Do the Wii and Guitar Hero discourage real activity?
Even though I’m a gamer, I find it strange how we’re all so quick to want to mimic real-life activities on a games console rather than actually doing them. Is video gaming, and particularly the Wii, discouraging us all from actually getting out there and participating? And if so, is that slightly bizarre and sad?
As you’ll all know by now, I’m a huge gamer, both in the belly department and the fact that I play a lot of video games. So I’m in no way discouraging or mocking gamers with this article. But I think it’s important to take a look at ourselves once in a while and question our hobbies, habits, and mindsets. Even us gamers aren’t excluded from a touch of navel-gazing once in a while.
For years, games have been an escape from the real world, allowing us all to participate in events and activities not really open to us in our real lives.
Most of us will never experience war first-hand (with the exception of CarlB) and so a typical FPS can allow us to experience the horrors of it without risking having our heads blown off. And how about action games where we can round around killing things to our hearts content without worrying about the consequences of our actions?
A similar thing can be said of racing games, where we can feel the excitement of driving a super car at breakneck speeds without risking our limbs, or sports games, where we can experience scoring that last-minute goal or touchdown which wins the game for our team. It might not actually mean as much as it does in real life but it’s still fun, and removes us from the banality of our boring lives for a few hours a day.
But a strange thing has happened over the last few years especially – video games have started to mimic real life activities we could actually do for real, and without much trouble.
It arguably started with Guitar Hero, where we were all encouraged to pick up a plastic guitar and press colored buttons along to our favorite tunes in order to progress. And it’s a hell of a lot of fun. But isn’t it more fun to pick up a real guitar and learn how to play those same songs for real? Now, thanks to Guitar Hero and Rock Band, you can have a four piece band jamming in your living room… kind of.
And then there’s the Wii, which exists almost solely to allow casual gamers to pretend to take part in real life activities from the comfort of their own home. Don’t pick up a racket and go to the courts, just play some tennis on Wii Sports! And don’t go to the gym and work out in front of strangers, buy Wii Fit and do it in front of your boyfriend instead, and if you just wear knickers, we’d appreciate it.
I’m not saying that the Wii or action games such as Guitar Hero are bad, especially as I play the damn things, but when they’re taking over from real life activities that are accessible to all in the first place, it’s a bit of a strange trend developing. Whether it’s bad or not depends on your point of view. Virtual exercise and instrument playing is at least better than vegging out in front of the television for hours on end.
Oh dear, I’ve just realized I’m sounding like Chad Kroeger… not good.
Related Posts:
25 Responses to “Do the Wii and Guitar Hero discourage real activity?”
Leave a Reply:
You must be logged in to post a comment. Don't have an account? Register today!
January 19th, 2009
Thankgod this article came to light. Wii fit is NOT a way to get fit, it merely gets the heart beat raised slightly, and playing guitar hero does NOT make you a rock legend.
And if im on the rant rage, flight simulator DOES NOT make you a good pilot!…unless its a proper simulator… coincidentally i crashed a boeing 737 on a proper simulator….completely missed the runway trying to land at gatwick…
January 19th, 2009
If Bourne ever becomes a pilot, I will start appreciating the in-flight safety announcements.
January 19th, 2009
I think this is a two way street. Yes – these types of games could discourage real world activates, or they could actually encourage it.
My girlfriend bought a Wii Fit, upon learning how useless it actually is, she looked into buying workout DVDs. She now has got into a daily routine of throwing the DVD and working along for an hour.
Her son is has both Guitar Hero and Rock Band. After sinking countless hours and being able to play the game on expert, he now decided that he wants to take guitar lessons to learn how to play an actual guitar.
January 19th, 2009
Not likely, I failed the application service, but i owned a few people thanks to video games (true story) they gave me a pilot aptitude test which was basically a video game and i must’ve aced it because i beat people with degree’s in maths, physics and chemistry.
January 19th, 2009
That’s hilarious. Are you trying to fly commercially?
January 19th, 2009
Not anymore! I was planning, but its an expensive, time consuming route so i’m off to university to study English language.
January 19th, 2009
HA HA brits dont know how to spreken eeenglish…
but… on the point… not everyone is a talented musician… some of us just like to pretend to air guitar while singing to Livin on a Prayer… and these devil toys help us keep us entertained…
its when MTV makes a reality show about it… THATS when it goes too far…
January 19th, 2009
DWH where are you from?
January 19th, 2009
DWH is from a place where apostrophes don’t exist…
January 19th, 2009
A place where the ellipses (…..) reigns supreme. *winks*
January 19th, 2009
Are we on a grammar witch hunt just because i said I was studying English language at uni?
