Gamers: Remember To "Move" And "Kinect" In Reality

I just gotta say...it's so great to have those names for both motion sensing technologies this year. It opens the door for so many potential editorial titles.

Anyway, as I often bemoan the advent of communication via machines at the expense of once-common human traits like charm and charisma, I'm often tempted to remind my fellow gamers that there is no replacement for reality. Of course, we all want escapes from reality, and with such mind-boggling advancements in the interactive entertainment realm, it's difficult not to be excited. I am indeed excited for what things like 3D, Move and Kinect can do for the industry. But at the same time, the world continues to value the artificial over the real; the perceived necessity of gadgets over irreplaceable - and critical - inherent human traits. Granted, with multiplayer and online gaming, along with motion sensing (which often lends itself well to social gatherings), gaming is more of a social hobby than ever before.

That much is true. But as gaming gets better and more realistic, it's gets easier and easier to replace the real with the artificial. We can almost fool our brains into thinking we don't need one when the other is so very similar... Let's face it- PlayStation Move and Microsoft's Kinect are only the start of something new and special; there's no knowing where we'll be in another decade. Things happen very quickly these days. But we have less and less incentive to "move" and "connect" with that which lies outside our doors, and it's noticeable in the way people communicate in the real world. Gamers have often been criticized for being "outside the loop" and although it's fair to say we've broken free of that stereotype (for the most part), it'd be all too easy to backslide.

The weather will get worse soon and there will be yet another reason to stay inside. But if you don't take care of yourself, and you ignore other aspects of life that can't be found within a video screen, you'll actually begin to get less pleasure from your favorite hobby. Somewhere deep down, you know you're not as happy as you could be; you don't feel too great, and you find yourself wanting in other categories. When those categories are empty, it's extremely difficult to really lose yourself in any form of entertainment...as realistic and engaging as it may be. So please, just remember that both Move and Kinect - as accurate as they are - are poor substitutions for the real-world counterparts of those words.

Be diverse. Read. Hike. Meet people. Whatever. Just be...human.

Tags: gaming, video game trends, gaming culture

9/8/2010 9:28:32 PM Ben Dutka

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OPHIDIAN
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 9:58:18 PM
Reply

Heartfelt advice from one gamer to another.

Almost brings tears to my eyes *slurps chocolate milkshake(s)*

7 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:10:56 PM

I had a strawberry milkshake an hour ago while watching the Food network. Now that's decadent!

4 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:19:04 PM

Was it from Sonic Burger or Chick Fillet?

2 up, 1 down

OPHIDIAN
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:24:17 PM

I was at burger king not too long ago and there was a guy there with three milkshakes, he wrapped them together with tape (from somewhere), put a straw in each one and drank them in one shot.

Funniest thing I've ever seen.

4 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:25:13 PM

It was from my freezer (ice cream), refrigerator (milk), pantry (strawberries), and counter-top (blender).

I'm cool like that. Icecream is my favorite thing ever.

5 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:30:50 PM

Emmmm, freezer shakes.

2 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:52:18 PM

Haha, great post OPHIDIAN

3 up, 0 down

main_event05
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:57:33 PM

@LV,
I doubt that much, playboy.

Always,
Main_Event

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:01:07 PM
Reply

Life. The greatest game of all. Except that there are no continues.

I find that one great way to stay connected to life when entertainment is so easy is simply to "connect" the two. I'm moving a bit more already now that I'm back at the gym, but I know if I like the Move I will at the very least be adding some cardio to my routine.

You all know my aberrant affinity for Dante's Inferno, and so I'm going back through the epic poem with new eyes since we first peeked the Divine Comedy in college.

How can you go out and be social and game? Well most hotels will let you connect your system nowadays so I recently brought my PS3 on a trip to the Casino with some friends (and new people I didn't know) and when we weren't downstairs and needed to reload we gamed up in the hotel.

If you don't keep it together you get disconnected.

5 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:12:20 PM

"Life. The greatest game of all. Except that there are no continues."

How true is that. It's too bad more people don't realize how true that statement is. If we did there might be less people flying into buildings or parents refusing their sick kids to get help from doctors.

5 up, 0 down

dkmrules
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:30:48 PM

Thats exactly what I think, life isn't a videogame. One of my close friends is joining the marines and he plays COD to an unhealthy extent on his 360. I always tell him war isnt a video game where if you get shot you can walk it off.

3 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:33:21 PM

Meh, he will at least get a ton of free pu*** from the local whores overseas.

3 up, 3 down

dkmrules
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:39:28 PM

Yeah, whores from Afghanistan? no thanks.....

5 up, 4 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:47:58 PM

GREAT point, lol.

