The Problem with Kid’s Games

I like all genres of games, be it shooting, strategy, racing, or music; I enjoy them all. I can pop headshots in a Black Ops match; I can jam out on the guitar in Rock Band, or come in dead last in a game of blur. Recently, I've become enamored with the kid's series of Lego games, such as Lego batman and Lego Indiana Jones. I don't know why, but the series has always appealed to me.

Each Lego game has a different story, (duh, it's in the title of their respective games) but still focuses on the linear beat 'em up and puzzle gameplay. The games usually tell the story of the movies with charming little cutscenes, albeit dialog, giving the player a chuckle. It's simple enough to pick up and play, but intricate enough to keep you hooked. In my opinion, they're a great series of games, especially when you've got a local second player to join in on the mayhem. (Sorry, no online multiplayer capabilities with these ones!) But it's not just Lego games that appeal to me; there's an entire army of kid's games that I'm allowed to enjoy, each with their own charm and wit.

Anyways, these games can seem flawless, if not for one thing: the attitudes of gamers around you. Gaming has evolved from being child's play into full blown franchise, each competing amongst each other. With this evolution, new breeds of gamers emerge. You've got casual gamers, hardcore gamers, etc. More often than not, you come across more hardcore gamers than casual. No problem there, but some gamers are just arrogant. You've done this before: opened up someone's gamer profile, either to send them a friend request, submit feedback, mute, or compare GamerScores and Trophies. You can just imagine how many people open up yours. They can see games you've played, how much you play it, and so on. You can sometimes tell when they do, as their inane chatter can be heard in game lobbies, such as "Aw! You won't see me in some Street Fighter!" Or, "You have a Kinect? Wanna play a game of Table Tennis?" Obviously, it's easy to tell which games you play. Though it is a good way to connect with your fellow gamers, it could make you the subject of ridicule. Usually, attacks are countered with a witty comeback, or a simple mute button. The same has happened with me and my silly kid's games. But thinking about it, what has either party won? Maybe it's time that gamers loosen up and take in the fact that other enjoyable games exist. Or maybe that won't happen at all, and every other game will be abolished. Maybe I'm just childish. Either way, I'm not letting anyone knock my blocks down.

Gaming for All.

-C_Random_A

Posted in: opinion