Play Time

Back in a time when memory space in technological devices was relatively small, video games were at a manageable enough size that they could seem long and challenging, but ultimately be reasonably sized and self-contained. As we grew up, the technology grew up too, only the growth of memory space was somewhat exponential compared to us organic flesh creatures. That’s why in the same amount of time as we’ve gone from a 1.44 MB floppy disk to terabyte hard drives, my shoe size has grown from 4 (probably) to a 10.

Also as we grew up, we got involved in the real-world economy of it all, giving up our endless hours of free time to “The Man”, or indeed “The Woman” because why should us dick-swinging lunatics control everything? We now have jobs taking up most of our responsible adult time doing responsible adult things, leaving the free time – or play time – to the very minimum. Essentially just enough so that we don’t beat our heads against walls at the constant monotony of workaday life.

In stark contrast to this, that there Games industry has worked tirelessly to expand the player experience as widely as possible, leading to epic open-world adventures with countless hours of potential play time crammed inside. What’s the point I’m trying to drag myself towards? Basically our roles have reversed and I don’t like it.

It felt as though back then, our time was endless and the games were finite. Now our time is limited and the games go on forever. Even the guys on the internet with headsets, webcams, streaming softwares, goal timers and really greasy hair probably don’t have enough time to uncover every single little aspect of every single game, and they practically live there. What hope is there for the poor schmoes who are lucky to grab an hour or two of free time each week?

That’s why I like sticking to the retro stuff, and the remakes of retro stuff. While all games must end (like all things eventually do), there’s a nice familiarity in the things I’ve played over and over, compared to the apparent lengthy discovery of something new.

That said, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild finally comes out in a couple of weeks and I for one cannot wait to dive right in. You know, that is until I have to dive right out again an hour or two later.

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It’s remarkable what you can accomplish with a drum machine, a repetitive bass-line, a bit of spoken word and a sheep-like bleat. Need evidence? Look at this. Or rather listen to it.

Despite lacking any real melody or singing, this is mightily enjoyable. I suppose one could even say that the monotonous moroseness of the whole performance acts as a reflection of its subject matter, because if the sudden collapse of a chain of department stores as a result of corrupt leadership and financial greed is going to sound like anything, it’d probably be this.

Sleaford Mods – B.H.S.