4 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:11:53 PM

Afghani whores? Imagine all the thick black coarse unshaved hair. Nevermind don't.

1 up, 6 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:13:47 PM

Ben is not going to like this thread....

tehehe

5 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:20:28 PM

I blame the Taliban.

2 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:23:36 PM

I blame Shams, 100% his fault.

5 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:24:56 PM

LOL!

2 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 12:11:39 AM

Okay, the OT can end here, I suppose.

1 up, 1 down

Shams
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 12:55:04 AM

Yes, we should value our one chance at life. But would you give yours to save the life of another, like Brian Wood did for his family, or like soldiers do everyday overseas for you to live a life free from terrorism? Why would you LV, when others can do that for you, and you can make disgusting jokes about it from the comfort of your home.

Sorry, Ben. I had to throw that out there. No more from me.

3 up, 3 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:10:17 PM
Reply

Good read with a great message. I go through phases when it comes to games but I always remind myself to not end up like that guy battling the kids from South Park during the WoW episode.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:19:40 PM

LOL! You sure your not that guy?

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:29:43 PM

I did take a hammer to all the mirrors in my apartment so hmmm...you never know!

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:53:16 PM

The worst example of a gamer ever, is in the movie "Gamer". The fat slob that people actually think gamers are!

Not saying those types of people are not out their though, cus well sadly they are!

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:54:39 PM

I know a fat slob who is a gamer. :)

1 up, 0 down

TheCrazyMerc
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:14:08 PM
Reply

Never thought the Kinect was all that good, I just really think its an enhanced version of what the Eyetoy can do IMO.

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:18:57 PM

There's a small chance you missed the point ;)

4 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:21:45 PM
Reply

Well I'll have a little one running around so he/she will always drag me back to reality without even knowing they have that ability. I love games, a lot! But the only thing i love more than games is music and making it so I'm not worried about becoming disengaged with reality for those two reasons.

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/8/2010 10:25:55 PM

0 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:52:01 PM

Congrats on the little one, BTW!

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:55:59 PM

Thank you. :)

1 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:22:29 PM
Reply

You mean my coworkers rolling their eyes at me when I tell them how far I've gotten in Sacred 2 is... normal? I always took them for pig headed know nothings. Now you're telling me I'M the weirdo?!

5 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:23:05 PM

When you tell them do you sound like that guy from Grandma's Boy?

1 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:48:46 PM

He's got nothing on me. Except maybe hair on his chin.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:50:24 PM

Haha, I finally watched that movie for the first time. Funnier than i thought.

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:50:34 PM

I love that movie. Funny thing is when it came out I was 1, playing vids, and known for it. 2, living at my grandmas. You can imagine the flack I got from my "friends". ;). Only difference is I dont smoke pot! Good times!

I liek that you two are having a decent conversation too! ;)

2 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 10:35:11 PM
Reply

I only have one live to give...
so while I'm living my 2nd half century of this life, I fulfill my 2 biggest passions....
I ride, and I game.

(Well, actually 3 but I didn't count doing the horizontal bop)!

2 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:24:38 PM

It doesn't HAVE to be horizontal, you know! Being creative is apart of real life too!

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:25:25 PM

Taking a break from inFamous Underdog?

2 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:25:51 PM

Jawk,

Or this one!

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:38:42 PM

This only happens when your around. haha

1 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:44:17 PM
Reply

Underdog,
LOL, I've probably tried every position out there & then added a few of my own.

Her laying across my Harley....MMMMM

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 7:43:36 AM

That could only be bad if it's winter and those warm, moist cabooses get stuck to the bike like a tongue on an ice cold pole!

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 7:44:04 AM

oh, and I suppose worse things than a caboose could get stuck too....

1 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:48:48 PM
Reply

Ben is a person of great thoughts/advise.

I agree, sometimes even the most human of us can lose it with one game or another

Although, sometimes life, or rather one's environments are not that enjoyable.

Just ask all those smokers outside City Hall, or living a city full of tourists (NYC). I can't stand the kinds of tourists that come to this place.

I digress. Nevertheless it's best to connect with one's life in the most balanced/complete way possible.

Balance is the key to everything, really.

0 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:55:24 PM

Except for cocaine, an excessive nature is best with that drug.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:56:39 PM

Every 15 minutes excessive.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 11:59:39 PM
Reply

Perhaps I should thank SquareEnix for ruining Final Fantasy then, but I did like that every few years I could get sooo into a title that the rest of my life didn't matter to me.

2 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 12:11:25 AM

Boohoo, the most recent FF wasn't what you'd grown to expect from the series. It happens, you now have versus and FFXV to look forward to.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 12:17:08 AM

Has there been any info about the battle system in Versus XIII released?

