Regarding Scott Hayes’ recent review of “Video Games: The Movie”; Mr. Hayes spent more time ridiculing those who would choose video games as an activity, than he did reviewing what I don’t doubt is an underwhelming movie.
In fact, my first sense was that he might have a chip on his shoulder with regard to video games as a whole. I wondered if perhaps a video gamer had hurt him sometime in his past.
If Mr. Hayes were to look outside of his closed circle which so vehemently opposes video games as a valid form of art or media, he would find that nowadays, not only is the statistical average age of a “gamer” 35 years old, but that a large majority of smartphone owners actually play video games on their phones. In 2014, it’s even not uncommon to meet a staggering number of people in their 40s and 50s online while playing online games. It’s also amazing to think that so many people can do so without the extreme result of neglecting their families, and can still enjoy nice walks in the garden, as the two activities are actually not mutually exclusive of one another.
Unfortunately Mr. Hayes isn’t alone in his sentiment, as there are others out there with outdated perceptions that think nothing of blowing several hours each night watching mindless “reality TV”, but scoff at someone who would rather engage in the social activity of online multiplayer gaming, just because it’s not their cup of tea.
As an avid golfer, I can attest that a six-hour absence from home and a couple hundred dollars spent in that time has a far greater impact on my family and my responsibilities than the result of my playing a Tiger Woods golf game on the Xbox after the kids go to bed. No doubt Mr. Hayes would find the former socially acceptable and the latter abhorrent and immature.
It’s disappointing to see such petty judgments and character generalizations still being made in this modern age of tolerance. I’d speak for “gamers” everywhere and apologize that the movie wasn’t very good, but not many of us are as fortunate to be actually paid to review such pap.
Rick Rowlan, St. Albert
