Originals

12/12/2012

Meet Me On The Outside

On softening the borders of the great debate.

By: Lana Polansky

Filed Under: Editorial Industry Life

Human nature is to fear what’s new. Our kneejerk reaction to the unfamiliar is to treat it like a threat, even when it in no way harms us. People don’t like what disrupts their definitions of things, their understanding of the world.

People don’t like challenges to entrenched ideas of, for example, what constitutes “art.” Or what games are. Or whose opinion is valid. I’m guilty of this kneejerk reaction, too.

There’s been a bit of a recent trend of writers and critics from outside games commenting on them, for better or worse. The most recent case is the now well-publicized blog post by Jonathan Jones from The Guardian in which he argued against the recent MoMA exhibit on video games, echoing many of Roger Ebert’s famous sentiments that video games can never be art, essentially because interactive experiences apparently lack a personal creative vision.

Keith Stuart rebutted many of Jones’s presumptions in The Guardian counter-piece, “Are video games art: the debate that shouldn’t be,” respectfully as well as effectively. But I don’t really care to answer those questions posed by digging into definitions of art, or games, or even “interactivity.” Instead, I have to wonder why the Jones article bothers me so much. I see video games as pieces of art, and I can argue for games in this context until I’m blue in the face. I see games as culturally important. I see this argument as outdated, exasperating, and boring.

But I also know that this defensive reaction is just as exasperating and just as boring as anything Jones or Ebert have to say. Lamenting how “non-gamers just don’t get it” is to tacitly suggest that so-called “non-gamers” shouldn’t be allowed to talk about games unless they’re deferential to my favourite hobby. Mattie Brice, defending Lucy Kellaway’s Financial Times article, “Game Theory,” wrote,

“Mostly, we get an outsider perspective on the cultural relevancy of video games from someone, actually a panel of people, who doesn’t really play games. She goes through her experiences, and ultimately sums up that for a non-gamer, she didn’t feel like there was much to talk about. This made a large section of gaming’s conversation upset, because of COURSE she just doesn’t GET IT. It’s like an illiterate critiquing the written word, the blind complaining about the irrelevancy of a Renoir.

Why, instead, didn’t we all stop and ask why? For instance, what would something of cultural relevance look like to her? To the general public that doesn’t play games? Or really, to anyone who actually analyzes games in any manner, since most people who play games know shit-all about game design. That all of the things that ‘require’ her to ‘get it’ are extremely inbred conventions that don’t mean much outside of navel-gazing rationalization? […] Really, with all of the ways contemporary art and philosophy makes statements, video games very very very rarely do this. Notice in her analysis, she most connects to Proteus and Journey, the two games explicitly tagged as ‘art games’ in our gaming subconscious.”

The article in question—in which Kellaway tries to understand the artistic appeal of games in an effort to reconnect with her sons—was railed against by gamers (including, initially, myself), for two fundamental reasons: the first was her apparent lack of appreciation and knowledge for the critical conversation that actually is taking place around games—claiming that there was “little cultural discussion” around them. The second stemmed from statements she made that seemed to presume that games are for boys only.

But Kellaway’s article actually posed some really interesting challenges to the people who do regularly talk about games and led to some important discussions. Among them, we have to start asking ourselves how we honestly feel about the “non-gaming” world beginning to notice and take an interest in video games enough to write about them. Do we react with outrage everytime a “non-gamer,” who, with a limited frame of reference on video game conventions, history, theories and so on, gives a game a try but doesn’t see the big deal? Do we blow a collective gasket every time someone with a very prescriptive idea of what art can be raises an issue that to us feels like old news?

After all, isn’t cultural acceptance something to work towards? And if it is, then aren’t we forced to contend with perspectives we find passé, short-sighted or just plain unfavourable? And perhaps in doing so, as Brice says, isn’t it possible that we can learn more about why many don’t take interest in games—and what we’re doing to perpetuate that? Maybe in losing that defensiveness we can not only improve and broaden the cultural conversation around games, but continue to inspire others to take notice and join in.

But I’m not willing to dismiss all of my reservations just yet. I think part of the frustration comes from the fact that working professionals devote themselves to critical discussion but often get very little actual recognition for it—even within video game media. Perhaps part of the reason then, that Kellaway thinks games are for boys, or that Jones thinks video games lack vision, is in part because the critical work that is taking place simply isn’t reaching a lot of people.