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 2:09:00 AM

There's a reason a series is a "sure-thing" you know. This isn't like Suikoden IV, where they were really trying to do something better but it didn't work out, they deliberately got FPS twitch-dummy syndrome in a good series which is now and forever tainted and probably ruined.

0 up, 0 down

NonProphet
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 12:41:18 AM
Reply

Wonderful article, short, sweet and so very true. This is an important reminder to all of us. If you're on this site you probably love gaming, and that's cool, just don't forget there is a beautiful and terrible world out there waiting to be explored, for real.

0 up, 0 down

main_event05
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 1:32:32 AM
Reply

All I'm wait for is that Big Boss Workout plan.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 2:11:15 AM
Reply

Life is a sandbox game with too many limitations.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 2:44:34 AM

Yea like not being able to grind on power lines and hurl electro grenades.

Sucks to be us. ha

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 3:05:19 PM

Exactly, as evinced by my failed attempt to grind a railing with rocket skates.

0 up, 0 down

Axe99
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 2:54:43 AM
Reply

Great article Ben (and great comments from most of you, discussions of Afghani women of the night notwithstanding :P) :)

1 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 3:13:44 AM
Reply

Nice message. I wish I could listen to it, but unfortunately it's drowned out by the headphones blaring at full volume while I play a six hour session of GTAIV, followed by an eight hour session of WoW. :P

I kid, I kid. But then, I do quite often find myself diconnecting from reality. It probably has something to do with the fact that I am, and always have been, severely anti-social and possibly insane. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love to read and write, go bushwalking and other such activities, but it is almost always alone.

I think the best way to describe my feelings about this topic is a quote by Bajo from Good Game - "I'll go outside when outside is as good as games." Gaming is not a good substitute for reality, but when used as an augmentation to it, then it can be a good thing, providing is doesn't become an addiction. Gaming can be as bad as drugs. Don't try to deny it.

Oh well, I'll be heading out in a couple of hours. A good mate is leaving town for Sydney, so we're having a pi**-up party for him. REALITY!
Peace.

2 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 9:26:25 PM

Lawless,

Hey I used to go bushwalking over here in the US too.

But after a while......

..... she got on my last nerve & I 86'ed her right out the front door.

1 up, 0 down

___________
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 3:29:38 AM
Reply

thats whats wrong with games these days, there so cooped up trying to be "realistic" they stop being fun.
prime example GTAIV, i mean the whole point of that game is to do stuff you would not do in real life.
so why can i not steal a car, drive like i stole it, bash it up, go flying off jumps and have some fun?
oh noooooo thats far too unrealistic, if you crash you go flying out the windshield instead of bouncing off and continuing.
o, BTW, what happened to seat belts?
that is why just cause 2 was such a great game, because it let you let your hair down, let the boys out and just go crazy!
that is the whole point of video games, to have fun!
not be confined to this "realistic" world.

2 up, 3 down

bigrailer19
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 9:30:19 AM

Maybe the most senseful thing you've ever said. "that is the whole point of video games, to have fun!"

I understand what you mean. But also as a kid, growing up playin vids, I wanted games to be more realistic. So I vote for both sides of that coin.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 9:29:00 PM

____________,
What???
You want seat belts in video game now?????

OK then.......GT5

0 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, September 10, 2010 @ 9:44:07 AM

games cant be both, there either realistic or fun.
shooters for example, if you get shot in the leg your not going to be able to walk to well now are ya?
so do you want every shooter from now on if you get shot in the leg you walk very slowly?
i sure dont!
or driving games, crash at any speed and your car is totaled.
or platforming games, if they were realistic you could not do allot of things you do in games.
like prototype, no growing crazy limbs, no leaping 10 feet into the air, no hanging on ledges for extended periods of time your arms would go dead and you would fall.
either A or B, games are either realistic or there fun they cant be both.

0 up, 0 down

JackC8
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 7:24:35 AM
Reply

Most people are weird - they're into one thing or another, probably more than they should be and to the minor annoyance of those around them. I think gamers are about as "in the loop" as anybody. Perhaps a bit moreso.

There are some people who live fairly well balanced lives, but I don't think it has anything to do with what hobbies or interests they do or do not enjoy. And only a small subset of those folks are really the type I'd set up as an example to anybody - there are millions of people who are doing it all the way it should be done, but they're still boring or obnoxious or just plain screwy.

2 up, 0 down

LightShow
Thursday, September 09, 2010 @ 7:46:15 AM
Reply

if your lookin for some exercise, take a job as a laborer on a construction site. its rough, but the pay is twice as good as youll get rockin a cash register, however you probably won't want to use much of anything after the fact, much less Move or Kinect....

2 up, 0 down

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