The Emotional Tie-In

Gamespot.com has an interesting piece today from their editors, each of whom shares a story about a pivotal moment in their lives that was somehow tied to video games.

I'm bringing this up for a reason: unlike movies and literature, video games have failed to consistently move people (other than with emotions such as the sheer panic I felt playing Half-Life with my writing partner. I almost fell out of my chair when a monster emerged. I wish I was making this up). However, what many of us have failed to take into account is that much of what comes with interactive game play is what we as players bring to the table.

For instance, as bad as was the game Enter The Matrix, after investing several hours in it for a review I was writing, I have to say that I felt a kinship of sorts with the characters and the worlds. (Now, this could have something to do with the movies, which had already created these for me.)

And, that could explain why people are so passionate about Star Wars, Star Trek, World War II, and other games that have some historical component to them with which we immediately identify.