“Why are we still so bad at talking about video games?” asked Helen Lewis, deputy editor at The New Statesman. Here’s someone who is actually an avid gamer, who, not unlike Kellaway, sees games largely as an “unexamined hobby.” Answering that call, Brendan Keogh and Liz Ryerson wrote response pieces in which critical pieces they felt were worth curating were linked and described.

As if writing about my own negative reactions to this harsh truth, Keogh writes,

“But, really, Lewis made an incredibly important point: no one knows we exist. As a community of writers, it is easy to feel slighted, but the truth is harder to face: we are insular. We are doing all this work we think is so important, but the reality is that we are really just talking to our own little circle of fellow writers and readers. Beyond ourselves, few people know who we are.”

I’m excited by the possibilities of things like gallery exhibitions for games—especially those that might be considered “fringe” or “experimental”—and I see the value in media partnerships, like the one Kill Screen has with the Wall Street Journal. I look forward to projects like the successfully-Kickstarted L.A. Game Space and what it could represent as an inclusively critical and creative think tank for video games. I love the idea that anyone can make a game and share a vision. I see these changes happening, and I find myself feeling proud and invigorated by taking part in even the smallest part of them. I want these things to evolve and grow. I want Keogh’s statements to, over time, stop being true—and I want to participate in and support efforts to make that happen.

So, of course I still feel defensive when the “outside world” doesn’t love games the way I do. But I also have to learn to get over myself, and embrace the territory that comes with opening oneself up to the rest of the world. Are all these articles by self-avowed “non-gamers” necessarily all good, or informed, or constructive? That’s debatable. But that doesn’t mean their existence isn’t significant. That doesn’t mean they aren’t a part of a growing conversation.

Now, the kneejerk reaction of resisting or attacking challenges on my territory from “non-gamers,” like some kind of wounded animal, only serves to reinforce all the stereotypes that make people dismissive of “gamers.” Doing this plays into the preconceptions of people like Jones, or Ebert, or even Kellaway. It tells them that, collectively, this medium and culture is not worth spending time on. It reaffirms the belief that for all our sound and fury, there isn’t much to talk about.

We, then, perpetuate our own insularity even when it’s clear that people outside gaming’s bubble are beginning to take notice of the medium. This is the time to take advantage of that.

[art credit]

Filed Under: Editorial Industry Life

About the Author:
Lana Polansky is a game critic and writer peddling her wares at Kill Screen, Gameranx, Medium Difficulty and here at Bit Creature. Also, a ludonarrative disco-dancer.

6,171 Responses to “Meet Me On The Outside”

  1. GenericUsername1

    ‘Perhaps part of the reason then, that Kellaway thinks games are for boys, or that Jones thinks video games lack vision, is in part because the critical work that is taking place simply isn’t reaching a lot of people.’

    To an extent but video game criticism is also relatively confused itself and, as I think you’re getting at, it seems to lack a real avenue to pronounce itself and separate from the rest. There’s journalism, criticism and pseudo-criticism and in truth the last two often seem to get mixed together but aren’t the same. I don’t get that feeling with film. I can easily find three areas where they all exist exclusively. Empire Magazine, Subtitled Online and Senses Of Cinema for instance.

    To draw to an example of what I mean by ‘pseudo-criticism’, I was reading a piece over at KillScreen about Far Cry 3 being a game about Millenials. That was the argument it seemed to want to make but I couldn’t help but think it was trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. The idea that Far Cry 3 is a game making any real social commentary about how a Millenial might act in such a scenario is odd given the way the game actually functions, i.e. nameless violence for the most part that could have easily featured an emotionless seasoned war veteran in the lead role, but that seemed to be the case for the critic, who never actually explained his point in any length either.

    I sympathise it’s a difficult medium to work with because it’s complex and I think you’re right when you suggest a bigger audience for criticism would probably straighten things up. I think some critics are a bit too self-conscious about alienating people because websites are websites and try to be serious, and not so serious at the same time. I guess the next stop for criticism is Video-Game Online Journals.

  2. qwallath

    What I think we need, apart from what is rapidly becoming quite an ever richer
    internal scene of games criticism, is writing that actively reaches out to a more general audience. We need smart writing that is able to communicate the beauties and flaws of the digital medium to people who may not have all the ‘baggage’ that gamers have. It works this way for various other art forms as well, so why not for games?

    I’d like to mention this series of articles on CultureRamp: http://cultureramp.com/what-its-like-to-play/ – it’s an attempt to generate more writing in this direction.

