That Looks Familiar: How Video Games Copy Real Life
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Introduction
A noteworthy video game is all about the immersive experience. If you can’t put it down at the end of the day or can’t wait to pick it up after work or school, there’s a good chance developers have nailed the brief. A good video game isn’t just based on gameplay, sound effects or the level of gore. Popular video games are those that you can relate to, whether it be based on your real-life interactions, historical events or random fictional fantasies.
A great video game speaks to its fans, and here’s how developers go about achieving this goal.
Image via Unsplash
Dream-like Location
Most video games look like something dug up from the unconscious mind, but more often than not these games take inspiration from the real world in one way or another.
The setting can vary from a busy street in a futuristic metropolis to the abandoned, disease-ridden countryside; there are always some parallels to real life. From New York City sidewalks to deepest darkest Outback territory, there’s always something relatable.
Take Assassin’s Creed for example, the historical setting pays an extreme attention to the detail we learn about in history class. Its depiction of Italy in the early Renaissance period or its interpretation of Egypt when the pharaohs were still knocking about feel like a trip back in time. These settings feed into our curious desire as humans to know what it feels like to be alive in another era, country and culture.
Image via Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed Origins
Architecture
Architecture plays a big role in reeling the players in. A map where you can explore real-world locations is always appealing to potential customers. A sneak peek trailer of a game and the map is often what bags the sale. Take Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, for example. The 2019 instalment of the series showed eager trailer-watchers that they’d be able to run around an abandoned Piccadilly Circus. The shootouts stationed behind double-decker red buses had fans chomping at the bit. The iconic bright screens still featured the ads you see in the movies, and the famous stores were open for a rummage.
This is a fine example of how video games draw inspiration from the real world and use it to their advantage.
Image via Naughty Dog, Last of Us Part II
Welcome To History Class
A video game is nothing without a riveting storyline. Many games draw their inspiration from cultural and historical events. These real-world events are sometimes only read about in books, making it far more exciting to a player who is able to walk around in a virtual reality using a headset or console.
Games such as Battlefield 5 use events in history that have left a lasting impression on the world and offer many a chance to experience the combat, sequence or aftermath for themselves. This World War 2 game was a rightful competitor of the gaming giant Call of Duty and left an impact on many. You don’t have to be a history-nerd to play these games and chances are you might learn something about the past.
Human Mind Games
The gameplay of your favourite video games is often created based on various habits of the human race. The mechanics are honed in on offering an entertainment form that will both challenge and entertain you. From purpose-built puzzles to learning new control features, noteworthy games tend to keep you on your toes both physically and mentally.
Elements from reality help create games that are relatable and engage the players, playing to both their strengths and weaknesses.
Conclusion
The reality we see on our screens is a result of a symbiotic relationship between video games and the real world. The world around us is vast and has so much creative matter to offer developers. By tapping into the various elements we as humans interact with and experience, these games create a relatable and entertaining storyline with enthralling gameplay. The real world truly is one delicious oyster!
Image via Activision, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
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