Real Life Games: The Beginning

I am going to be starting a new set of articles on comparing real life with videogames. Although I will try to have some jokes going in, the reality is that many of the things we see in games happen to us in real life. Not only that, many places for videogames are designed with the same structure and ideas. The posts will be two parts, where the article is found here, but the majority of pictures will be on the facebook page.

Shigeru Miyamoto is told that he can not talk about his hobbies anymore. Why? Because he figured out Wii Fit by weighing himself. He created Pikmin while gardening. He got into music, and made Wii Music. Many of his top selling games are from things he sees in real life, and decides to turn into a game. Telling his hobbies to journalists means that other companies may find out what is going on in the mind of the man we consider the greatest game maker. Really though, he finds the game within real life.

GameWerks in Seattle

As has been explained before, games are a thing. It is a stick that you change into what you want. Most game makers try to make the stick into something they believe their audience will enjoy. The thing is, the same use of a stick can apply to anything in our lives. If we start to look, the almost game like qualities in real life begin to show up. You need to get a set of signatures from a boss, but first need permission from various sub bosses. The epic quest of the signature begins.

What is even more interesting is that the same rules apply to games and real life. It shows up in architecture, and the design of how things are placed. We don’t think they work the same, but if it has the same need, then it also has the same rules. If there is a spot in a game that has people running through it a lot, then the same design for that area will be the same if it was at a mall.

Without even thinking about it places where we find videogames, have areas set up just like a videogame. The rules apply to both the game you are looking at, as well as the area you are standing in. It’s a fascinating thought, and the design of the store may not even be intentional. Some arcades make it obvious that they were trying to control where you go, and what you do. Some other areas are built that way just to keep interest.

For these articles there is a need to have a lot of pictures. The problem is that a blog really doesn’t work to have several pictures at once. There will be pictures used for the article, but if you want to see everything, you really should check out the facebook page. It will show you the various ways the arcade, or game store is designed, and also see what games are there.

Lazar Assault II in Provo Utah

I have been taking these pictures for a while now, and hope you enjoy this trip. While reading, and looking think about the real life games in your life. Trying to get from Point A to Point B can feel like a game at times. This is because many games and real life things follow the same rules. Even videogame places have these rules.

We will start in Phoenix, and then go to Seattle. Along the way, we will discuss museums, arcades, stores, and apartment complexes. What you had to do to get that signature will be discussed, and how it applies to being in game. With that, expect tomorrows first entry.