Video game culture is a strange
beast. We gamers claim to want open ended, free roaming games, yet we find great comfort in established game
conventions. For example, when I picked up my copy of The Guardian this morning, I found an interesting
article about end-of-level bosses in the
technology section. Reading about blatantly highlighted weak spots, the "quarter health" rule and the panicky
nature of a boss fight filled me with nostalgia from the glory days of big boss fights, despite the illogical nature of
it all.With the increasing popularity of games that eschew traditional game conventions, it's good to reflect on where gaming came from. Now excuse me while I unpause my game of Super Mario Bros. and finish kicking Bowser's butt.
