Media Meditation #1- VIDEO GAME OR MOVIE?

An advertisement came on television the other day, as I sat and thought to myself .. just another movie coming out.

I found out however, that it was not a movie at all, but a video game. Amazing technology now, makes it seem like you are actually watching a movie with real people involved, than actually playing a game. The involvment that these games cover is phenominal, but how long can the gaming world keep up with today's trends?




As shown in this advertisement, through EA Games, Mass Effect 2 is an ultimate gamer's interactive experience. With all of the technology that we are exposed to now, and all of the newer generations taking part of it, how much further is the gaming world going to be able to go?

In this particular advertisement they use special effects and scenarios that we usually experience through movies.

WHAT MASS EFFECT 2 OFFERS THEIR VIEWERS-

AESTHETIC SHIFT- When dealing with convergence in our world today, Mass Effect has taken this to the ultimate point. This new age technology of making it seem like the one playing the game is actually in this particular "world", highlights games like these and seperates them from the rest.

PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES: as shown, the lighting and angles of the footage for Mass Effect 2, make all of the difference in relating to their gamers. The most important part however to capture their prospected buyers, are the sound effects. This game is made up of shootings, destruction, and aliens. Without the sound effects, this wouldn't be such an exclusive game, making it a huge trigger to its' audience.

NOSTALGIA: Mass Effect 2 uses the appeal of being mythical or scientific fiction, differing it from other games, such as NBA Live or MLB. With their skyscrapers, aliens, weapons, and graphics, this game alters the perception of those playing it.

TIMING: Mass Effect persuades through the game's story elements and production techniques, which enhances the media's meanings. The meanings being that they want to appeal to all "gamers" worldwide.

STRENGTH: This video game gives the strength of persuading by the appeals to be strong, aggressive, and very much "in-charge". The whole point in this video game is to be the player that holds the power, and that he/she is going to save the world by killing off these "alien villians".

Our question to these types of media is whether or not they are going to continue the drastic route of making the game more REAL. With this age in technology is EA Games and other competitors going to even survive?

As the internet is becoming more and more popular for even television shows, or movies. Are we soon going to see it play into these games where the PS3, XBOX, Wii, and other systems, will become extinct?

Already in the last 2 yeas, EA's stock share prices have lowered about 40$ per share, and are selling at a minimum of 15$ today. How are companies such as these going to hold out and be able to stick through the years of convergence to come? Time will tell eventually, but it is a question that not only these companies need to worry about, but also the users of these gaming systems.