Today's games are no longer child's play

Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta

When you hear the term video games, you might immediately think of children huddled in front of a TV screen or monitor, shooting down alien invaders or jumping over barrels thrown down by that ugly Donkey Kong. The general public has always considered video games to be for the very young and not fun enough for adults. That way of thinking, however, is extremely old-fashioned.

Go to any shop selling video game consoles or software and you're bound to see not just small children begging their parents to buy the latest Mario game, but also university students and businessmen clutching a PlayStation 2 or X Box.

These young people represent a generation that grew up during the Nintendo revolution of the late 1980s, an era when the Mario Brothers ruled supreme. Now in their late 20s, they are more open to video game technology and not affected by the stigma of playing them.

The game industry has taken note of this and released a variety of entertainment programs to attract the mature generation. Today's games are no longer the two-dimensional shoot-em-up types but can be intelligent, engrossing and totally dependent on the interactive choices of its user. They can provide a totally immersive experience that drags people into a whole new world. This is something Hollywood movies seldom do.

One good example would be simulation games. For those not fast enough with a game pad or keyboard to shoot hordes of mutants, aliens, terrorists or pan galactic monsters, they can choose a leisurely sim game and build railroads, theme parks, cities and even relationships.

Many things must be considered in creating worlds. In Sim City for example, you must contemplate city transportation, taxes, job creation, entertainment zones and other things if you want to keep your job as mayor. Sim games practically have no end as they totally absorb the user/gamer into their unique world.

For those who want more excitement, they can always choose an action-packed game or other mature themes to suit their fancy. The controversial Grand Theft Auto 3 allows gamers to play the part of an irredeemable thug, whose primary mission is to complete crime missions in order to advance to the next level. Made by the irreverent Rockstar Games, this is definitely not a game for your 14 year old as you steal, cheat, kill and become a general menace to society.

Despite its antisocial antics, Grand Theft Auto 3 provides excellent game play, since it combines the driving skills of Formula One and the gunplay of Tomb Raider. The storyline is highly riveting, with voice acting provided by some of Hollywood's finest. Michael Madsen, Kyle MacLachlan and Robert Loggia provide some of the game's theatrical moments.

Another example of a mature storyline is Max Payne. Another Rockstar Games release, the story follows the metamorphosis of an undercover cop, bent on revenge for the murder of his wife and child and framed for a crime he didn't commit. Although the storyline may not be too original, audience participation is. As Max Payne, you must fight your way past an army of thugs, find the evidence and put your tortured demons to rest.

The game reads like a graphic novel, with the feeling of watching an old film noir crime movie. With the incorporation of the Matrix-like bullet time technology, you can dive down in slow motion while shooting a gang of thugs and actually see the bullets fly by. With this John Woo-like experience, this game makes you feel like Chow Yun Fat!

Movies have always offered a sense of escapism for their audience. What people fail to realize is that games today offer the same feeling and much more. While movies last for two to three hours, playing an interactive game could last days if not months. Instead of watching a SWAT team take down a group of terrorists, be a part of the action and learn valuable team tactics for a hostage situation.

Experience the virtual feeling of driving down the Hockenheim Grand Prix racetrack. Feel the fear of facing hostile aliens in a dark corridor, trapped in a starship, with no way to escape. These games are not for children anymore. Even the U.S. Army has joined the fray, releasing an ultra-realistic combat game to try and drum up recruitment.

Games can provide a virtual extension of real life experiences in different scenarios. And as technology advances, it won't be Tom Cruise on the screen chasing bad guys. It will be you. Your decisions, your reactions determine the course of the story. And that would make one interesting movie.