My only gripe out of the entire book was that if you're going to use the over generalized pop-culture version of the term (and a space being present is irrelevant, the root "video" - who's definition is specific and clearly defined - is still there), you should really spell out and present your reasoning like you did very well with other definitions in the book.
Hi Marty.
The more "hardcore" enthusiasts (like us) might argue more rigid definitions of what constitutes a "video game," but the general masses have already defined the term. They may not be able to break down "raster" or "vector," but people in general know a video game (or "videogame") when they see one.
"Asteroids" and "Defender" were both "video games," in that they both used "video" displays. Yes, there is a difference between "raster" and "vector" displays, of course, but they were both electronic games with video displays. They sat right next to each other in the arcades, and were used in the same manner, regardless of the display.
The "Vectrex" console might be problematic to define, since it doesn't involve a "changeable display," yet it still understood to be a console gaming platform. Is it a "video game," a "computer game," or "electronic game," or some unique new definition? Most people would define it as a video game.
As Matt pointed out, language is fluid and constantly evolving. If someone said "I'm gay" in the 1930's, it would have an entirely different meaning than it does now. Movies were called "moving picture shows" back then. Probably the reason the definitions were, as you pointed out, so muddled back in the early days of video games was that video games/computer games were a new industry, with many differing opinions. Over time, we've settled on "video games," and everyone knows what you're talking about.
My only gripe out of the entire book was that if you're going to use the over generalized pop-culture version of the term (and a space being present is irrelevant, the root "video" - who's definition is specific and clearly defined - is still there), you should really spell out and present your reasoning like you did very well with other definitions in the book.
Hi Marty.
The more "hardcore" enthusiasts (like us) might argue more rigid definitions of what constitutes a "video game," but the general masses have already defined the term. They may not be able to break down "raster" or "vector," but people in general know a video game (or "videogame") when they see one.
"Asteroids" and "Defender" were both "video games," in that they both used "video" displays. Yes, there is a difference between "raster" and "vector" displays, of course, but they were both electronic games with video displays. They sat right next to each other in the arcades, and were used in the same manner, regardless of the display.
The "Vectrex" console might be problematic to define, since it doesn't involve a "changeable display," yet it still understood to be a console gaming platform. Is it a "video game," a "computer game," or "electronic game," or some unique new definition? Most people would define it as a video game.
As Matt pointed out, language is fluid and constantly evolving. If someone said "I'm gay" in the 1930's, it would have an entirely different meaning than it does now. Movies were called "moving picture shows" back then. Probably the reason the definitions were, as you pointed out, so muddled back in the early days of video games was that video games/computer games were a new industry, with many differing opinions. Over time, we've settled on "video games," and everyone knows what you're talking about.
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