WIll Games ever be as respected as movies?

Well respected and popular are 2 different things

Movies are more popular than books, but books are more respected

Anything that takes extra commitment like books and video games, won't be as accessible as things that don't(videos)

But certain video games like MarioBros and WiiSports are directly accessible and as such, I believe, are just as popular/respected.

Depends basically.

Well respected and popular are 2 different things.Boltybolt

Very true. Regardless of how popular something is, respect comes from the appreciation of the talent and hard work that went into the game, as well as its artistic value.

Untill games become more story-driven, no. The problem is that the plot in a game, more often than not, is just an excuse for the player to go from A to B and kill X. The main pull of a game is the interactive experience, not the justification for it.Junkie_man

Another excellant point. Game devs need to put more time and talent into writing remarkable stories and employing superb dialog writers and voice actors to bring the story to life.

Untill games become more story-driven, no. The problem is that the plot in a game, more often than not, is just an excuse for the player to go from A to B and kill X. The main pull of a game is the interactive experience, not the justification for it.Junkie_man

In some ways gaming has matched or surpassed movies. GTA's story and wit surpass what you see in most movies, and so does the revenue it has generated. GTA isn't the norm though. For every GTA or Bioshock, there are 100 video games where the underlying narrative would make a Uwe Boll movie look good.

Movies are just a better medium to tell a story. Every game, even the best with the biggest budgets, like GTA, are bound to some repetetive mechanic....in GTA's case driving and fighting in a sandbox....as opposed to cohesively and efficiently providing narrative. Just like books will always be a better medium than movies, so to will movies always trump games.

Yes. If today's children are old men, i.e. if there are only people who grew up knowing video games as a form of storytelling, videogames can have an influental lobby, videogames can be generally accepted as an art form. If we've reached that point, less pleasing fanboys will be required to make money off videogames, hence more original, more daring works will appear. When we've reached the point where saying "my hobbies are literature, sports and videogames" doesn't make you sound awkward and like a kid for "outsiders", then maybe "videogames" disappears, and "interactive entertainment" takes its place.

Comics have not quite reached this point. For games and gamers, it is very far away. But it'll happen.

In some ways gaming has matched or surpassed movies. GTA's story and wit surpass what you see in most movies, and so does the revenue it has generated...Hulabaloza

How much revenue a game makes has nothing to do with respect earned, especially considering how over-hyped GTA4 was.

Movies are just a better medium to tell a story...Hulabaloza

I disagree. A movie progresses from start to finish on a linear path with one outcome. Videogames allow you to make choices that effect the progression and outcome of the story, making them a much better story-telling medium.

A game will beat genres such as thrillers and sci-fi's, but it cant really deliver a nice, subtle story and still hold up gameplay you know?

It depends on what you base your comparisons on. Citizen Kane or most Fellini's films are indeed complex works of art. Goes without saying that a game will never reach those heights of storytelling or character development. There's a reason for that, however. A game's purpose is to be played, not absorbed and analyzed. On the other hand, a game can be refined to the level of a work of art not just visually, but interactively as well. The pace, addictiveness and depth of Civilization, for example is as subtle and intricate gameplay-wise as Citizen Kane is dramatically-wise.nopalversion

Word. Nobody compares the Mona Lisa to Citizen Kane, and I won't compare Super Mario Bros. to either. They can all be awesome, but they don't have to be awesome in the same way.

What do you respect more, No Country for Old Men, or Super Mario Galaxy? I have to go with Mario, and I wouldn't be surprised if other people felt the same way. Not to say I am right or anything, it is just that they are different mediums, and they shouldn't have the same checklist to see if it is relevant or worthwhile.

Thinking of it, how about a chick-flick game, where you make a decision if you want to go out with your sweetheart or not? I dont think that wil work out...

But you are like saying will ever duck hunting be as popular as walking? everyone walks, but you need special gear and experience to go duck hunting....

