The most strenuous game
Whether or not games should include real life experiences and feelings have been an age old question. While many people say that it is best if games focused on entertainment rather than the relationships that take place in the real world, there are also a large number of people who believe that it is beneficial for video games to convey real issues and emotions.
The video game, "That Dragon, Cancer" was released in 2016. It has currently risen to the public's attention as many game streamers started to stream the gameplay of this video game. It was created by Ryan and Amy Green, Josh Larson, and a small team under the name Numinous Games, using the widely used game software Unity.(Wikipedia) You can watch a video of the gameplay here for better understanding of the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sWTD6vmH_U
The game follows the experience of a married couple who has a child suffering from cancer. It makes the player interact with the child, feel like he or she is with the family from start to end, and the player can really feel the emotions that the parents feel. The moments of despair and hopelessness and pain all seem very real. Many say that this game is impossible to play without tears.
Everything in the game is based on true events and emotions that occurred in Amy and Ryan Green's experience with their child, Joel, who suffered from childhood cancer. The voices in the game are actual recordings of their and Joel's voices. The details in the production and the rawness of the story all help make the game an authentic experience in and of itself.
The reason the Greens wanted to create a game like this was first, to remember Joel, and to celebrate the joy and love he had brought to the family. "Whenever I miss him, I can visit him right here", Ryan says. Here is a link to the conference video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCek2aIpEO4. The second reason is that they wanted people to meet Joel, to hold him, and to love him. This is a prime example of the view that games can be a form of art.
Of course games should be entertaining and should be able to relieve stress, but sometimes we need to take a different stance. Like movies and books, in addition to entertainment, games should also be able to provide experiences that we may never be able to understand in our own lifetime. In an era where games are bigger than ever, if games can help us understand the world better and deeper, then why shouldn't they be more serious? Perhaps it is time to change the common view on games to a broader perspective.
Who? Amy and Ryan Green, Josh Larson and Numinous Games
What? A video game called "That Dragon, Cancer"
Where? not specified
When? in 2016
Why? To remember their son, Joel
How? By using Unity
Well done Yujin. As a fellow gamer you know I'm all about a gaming -themed blog! Interesting article too. I had know idea such a game existed and am impressed with how the couple have used game design as a way to cope with the loss of their child.
ReplyDeleteThings to adjust for the midterm:
1. Please add the What, When, Who, Where, Why, How to the bottom of your article like I did on my blog post.
2. You headline is simply the title of the game. See if you can rewrite it and add some of the emphatic language, word play, alliteration etc. that we practiced in class.
3. A black background is classic but how about changing it to better reflect the theme of your blog? It will make it more visually attractive and interesting for visitors.
Otherwise, great job!