The Cultural Impact Of Video Games | The Odyssey Online
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The Cultural Impact Of Video Games

The emergence of a new media, its setbacks as an industry, and the capabilities it has as a creative medium

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The Cultural Impact Of Video Games
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Video games are an emerging media source, a platform for storytelling and a novel basis of interaction between the user and the system. As video games progress as a medium, there is a regression in its representation of both audience and creators.

Women now make up the majority of video game consumers, however, there is a huge amount of disparity between the amount of playable female characters versus the plethora of male variety. Especially in the design of these characters, there is an objectification of the female characters, as they are often in hypersexual costumes that are beyond unrealistic.

However, with the rise of more realistic CGI and graphics, there is also a demand for more realistic, immersive female characters, as we see with Laura Croft from the "Tomb Raider" series.

Though the issue still remains, the present lack of diversity among all characters for representation of different races in protagonists. These problems are in a tight balance as major gaming developers are feeling the pressure from rising indie games dispersing the monopoly previously held by these companies. With PC and mobile platforms making games more accessible for less money, there's a certain pressure to appeal to the wider, more diverse audience.

Mobile gaming, as well as internet connected consoles, have changed the game. Social gaming is a more common phenomenon that opens doors for a wider array of gaming possibilities. These are opportunities for developers to flex their creative muscles and express a wider variety of games.

Gaming is a unique blend of interaction as well as direction. It allows the user to both forge their own path, as well as follow along in an immersive, interactive method that captivates millions across the nation. It has opened up the way for intensive fantasy worlds such as in "Dragon Age" and the "Elder Scrolls" series, as well as tell intensive stories that the user influences, such as "The Walking Dead" and "The Last of Us." There is no telling the possibilities for narratives to explore and worlds, even universes to be built and transformed. The future of video games is boundless, as technology advances, and people express themselves more openly and inclusively, so the stories become greater, better, and unprecedented.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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