Everyone watches movies, all you have to do is open your eyes. For games, you have to buy the gear, you cant go to the cinema to play. For games you have to know how to use the controller and get the understanding and experience of using items, collecting, health shooting locking, saving , loading, levels. Its a different way to play different genres (RPG-FPS-fighter) , for movies...just open your eyes.

The other thing is that movies are considered as an art, while games are considered as toys...and they are, you play them. Movies tend to criticize life and have all these ironic different point of views and plot, while games seem made purely for entertainment and making time pass by. I do agree taht some games have a better and more interesting plot than a lot of movies, like GTA's, but stil GTA doesnt beat the biggest of films like godfather or the titanic.

You also have to put in your mind that a lot of games sell "good" just because its based on a movie, and we all known movie-to-game ports suck but why do developers continue to do them? Because they sell based on the movie. I know what you are thinking, that there were films based on games, but I bet you anything...that movies turned into games, together sold better than games turned into movies together. For example, I bet that toy story(game plus movie) sold better than one of the most popular titles, mortal kombat and its movie. Or you can chose doom or resident evil, they are all popular titles.

I have to bring your attention that the longest of movies are 3-4 hours long, while the shortest of games is probably longer than that. Which makes gaming is a lot more of a time waster and less appealing to the majority.

Sorry, but I do not see it happening.

But there is one thing that games are better at. That is you get more experience from the game than the movie, because you get to play the part and be inside the story but in the movie you are on the outside watching.

Why do they not test with a movie game? You know like a movie, but you can control characters by the controller and they are not 3d animation,....I thought that was like the next big thing back in the day watch mad dog on the 3d with video and you play in it was like hysterically cool.

[QUOTE="Hulabaloza"]In some ways gaming has matched or surpassed movies. GTA's story and wit surpass what you see in most movies, and so does the revenue it has generated...EnigManic

How much revenue a game makes has nothing to do with respect earned, especially considering how over-hyped GTA4 was.

I'll let you pick what's overhyped or not, but I think GTA's sales reflect how good it is. It's a visceral game, but it's also very smart. The action and freedom appeal to everyone and the anti-social activity is made more palatable with a spoonful of satire.

The box office or checkout counter is a valid critic.

[QUOTE="Hulabaloza"]Movies are just a better medium to tell a story...EnigManic

I disagree. A movie progresses from start to finish on a linear path with one outcome. Videogames allow you to make choices that effect the progression and outcome of the story, making them a much better story-telling medium.

That knee caps the narrative.

There is a reason choose your own path DVD's, interactive movies, sucked and a reason why no great author is going to write choose your own adventure books. How can you develop a character or give a narrative if the ending could be anything? It doesn't work.

[QUOTE="EnigManic"]How much revenue a game makes has nothing to do with respect earned, especially considering how over-hyped GTA4 was.Hulabaloza

I'll let you pick what's overhyped or not, but I think GTA's sales reflect how good it is. It's a visceral game, but it's also very smart. The action and freedom appeal to everyone and the anti-social activity is made more palatable with a spoonful of satire.

The box office or checkout counter is a valid critic.

There are lots of people who will buy a game if they see it advertised everywhere. GTA4 was definitely over-hyped, considering its flaws.

[QUOTE="EnigManic"][QUOTE="Hulabaloza"]Movies are just a better medium to tell a story...Hulabaloza

...There is a reason choose your own path DVD's, interactive movies, sucked and a reason why no great author is going to write choose your own adventure books. How can you develop a character or give a narrative if the ending could be anything? It doesn't work.

That is your opinion. Lots of people have enjoyed choose your own adventure books, myself included.

I don´t think they will ever be respected as much as movies,even if they will take a bigger role then now in the future.

Of course,the Wii with it´s simple,but fun for a short time-games let people that never played before get into Videogames,that´s for shure.But there are two sides of a coin: The more success the Wii got with simpe,most medicore games it changes the industry for the worse for us "Core-gamers".SCI for example turns down many projects the Core-gamer has been waiting for,because they can make more money with simple games that work for Casual Gamers but not for the Core-gamer who expects much more then 15Minutes of simple fun.Artistical graphics and high-quality gameplay are a good that could end up almost destroyed and let those who made games big turn away from gaming.Actually it does already.I don´t see how games like "Cooking Mama" could take on a Movie,for example.And there will be much more games like it in the future,because it sells like crazy.

