@GrizzlerBorno: Yes, I am in fact talking about changing the 'Official' name of video games. As far as I am concerned we can keep the nickname games on them. The reason I am saying the 'official' name should be changed is so that those who don't know the medium can get a better understanding of it through it's name. I know we will NEVER be able to find a name that can 100% fit all the many different aspects of gaming, but at the least we should be able to come up with something that shows people that we are a mature medium meant to be appreciated by everyone and through many different subjects. Also, yes I know it would be a ton of work to get this all done.
I Think Gaming Needs a Renaming....
- Thread starter Adam Gadal
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Changing the name of an entire genre of entertainment would be an extremely lengthy and involved process. Furthermore, it wouldn't work.
EVEN if you somehow managed to get people calling it whatever politically correct term you see fit, it won't change the meaning behind the term. if people have negative connotations towards something, it's more likely then not that they MEAN to have them.
If people are going to judge an entire medium based on it's name, I don't particularly see the appeal in them partaking in my favourite pastime.
also, as a trivial (but nonetheless inevitable) point. What would you do about terms like game console or game pad. the term interactively entertaining computer is a mouthful.
I really would suggest you just drop the idea.
EVEN if you somehow managed to get people calling it whatever politically correct term you see fit, it won't change the meaning behind the term. if people have negative connotations towards something, it's more likely then not that they MEAN to have them.
If people are going to judge an entire medium based on it's name, I don't particularly see the appeal in them partaking in my favourite pastime.
also, as a trivial (but nonetheless inevitable) point. What would you do about terms like game console or game pad. the term interactively entertaining computer is a mouthful.
I really would suggest you just drop the idea.
I don't know....I just cant think of anything that fits without soundong pretentiousAdam Gadal said:
Interective experience?
ok other thna that I got nothing, plus its more of a mouthful than video games (personally I always felt more comfortable calling them computer games, video games feels like an american term)
but the casual term is all that people who aren't inherently interested are going to hear.Adam Gadal said:
Also, computer games suits pretty much everything already. Honestly don't know why you think the handful of people who are so pretentious as to look down on something with a word traditionally associated with fun things, are a demographic we should really give a flying F*** about.
Interactive Entertainment? That's not a respectable term, that's one of those BS names that businesses come up with because they think it makes their product sound advanced.
That, and it's just not, for lack of better terms, catchy. Think of it this way, say someone(assuming some one hasn't already)started telling everyone to not use the terms movies or films. Instead we should start using the term "visual motion entertainment"
That would never catch on. Like the term movies or film, video games is a universally accepted term to mean, well video games. Giving it a different name isn't going to affect the industry. If anything, those who are out side of the industry will look at it as a pathetic attempt to look respectable.
That, and it's just not, for lack of better terms, catchy. Think of it this way, say someone(assuming some one hasn't already)started telling everyone to not use the terms movies or films. Instead we should start using the term "visual motion entertainment"
That would never catch on. Like the term movies or film, video games is a universally accepted term to mean, well video games. Giving it a different name isn't going to affect the industry. If anything, those who are out side of the industry will look at it as a pathetic attempt to look respectable.
I think the term 'video games' sounds ancient, anyone for pong?, and should just be reduced to 'gaming' or 'games'
I get annoyed when even a TV series like Supernatural, which is in a sense, aimed at geeks portrays us as sad losers who are 'in longterm internet relationships' and think Dean Koontz can be compared with Dickens and Lovecraft. It's time the media grew up a bit, not us.
I get annoyed when even a TV series like Supernatural, which is in a sense, aimed at geeks portrays us as sad losers who are 'in longterm internet relationships' and think Dean Koontz can be compared with Dickens and Lovecraft. It's time the media grew up a bit, not us.
Nope, mediums should bow to the idiots who can't be bothered to learn about them... can you see the pointlessness yet?
Should we rename Quantum Physics into My Little Pony Physics so more people will get into it?
Or should they just fucking learn what Quantum Physics are?
Should we rename Quantum Physics into My Little Pony Physics so more people will get into it?
Or should they just fucking learn what Quantum Physics are?
