There is a fine line between computer games and the cinema that is often crossed. Computer games are constantly drawing on cinematic devices and aspects of game structure often influence films based on games. (King & Krzywinska, 2002) For this reason it is important to look at computer games in a cinematic context.
It is no secret that computer games have existed for at least forty years and while there has been countless research on the social effects that computer games pose on society, not much research has been conducted on the computer/video game in its own right.
Games based on films should still be viewed as games rather than film adaptations, and according to the book ‘ScreenPlay: Cinema/videogames/interfaces’ “should be understood according to their own logics as well as in relation to other media.� (King & Krzywinska, 2002)
While many games such as 'Tetris' and sports-based games have nothing to do with cinema, nor display film like tactics, there are quite a number of games such as 'James Bond' that do.
In fact, many characters such as Lara Croft are stars on their own and have gone on to become major Hollywood successes, as 'Tomb Raider' has. The film, which starred Angelina Jolie grossed over $47 million dollars. (King & Krzywinska, 2002) Likewise, films such as 'James Bond' have been adapted into games as part of the wider process of developing franchises. One could say there is a “merging of languages� between computer games and the cinema as they continue to influence each other. (King & Krzywinska, 2002)
There are also cases where both cinema and computer games work in parallel to expand a franchise such as the mutual release of the film and video game, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone', both based on the novel. “An overlap exists between the worlds of cinema and games�. (King & Krzywinska, 2002)
Many car chase computer games also draw upon the cinema, such as 'Grand Theft Auto 3' in which the player can watch the action from a movie-like-slow-motion perspective. (King & Krzywinska, 2002)
'Max Payne', a popular computer game amongst gamers, uses a number of cinematic techniques such as the use of slow motion bullet dodging, which can be seen in the box office hit, 'The Matrix'. The game is sold on the basis of providing the gamer with “story driven" gameplay. (King & Krzywinska, 2002)It contains cutframe sequences and a number of camera shots such as wide, midshots and close ups, all seen in film. Many game makers believe the more cinematic a computer game is, the more accepted by the reviewer, a belief that has proven to be false.
According to reviewers, in order for a game to be successful there should be a balance between "references to the cinematic and sensitivity to aspects of computer games which involve completely different logistics to that of the cinema". (King & Krzywinska, 2002) Computer games need to be recognised and not judged by their cinematic counterparts performance. If done in an unbiased way, examining computer games in light of the cinema gives one the opportunity to acknowledge differences and similarities between the two media.
Jodie Gummow 13:17, 25 Oct 2004 (EST)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Go to my Annotated Bibliography for a complete list of references
