It seems more and more these days that people think Nintendo is failing in the western hemisphere in terms of game and hardware sales because they aren't appealing to this "mainstream". Well I would like to ask you all a question. Why does mainstream mean maturity? In other words, why do people think that just because the PS2 and XBox have more "Mature" rated titles that the systems are doing better in terms of sales? I have the answer for you, THEY AREN'T.
So I guess what we should try to figure out here is just what is the mainstream? Well not having looked at any kind of reference source, I will define that myself to the best of my ability. I feel the "mainstream" encompasses gamers who don't necessary take the time to actually do research on games they may potentially like, and just go along with whatever may happen to be currently "popular". This is obviously why games like Halo, Halo 2, the Grand Theft Auto series and Final Fantasy do so well on the sales charts. If it weren't for the huge media blitzes that push people to play these games, Halo and GTA would not be the popular franchises they are. Now I'm not necessarily saying those games are low in quality by any means because I don't think they are at all. But when games like Halo become such cult favorites, sometimes it's downright impossible to destroy the hype for that particular franchise.
Now according to Wikipedia, the definition of mainstream is "a term most often applied in the arts i.e., music, literature, and performance to* something that is not out of the ordinary or unusual;* something that is familiar to the masses;* something that belongs to an identifiable genre, such as detective fiction, horror, fantasy, or science fiction." So in simpler terms, mainstream refers to that which is familiar to the masses, and recognizable by a great number of people. Many believe that these mature titles like Halo, Half-Life, GTA and even Prince of Persia are what is needed to appeal to the mainstream since those are what are brought up the most. But when you really think about it, does maturity necessarily correlate directly with mainstream?
My definition of maturity happens to be anything in this world that requires a certain level of "moral" education. Or in other words, being taught what really and what really isn't considered "acceptable" on the social level in this world. So in my mind, something like an R rated movie should not be viewed by kids. Now of course there are those that have indeed been through enough to be able to distinguish fantasy from reality and that kind of violent, verbally offensive or sexual content won't do much to alter their perceptions. However, it is also the parents' job to make sure their children can distinguish that at some point in their lives, and for the most part that seems to be happening in recent generations. I think there is a pretty fine line in terms of an "age distinguishment" in terms of someone being able to mentally separate fantasy from reality. Some kids and newly prominent teens have never been given the kind of mental training they need in order to be able to do that; which is why we all too often hear about these kid and teen "psychopaths" that commit crimes based on things they saw in videogames. However, for the most part, I think today's teens and young adults are smart enough to make that determination on a logical level so they don't end up getting themselves into trouble.
In terms of a definition I found online, maturity literally means "fully developed", or "the period of time in your life after your physical growth has stopped and you are fully developed". In other words, the definition here basically states that maturity occurs once your physical development is finished and you are at a later age. It doesn't really say much about actual mental maturity, which is in entirely different boat altogether. But I think most if not all here will agree that mental maturity is not only being able to distinguish fantasy from reality, but being able to cogitate on such a level that standard logic drives your mental processes. In simpler terms, you can think on such a level that would be considered "useful" by today's standards.
But now with all that scientific jargon aside, I arrive at the main point of this article. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to be a "mature" gamer and wanting to play those "mature" titles, why do we have to lose our "inner child" in the process? Now don't go thinking already that this is another "mature vs. kiddie" debate, this is hardly the deal here. I'm not trying to say that Nintendo is kiddie, and I'm not trying to say they are mature, so hang in there for me. What I'm trying to get across here is why so many feel obligated to continue playing games that feature what the world considers to be mature, and in doing so; we detract from games that have featured content the world would consider more "age appropriate". Now once again, this isn't a maturity vs. kiddie debate, so please don't think this really is based on my previous statement. Everyone in this world thinks on their own accord and will consider things how they wish to consider them. Some people will call games like GTA "mature", some will call them too excessive with violent and sexual content. Some will call games featuring Mario "age appropriate" (or kiddie I guess), but some will say the game just takes a different approach in providing the entertainment they offer. Yes I know you are probably thinking I'm just trying to avoid saying kiddie by now, but if I haven't convinced you of my true argument here by now then it's a lost cause for me. But those of you that haven't given up on me yet do continue reading on.