    In the Netherlands, Niels ‘t Hooft (http://nielsthooft.com/) has been doing great work in this direction, particularly with his weekly games column in NRC.Next, a large daily newspaper. This isn’t your usual two-paragraph starred review of a blockbuster bit of copy either; it’s critical writing for a broad audience. I’m sure other newspapers in countries around the world could be persuaded to feature such writing in the near future.

  6. cheap flights

    Your style is unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from.
    Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity,
    Guess I will just book mark this site.

  7. cheap flights

    I just couldn’t go away your website prior to suggesting that I actually loved the usual information a person supply on your visitors?
    Is going to be back continuously to check out new posts

  11. http://tinyurl.com

    It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future
    and it is time to be happy. I’ve learn this put up and if I could I want to suggest you few
    attention-grabbing issues or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles relating to this article.
    I want to learn more issues approximately
    it!

  23. http://tinyurl.com/

    I believe everything published made a lot of sense.
    But, what about this? what if you added a little information? I
    mean, I don’t wish to tell you how to run your blog, however what if you added something
    that grabbed a person’s attention? I mean Meet Me On The Outside | Bit Creature is a little boring.
    You might glance at Yahoo’s home page and watch how
    they create article titles to grab people to open the links.
    You might try adding a video or a related picture or two to get
    readers excited about everything’ve got to say. Just my opinion, it would make your blog a little bit more interesting.

  61. bit.ly

    It is appropriate time to make some plans for
    the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions.
    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I want to read more things about it! ps4 games allenferguson ps4 games

  64. bit.ly

    It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this fantastic blog!
    I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your
    RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will
    share this blog with my Facebook group. Chat soon! ps4 games allenferguson ps4 games

  69. ps4 games

    Valuable information. Lucky me I found your web site accidentally,
    and I’m shocked why this coincidence did not happened earlier!
    I bookmarked it.

  70. tinyurl.com

    Truly when someone doesn’t be aware of after that its up to other visitors that they will assist, so here it takes place.

  71. bit.ly

    Everything is very open with a very clear description of the issues.
    It was truly informative. Your website is extremely helpful.
    Thank you for sharing!

  73. web hosting

    Attractive element of content. I just stumbled upon your website and
    in accession capital to say that I acquire actually loved account your blog posts.
    Any way I will be subscribing for your augment or even I
    achievement you get entry to consistently fast.

  77. tinyurl.com

    Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail.
    I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.

    Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it
    improve over time.

  84. BrfgPhet

    [url=https://ljcialishe.com/]cialis half life[/url] [url=https://cialisvja.com/]cialis vs.viagra reviews[/url] [url=https://viagraonlinejc.com/]viagra sales[/url] [url=https://viagratx.com/]fucking on viagra[/url] [url=https://buycialisxz.com/]can i take 40mg of cialis[/url]

  94. GrvVetly

    [url=https://kloviagrli.com/]canadian pharmacy viagra 50 mg[/url] [url=https://vigedon.com/]viagra street price[/url] [url=https://llecialisjaw.com/]buy cialis online safely[/url] [url=https://jwcialislrt.com/]cialis india[/url] [url=https://jecialisbn.com/]overnight cialis[/url]

  108. 0mniartist

    Hi there, constantly i used to check webpage posts
    here in the early hours in the break of day, for the reason that i enjoy to find out more and more.

    0mniartist asmr

  112. asmr https://0mniartist.tumblr.com

    Wow, fantastic blog format! How long have you ever been running a blog for?
    you make blogging glance easy. The total glance of your web site is excellent, as smartly as the
    content material!
    0mniartist asmr

  121. tinyurl.com

    What’s up, its pleasant article regarding media print, we all understand media is
    a enormous source of facts. asmr 0mniartist

  145. GvdbVetly

    buy cipla tadalafil [url=https://boxtadafil.com/ ]rx tadalafil tablets[/url] tadalafil pulmonary hypertension

  156. asmr where

    It’s an remarkable article in support of all the web people; they will get advantage from it I am sure.

  159. where asmr

    If you are going for finest contents like I do, only go to see this website all
    the time since it provides feature contents, thanks

  160. or asmr

    Hi there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would
    be okay. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look
    forward to new posts.

  166. RfvbgarMa

    cialis no prescription overnight shipping [url=http://cileve.com/ ]cialis and douextine[/url] buy cialis 20mg tablets

  171. Fmrfmyday

    cialis without prescriptions [url=http://cialisee.com/ ]where to buy cialis[/url] cialis 20mg prices

  173. gamefly when

    What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of
    valuable familiarity on the topic of unpredicted
    emotions.

