has names for her "girls": Mary Ann (left) and Ginger (right).
According to Sally Hall, director of focus group testing at Video Games Anonymous (VGA), "Our medicated society is demanding for more life-like actions in video games. It's not violence ... it's simply reality."
The appeal of The Sims is in its adherence to details, and that's where realism is blurred with fantasy. The Sims makes the unconscious conscious, but not in an existential Zen way. Everyday events in Life become planned activities in The Sims; going to the bathroom or eating require user interventions, less your Sims-selves perish. Unlike in real Life where millions go hungry every day, Sims are satiated with a click of the mouse.
The lives of The Sims are driven by purchasing of name-brand pixel items, mostly consumer electronic goods. The Sims are psychologically, momentarily happy only after purchases are made; the search for existence is simply static. Interaction with other Sims become meaningless without a gift involved. In that way, The Sims, indeed, uncanningly mirrors Reality for some.
"Hey, dog ... yeah, yeah ... I be an early tester for The Sims: Pimpin' Hard," said the suave, avid gamer Kevin Federline-Spears. "Yup, looks like they listened to me -- Sim-me and Sim-Britney are gonna deck out in matching bling-blings."
Fans were treated to the usual assortment of company-sponsored give-aways; however, show management drew much criticism for not including government cheese as part of the give-aways as promised during registration.
Scott was heard in the fading distance, "I might give up the prized spot to Jake Gyllenhaal or Johnny Depp, but not even a Stevie Wonder concert can tempt me away from my spot -- and you can quote me on that!"
another point of view ...
it just goes to show how society now prefers a fantasy or virtual world over reality. the fact that "reality tv" is in fact viewers living vicariously through other people illustrates people would rather watch others than live their own lives. what does this say about our society? not saying that there's anything wrong with fantasizing and/or simulating life but, some people are too (what's the word i'm looking for?) deluded? to separate the two worlds.
lester t: well, the sims is just a step away from mtv's real world, isn't it? i'm sure many will argue otherwise .. bring it on!
but seriously, i can't, and won't, criticize simulated gaming as a sin - it's very addictive. we all have secret alter egos, and it's healthy to have fantasies -- but some gamers can get out of hand. i remember stories of D&D gamers taking their hack 'n slash to the real world, with fatal consequences.
love hurts: you'll just never know what career you'll have next on this blog -- got any requests? i'm sure there's gonna be an occasion to have you as prime minister, if that's your aspiration!
i do love your quote, you sound so convincing .. heck, i'm ready to buy a game by charles manson and experience the thrill of it all!
love hurts: well, glad you're enjoying the entertainment! i certainly have a blast with .. how did a long-time friend recently characterized it .. all this pent-up creativity flying out of you!
I am guilty. I got hooked in the PAST with "Age of Empires", "War Craft" and that old "Cesar" game. But now, blogging kidnapped me!
People love the virtual world, we can be anonymous and for others the internet can be a playground to release those let me borrow that word, PENT UP fantasies hehe. Theres nothing wrong with that!
But, I still hate alarm clocks, especially when it rings at 6:30 in the morning.
the dutched pinay: well, as you know, i, too, am guilty of playing video games .. though i haven't played in many months. i'm just waiting for the next patch, expansion pack, etc.
the excitement of the virtual world is so seductive, and the fact that one can be anonymous, i wager to bet, is the driving factor. i think we all secretively want to have a alter egos, whether they be bond 007, batman, or wonder woman. among my friends, not one wanted to be howie the duck.
loz: ah, you must have the turbo mode turned off .. or maybe sim-loz just enjoys the bathroom ritual :-)
hahaha!!! i speed the time up, but it sucks that you have to make sure they're in the bathroom a good 2 hours before their ride to work turns up! Idiots.
colleen star: gosh, that's such a wonderful thing to say - i might just have to add your comment to my vanity quotes!
diadima: the sims live in a perfect world, we just inject our messed-up reality on to them!
truejerseygirl: for some odd reason, i can really get into ms. pac-man, but could never get excited to play pac-man or pac-man jr. i bet i was the 20% of the unaccounted demographics! i love old-school video games - nothing was better than pong - simple and streamlined, none of that eye-candy to distract the hand-eye coordination!
speak up!
Lester T.
it just goes to show how society now prefers a fantasy or virtual world over reality. the fact that "reality tv" is in fact viewers living vicariously through other people illustrates people would rather watch others than live their own lives. what does this say about our society? not saying that there's anything wrong with fantasizing and/or simulating life but, some people are too (what's the word i'm looking for?) deluded? to separate the two worlds.
Nam LaMore
lester t: well, the sims is just a step away from mtv's real world, isn't it? i'm sure many will argue otherwise .. bring it on!
but seriously, i can't, and won't, criticize simulated gaming as a sin - it's very addictive. we all have secret alter egos, and it's healthy to have fantasies -- but some gamers can get out of hand. i remember stories of D&D gamers taking their hack 'n slash to the real world, with fatal consequences.
Nam LaMore
love hurts: you'll just never know what career you'll have next on this blog -- got any requests? i'm sure there's gonna be an occasion to have you as prime minister, if that's your aspiration!
i do love your quote, you sound so convincing .. heck, i'm ready to buy a game by charles manson and experience the thrill of it all!
Nam LaMore
love hurts: well, glad you're enjoying the entertainment! i certainly have a blast with .. how did a long-time friend recently characterized it .. all this pent-up creativity flying out of you!
Jo Travels
I am guilty. I got hooked in the PAST with "Age of Empires", "War Craft" and that old "Cesar" game. But now, blogging kidnapped me!
People love the virtual world, we can be anonymous and for others the internet can be a playground to release those let me borrow that word, PENT UP fantasies hehe. Theres nothing wrong with that!
But, I still hate alarm clocks, especially when it rings at 6:30 in the morning.
Nam LaMore
the dutched pinay: well, as you know, i, too, am guilty of playing video games .. though i haven't played in many months. i'm just waiting for the next patch, expansion pack, etc.
the excitement of the virtual world is so seductive, and the fact that one can be anonymous, i wager to bet, is the driving factor. i think we all secretively want to have a alter egos, whether they be bond 007, batman, or wonder woman. among my friends, not one wanted to be howie the duck.
Nam LaMore
loz: ah, you must have the turbo mode turned off .. or maybe sim-loz just enjoys the bathroom ritual :-)
Loz
hahaha!!! i speed the time up, but it sucks that you have to make sure they're in the bathroom a good 2 hours before their ride to work turns up! Idiots.
Nam LaMore
colleen star: gosh, that's such a wonderful thing to say - i might just have to add your comment to my vanity quotes!
diadima: the sims live in a perfect world, we just inject our messed-up reality on to them!
truejerseygirl: for some odd reason, i can really get into ms. pac-man, but could never get excited to play pac-man or pac-man jr. i bet i was the 20% of the unaccounted demographics! i love old-school video games - nothing was better than pong - simple and streamlined, none of that eye-candy to distract the hand-eye coordination!
speak up!
previous 10 posts:
- The Look of Hope
- The Why of This Blog
- Jungle in My Closet
- Tagged for Migratory Purposes
- It's Hard But I Must Confess ...
- Partying with Rosie Palm and Her Sisters
- Read the Fine Print of Footnotes
- Earth Shifter
- Please Pour Me a Cup
- The Decoder Ring: The Truth Is Within