So with the era of more "mature" gaming taking a headstrong leap into the next generation, what is happening to those of us that have been playing games like Mario, Zelda and others like Pokemon for years? Are we so engrossed in the feeling that we need to be like sheep and follow whatever "everyone else is doing" that we are willing to leave behind what many brought us into gaming? I for one am appalled at how so many can think that "Nintendo sucks" these days. In that very two word statement alone, so many people bring up the same unsupported arguments over and over again. "Nintendo doesn't know how to be mature or appeal to the mainstream". "Nintendo constantly drives away third party developers". "Nintendo is going to put themselves under" and it goes on and on. Now obviously everyone has their own feelings on those very statements, with some thinking they are very much true, and some feeling that others blow them out of proportion.
In my personal feeling, Nintendo does know how to be mature, and they aren't going to put themselves under. Yes I do believe some third parties have been lost because of poor business decisions on their part, but I'm in not the proper position to go ahead and argue that. Why do I think Nintendo is mature? Simple, most people think Nintendo isn't because they view the graphical style of many of their games to only appeal to children. Well since when did graphical realism dictate when something was or wasn't mature? Mario does strive for a more cartoony look graphically, yes, but there's violence in those games. Mario punches, he kicks, he jumps on enemies. What's not mature about that kind of violence? Is it because he's not toting around some oversized rocket launcher and sputtering out "f-bombs" left and right that he isn't mature? It almost seems like this "maturity" in games is driven by none other than society's own "immaturity" in giving people who enjoy seeing that behavior displayed to be justified in interacting with it on a fantasy level.
People say that Sony and Microsoft are doing better because each respective company "gives us what we want". Well how does giving us games that feature more "adult-targeted" content make them any more mature than Nintendo? I feel that too many think that since us as gamers are changing with age, that Nintendo has to do the same. Why? Now I'm not saying that Nintendo doesn't have to give us games featuring that kind of content, but I feel too many people think that kind of thing needs to be a developers' lifeline in profiting in today's world. Sure the western world is geared more towards violent and sexual content, but that doesn't necessarily make it more "mature". What was so entertaining about games like Mario back then that isn't entertaining about them now? Mario games haven't really changed since 1985 so how has the entertainment value of them changed just because we are more "grown up" now? I view this "gaming maturity" deal as nothing more than a mindset that the industry has created that stereotypes games that can't possibly be mature if the entertainment value they offer doesn't encompasses violent or sexual content.
So where are franchises like Zelda and Metroid in this picture? Is it because Link and Samus don't jump on the heads of Goombas that they are more "mature"? Is it because Link uses a sweet looking sword and Samus pumps out blasts of energy from her arm cannon that they are more "mature"? I think what the industry has caused us to perceive as "mature" has in effect caused us to lose our "inner child". By inner child I mean the very aspects of children that makes them children. Oh right, that means something by child-like standards is kiddie right? Wrong. By children and "inner child", I'm merely referring to the mindset that allows us to continually question, expand our imaginations. This means not having any qualms as to whether something we are playing with, reading or watching is "accepted" by everyone else. Basically just enjoying what you're doing and not having any inhibitions as to whether it's popular or not.
So in order to be considered mature, a game has to feature entertainment driven by violence and sex? I think a person that plays games like Mario, Monkey Ball, Donkey Kong and any other "age appropriate" games could just as easily be considered mature next to someone that only plays Halo or GTA. If you asked me, I think the real definition of "gaming maturity" is the ability to have fun with just about any kind of game and not feel embarrassed about playing it. When you are able to have fun with your games and not have a care in the world as to how others feel about the games you're playing, THAT'S gaming maturity! Who crowned the notion of entertainment value through violence and sexuality as being the deciding factors in being a "mature gamer"? I think whoever started that whole perception should rethink what has been shoved down our throats. In this gaming society, this "mainstream" is just way too worried about being accepted by others in terms of what they play and interact with in the gaming world. Too many just don't do the research anymore, and that in effect is causing so many of us to lose our "inner child". Then people wonder why so many smaller third party developers are having to close their doors. The day when mainstream gaming popularity takes over and veils our eyes from games that have true quality by current generation standards will be a sad one indeed.