  174. my asmr

    Hey there, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific
    blog!

  175. Peterzoolo

    buy cialis doctor ed pills – buy cialis toronto
    where can i buy cialis without a prescription

  179. Lebnmyday

    canadian pharmaceuticals online [url=https://xlnpharmacy.com/ ]fda approved canadian online pharmacies[/url] cheapest pharmacy to get prescriptions filled

  180. RebfgarMa

    cialis with dapoxetine paypal [url=https://rcialisgl.com/ ]where to buy generic cialis?[/url] walmart cialis price

  181. http://bitly.com/3y1MRMj

    Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and
    you’re just extremely wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here,
    really like what you are saying and the way in which
    you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart.
    I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a great site.

  183. asmr this

    Remarkable things here. I am very satisfied to look your article.
    Thanks so much and I am taking a look forward to contact you.
    Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

  185. a asmr

    Heya this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting
    to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with
    HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills
    so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
    Any help would be enormously appreciated!

  190. BbshPhet

    what is female viagra [url=https://loxviagra.com/ ]female viagra effects[/url] can women take viagra

  201. bit.ly

    scoliosis
    Hello my friend! I want to say that this article is amazing,
    nice written and include approximately all significant infos.
    I would like to see more posts like this . scoliosis

  203. LbsogarMa

    cialis nz online [url=https://ucialisdas.com/ ]buy cialis uk[/url] where can i buy cialis online in canada

  204. bitly.com

    scoliosis
    If you are going for finest contents like me, just go to see this website all the
    time as it presents quality contents, thanks scoliosis

  205. Fmrfmyday

    levitra vs cialis side effects [url=https://cialisee.com/ ]cialis 20 mg price[/url] cialis no perscrtion

  209. j.mp

    scoliosis
    This article will assist the internet visitors for building up new blog or even a blog from
    start to end. scoliosis

  214. BbshPhet

    viagra and alcohol [url=https://loxviagra.com/ ]red viagra pills[/url] international viagra online

  215. https://6869milesoflove.tumblr.com/

    dating sites
    Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading?

    I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
    Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. dating sites

  217. asmr it

    There’s definately a great deal to know about this subject.
    I really like all the points you made.

  220. DavidRoyax

    100 free new dating site
    [url=”http://allfreedatinghyp.com/?”]i want a free dating site[/url]

  221. LbsogarMa

    best price for cialis [url=http://ucialisdas.com/ ]rush delivery on cialis[/url] buy shop cialis 20mg

  224. Anoomyday

    buying viagra dubai [url=https://llviagra.com/ ]consequГЄncias do uso de viagra[/url] invention of viagra wiki

  226. mydayHtf

    cialis forms [url=https://cialishav.com/ ]buycialisonline[/url] cialis and dapoxetine canada

  227. garMaVed

    how much does 20mg cialis cost [url=https://krocialis.com/ ]tadalafil tablets[/url] cialis precio mexico

  228. it free dating sites

    Right here is the perfect site for everyone who really
    wants to understand this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost hard
    to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa).
    You definitely put a new spin on a subject which has been written about for years.

    Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!

  229. dating sites on

    I have learn a few excellent stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting.
    I surprise how much effort you place to create this sort of excellent informative web site.

  230. mydayGtv

    canadian pharmacy tylenol with codeine [url=https://pharmacyhrn.com/ ]safe online pharmacy canada[/url] canadian pharmacy vyvanse

  231. PhetSwa

    cialis online nz [url=https://ckacialis.com/ ]buy generic cialis 5mg[/url] cialis from safeway

  232. VetlyAsd

    5mg of cialis [url=https://cialisjla.com/ ]cialis profesional vs. super active vs. cialis[/url] cialis usa pharmacy

  235. mydayDev

    kroger pharmacy online [url=https://cjepharmacy.com/ ]cheapest canadian pharmacy for viagra[/url] aarp approved canadian online pharmacies

  236. mydayAni

    qsymia canada pharmacy [url=https://pharmacyken.com/ ]canadian pharmacies-247[/url] canadian pharmacy generic viagra

  238. dating sites our

    My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different page and thought
    I might check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you.

    Look forward to looking over your web page repeatedly.

