Whats in a name

[digglerinc]

When Take 2 announced the first week sales for GTA4 they announced it as "the biggest ever for any interactive entertainment". Which i can't tell you how glad I was to read. Way too long has this whole field been referred to as "video games" which to me has always implied that it's intended for children. The industry has "grown up" and needs a new designation that more accurately fits. Fox doesn't show "cartoons" on Sunday nights, it shows "animated series". Renamed for the same reason. I hope to see more of that type of classification in the future, as I think it would put this industry more on an even level with movies and music, in regards to it's target market and the media's coverage. Any thoughts?

 

[Rainemaida]

Who needs to be so politically correct?

Nest I'll be posting on an "Online social interaction marketplace".

 

[UrbanMasque]

Sports Entertainment.... Wrestling

Flight Attendant.... Stewardess

Waste Management Engineer... Garbage Man

The Adult Film Industry.... Porn..

Interactive Entertainment.... Video Games.. we have arrived gentlemen... and lady(s)

 

[maca2kx]

Who needs to be so politically correct?

Nest I'll be posting on an "Online social interaction marketplace".

You don't buy anything here, no marketplace.

Anyway, on the one hand I hate the re-titling of things. "Oh, so you're a custodial engineer?" You're a fucking janitor/caretaker/the guy who takes out the waste! This isn't devaluing the role of 'caretaker', it's calling it what it is and not building it up to some grandiose illusion, what the fuck is 'engineering' about clearing up coffee stains?

But on the other hand first impressions are important and most people faced with the title of video game or just 'game' would immediately jump to the kiddy friendly pursuits of Tetris, Spyro and, dare I say it, Mario. Changing the term may at first glance reek of political correctness but in truth it's less about molly coddling sensitive Sallies and more about ensuring the ignorant minimise their incorrect assumptions.

Sam

 

[Rekkie7]

Interactive Entertainment has been used in some circles for some time, for example when I was studying at QANTM back in 04 I was doing a Bachelor of Interactive Entertainment. It hasn't hit widespread useage yet, but use it and incourge your friends to use it and maybe one day it will.

 

[digglerinc]

I don't think it's an issue of being "politically correct". I don't think "video games" have a negative connotation, just that it's more or less associated with something meant for children. I just think calling it "interactive entertainment" is a more accurate description of the current industry and a step in the right direction. Maybe it does have a "politically correct" smell to it, but that wasn't my intention.