Game Authority

“Because I said so!” is a parents response. You know it, and have likely heard it. The idea that because the parent is the authority, you must follow, is something many try for. If you are considered an expert in a field, you get to use that voice every now and then. Sometimes people pay you to voice something in a specific direction. Within gaming, there is a voice of authority that convinces us to do things. They are called on screen displays.

Most uses of a voice of authority involve experts on an issue. Journalists are sent into a war zone to try to observe, and comment on life there. A scientist studies a single thing her entire life to try to understand it, and then explain it to others. In fact, it is a voice that is hard to argue with, since most people who are considered experts know more about the subject than you do.

The use of authority as a persuasive technique is used all of the time. Within gaming culture we have our own giant list of experts, and authority types. CEO’s of companies are asked about the market, and what they think of it. Game makers are considered the only people that can interpret a game. A games score can be used as a way to show that something is superior.

Jason Rubin, the CEO of failed company THQ, said that Nintendo should go to mobile platforms. This was covered in several websites, and considered the voice of authority. Keep in mind that he worked for companies that specifically did not make games for Nintendo systems, most famous of which is Crash Bandicoot. Far more difficult is that he was the owner of a company that had just recently filed for bankruptcy.

Because Jason Rubin can be viewed as an authority, he is believed. People post his comment everywhere, and it is used in arguments. The reality is that he really isn’t well placed to make such comments. It would be the equivalent of asking Trip Hawkins about Nintendo, you know he is going have problems with the company.

Game Makers are also given such advantages. It is their own interpretation of a game that matters in many minds. Some have pointed out that the game maker being interviewed may not even do much with the game, and is just a mouthpiece for the company. In other cases, the game maker as authority can have problems. Metroid in the US is viewed very differently from Metroid in Japan. The creator of the game, Gunpei Yokoi, passed away. The man who stepped in to become the figurehead of Metroid is Yoshio Sakamoto, who made Metroid Other M. He was interviewed, and many people who spoke about Other M, said that we could only view it from Sakamoto’s point of view.

A game score can represent the journalistic opinion of what is a good game. This sign from journalists can infact effect game sales. Because of this, companies work hard to gain good scores. For example, read this thread about an embargo on reviews for an upcoming game. The Beta was released already, but reviews will not be allowed until the very last minute. As expected, fans of the game, or even system will declare that there is bias in a specific direction if the game doesn’t get a specific score. Keep in mind, this is just some dudes opinion, but companies will spend a lot of time to get a good Metacritic score.

Within a game there is a Voice of Authority as well. The best example for it is the little pop ups telling you where to go, and what to do. We will be using Strider, because thats the game I am playing right now. Convenient.

It even tells you how far the goal is.

If you are lost, the upper right corner has a map showing you your surroundings. A little dot represents where you are, and an arrow points you in the direction you need to go. Although you can get off path to explore, this arrow will always help you get back.

To jump, press A

As you are loading a level, or game, this screen appears. Below the loading sign, instructions on how to do things will appear. They tell you how to use weapons, or tricks with various enemies. It does not tell you where anything is, or how to beat a boss.

Check out that amazing background.

If you have a new technique, the game will tell you how to use it. In fact, there will be a spot specifically needing that new trick, and the only way to move forward is to follow instructions. As you can see here, you can’t climb out of the well because of the blue laser things. You have to double jump out.

Seeing as the level is moving upward, I guess I have no other choice.

Once you reach a specific point, the game will have a big red banner tell you what to do next. This works in tandem with the spot on the map pointing in a direction.

And behind door #3 is...

Once something is accomplished, the camera zooms around to show you a door opening, or a character you need to talk to.

Anyone else notice how big her thighs are?

If you see something like this, it means you are now entering into a boss fight. The boss will have a life gage on the top right, as opposed to your life gage on the top left.

As you can see, use of Authority within a game is actually really useful. It tells you what you need to do, and how to do it at any given moment. The overuse of authority can become annoying, as you try to play the game and not be told how to play it.

Authority is best described as a parent tell their child something. They hold the knowledge and thus should be trusted, or believed. This is used to persuade people to do things. CEO’s are asked about other companies. Game Makers are asked about their interpretation of a game. Companies spend money and work to get good scores from journalists. Within gaming, authority is the maps, words, diagrams, voices, characters, and symbols that tell you where to go, and what to do.

Although it is odd to think about, game makers do baby the player. There is constant placement of objects, or symbols to tell the player what to do next. In some cases it can be downright annoying.