We mentioned that this was coming up yesterday, but, just in case you missed it, here's Persuasive Games author and game designer Ian Bogost fighting the good fight for gaming with bastion of truth and light, Stephen Colbert. We're glad to see it, and not just to watch Colbert wonder aloud if hours of World of Warcraft (or Colbertcraft) will prepare him for when our world becomes Warcraft.
We're also glad to see it because Bogost is undeniably a good egg. Instead of just cursing the darkness and hoping to convince a fairly skeptical mainstream media that games aren't necessarily without merit, he's out there actually proving it. In our opinion, we could use a few more Ian Bogosts.
I actually watched the episode, and at the start of the show, when he mentioned having Ian as a guest, across the bottom of the screen it said "Killjoystick". Does Steven have a vendetta against this blog?
that was great, it's about time we had someone who can hold their own on the media stage. We need more of this guy, and less of jack thompson.... who has been strangely, but wonderfully, silent as of lately.
he did well against cobert, so many people just crumble against his off topic, illogical comments.
Ian Bogost is a prick. He wants games to become propaganda. Games would be the most effective propaganda ever presenting feedback for choices the user made, making the user feel like they have discovered something for themselves when really they have just unearthed someones elses ideals.
Ian seemed to think that the true art and importance of games comes from being used as a propaganda machine. I think he came out looking like a fool on the Colbert report and I only hope that people dont listen to this mans opinions too much or were gonna end up in a world where games are used to brainwash the masses.
Yeah, that's only if one set of people are making those kinds of videogames. I think he sees it as a multitude of different views and perspective making videogames, much like there are thousands of directors putting their own point of view onto film.
Sure, it would be propaganda, but only if one group's ideas were being presented. And I think to say Bogost is a prick simply because he's thinking outside the box and wanting videogames to be more mainstream, is being closed minded.
Well, Colbert went easy on him. That's to be expected, though -- Bogost is a reasonable guy and Colbert likes to let reasonable people make their points. You'll notice he never said anything that actually seriously undermined anything Bogost said, the closest he came to that was the "that sounds like school" comment, but really, I think that was more of a compliment than a jab.
Some people don't get that luxury. The guy can be pretty harsh with people who come on, being all insane. And while pretending to agree with them, no less.
True. Watching, I thought that Colbert must be a real gamer, because he's showing real interest in what Bogost was saying. I don't think he's EVER given a guest that much free reign to speak.
Some of these responses (HE'S NOT FUNNY??) exemplify the superficial, hedonistic, unconscious way many Americans are living their lives. He wants to make video games PROPAGANDA??? Are you aware that the US military is exploiting the video game genre to hone the skills of young snipers? Many games explicitly cultivate the most violent, materialistic and cruel aspects of human nature. Creating a response to this manipulation in the form of a game that fosters morality and that rewards innovative thinking over sharp-shooting skills is an act of genius that will contribute to the evolution of mankind. Perhaps you might consider being onboard with that "PROPAGANDA" I'm saddened by some of these responses because they demonstrate that on the evoutionary scale, we still have a long way to go!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 9th 2007 8:53AM
He should have rolled with the punches a little more.
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 9th 2007 8:54AM
Sweet found it.
http://www.ifilm.com/video/2820951
rDr4g0n @ Aug 9th 2007 9:18AM
poor colbert trying to make it funny and the other guy was completely serious. he makes a number of very good points.
Lompocus @ Aug 10th 2007 6:24PM
Oh yes, I will now vote democratic because of the game 'Haze'..../sarcasm
cbroz91 @ Aug 9th 2007 9:26AM
I actually watched the episode, and at the start of the show, when he mentioned having Ian as a guest, across the bottom of the screen it said "Killjoystick". Does Steven have a vendetta against this blog?
Rob @ Aug 9th 2007 12:53PM
It's a joke. It's a parody of the phrase "killjoy".
a ham sandwich @ Aug 9th 2007 11:20AM
either that or he's a fan of halo 3 AND joystiq! :P
Grant @ Aug 9th 2007 9:46AM
that was great, it's about time we had someone who can hold their own on the media stage.
We need more of this guy, and less of jack thompson.... who has been strangely, but wonderfully, silent as of lately.
he did well against cobert, so many people just crumble against his off topic, illogical comments.
Brad Lee @ Aug 9th 2007 5:32PM
It's so true, and that's why Stephen is INDESTRUCTIBLE!
...
Except for his wrist... who knew that was his "weak point?"
PS - How long before Viacom kills this clip?
Shagittarius @ Aug 9th 2007 10:54AM
Ian Bogost is a prick. He wants games to become propaganda. Games would be the most effective propaganda ever presenting feedback for choices the user made, making the user feel like they have discovered something for themselves when really they have just unearthed someones elses ideals.
Ian seemed to think that the true art and importance of games comes from being used as a propaganda machine. I think he came out looking like a fool on the Colbert report and I only hope that people dont listen to this mans opinions too much or were gonna end up in a world where games are used to brainwash the masses.
ck @ Aug 9th 2007 1:30PM
Yeah, that's only if one set of people are making those kinds of videogames. I think he sees it as a multitude of different views and perspective making videogames, much like there are thousands of directors putting their own point of view onto film.
Sure, it would be propaganda, but only if one group's ideas were being presented. And I think to say Bogost is a prick simply because he's thinking outside the box and wanting videogames to be more mainstream, is being closed minded.
Shagittarius @ Aug 9th 2007 2:03PM
Propaganda all is phony.
Garden @ Aug 9th 2007 11:24AM
Why is this guy so popular? He's not even funny.
I can't understand how people who have no talent become famous and make money.
Rallion @ Aug 9th 2007 12:08PM
Well, Colbert went easy on him. That's to be expected, though -- Bogost is a reasonable guy and Colbert likes to let reasonable people make their points. You'll notice he never said anything that actually seriously undermined anything Bogost said, the closest he came to that was the "that sounds like school" comment, but really, I think that was more of a compliment than a jab.
Some people don't get that luxury. The guy can be pretty harsh with people who come on, being all insane. And while pretending to agree with them, no less.
Bucket @ Aug 9th 2007 2:26PM
True. Watching, I thought that Colbert must be a real gamer, because he's showing real interest in what Bogost was saying. I don't think he's EVER given a guest that much free reign to speak.
Leonidas @ Aug 9th 2007 10:34PM
Anyone know where I can get a wriststrong band?
AR LILLY @ Aug 11th 2007 1:03PM
Some of these responses (HE'S NOT FUNNY??) exemplify the superficial, hedonistic, unconscious way many Americans are living their lives. He wants to make video games PROPAGANDA??? Are you aware that the US military is exploiting the video game genre to hone the skills of young snipers? Many games explicitly cultivate the most violent, materialistic and cruel aspects of human nature. Creating a response to this manipulation in the form of a game that fosters morality and that rewards innovative thinking over sharp-shooting skills is an act of genius that will contribute to the evolution of mankind. Perhaps you might consider being onboard with that "PROPAGANDA" I'm saddened by some of these responses because they demonstrate that on the evoutionary scale, we still have a long way to go!