I don't know the more I think about it the more this type of PR rebranding just feels like a bad idea. Mainly because when someone wants to name change something it always makes me wonder "what's up?". Also, where it's really necessary and there is a huge difference in the types of software that a product really is, there HAS been not a change, but different names to begin with as in the case of "Educational Software." Rocky's Boots and COD are different things, and their names as they are label them that way. I also don't feel the change is very feasable, certainly wouldn't be cost effective, (PR campaigns get VERY spendy) and most of all I just don't think it's necessary. Video games works. Video games are what they are. I doubt that, or the name, will change.Adam Gadal said:
Also "Interactive Entertainment" has been tried before and we just replied "What? Just shut up and give me my copy of Sewer Shark already!"
My problem with the term 'Interactive Entertainment' is that it doesn't neccesarily just relate to video games. You could argue that any recreational activity with tangible or tactile feedback is interactive in some capacity- making an automated toy model for example. The term seems imprecise and/or wide-ranging, not suited to designating it towards one particular medium.
For me, leaving out the word 'game' when referring to games seem a little dishonest somehow, as if we know that they're games but that we're embarrassed by it. Fundamentally, 'games' are just that, and naming them something else seems merely to serve as a slapdash attempt to artificially elavate the respectability of the medium. I'd argue that it is the game designers who will ultimately be responsible for raising prestige and perception, by producing games that can demonstrate an ability to rival the intellectual and artistic merits of the best films and books. If something is recognisably excellent it should not need some grandious title.
If you are still desperate for a new and catchy moniker for our hobby however, might I suggest 'Dynamic Electronic Emotion and Intellect Feeback Units With Flashing Lights and Sound'.
Practically rolls of the tongue.
For me, leaving out the word 'game' when referring to games seem a little dishonest somehow, as if we know that they're games but that we're embarrassed by it. Fundamentally, 'games' are just that, and naming them something else seems merely to serve as a slapdash attempt to artificially elavate the respectability of the medium. I'd argue that it is the game designers who will ultimately be responsible for raising prestige and perception, by producing games that can demonstrate an ability to rival the intellectual and artistic merits of the best films and books. If something is recognisably excellent it should not need some grandious title.
If you are still desperate for a new and catchy moniker for our hobby however, might I suggest 'Dynamic Electronic Emotion and Intellect Feeback Units With Flashing Lights and Sound'.
Practically rolls of the tongue.
This is also why we can't drop the "video" and make it just "games." There's a lot of different types of game out there; board, card, tabletop, video, tag, etc. Heck, when I was a kid, "gamers" were people who played tabletop games. It didn't change until I was halfway through middle school, and the change wasn't complete until highschool.BrokenStylus said:
I doubt it would help. Yes, there is a stigma associated with video games. I just finished writing up a 2000 word report on the issues gamers face in Australia, possibly the only time I've enjoyed that kinda work.
But changing the name won't really change the misconceptions people have over video games, and I think it comes across as us kind of defensive and desperate. It will be glorious when games are finally accepted as a legitimate medium, and we aren't all viewed as rapists in waiting, but I don't think this is the way to go about it.
But changing the name won't really change the misconceptions people have over video games, and I think it comes across as us kind of defensive and desperate. It will be glorious when games are finally accepted as a legitimate medium, and we aren't all viewed as rapists in waiting, but I don't think this is the way to go about it.
Really bad name in my opinion. I think it encourages the thought that gaming is this passive being-entertained like movies are. But for me, that's not gaming. Interactive Entertainment could fit to RPGs and Adventures. Games that are like movies, story focussed, trying to keep you entertained, and in the end anyone, no matter how bad you are, will beat/finish/win it.Adam Gadal said:
Playing Mass Effect is a whole different world than playing Starcraft or anything competetive.
Mass Effect is like watching a movie. You sit there and everything you do is fine, and if you fail it doesn't matter. For me, that is the kind of game that "wastes my time" because it is like a movie, it is like sitting on your couch and watching TV. (I am not trying to say Mass Effect or RPGs are bad, I enjoyed Mass Effect, but like watching TV, the time spent spent for it seems wasted.)
Starcraft or any "competetive hardcore gaming" is different. Starcraft is really active, and you don't even necessarily need to be entertained by it. It can annoy you, but you keep on playing to become better. And when you finally overcome sucking hard, you feel great, until you start to be/feel bad again. If you really try to improve and be faster/cleverer/better the time doesn't feel wasted afterwards.