Is the term "video"game outdate?

[Original_Name]

I appreciate that they're considering the discussion, much like how in "Understanding Comics" Scott McCloud re-named "comic books" to "sequential art". "Interactive entertainment" is VERY close, but there has to be some separation between video games and those interactive books and board games which follow the same notion of choice and reaction. So I'd say that "interactive video entertainment" is a complete, if overly-wordy, term to describe the medium. Perhaps someone can come up with something catchier, because I know that what I just said would never catch on with the masses.

[ZeroAX]

I appreciate that they're considering the discussion, much like how in "Understanding Comics" Scott McCloud re-named "comic books" to "sequential art". "Interactive entertainment" is VERY close, but there has to be some separation between video games and those interactive books and board games which follow the same notion of choice and reaction. So I'd say that "interactive video entertainment" is a complete, if overly-wordy, term to describe the medium. Perhaps someone can come up with something catchier, because I know that what I just said would never catch on with the masses.

I.V.E maybe? (runs to local patent office)

[(-_-)]

I appreciate that they're considering the discussion, much like how in "Understanding Comics" Scott McCloud re-named "comic books" to "sequential art". "Interactive entertainment" is VERY close, but there has to be some separation between video games and those interactive books and board games which follow the same notion of choice and reaction. So I'd say that "interactive video entertainment" is a complete, if overly-wordy, term to describe the medium. Perhaps someone can come up with something catchier, because I know that what I just said would never catch on with the masses.

I just finished reading that today. It's an extremely easy and intelligent reading about comics. I think the term video games is only fitting some of the time. I've been playing heavy rain and I find it difficult to think of it as a game. It's almost strictly narrative, albeit a narrative you somewhat have control over. In that case, interactive video entertainment sounds like a better description. And then there is something like Noby Noby Boy which is hard to describe as a game. A game is some kind of structured activity with competition, goals, or rules. I'm not quite sure if I would say the term video game has become outdated but I feel that out of convenience of description, the term will definitely win out over something like interactive video entertainment.

[loganm187]

video art.......

[CRTGAMER]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming.gadgets/08/08/video.games.steinberg/index.html?hpt=C1

Quite an interesting approach, since you don't have to buy a media to play games anymore, nor do you have to see the other player next by you.

Its not the "Video Game" term CNN was alluding, its the downloads taking over retail sales.

Sad thing is DRM downloads are part of culture because of ignorant convenience.

Damn, I beat CNN to the punch! Wrote that on August 3.
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=291735#p291735

[J T]

I guess I don't see why videogame doesn't capture all of those different types of games. Just because its on an i-phone or facebook doesn't detract from the fact that it is still a videogame.

I take more issue with the use of the word "game". A game implies jovial fun. As the video game medium develops as an art form, I don't think video games need to be lighthearted fun. As art, they only need to be engaging and interesting. The word "game" can get in the way of progress for the art form in that regard. We need to be willing to play "games" that are sad or depressing or uneasy or contemplative if we want them to be art. Those just aren't the words you usually think of when you think of a game.

[Limewater]

I think its outdated, I think it was wrong up from the start
Electronic games sounds much more fitting, I want to say digital games but some early games might be analogue I am not sure.

There are tons of electronic games that aren't video games, though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_%28game%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bop_It

http://www.amazon.com/Fundex-2561-Hot-P ... B000NX0IQK

http://www.chesscentral.com/electronic_ ... s_s/52.htm

Etc...


JT, I disagree with your comments about the word "game" as well. I don't think that the word inherently carries the idea of light-hearted entertainment in our culture. Sports are often taken very seriously by spectators and athletes. The word "game" also refers to animals hunted and killed for food or other reasons.

[CRTGAMER]

I can see both points. Tend to be leaning more of better wording will help prevent stigma of "Video Game" as a waste of time. Watching movies I think is not looked down as gaming even though its still "wasting" a couple of hours. Maybe a new word interacting with that watched video without sounding techie or geeky?

[RCBH928]

I think its outdated, I think it was wrong up from the start
Electronic games sounds much more fitting, I want to say digital games but some early games might be analogue I am not sure.

There are tons of electronic games that aren't video games, though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_%28game%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bop_It

http://www.amazon.com/Fundex-2561-Hot-P ... B000NX0IQK

http://www.chesscentral.com/electronic_ ... s_s/52.htm

Etc...


JT, I disagree with your comments about the word "game" as well. I don't think that the word inherently carries the idea of light-hearted entertainment in our culture. Sports are often taken very seriously by spectators and athletes. The word "game" also refers to animals hunted and killed for food or other reasons.

I guess you are right,
can we call them digital games?
I really never understand why they were called video in the first place, I think because you pop in something like a "video tape" , then a "video" appears on tv but its playable, but am not sure

[skyknight]

Well, here's something related to the article.

Believed it or not, several friends of my mom are actually playing Farmville (or its Chinese predecessor, Happy Farm) with their grandchildren. Yet, they don't see it as a game, but rather as a way to stay connected with their children around the world, since some live in China or Taiwan, while their children live in the US or the West.