Game Studies

This week’s lecture looked at Game Studies. The lecture studied the ways in which video games appeal to people. One aspect of video games that appeals to people is interactivity. The cybernetic system is the dynamic system of input/output (the gameplay mechanics) looks into why we enjoy playing games. It is helpful to classify the cybernetic system of a game as existing upon a spectrum which has two poles: balanced and unbalanced. In this blog in will look into answering the question, Why has there been an increase in popularity of balanced video games?
The perfectly balanced cybernetic system would have a 1:1 ratio. This means that one kick from the user equals one kick from the avatar; one throw from the user is one throw from the avatar, and so on. Currently the Wii is closest games console to a having balanced system. There are several advantages to having a balanced system as it can lead to more realistic game play the game can be easier to understand for the user. Another advantage is that balanced video games often have a novelty control interface; the Wii remote and Nun-Chuk for example. In contrast unbalanced video games can lead to the user feeling frustrated and less involved in the game because the avatar isn’t following the gamers movements.





So why are balanced games so popular?

Since the Nintendo Wii launched, the monthly sales numbers of the console have been higher than its competitors across the globe. According to the NPD Group, the Wii sold more units in the United States than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 combined in the first half of 2007.This lead is even larger in the Japanese market, where it currently leads in total sales, having outsold both consoles by factors of 2:1 to 6:1 nearly every week from launch until November 2007. I believe the main reasons for the Wii having higher sales than other consoles are due to its high interactivity. The Wii is a very balanced console and it is great fun with friends and family. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for balanced video games.