Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Video Game Classics Part 1

    I believe that video games can be classics. But in order to show what exactly I mean by that, I think that it is important for us to define what exactly a “classic” is. The word classic seems to have two main definitions when relating it to various mediums. The first one is something that is old. Something that has withstood the test of time. When looking up the word in Webster’s Online Dictionary the second and third definitions provided seem to fit within this meaning of the word. Here are the listings of those two definitions:

2
a : of or relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans or their culture: classical

3
a : historically memorable
<a classic battle>
b : noted because of special literary or historical associations
<Paris is the classic refuge of expatriates>


    These definitions seem to be commonly used when talking about great works. Whether it is referring to the Politics of Aristotle as a classic because it comes from ancient Greece, or calling the works of Shakespeare classics because they are historically memorable works. There has always been a connection of the word “classic” with age and endurance, and great works are no exception. But these are not the main definitions we used when talking about great classics of literature, art, music and other works. Rather, the definition most often used is the first one that Webster’s Online Dictionary provides.

1
a : serving as a standard of excellence: of recognized value
 <classic literary works>

    This is the definition most often used when talking about the great classics of the world, and it is this definition that I use when referring to video games as classics. For video games, just like books, art, music, movies, and even TV shows, can also be classics. To see this we must examine video games as a medium, and see what value they offer those who play them.

    Video games seem to offer various kinds of value. Two main areas are entertainment value and mental value, though physical value is being added to many games today. Entertainment value is a key component of video games, as they were designed first and foremost for entertainment. Video games are meant to be enjoyed, and enjoyment and relaxation are important aspects of a healthy life. When I say mental value, I mean both brain stimulation (as in the game Brain Age, where you do things like solve math problems, read aloud, and various other games to help exercise the brain), and the scholarly or academic value, (by which I mean games which force you to think, promote truths, inspire you, or in some other way promote scholarly thought). Physical value can be seen in games such as Wii Fit, which requires you to stand up, move around, be constantly active, and even do exercises such as push-ups or sit-ups. It seems clear to me that video games have all sorts of value, and that they have a lot of good to offer our lives. They have a lot of good to offer and a lot of wonders to experience.

    Now that we have established some of the value video games have to offer, I think it is time to fit them more clearly into the definition of “classic.” Webster’s Online Dictionary says that classics are something that serves as a standard of excellence, or are of recognized value. What exactly is the take away from that definition. It seems to me to be several things. Classics have to be held to a high standard. They have to be excellent in some way. They also have to be a sort of recognized value. There has to be something valuable within the classic, something that you see within the classic, and that you are gaining from it. So I would say that a classic is something that you consider to be excellent. Something that has value to you. Something which brings positive things to your life. Classics are things which improve your life in some way, whether by stimulating your thought, inspiring you with truth, or in some other way improving your life. Perhaps the play Hamlet greatly improved your life, or a symphony by Beethoven greatly moved you. Perhaps a work of art by Van Gogh greatly inspired you. Note that I said “your” life, not “our lives.” This is because I think there is a second element to classics. Classics, in my opinion, differ based on the individual. Every person has their own value. Every person has their own standard of excellence. Every person has different things which inspire them or move them. Every person has their own beliefs, their own passions, their own individual minds. If every person is different then how could there be one list of classics? There cannot be. The list of classics is different for every person. I know several people who consider The Chronicles of Narnia to be classics, but not the Harry Potter series. Yet I also know people who believe the Harry Potter series are classics, but not The Chronicles of Narnia. Are either of these two groups of people wrong? I would say not, because classics differ based on the individual. I personally believe that both of these series of books are classics, but that is my opinion. I am not right or wrong because there cannot really be a right or wrong. In my opinion both of these series promote truth, they are both inspiring, they both made me think. They are both classics. I would say that the good or value that it brings into your life could range anywhere from truth to inspiration, entertainment, thought, material to discuss, and anything else that improves your life in some way. I have often found that many classics provide something new for you to gain every time you experience it. Once again the definition of “good,” “value” and “improve” is going to be at least a little different between individuals. Even various sects of Christianity have at least slight differences in their idea of what is true and what is good, and what is valuable to your life. With so many different views of the world you are going to get many different ideas of what is and is not a classic. This, I feel, is a positive, and not a negative, thing. Next we will discuss some examples of video games and how they are classics.

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