Why video games are the new entertainment leaders

Posted by Don Reisinger

After playing through Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, it became quite clear to me that video games have supplanted film as entertainment leaders. The game shines on so many levels, it's difficult to recount them all here. But perhaps more than anything, it allowed me to become a part of an environment that goes above and beyond anything I've ever experienced in a movie.

And after playing through this instant classic, I can't help but wonder if the video game industry has finally realized that it commands mainstream attention and must favor a new type of gaming that creates unprecedented entertainment value.

I'm a firm believer that video games have replaced movies as the de facto leader in entertainment. Games offer greater entertainment value, usually have better stories, and generally appeal to people far more than any movie currently in theaters.

[LastDance]

I believe it.

It's amazing how much CRAP comes out of hollywood. But there is also some good stuff amongst it.

[SaiyanFury]

There is the odd gem that comes out of Hollywood, but most of it is tripe.

"Today, movies are thinly veiled attempts at turning a profit by over-hyping with utter disregard for the opinion most people will have."

This guy isn't kidding. How many more generic, cookie cutter CG Disney/Pixar or Dreamworks movies are going to come out? Hollywood is seeing how popular the videogames industry is getting and since the ever-growing industry is now turning equal or greater profits than the movie industry, Hollywood is trying to cash in by making cheap movies loosely based on games. Take one of the greater FPS games out in the last few years that is Doom 3. Hollywood goes and makes a horrible, virtually storyless movie with sub-standard acting. Now we're getting an MGS movie, a proposed HALO movie and so many more I can't even name them all. The simple fact of the matter is that Hollywood either seems to be running out of original ideas (how many movies these days are remakes of movies that were released 15 or more years ago) and is more interested in making a buck. I rarely ever go to theatres anymore. It's actually been so long since I've been interested in a movie that I can't remember the last time I went to a theatre. Oh well, I'm having more fun playing these awesome games than shelling out good money for Hollywood tripe. There's the odd good one released, but for the most part, they're only after your money.

[millerlite]

I'm sorry, but not all movies are video games you can't control. Tell me how Schindler's List has anything remotely in common with any video games...

If anyone thinks the movie sequences in MGS4 and GTAIV are at all close or better than actual movies, they need their head examined. I have both games and love them, but there's no way I'd say they're better than real movies. You get a two minute clip followed by some running around on your own, and you don't even need to follow up on the story. Not my idea of immersion.

[thesummerofgeorge]

I think you missed the point.

[mistertwoturbo]

Your missing the point here. It's the fact that these games gives you the OPTION to either skip it, or watch it. Then immerse yourself in it's world however you see fit. And secondly, it doesn't sound like you even touched MGS4 at all. There's no 2 minute clip followed by some running around. Some of the action sequences in there truely does rival the big hit movies (Refer to Raiden's scene of gekko pwnage)

However I'd be inclined to agree that video games aren't replacements for a good movie. I loved Transformers and Iron man, and those don't need to be explored as a video game to fully enjoy.

[SaiyanFury]

@2.2

Agreed. Most of the time you don't even need to play the licensed games based on those movies because they in themselves are cheap cash ins for developers and Hollywood companies to make a buck.

[thesummerofgeorge]

Hollywood is very aware of video games as the new money making medium. I was actually just reading a book on the same subject. This could mean more games with major budgets like MGS4 looking to repeat it's success now that it's clear how much money can be made even as an exclusive on the youngest console. It's an exciting time for video games.