January 19th, 2009
I’m from a place where the Cornish Pasty, surfing, old people who say “me ‘ansome”, Oggy Oggy Oggy, Tin Mines and being related to your neighbour reign supreme.
January 19th, 2009
Yeah you’re right Royzy… what a scumhole cornwall is. I’m starting a petition to get it nuked. Ha nah I’m joking, i really like Cornwall. I can’t stand Liverpool, now that’s one place i honestly would start a petition to get nuked.
January 19th, 2009
Why is a Liverpudlian like Batman?
Because they can’t go out with Robin…
Seen as one of best mates is from Liverpool, I can’t condone the notion of having it nuked.
France on the other hand…
January 19th, 2009
D’oh! *WITHOUT* Robin…
January 19th, 2009
Damn I miss the cornish pasty *sob*
That place over from the pub and near the arcade, oh how I loved you *sob*
*sniffle.
OK, I think I’m better now.
January 19th, 2009
this is true, my sister in law, bought a electric guitar and amplifier, 6 months later she got guitar hero, and now that is as close as she gets to playing music…..
January 20th, 2009
I agree and think this depends on the individual as well. In some ways it can detract from real life activity, as much as other forms of media and modern conveniences (see frontier life as opposed to now), but in many other ways it balances this out. For instance here many of the Marines enjoy playing COD 2/>, Halo1-3, and other games on our 360’s as a way to relax. I have also read that sales of Guitar Hero and Rock Band have bumped up real guitar and musical instrument sales significantly, while Wii Fit is basically an interactive workout DVD, and even achievements and “gamerscore” (trophies and sparkpoints) have been implemented on popular fitness sites such as SparkPeople.com (I highly recommend it) and (my Dad says) the Lance Armstrong supported site LiveStrong.com (better if you have a faster connection than we do here).
Another thought I have had in my mind since my last article on it was GTAIV and it’s sandbox environment. If absolute power corrupts absolutely (we do some pretty horrible things in that game) then this game and many others simulate that power (even though they are still extremely restricted in content – adult label or no). The simulation will only get better and more realistic in the future, allowing you to do “good” things and “bad” things. So is this “good” or “bad”? I can only say most individuals will (should) have clear lines separating reality from simulation, while others may not, or may not even care (though fortunately the latter still remain in the minority). I’m still looking forward to that nanodeck (holodeck type tech using nanotechnology instead of holographic tech) where the reality of my choosing can exist for my own pleasure, but it remains to be seen what it’s ultimate consequences may be (let alone if it will ever come into existence). For now, these games exist as an extension of our imaginations, as movies and books have in the past, the difference is we have more control to alter the outcomes in these worlds and (to a degree) become our own authors and directors.
January 20th, 2009
I do love GTA IV! I think my favorite character is Brucey. He makes me laugh.
As far as a nanodeck… I think I would never leave the virtual strip club.
January 20th, 2009
OK here’s my two cents. First, I have nothing that even resembles musical talent. So, if I can pick up a plastic guitar, and have fun for an hour, I will.
Second, some of the Wii activity games would probably be useful where I live. Up until a couple of days ago the temp. hadn’t gotten above zero in a month. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not going to play tennis in that weather, or do much physical activity at all. (except shoveling snow!)
January 20th, 2009
I have player guitar for years and I still have fun with Guitar Hero/Rock Band. I have to admit it took me a while to get used to it though.
Wii Fit is a great idea; however it actually doesn’t work very well as an exercise program. Maybe a senior citizen who is about 100 would get a good workout from it, but it is not enough for your average person. I would suggest investing in a DVD. I would bet that most on the market will work better than Wii Fit.
Wylie – Where are you from?
January 20th, 2009
I’m orginally from North Dakota. I now live in Minnesota, but right on the North Dakota border.
January 20th, 2009
I have seen on the weather that you have been getting hit pretty hard lately. A lot of snow and subzero temps?
January 20th, 2009
We have enough snow for sure. Last week on Thursday our low temp was -34, windchill was something like -50.(thanks god for PS3) On Saturday our high was 31 degrees. A 65 degree difference in two days. This is the warmest it’s been since the beginning of December. But it’s suppose to drop back below zero by Friday. Well it was fun while it lasted. Can’t wait for summer time fun! Can’t get here soon enough!
January 20th, 2009
Wow… and I was just complaining about temperatures here being in the teens. Well, at least spring should be here pretty soon.