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Games
Without Frontiers
To
the Editor:
I
enjoyed your article “Game On, Video-Game Visionaries” [Dec.
8]. It’s great to read some positive press related to the
positive potential of games. However, I would like to make
a couple of corrections related to the quotes and positions
that were attributed to me in that article. While reporters
always paraphrase to some extent, in this case the statements
are far enough from the truth that they warrant a clarification.
First, the article seems to state that I “inherently disagreed”
with my former company’s approach of produ cing “bloody epics.”
In reality Vicarious Visions does not have a strategy of producing
bloody epics. Anyone visiting their Web site at www.vvisions.com
can see that their focus is entertaining kids’ games based
on comic heroes, movie properties,
and skateboarding. The occasional non-kid-focused titles,
such as Doom 3 for XBox, were projects that I supported. In
contrast, there are game developers who focus specifically
on making controversial games that push the limits of social
acceptability, and it is those whose approach I disagree with.
Second, seeing as World of Warcraft has been out for just
over a year, my kids have not exactly grown up with it, and
they assure me they know it’s not real. The context of that
discussion was that when they play that game and have an adventure
with friends in the virtual world, it is no less real of an
adventure than one they might have had while playing outdoors.
The immersiveness of today’s games, and the restrictions placed
on kids in today’s society, means games now provide a positive
outlet for today’s kids who can no longer find the same freedoms
of exploration and socialization outside their front door.
Imagine the potential if we bring that same level of immersiveness
to education.
Thank you again for featuring the local game development initiatives.
Game development is an exciting blend of cutting-edge technology
and the arts, and it’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm and
vision of those in the local region that are helping to define
the future of this medium.
Tobi
Saulnier
CEO, 1st Playable
Troy
Correction
In
“Game On, Video-Game Vision aries”(Dec. 8), FEED, a multimedia
exhibit shown at RPI in November, was mistakenly attributed
to Friedrich Kirschner. It is actually the work of Kurt
Hentschläger.
Metroland
welcomes typed, double-spaced letters (computer printouts
OK), addressed to the editor. Or you may e-mail them to: metroland@metroland.net.
Metroland reserves the right to edit letters for length; 300
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address and day and evening telephone numbers. We will not
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illegible, irresponsible or factually inaccurate.
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or e-mail us at metroland@metroland.net.
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Columns
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