So I guess what we should try to figure out here is just what is the mainstream? Well not having looked at any kind of reference source, I will define that myself to the best of my ability. I feel the "mainstream" encompasses gamers who don't necessary take the time to actually do research on games they may potentially like, and just go along with whatever may happen to be currently "popular". This is obviously why games like Halo, Halo 2, the Grand Theft Auto series and Final Fantasy do so well on the sales charts. If it weren't for the huge media blitzes that push people to play these games, Halo and GTA would not be the popular franchises they are. Now I'm not necessarily saying those games are low in quality by any means because I don't think they are at all. But when games like Halo become such cult favorites, sometimes it's downright impossible to destroy the hype for that particular franchise.
Now according to Wikipedia, the definition of mainstream is "a term most often applied in the arts i.e., music, literature, and performance to* something that is not out of the ordinary or unusual;* something that is familiar to the masses;* something that belongs to an identifiable genre, such as detective fiction, horror, fantasy, or science fiction." So in simpler terms, mainstream refers to that which is familiar to the masses, and recognizable by a great number of people. Many believe that these mature titles like Halo, Half-Life, GTA and even Prince of Persia are what is needed to appeal to the mainstream since those are what are brought up the most. But when you really think about it, does maturity necessarily correlate directly with mainstream?
My definition of maturity happens to be anything in this world that requires a certain level of "moral" education. Or in other words, being taught what really and what really isn't considered "acceptable" on the social level in this world. So in my mind, something like an R rated movie should not be viewed by kids. Now of course there are those that have indeed been through enough to be able to distinguish fantasy from reality and that kind of violent, verbally offensive or sexual content won't do much to alter their perceptions. However, it is also the parents' job to make sure their children can distinguish that at some point in their lives, and for the most part that seems to be happening in recent generations. I think there is a pretty fine line in terms of an "age distinguishment" in terms of someone being able to mentally separate fantasy from reality. Some kids and newly prominent teens have never been given the kind of mental training they need in order to be able to do that; which is why we all too often hear about these kid and teen "psychopaths" that commit crimes based on things they saw in videogames. However, for the most part, I think today's teens and young adults are smart enough to make that determination on a logical level so they don't end up getting themselves into trouble.
In terms of a definition I found online, maturity literally means "fully developed", or "the period of time in your life after your physical growth has stopped and you are fully developed". In other words, the definition here basically states that maturity occurs once your physical development is finished and you are at a later age. It doesn't really say much about actual mental maturity, which is in entirely different boat altogether. But I think most if not all here will agree that mental maturity is not only being able to distinguish fantasy from reality, but being able to cogitate on such a level that standard logic drives your mental processes. In simpler terms, you can think on such a level that would be considered "useful" by today's standards.
But now with all that scientific jargon aside, I arrive at the main point of this article. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to be a "mature" gamer and wanting to play those "mature" titles, why do we have to lose our "inner child" in the process? Now don't go thinking already that this is another "mature vs. kiddie" debate, this is hardly the deal here. I'm not trying to say that Nintendo is kiddie, and I'm not trying to say they are mature, so hang in there for me. What I'm trying to get across here is why so many feel obligated to continue playing games that feature what the world considers to be mature, and in doing so; we detract from games that have featured content the world would consider more "age appropriate". Now once again, this isn't a maturity vs. kiddie debate, so please don't think this really is based on my previous statement. Everyone in this world thinks on their own accord and will consider things how they wish to consider them. Some people will call games like GTA "mature", some will call them too excessive with violent and sexual content. Some will call games featuring Mario "age appropriate" (or kiddie I guess), but some will say the game just takes a different approach in providing the entertainment they offer. Yes I know you are probably thinking I'm just trying to avoid saying kiddie by now, but if I haven't convinced you of my true argument here by now then it's a lost cause for me. But those of you that haven't given up on me yet do continue reading on.