  239. garMaloh

    viagra vs cialis hardness [url=https://rcialisgl.com/ ]side effects of cialis vs viagra[/url] cialisorigina

  241. there surgery scoliosis

    Attractive element of content. I just stumbled
    upon your web site and in accession capital to say that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.

    Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I fulfillment you access persistently rapidly.

  242. hcq

    malaria drugs list [url=https://chloroquineorigin.com/#]buy chloroquine phosphate uk[/url] cloroquine

  243. mydayHtf

    buying cialis online canadian order [url=https://cialishav.com/ ]20mg cialis vs 100mg viagra[/url] cialis in melbourne australia

  244. my scoliosis surgery

    Hi there! I understand this is sort of off-topic however I needed to ask.
    Does operating a well-established blog like yours take a lot of work?

    I’m completely new to writing a blog however I do write in my diary daily.
    I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my experience and feelings
    online. Please let me know if you have any ideas or tips for brand new aspiring bloggers.
    Appreciate it!

  245. garMaVed

    paypal cialis [url=https://krocialis.com/ ]pay pal for cialis[/url] natural cialis alternatives

  246. for free dating sites

    Hey are using WordPress for your site platform?

    I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up
    my own. Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  247. mydayGtv

    shop cvs pharmacy online [url=https://pharmacyhrn.com/ ]pharmacy cheap[/url] why are prescription drugs so expensive

  251. tinyurl.com

    Great blog here! Also your website loads up fast!
    What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to
    your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  253. tinyurl.com

    No matter if some one searches for his essential thing, therefore
    he/she desires to be available that in detail,
    thus that thing is maintained over here.

  254. VetlyAsd

    real cialis sublingual [url=https://cialisjla.com/ ]generic cialis with dapoxetine 80mg[/url] cialis nex day delivery uk

  255. mydayDev

    safe canadian pharmacies [url=https://cjepharmacy.com/ ]foreign pharmacy online[/url] online pharmacy dubai

  257. mydayAni

    north pharmacy canada [url=https://pharmacyken.com/ ]vicodin canada pharmacy[/url] thriftway pharmacy store locator

  259. garMaloh

    lisinopril and cialis [url=https://rcialisgl.com/ ]order cialis canada[/url] free trial voucher cialis

  260. Miguelral

    amoxicillin no prescipion generic amoxil – cost of amoxicillin prescription
    http://bamoxil.com/# amoxicillin 500mg cost
    prescription drugs online without doctor [url=http://pillswdp.com/#]buy prescription drugs without doctor[/url] sildenafil without a doctor’s prescription

  261. mydayHtf

    cialis and no prescription [url=https://cialishav.com/ ]cheap cialis free shipping[/url] buy cialis brand

  263. garMaVed

    viagra cialis levitra comparison [url=https://krocialis.com/ ]when will cialis patent expire[/url] what happens when a woman takes cialis

  264. mydayGtv

    are drugs legal in canada [url=https://pharmacyhrn.com/ ]pharmacy in canada toronto[/url] online class for pharmacy tech

  265. PhetSwa

    discount cialis from india [url=https://ckacialis.com/ ]cialis black[/url] cialis store in qatar

  266. mydayDev

    canadian pharmacy ambien [url=https://cjepharmacy.com/ ]canada drugs online pharmacy[/url] rx reliable pharmacy

  268. VetlyAsd

    viagra cialis levitra trial pack [url=https://cialisjla.com/ ]cialis paypal[/url] cialis australia online stores

  269. garMaloh

    which works better cialis or viagra [url=https://rcialisgl.com/ ]generic cialis[/url] how long does it take for cialis to work?

  270. mydayAni

    malaysia online pharmacy store [url=https://pharmacyken.com/ ]pharmacy tech programs online[/url] cvs pharmacy store 10583

Leave a Reply

  • (will not be published)

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

The Latest:

  • Originals

    Swan Song

    This is a tough one to write. For those of you who know me, in person, by my writing, or…


  • Originals

    The Fool and the Villain, Part II

    (Warning: In Second Life, pixelated tits and dicks abound. Abandon all hope, all ye who enter this article at work.)…


  • Commentary

    The Edge Of The Ocean

    The problem is to plot the map. My sense of geography is spotted with black holes. There’s the Chinatown and…


  • Originals

    Play Everything

    Play everything. No, I’m serious, play everything. Play that game of hopscotch those kids drew up on the sidewalk with…


  • Commentary

    Genre In Question

    Why are there so few video game comedies? At least twice in the past year I’ve bumped into conversations trying…