[luvcraft]

...because last night I went to see a simulcast (only it was delayed because the actual simulcast was cancelled due to snow, so it was really a rebroadcast) of the Met's rendition of Mozart's The Magic Flute. My two word, two fraction review is:

Style: 6/10, Substance: 0/10.

Seriously, a random episode of Teletubbies has significantly more cohesive production design and plot, and more inspired music.

200 years after the beginning of opera, THAT was considered a masterpiece. If only ~35 years after the invention of video games we're seeing things like Shadow of the Colossus and Half Life 2, then we're doin' A-O-fuckin'-K.

[dmauro]

I think Opera is an acquired taste. Try his symphonies if you want something more manageable.

Wilkes, see how I'm trying to get him onto the music WITHOUT words.
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[luvcraft]

[Mikey]

Putting aside technical advancements (which are sort of obvious and not what I think you're talking about, Luvcraft) I'm not sure that I think games are maturing quite as quickly as you say. To be sure, SotC and HL2 are some pretty big milestones, and there are promising new IPs on the way which I hope will foster further changes in game design.

I mean let's compare games to film, for a moment, so I can try to draw out an awkward comparison.

Let's say for the sake of argument that Super Mario Bros. played a role in the history of games similar to something like Citizen Kane. One of those things which people commonly regard as a big step forward in each of their respective mediums. (Arguments can be made about the greatness of either, but just go with me for a moment).

So, extending the comparison, where are we now? Maybe Final Fantasy VII was roughly equivalent to Star Wars? I.e., not especially amazing on their own merits but with enough power to leave a very strong impression on an entire generation; and also spawning an obsession in both industries with technical advancement.

So going with a movie/game comparison, where do you think the games industry is?

[luvcraft]

No no no! It's comparing games to movies that makes people cry. If you compare it to opera, though, it totally comes out on top.

[Mikey]

Only if you try to make your games into movies - otherwise I think the comparison isn't a bad one, since both are relatively young forms of entertainment/expression/wutevah.

[lolipalooza]

[Rucio]

The Magic Flute is awesome! I'm sorry that the production you saw didn't turn out very well. I tell people who are interested in opera to see that first, as it isn't retardedly long and I can pay attention almost the whole way through. The Aria of the Queen of the Night is awesome to hear performed live.
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"Say, that's a nice fez!"
"Thank you very much. Why do you like it?"
"It's better than a sharp stick in the eye."

[Gin]

[luvcraft]

[Gironika]

so, which opera do you prefer:

FF6 vs. Mozarts Magic Flute



Round 1, FIGHT.
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[luvcraft]

[Gironika]

Hm, makes me wonder why FF6 is the only (?) game to include an opera whereas Square made fun of it's games with that performance you can play at the very beginning.
I think that was one of the best, if not the best part of that game.
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[Mr. Business]

[BalbanesBeoulve]

SotC isn't that great.

[Adilegian]

Did the Queen of Night's actress hit all the right notes during "Der Holle Rache Kocht in meinen Herzen"? That piece brings a goddamn tear to my eye.
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[luvcraft]

[Gironika]

[Max Cola]

[haze]

don't diss the pop music of Mozart's time! he was the original Elite Beat Agent

all of you would love the Magic Flute if it were in Japanese instead of German, wouldn't you??!??!???!!!!?

[Adilegian]

[rabite gets whacked!]

Similarly:

I went to the ballet last night. Two pieces (Balanchine, both) were technically excellent yet boring as shit artistically.

Like an id software production, kind of.

But the other one, Bruno Morretti's In Vento, was fantastic and creative and expressive and abstract. No videogame comparison available. Funnily enough he dedicates it to that old brick, Balanchine.

[luvcraft]

[SuperWes]

[alice]

sotc is not that great.

But everyone should still play it.

should I play ico?

[dmauro]

SotC isn't that great.
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[SuperWes]

[luvcraft]

[SJ]

Guys, SotC probably is "that great".

[Gironika]

[SuperWes]

[dmauro]

the JET program isn't that great.
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[Pijaibros]

That's usually the only way most people know that'll get them to Japan. Outside of studying abroad.

Unless you're some international jet-setter or business mogul, most people will only be able to get a chance to live there by volunteering to teach a language or studying.

Liking Nintendo and Naruto usually doesn't work as a good excuse to get a work visa granted.
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[luvcraft]

Guys, JET is SotC.

[dmauro]

Japan isn't that great.
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[JamesE]

Games are played to be entertaining. You might get a few perverts trying to get other things out of them, but at the end of the day the main thrust is either to thrill, immerse, puzzle or whatever. Narrative games tend to fall between two stools and end up empty and lacking for it.

Have there already been entertaining games? Immersion games? Scary games?

Games are doing great! They have their own set of rules which don't really compare well to TV shows, plays, movies or longform novels. They've more in common with adverts, pop art, pop music and sports (any sports). That's why I find all this... fretting and artwank anxiety over their development sort of hilarious - Mega Man 2 or Super Mario Bros hold up strongly as awesome pieces that are aging well and have a really great consistent asthetic. So for Sonic, Gunstar Heroes, etc. There's no need to worry because we're constantly being blessed by excellent examples of the form. If we weren't we wouldn't be posting here.

[Mikey]

James, I'm actually pretty intrigued by your games/advertisement comparison - the sports comparison is obvious and pop art/pop music seems sensible enough; but ads? I'm not sure I would have looked at them that way unless you just brought it up - lay it out for me?

[JamesE]

Well, adverts are short and usually pretty consistent in style and tone. There's often some kind of strong style, be it inane or impressive. Music is often used in close synchronization with the action. There's increased use of graphic decals and abstraction.

Here's a really fucking terrifying example that stands out from my childhood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ecBl2HK60Y

Here's another one that linked from that one. Fuck I miss matey bubble bath: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcHCeyQKf3U

And searching for videos just became disabled!

I think what I'm trying to get at is the same kind of abstraction and encapsulation that the two share, as well as the degree of risk it's acceptible to take with visual elements.

SEE ALSO: Music video

[Adilegian]

[Hot Stott Bot]