So with the era of more "mature" gaming taking a headstrong leap into the next generation, what is happening to those of us that have been playing games like Mario, Zelda and others like Pokemon for years? Are we so engrossed in the feeling that we need to be like sheep and follow whatever "everyone else is doing" that we are willing to leave behind what many brought us into gaming? I for one am appalled at how so many can think that "Nintendo sucks" these days. In that very two word statement alone, so many people bring up the same unsupported arguments over and over again. "Nintendo doesn't know how to be mature or appeal to the mainstream". "Nintendo constantly drives away third party developers". "Nintendo is going to put themselves under" and it goes on and on. Now obviously everyone has their own feelings on those very statements, with some thinking they are very much true, and some feeling that others blow them out of proportion.
In my personal feeling, Nintendo does know how to be mature, and they aren't going to put themselves under. Yes I do believe some third parties have been lost because of poor business decisions on their part, but I'm in not the proper position to go ahead and argue that. Why do I think Nintendo is mature? Simple, most people think Nintendo isn't because they view the graphical style of many of their games to only appeal to children. Well since when did graphical realism dictate when something was or wasn't mature? Mario does strive for a more cartoony look graphically, yes, but there's violence in those games. Mario punches, he kicks, he jumps on enemies. What's not mature about that kind of violence? Is it because he's not toting around some oversized rocket launcher and sputtering out "f-bombs" left and right that he isn't mature? It almost seems like this "maturity" in games is driven by none other than society's own "immaturity" in giving people who enjoy seeing that behavior displayed to be justified in interacting with it on a fantasy level.
People say that Sony and Microsoft are doing better because each respective company "gives us what we want". Well how does giving us games that feature more "adult-targeted" content make them any more mature than Nintendo? I feel that too many think that since us as gamers are changing with age, that Nintendo has to do the same. Why? Now I'm not saying that Nintendo doesn't have to give us games featuring that kind of content, but I feel too many people think that kind of thing needs to be a developers' lifeline in profiting in today's world. Sure the western world is geared more towards violent and sexual content, but that doesn't necessarily make it more "mature". What was so entertaining about games like Mario back then that isn't entertaining about them now? Mario games haven't really changed since 1985 so how has the entertainment value of them changed just because we are more "grown up" now? I view this "gaming maturity" deal as nothing more than a mindset that the industry has created that stereotypes games that can't possibly be mature if the entertainment value they offer doesn't encompasses violent or sexual content.
So where are franchises like Zelda and Metroid in this picture? Is it because Link and Samus don't jump on the heads of Goombas that they are more "mature"? Is it because Link uses a sweet looking sword and Samus pumps out blasts of energy from her arm cannon that they are more "mature"? I think what the industry has caused us to perceive as "mature" has in effect caused us to lose our "inner child". By inner child I mean the very aspects of children that makes them children. Oh right, that means something by child-like standards is kiddie right? Wrong. By children and "inner child", I'm merely referring to the mindset that allows us to continually question, expand our imaginations. This means not having any qualms as to whether something we are playing with, reading or watching is "accepted" by everyone else. Basically just enjoying what you're doing and not having any inhibitions as to whether it's popular or not.
So in order to be considered mature, a game has to feature entertainment driven by violence and sex? I think a person that plays games like Mario, Monkey Ball, Donkey Kong and any other "age appropriate" games could just as easily be considered mature next to someone that only plays Halo or GTA. If you asked me, I think the real definition of "gaming maturity" is the ability to have fun with just about any kind of game and not feel embarrassed about playing it. When you are able to have fun with your games and not have a care in the world as to how others feel about the games you're playing, THAT'S gaming maturity! Who crowned the notion of entertainment value through violence and sexuality as being the deciding factors in being a "mature gamer"? I think whoever started that whole perception should rethink what has been shoved down our throats. In this gaming society, this "mainstream" is just way too worried about being accepted by others in terms of what they play and interact with in the gaming world. Too many just don't do the research anymore, and that in effect is causing so many of us to lose our "inner child". Then people wonder why so many smaller third party developers are having to close their doors. The day when mainstream gaming popularity takes over and veils our eyes from games that have true quality by current generation standards will be a sad one indeed.
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