...SCI for example turns down many projects the Core-gamer has been waiting for,because they can make more money with simple games that work for Casual Gamers but not for the Core-gamer who expects much more then 15Minutes of simple fun.Ash2X

I think you're over-generalizing. Not all casual games are short and limited in replay value. For example, Wii boxing is great. The animation and graphics suck, but once you start playing, it's hard to put it down.

[QUOTE="Ash2X"]...SCI for example turns down many projects the Core-gamer has been waiting for,because they can make more money with simple games that work for Casual Gamers but not for the Core-gamer who expects much more then 15Minutes of simple fun.EnigManic

I think you're over-generalizing. Not all casual games are short and limited in replay value. For example, Wii boxing is great. The animation and graphics suck, but once you start playing, it's hard to put it down.

Maybe....but you see the effect today already.I think if more and more Games are on the Wii/Eye Toy level without being something else like a Mini-game collection it whouldn´t have what I for example search for.Of course some of the stuff is great and motivating for a short time,but I don´t think it could compare a great Storyline,awesome,atistically great graphics and a unique and wonderful Soundtrack.And I couldn´t find much casual or mini Games that got a high replay-value,exept on partys when everybodys drunk.

The argument that most games are sci-fi/fantasy and therefor isn't as respectable doesn't make much sense. Many sci-fi/fantasy films/books are very respected, some of the best films/books I've read are sci-fi. Just look at 2001: A space Odessey, Blade Runner and 1984(the book). Sci-fi hasn't always been about space ships firing lasers at eachother.ikwal

The problem is that games are pretty much solely focused on fun. Until that mentality is broken (is watching "Apocalypse now" or "Taxi Driver" a particularly fun experience?) then they will forever be considered at the level of those camp sci-fi B-movies, rather than anything deeper.

A properly thought out 1984 game would be awesome, btw, but only if the focus was really on the narrative and atmosphere.

definately, devil may cry 4 has better cinematics than any movie i've seen recently.I-AM-THE-G-MAN

You see, this is the problem. DMC 4 had a terrible, predictable and dull storyline, and until gamers start demanding more involved scripts, games just have no hope of competing with any true artform. Sure, the cutscenes are outlandish and well-done, but the story they tell is not worth the paper it was written on. As long as BioShock and Mass Effect are considered as close to the pinnacles of narrative in gaming, games won't and shouldn't be taken seriously by the vast majority of people. I loved both those games, but they hardly have any of the emotional depth or subtlety of the best film narratives.

And Enigmanic, to my surprise, I agreed with your first post, but than you started bashing GTA IV again. Do you do that in every thread you post in? For god's sake, give it a rest.....

No game can come close to a good movie's story.

I mean The Godfather's story is just on another level.

And Enigmanic, to my surprise, I agreed with your first post, but than you started bashing GTA IV again. Do you do that in every thread you post in? For god's sake, give it a rest..... streak000

Thank you for the feedback. But I will never back down as long as I am unable to spend more than two minutes on this site without encountering a bunch of fanboys who insist on regarding GTA4 as something akin to the greatest game ever, despite it's many flaws and shortcomings.

No game can come close to a good movie's story.

I mean The Godfather's story is just on another level.

bond21

Yeah....daaaaaamn long! :D But of course,games can tell a good storyline,some maybe better than movies,because you ca tell just more,not limited to a certain time limit of 90 Minutes,maybe 2h.But Storylines told by games are different then Storylines told by Movies.It´s natural because of the medium.Can a movie reach a book?No,because its a whole different thing.

