Video drone

[loCAtek]

Video games



What with six children in the house, I’ve been re-introduced to the world of video games. Jimmy’s geekids even have a dedicated television set just for their gaming entertainment needs. Since I’m not anyone’s parent or guardian, I don’t think I have any say as to how much time anyone spends playing; or what they can or can’t play. Only now, me casa is one of the millions of American homes that has a gaming system as a household appliance.

Almost anything can be tied into a DVD game these days, if it’s in any way related to child-rearing. What is particular dismaying is how children have less choice about their exposure. With watching more kid-oriented movies, I immediately noticed how there are fewer movie trailers, and more game previews; what’s worse – you can’t skip them. I turned on ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ (Very complex and meaningful) and walked away for a full five minutes, because there was nothing but ads for interactive war games. Jr. isn’t asked, but told to play these games.

Most of my friends wouldn’t argue with that. I’ve been hearing in some families, the Dads are just as addicted to electronic games, as their children. Shoot, they grew up with Atari™ and Nintendo™, and so wield the joystick with absolute authority.
Some fathers have ‘Game Time’ set aside after work but before dinner, which greatly improves his mood at the dinner table. Woe unto the child who interrupts ‘Game Time’; while Papa is plugged in, he’s apt to fire lasers from his shoulder-mounted cannons, SIMultaneously summoning a virtual-spanking spell with his acuminated character credit for such transgressions.
The American way of life now revolves around: Work, Family and Video Games ...sex is now virtually real too.

Could this be a good thing? Certainly, America’s hard working man deserves his downtime, and what could be quicker and easier than a few cheat-assisted levels of Resident Auto-Apocalypse Hero: The Final Resurrection of the Mutant-Machines, Bat-Battle Royal, Part VII in 3D, with soundtrack by Goth Orthodox 2Live 4Ever; available in Multiplatform Realplay for 14.95 an hour? Turns out that was what fooled audiences into believing Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ was good science fiction; nearly everyone downloads themselves into an online game, these days.

I’m told some guys can’t cope without it, it calms them down better than a stiff drink and a hand job …wait, calms them!?

CGI cartoon violence/mayhem is soothing to the savage salaryman? How can this be? This is particularly interesting to hear from the vets; they’re dealing with their PTSD by blowing away digital bad guys on a nightly basis. Take their toys away, and they’re liable to start climbing watchtowers. No foolin’ Could gaming be good therapy?

I need some savage salarymen to help me out here; what’s the appeal to you, to be able crush civilizations of cyber-kingdoms to your heart’s content? Is it calling to your inner caveman from the comfort of your Christian-era couch? Is this the new age of consumer conquest; buy your courage and clean-up the dishes without consequence?

…and how do I get past the Ochre - Ogre - Orchestra on Ocean’s Octagon? These kids are kicking are my butt!

[Beer Sponge]

I play video games occasionally (Nintendo Wii), and I do find is somewhat relaxing.

That said, this:

a stiff drink and a hand job

is a lot better relaxation technique.