For all our too-cool-for-the-room cynicism about video games, it's refreshing to hear the beautiful innocence of a child's perspective on them. In the absence of a child's perspective, however, we're willing to accept the perspective of an old, old man, which is basically the same thing. Speaking with The Guardian, Stan Lee admitted that we was fundamentally clueless about the mechanics of game making, adding "It's like a miracle."
Let's try something, just for today. Let's try to ape Stan Lee's attitude. Let's try to remember that from the games destined to be classics down to the games made by Destineer, they're all miracles; especially when you consider that 50 years ago, the industry didn't even exist. We're living in the future, friends, and if someone as rich and old as Stan Lee can realize it, we should be able to as well.
Excelsior.
[Image credit: vissago]
Reader Comments (69)
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:56PM cbarrentos said
i'm still waiting for my ACME Disintegrating Ray.
Reply
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 8:58PM Deadpool said
I did ask Cable! But it's the same old story with him...
"Yeah...there's hoverboards and flying cars....of death!"
"In the future video games are only used for mental training."
"In the future there are no bright colors...just brown, grey, and sometimes red.The red is blood!"
"In the future there are no mp3 players...the only song we hear is staying alive!"
"In the future there is no clean water, so we drink our own pee!"
Reply
"Yeah...there's hoverboards and flying cars....of death!"
"In the future video games are only used for mental training."
"In the future there are no bright colors...just brown, grey, and sometimes red.The red is blood!"
"In the future there are no mp3 players...the only song we hear is staying alive!"
"In the future there is no clean water, so we drink our own pee!"
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:38PM Temidien said
Honestly, I stopped caring about anything Stan Lee had to offer the world after I saw this at my local blockbuster: http://www.fotothing.com/photos/us/28136.jpg
Much love for X-Men and Spider-man though.
Reply
Much love for X-Men and Spider-man though.
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 6:04PM EngadgetSoFunny said
Hey, he may make questionable movies at times, but, he does great work at character design. Also, look at the great news, at least he's using the term Miracle to describe video games and not 'Murder Simulator' like another old-man we all know. I'd rather hear my grandfather describe my hobby as a miracle that murder simulator anyday!!
Reply
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:42PM (Unverified) said
Cant agree more with him - a miracle, thats exactly what I felt when I first played this generation's better games such as Uncharted, Batman: Arkham or Killzone 2. Its mind-boggling how much technical expertise and effort must go into developing a software engine that can generate such life-like graphics, creating the complex and detailed environments, balancing the gameplay, etc. Personally, I cant build a small piece of VBA code without struggling with half a dozen bugs and errors, just cant believe that a small group of say 100-200 game developers can work for a couple of years (or less, if you are Insomniacs!) and come out with products like these.
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Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:54PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
You better stop it unless you want to stay up with me all night crying!
On a serious note - It really is something special when you play a game that just resonates on every level and elicits emotions most feature films can't touch. I'm looking at you Jeanne D'Arc, Bioshock and Metal Gear Solid 4. I've great hopes for White Knight Chronicles, Uncharted 2 and Heavy Rain to deliver similar experiences in the near future.
It seems like this generation of great game is just getting started.
Reply
On a serious note - It really is something special when you play a game that just resonates on every level and elicits emotions most feature films can't touch. I'm looking at you Jeanne D'Arc, Bioshock and Metal Gear Solid 4. I've great hopes for White Knight Chronicles, Uncharted 2 and Heavy Rain to deliver similar experiences in the near future.
It seems like this generation of great game is just getting started.
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 6:23PM TheyDidItFirst said
johnnynumber5
i agree with you, videogames are possible of eliciting emotional investment that is far different (not better, that's a different argument) than any other form of art. Books and movies are both passive experiences that tell stories about those on-screen or in their pages superbly, but the investment in a character that one controls is almost, for lack of a better word, magical.