It´s not really a thing of reaching...it´s just another way to deliver it.

maybe, most movies based games have nothing to do with the game. so directors pritty much just make a title of the game same names and everything except it has a different story line. i don't want that in movies, i want the same story and everything except in movie form.

like resident evil was a good one until 2 and changed it a little. then extension had nothing to do with the game.

I think games will get there, within our lifetime even. I'm starting to see more and more articles about videogames in the professional media, and its not just to villify them. Many professional news outlets are also starting to review games. GTA4, in particular, has gotten a lot of praise from non-gaming outlets.

We are likely (many?) decades away, but it'll happen some day.

[QUOTE="bond21"]

No game can come close to a good movie's story.

I mean The Godfather's story is just on another level.

Ash2X

Yeah....daaaaaamn long! :D But of course,games can tell a good storyline,some maybe better than movies,because you ca tell just more,not limited to a certain time limit of 90 Minutes,maybe 2h.But Storylines told by games are different then Storylines told by Movies.It´s natural because of the medium.Can a movie reach a book?No,because its a whole different thing.

It´s not really a thing of reaching...it´s just another way to deliver it.

Exactly, you can't judge a game as you would a movie. Just like you can't judge a movie like you would a book. Or a song with any of them. They are all very different experiences.

I think some videogames are story driven to the extent that they are on par with movie eg Metal Gear Solid.

The problem starts with games that the non-gaming public would commonly come into contact with that have no true story except and excuse for what your doing. Eg Halo, Mario, Gta, Motorstorm etc

I do however think Uncharted has extreme potential to make a good film due to NaughtyDogs attempts to have a viable scrip and hiring of proffesional actors and motion sensing for cutscenes.

...The problem starts with games that the non-gaming public would commonly come into contact with that have no true story except and excuse for what your doing. Eg Halo, Mario, Gta, Motorstorm etc...muff07

You make a good point, but I have to disagree about Halo (at least the first two). I thought it had a great story. Also, Mario could be made into a decent CGI movie for kids, ignoring that crappy film with Fisher Stevens.

When they start being good films and not translations of of the game itself.

Directors are too worried about pleasing the fans and capturing what was visual about the game, when games, and films are two different realms.

Taking the central concept or ideal from the mythos of a game and stripping it down would be more effective than basing a screenplay off of the material itself, i.e., Roger Avary with Silent Hill.

Most of the adaptations seen are just lazy and incompetant film making, but most of the blame lies with scribe.

When they start being good films and not translations of of the game itself.

Directors are too worried about pleasing the fans and capturing what was visual about the game, when games, and films are two different realms.

Taking the central concept or ideal from the mythos of a game and stripping it down would be more effective than basing a screenplay off of the material itself, i.e., Roger Avary with Silent Hill.

Most of the adaptations seen are just lazy and incompetant film making, but most of the blame lies with scribe.

MedicMike66

I don´t think directors care much about the fans.If they whould,they whould deliver good movies.The problem is to deliver the whole thing to people who don´t care about the Games.Without it no Studio whould put Millions on the table.Dead or Alive is a good example.They said in the Making of:"We all had a XBox in the rooms and played the games a lt to bring the moves into the movies"...just simply a lie...another one "I played my character all the time"...if the said character whould EXIST in the game...well I thi the big difference with Silent Hill wa the fact that the people wwho made it actually known the games.There are many games that look like they whould work as a movie but they simply don´t.Resident Evil whould be 45-60Minutes long...the Movies could have be a lot better,no question and a lot more game-based.But they just didn´t care.They wanted a Blockbuster for a big audience with a famous title.Like Square with the 1st FF-Movie.

Max Payne. That's a story.

I don't know why people like Citizen Kane anyways. I understand why people think it's very good, but just not my type of movie.

Anyways, I think if you look at respect in terms of money, I think games can make more than a movie release if they're pretty popular, which I think demands some ounce of respect.

Movies and Games are different in the sense as well that games have to be interactive to be enjoyable, while movies have to have an engaging storyline to be enjoyable. Of course games need great storylines as well, but it's not as important. That's the difference to me.