Today, Let's Thank America For Our Beloved Video Games
See Full ImageFreedom of expression. Whatever problems you may have with this country today, that ideal still lies at the core of our society.
And without it, we would never have received some of the most memorable entertainment experiences of our lives. Perhaps it's overstating to say that video games have had such a tremendous impact on all of us, and maybe I'm a little depressed that more people in the world would rather watch a movie than read a book.
But it is only by way of our inherent freedoms that we have enjoyed all of that. We can argue all day about where the "line" is and whether or not we've crossed it (Warren Spector certainly believes we have in terms of over-the-top violence), and we can bemoan the loss of the golden era of interactive entertainment when the hardcore ruled and coin-ops were the norm. In the end, however, from where we sit now, we see an industry that has delivered - and should continue to deliver - entertainment that is not constrained by censorship, that does not bow to a singular almighty whim, as it would in a monarchy or any dictatorship.
Game makers have taken advantage of that freedom and explored a great many of the emotions that make us human. Believe it or not, if we sit back and reflect, we have experienced those emotions many times over; we've laughed and cried, we've busted controllers and felt the internal glow of relief mixed with accomplishment upon completing our fun task. Developers were allowed to make it, stores were allowed to sell it, we were allowed to buy it, and machines to which everyone has access allowed us to play. It all seems so simple, so...expected. But today is not a day where we take things for granted; in fact, just the opposite.
So as you're eating your fourth hot dog and laughing with friends and family today, if you're a gamer, take a little time to celebrate this country's birthday. This country that has given you everything from Mario to Uncharted. Even a quick "thank you" will suffice.
Tags: video games, gaming industry, july 4th, independence day
7/4/2012 10:10:38 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (40 posts)
maxpontiac
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 11:49:35 AM
God bless America and Happy 4th everyone!
4 up, 2 down
Cpt_Geez
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 10:50:21 AM
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5 up, 0 down
AcHiLLiA
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 11:44:24 AM
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4 up, 0 down
tes37
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 11:55:24 AM
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2 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 12:01:57 PM
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Happy 4th everyone, many issues divide us but gaming still brings us together.
4 up, 1 down
LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 10:32:05 PM
1 up, 2 down
Pyramid
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 12:03:52 PM
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3 up, 1 down
LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 10:34:11 PM
0 up, 1 down
Dreno
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 12:22:56 PM
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Now I gotta get ready for my wedding. Cheers everyone.
4 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 12:24:07 PM
1 up, 1 down
FatherSun
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 1:05:50 PM
4 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 3:49:07 PM
Here's to hoping she's a gamer too, or at least lets you, LOL
0 up, 1 down
cLoudou
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 3:59:37 PM
0 up, 1 down
Dreno
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 12:36:46 PM
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Thank you buddy
1 up, 1 down
FatherSun
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 1:09:39 PM
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2 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 1:41:27 PM
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2 up, 1 down
LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 10:33:24 PM
1 up, 2 down
Underdog15
Thursday, July 05, 2012 @ 8:37:54 AM
Fortunately, my sister thought all my friends were dorks, too.
But in all honesty, no... I'm the starting everything of every team....
water boy. HA!
(P.s. as if you actually like football, LV!... Oh the stories I have of Texan vacationers to Canada! Dont worry. I know the rest of you are smart. Oh, and for a laugh, look up "Rick Mercer Talks To Americans". It's like the Canadian version of Kids Say the Darndest Things. Enjoy your new public Health Care!)
Last edited by Underdog15 on 7/5/2012 8:40:50 AM
0 up, 0 down
Shams
Thursday, July 05, 2012 @ 10:12:17 AM
0 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 5:53:10 PM
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You did miss the article about Canada Day though! How could this travesty happen?!
3 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Thursday, July 05, 2012 @ 8:41:25 AM
0 up, 0 down
Axe99
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 6:09:13 PM
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1 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 8:16:08 PM
To me, that's biased very much in favor of gay and alternative lifestyles. I don't think they have any trouble with freedom of expression anymore, regardless of the state.
4 up, 3 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 9:09:38 PM
2 up, 1 down
Axe99
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 9:44:09 PM
Last edited by Axe99 on 7/4/2012 9:50:53 PM
0 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Thursday, July 05, 2012 @ 8:54:43 AM
But from my experience here, that isn't the case at all about needing a gay character to be popular.
But Ben, we were talking not all that long ago about 19th century drama like stuff Shaw has done and what not... a very popular item at that time had to do with equality to women... like examining the fairness in a man divorcing a wife and vice versa. That topic came up a lot. I'm sure people then would mock plays saying they can only be popular if it makes a woman feel like a full citizen or some such nonsense.
I'm just saying, it's really funny to me to hear you say what you just did... It is sort of a portrait of a mentality I see occasionally down south that I truly despise. And I hope I'm just misinterpreting what you said and that you're actually all for true equality.
Mind you, on the other side of things, I do dislike how the -MINORITY- of behaviors on the pro side of things as well. For example, the recent Pride parade in Toronto. Most people there are there to support equality and their freedoms, but there are a few who simply flaunt sexuality. And I think that misses the point, so from a flaunting perspective, I agree with you. Because then it's no longer an issue of rights, but a sort of in-your-face-and-you'd-better-accept-me-or-else scenario... and I very much dislike the use of discrimination to fight discrimination.
And I don't really know if any of that made sense or not... but it does in my head, so...
2 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, July 05, 2012 @ 6:19:41 PM
You still needed talent to write a play and get recognized. Now, all you need is that political agenda and you'll get it produced. Of course, I live in CT, so...
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Axe99
Friday, July 06, 2012 @ 3:23:23 AM
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Reply
Wednesday, July 04, 2012 @ 10:29:48 AM