The Game Plan 05.18.07: Think of the Children

Posted by James McGee on 05.18.2007

The double-edged sword of mature gaming

I used to play video games with my dad. Well, he only really cared for one game—the original Super Mario Bros.—and he kicked my butt at it on a regular basis. He was addicted to it, and there were times that I had to fight him off just to get to play myself. He learned all the tricks (like the legendary stair-step turtle hop where you could rack up all those extra lives), and disdained warp zones, because that was cheating. His reflexes were in a completely different league than mine—disproving that faulty theory about how much sharper youngsters are supposed to be with hand-eye coordination. I never got into hunting, fishing, or cars, but my dad got into video games, and so that was a way for us to spend time together. Those are fond memories.

Now, I have a friend who plays games with his son almost every night before bed. It's their particular ritual, and they both love spending that time together. But they have a harder time than my dad and me, because there just aren't as many games out there suitable for kids that adults can still get into. The gaming industry too often tries to ignore its roots as kiddie entertainment, rebelling against the stigma of "child's play" by focusing on mature-themed titles. I can understand that attitude to a point, but it also saddens me. If you keep reading, I'll tell you why. I am James McGee, and here's The Game Plan.

Now, I realize that this "kiddie" thing is a double-edged sword. Like any other art form, games have evolved over the years, but they've had a hard time shaking the attitude of many non-gamers that it's all just a bunch of childish rubbish. One of the reasons so many people come down hard on violent games is that these critics still think no one but ten year olds play the things. People can accept that movies attract all age groups, which is why there is always a constant, low rumble about sex and violence in films, but none of the out-and-out witch hunts that the game industry has endured over the past decade or so. The people who get so up in arms about "M" rated games obviously haven't driven by a midnight-launch and seen hundreds of guys in their twenties and thirties waiting for the latest high-profile release. Games aren't just for kids anymore—they have become a sophisticated form of entertainment, so I can understand the industry's concern about doing anything that reinforces that "kid's stuff" image.

However, it seems that the industry as a whole has overcompensated by almost completely ignoring the children's market. Sure, there are games released every week with an "E for Everyone" sticker on them, but it's usually drivel like Barbie Horse Adventure. The same industry that bemoans its child's play image turns around and insults children by giving them this rot. No wonder critics still think video games are mind-numbing garbage—skim the store shelves for children's games and that's nearly all you'll find. Adopting such a condescending attitude towards a consumer group that, just a few years ago, really was your primary audience is not a very classy strategy.

This strategy also explains why it's so rare to find parents and children playing games together. I obviously can't speak for everyone, but I doubt many adults want to play Barbie Horse Adventure. So, gaming parents pop Barbie in, set their kids down in front of the tube, and walk off, waiting for bedtime before they can play God of War. No interaction, no bonding time, nothing. The non-gaming parent does the same thing, but they probably think all games are just like the manure Barbie and her horses are shoveling. They don't take any interest in what their kids are playing and, pretty soon, they're buying God of War just to appease their eight year old (because I'd wager that kids don't have much fun playing a lot of these games, either). Then, the first time they happen by while Kratos rips a monster's head off, sending fountains of blood in the air, they go into shock and start calling their congressman, wanting to know what can be done about these horrible video games. Giving kids and parents nothing but this claptrap as a family-friendly gaming alternative does as much damage to the industry as any violent, adult-oriented game ever thought about. That's right: Barbie is to blame for it all. You heard it here first.

But every once in a while, someone comes along who understands that, just because something is appropriate for children, doesn't mean it can't be a quality game that adults can enjoy, too. Just one example is the Lego Star Wars series developed by Traveler's Tales. Some critics poo-pooed these games for their simplistic gameplay, but I really think those people missed the point. Implying that simple means dumb is just as insulting to me as implying that violent video games inspire violence. All you really have to worry about when playing Lego Star Wars are four buttons: jump, attack, special power, and movement. That's part of what makes it kid-friendly—it's easy to play. Sure, maybe you like a little more depth to your games now, but when you strip modern games down to their essence, they're still about jumping around and killing the bad guys. Some types of gameplay never go out of style, which is one of the reasons adults enjoy the games, too.

Apart from the timeless fun factor, there's a wonderfully coy sense of humor to the Lego games that also appeals to an older audience. It's just like watching old Bugs Bunny cartoons—when you were a kid, you laughed because Bugs bonked Elmer Fudd on the head. As an adult, you laugh because there's a lot going on in the dialogue you didn't understand as a kid. The same rules apply here. These games are very self aware, with tons of sight gags and inside jokes that might be just over the heads of younger players, but that parents will get a big kick out of. There's something for everyone here. Traveler's Tales recently announced a Lego Batman title is in the planning stages, and I honestly can't think of a game I'm anticipating more, because these games take me back to the joy of my childhood, while giving me something as an adult that I can sink my teeth into.

I'm running out of space, but I would be remiss to enter into a discussion of kid-friendly gaming without mentioning Nintendo. The House of Mario has always touted a family-friendly image, which has earned them a lot of flack from gamers, critics, and industry insiders, who claim that Nintendo needs to drop the kiddie stigma if they expect to remain successful. Bull, says I. I have my own criticisms of Nintendo, which I'll get to in later columns, but you can't deny that they're one of the few developers consistently putting out high-quality games the entire family can enjoy. Mario, Zelda, and many of Nintendo's third-party exclusives are good games, period, regardless of what age-group they're aimed at. That's why the buddy I mentioned earlier is such a loyal Nintendo fan. He and his son can play games together, but he doesn't have to be embarrassed by them. Instead of looking down their nose at young consumers, or insulting their intelligence with crap games, more developers should take their cues from Nintendo and Traveler's Tales. The gaming industry is advancing by leaps and bounds, and that's great. But losing touch with it roots in the process is dangerous.