The smile of a child is indeed innocence mixed with simplicity. A simpler time, an easier time. A time when a video game was, for all intents and purposes, a toy.
Over the years, though, gaming has inevitably changed. It has become a mainstream attraction, a form of entertainment for adults and children alike (although this fact remains lost on some out-of-touch politicians). The biggest, most resource-draining projects often shoot for crazy new levels of realism and authenticity; bigger and more intricately designed worlds are becoming the norm.
But there was a time when all we wanted to do was obtain – and hold – the highest score. There was a time when “multiplayer” meant you sitting next to a buddy, each with a controller in hand, watching the same screen together. There was a time before downloadable content, patches, updates, and yes, even the Internet. In short, the earliest days of gaming consisted of a video game, in which the goal was usually to get from Point A to Point B without dying. It involved shooting things, jumping over things, and…well, that’s really about it.
So, when we look back at those days with the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia, what are we really seeing? Are we honing in on the long-lost days of childhood innocence, when our biggest concern was staying up late and scoring a sleepover for the weekend? Or are we simply pining for a time when the entire process of gaming was more straightforward the whole way ’round?
It’s a little of both, of course.
“Aw, just five more minutes, mom!”
How many times did we say this? At the time, we probably never would’ve believed that we’d look back on our “totally unfair” bedtime with melancholy wistfulness. There’s something about any activity associated with that idyllic period of our lives. Obviously, this is assuming you were lucky enough to have a great home life; sadly, not everyone did. Not everyone will be recalling their childhoods with a smile and a tear. That must be acknowledged. But for those who did indeed have positive, wholesome, enjoyable home lives when growing up, the innocence is what we miss most.
Those games were simple, yes, but they were also innocent themselves. Think about it: The entire industry was innocent. A bunch of muscular dudes beating up other muscular dudes, out to save a random chick. In general, superhumans doing silly things in the most clichéd fashion. If you remember, that was most of video-related entertainment back in the 70s and 80s. That’s the way TV shows and movies often were. These days, we look back on stuff like “Charlie’s Angels,” “Dynasty,” and “Dukes of Hazzard” with a wry grin and a chuckle. It’s just so corny. But corny was a cornerstone because in truth, innocence still prevailed.
There’s something to be said for that, too.
Video Games…a serious business, a serious hobby
The industry grew at a shockingly rapid rate. We’ve reached the point where it’s essentially impossible to compare video games today to games of yesteryear. In fact, we’d be comparing two entirely different experiences. Simplicity had its appeal, though, as it does now. Hitting a button and playing a game was always the extent of the experience and you know, there’s nothing wrong with that, per se. Granted, we didn’t have a fraction of the technical capability we see now, and many of those advancements are appreciated.
However, with game systems that are essentially computers, and a myriad of other things that always seem to clutter up the gaming space (extra content, online play, subscriptions and memberships, patches/updates, cloud storage, social media in all its many components, etc.), we often feel a little overwhelmed. There are times when I have no interest in letting others see what I’m playing, and I have even less interest seeing what they’re playing. I don’t care about the new update or the fresh content. I don’t care about the fact that my game console gives me access to a zillion streaming forms of entertainment.
Sometimes, I just want to play. That was, undoubtedly, simpler and more straightforward in the past.
What we miss may never be experienced again
I’m not painting the olden days of gaming with broad, gleaming brushstrokes of adoration. I’m really not. The advancements are clear and obvious and I do enjoy watching the progression of the industry. But what many of us experienced during the dawn of gaming really was unique. We were there at the start of a new entertainment medium, and we watched it grow. We saw some of the growing pains, we watched in awe, and many times, we struggled to keep up. It must be not dissimilar to those who were around during the dawn of film but even then, the advent of interactive entertainment was unique in more ways than one.
In the end, maybe that’s what we miss. Maybe, just maybe, on a subconscious level, we knew we were part of something singular and special. Something that will never come around again, and something that can never be duplicated or emulated. Innocence and simplicity, yes. A never-to-be-equalled life experience… more so.
