ThirdMarioBro
11-09-2006, 06:05 PM
Lowenstein: Don't Call Them 'Videogames'
The head of the ESA isn't down with the term that has described our industry for 30 years.
by Daemon Hatfield
November 8, 2006 - During his keynote speech at the LA Games Conference today, Doug Lowenstein, President of the Entertainment Software Association, explained that he thinks the term 'videogame' is a detriment to the industry.
"One of the worst things going for us is that we're called videogames," Lowenstein said. Part of his speech dealt with the rise of 'serious games' such as training programs and educational games for children. Lowenstein feels that the term videogames keeps many people from taking these serious games, and in fact the entire industry, seriously. He commented that the industry might not attract as much negative publicity if its products were categorized as something more serious than a game.
Presumably, Lowenstein would prefer videogames be referred to as 'interactive entertainment,' or 'entertainment software,' as it is the term the ESA, the organization representing the industry, has chosen. And although it showcased videogames, the Electronic Entertainment Expo went with a title that didn't mention games at all.
Well, what the hell do we call them then? "Interactive Entertainment"? That sounds like a term used to describe a digital "choose your own adventure" book. I'm sick to goddamn death of people treating videogame like a dirty word. It's what they are. Grow up and deal with it. We aren't some sublet of the movie industry. We're about games. What do you play these games on? A Video screen (guarnteed for the foreseeable future). Video output device + electronic game = Video Game. Deal with it.
The head of the ESA isn't down with the term that has described our industry for 30 years.
by Daemon Hatfield
November 8, 2006 - During his keynote speech at the LA Games Conference today, Doug Lowenstein, President of the Entertainment Software Association, explained that he thinks the term 'videogame' is a detriment to the industry.
"One of the worst things going for us is that we're called videogames," Lowenstein said. Part of his speech dealt with the rise of 'serious games' such as training programs and educational games for children. Lowenstein feels that the term videogames keeps many people from taking these serious games, and in fact the entire industry, seriously. He commented that the industry might not attract as much negative publicity if its products were categorized as something more serious than a game.
Presumably, Lowenstein would prefer videogames be referred to as 'interactive entertainment,' or 'entertainment software,' as it is the term the ESA, the organization representing the industry, has chosen. And although it showcased videogames, the Electronic Entertainment Expo went with a title that didn't mention games at all.
Well, what the hell do we call them then? "Interactive Entertainment"? That sounds like a term used to describe a digital "choose your own adventure" book. I'm sick to goddamn death of people treating videogame like a dirty word. It's what they are. Grow up and deal with it. We aren't some sublet of the movie industry. We're about games. What do you play these games on? A Video screen (guarnteed for the foreseeable future). Video output device + electronic game = Video Game. Deal with it.