*SPOILER*
The credits scene at the end of the new PoP, where the character carries Elika out of the temple and realizes what he must do to save her (and I really wanted to save her) is easily one of the most powerful moments I have ever experienced in any book, movie, or game
Reply
i agree with you, videogames are possible of eliciting emotional investment that is far different (not better, that's a different argument) than any other form of art. Books and movies are both passive experiences that tell stories about those on-screen or in their pages superbly, but the investment in a character that one controls is almost, for lack of a better word, magical.
*SPOILER*
The credits scene at the end of the new PoP, where the character carries Elika out of the temple and realizes what he must do to save her (and I really wanted to save her) is easily one of the most powerful moments I have ever experienced in any book, movie, or game
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:45PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
Did anyone see that show he did on SciFi (i refuse to recognize SyFy)???
I'm sorry, but crazy old man is craaaaaaaaaa-zy!
Reply
I'm sorry, but crazy old man is craaaaaaaaaa-zy!
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:48PM TheDarkWayne said
which one? Striperella or who wants to be a superhero?
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Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:55PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
See below.
I love the Joystiq reply button.
Reply
I love the Joystiq reply button.
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:52PM theroostarr said
Yea he's crazy, but he's a legitimately awesome dude. This only adds a zillion to his record skajillion awesome points
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Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:50PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
I'm equally amazed at the imagination of Mr. Lee and the joy he has brought to my life through his iconic creations.
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Posted: Sep 28th 2009 10:53PM hey buddy said
He's cool, but don't forget the "Lennon" to Lee's "McCartney," Jack Kirby:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby
Reply
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:51PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
The superhero one. I became disgusted by the second episode but, like a train wreck, watched the entire debacle unfold before my eyes. I lost a lot of respect for personal idol that day.
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Posted: Sep 28th 2009 5:02PM TheDarkWayne said
i blamed that more on SyFy (i accept the syfy name primarily to brand it of it's failure).
Reply
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 5:05PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
Perhaps. But I imagine a guy like Stan Lee gets to retain a lot of creative control when it comes to production. If not, he should. The cheese of the program definitely felt like him, though.
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Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:57PM Tre said
Yeah, yeah, so will he make (not-so) invisible cameos in games based off of his characters now?
I'd love to see an old man in my games. Maybe he might end up being the Mandarin's master or something.*
*Since the Mandarin himself is pretty darn old, I figured it would be pretty ironic to see an older man.
Reply
I'd love to see an old man in my games. Maybe he might end up being the Mandarin's master or something.*
*Since the Mandarin himself is pretty darn old, I figured it would be pretty ironic to see an older man.
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 4:58PM (Unverified) said
What are the rules on Respectfully pointing out Spelling/Grammatical Errors here? As I noticed one in this Article and I did not want to appear rude in pointing it out.
Reply
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 11:56PM WiredKnight said
First you have to learn when and when not to use capital letters.
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Posted: Sep 29th 2009 7:49AM (Unverified) said
You are right, of course, I do that quite often but I'm not entirely sure why.
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Posted: Sep 28th 2009 5:09PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
Make it happen.
For further encouragement, see my failed attempt at a response below.
Reply
For further encouragement, see my failed attempt at a response below.
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 5:01PM PoisonedAl said
Nope, I can't. I just know too much.
I'm so, so bitter...
Reply
I'm so, so bitter...
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 5:07PM (Unverified) said
My right hand, I swear not two days ago I wrote in Notepad, "Video games are little computer miracles."
Granted I was high at the time, but I don't think the statement is any less prolific.
Reply
Granted I was high at the time, but I don't think the statement is any less prolific.
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 5:08PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
Godammit Joystiq! What is up with the reply button?
Reply
Posted: Sep 28th 2009 5:07PM (Unverified) said
I got to meet Stan a few years ago when working on a project for Sony. He is a truly nice guy and still full of wonder. I hope I can be half as cool when I am that age.
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