Film VS. Games VS. Whatever Comes Next.

I may revisit this later because it’s a subject that immediately draws my attention. I remember the first time someone suggested that video games were superior entertainment to film. I thought: “Well, you’re a moron.”

I’ve come to accept that different people have different expectations for entertainment, but allow me to explain why I personally think film is a superior form of entertainment.

I suppose it might be the same argument that book readers have against cinema. However, there are distinct qualities that separate the two, though they are both legitimate. It’s worth exploring that first, before we get to games.

Novels let the reader have much more freedom. Book readers claim this is a win for books, but I’m not so certain. Both cinema and novels create a framework for the participant. Both take you on a path — a rollercoaster, so to speak — that has been built with intention to bring you to a destination.

Cinema, more than books, is created with stronger intention. The filmmaker cannot hide behind the book. The filmmaker is answerable for the choices he makes — artistic decisions from music to performance — all beyond just the story. The reader can infer endlessly; the filmgoer can, but with limitations. Those limitations are determined by the artist.

For my formative years, I explored humanity through the lens of filmmakers. I enjoyed the ideas they explored, and the aesthetics. I read, but not as frequently. In my most vulnerable moments, I would sit unguarded in front of the screen and let the images and sounds wash over me.

There is a high level of trust involved — the filmmaker must be extremely competent and honest. As a viewer, you watch and hope to learn something when the film reaches its conclusion. You learn little things along the way. In the best of instances, you are transformed by the closing credits.

Films and books are musings. If at any point the thinker exposes themselves as a weak mind, the illusion is broken. Books sustain; movies wow. Both are great.

Now to games.

Let me first say as a disclaimer — this is just me. I speak from my own perspective. You very well may think I sound arrogant or completely foolish. Feel free to disagree and express that in a comment.

Gaming at its best is communal. If I’m being charitable, I can see the value if you play with friends. If you play by yourself, what exactly are you accomplishing?

For years, I heard that films are a waste of time. Book readers were told to go outside and experience real life — that the worlds in their heads were not as rich as the real thing. I would argue with anyone who chastised people for books or films.

Games… I cannot defend.

In most games, you explore. These are the popular games that people sink time into. They are, it seems, just copies of life with bells and whistles attached — fantasy themes, etc. Sometimes, they’re not even that. Sometimes, they are simple simulators. People sink hours and hours into worlds that disappear the moment they turn their consoles off.

In the moment, they might’ve been distracted enough to think they were doing something good — but at the end of the day, was there any substance?

And perhaps you don’t believe that substance is the most critical element of existence, but I imagine if you’ve gotten this far in my ramblings, you do believe that. You know substance is everything. It’s what we should be seeking every moment of our existence. We should seek it in our entertainment, or we should throw the entertainment away.

Exploring a synthetic world is not, for me, a quality form of entertainment. If you’re doing that, I think the elders who came after books and cinema may have a point against you. You ought to explore the physical world. You ought to use that energy to acquire actual skills.

Maybe you are skilled, but you could be more skilled if you weren’t toiling away on a game. There are no boundaries and guide rails in a game. Without the guide, I don’t understand the value. There is no value proposed when you turn on the console. In cinema and novels, there is a promise of value that will be gained in the end. A transformation will occur.

Even if a film fails, you’ve still been subjected to the very intentional viewpoint of a stranger. That holds high value.

Alright, that’ll do it for this subject. So far as whatever comes next — I fear.

Perhaps film will be forgotten in lieu of actual living. Maybe they’ll go outside, like parents have always hoped their kids would. Maybe kids will become builders and creators instead of digesting and processing the creations of others.

But if they haven’t read any books or watched nutrient-dense films, where are they going to sharpen their views?

I suppose if they are being challenged by mentors, then fine. Maybe they can get away without books or films.

I guess my fear is we will soon be living in a world of overconfident idiots — where the most addictive and colorful personalities win the formative minds of children, regardless of the quality of their content offerings.

Games and internet personalities seem to be winning out. Thoughts and ideas seem to be losing.

I know there is a growing financial divide in the U.S., but education and intelligence acted as equalizers, giving economically disadvantaged people the opportunity to emerge as leaders.

If the increasing number of lower-income youth don’t see the value in that, they’re going to enter adulthood and find themselves without any prospect of upward mobility. I suppose at least they’ll have their video games.

I ramble through all of this to say: I am currently making a film. The cynic in me believes it’s too late, that no one cares — I missed my era by a solid ten years. The romantic in me believes that the era doesn’t matter — strong ideas can catch fire even in the worst of conditions.

We shall see. Regardless, I am uncomfortable with games.

Thank you for reading.

Good evening.