SESSLER'S SOMETHING: What Makes a Game a "Game"?

This week on Sessler's Something, Adam reflects on the Video Game Awards, and the backlash surrounding the announcement that Telltale's The Walking Dead is Game of the Year. What do YOU think about their GOTY choice?

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• Category

  Gaming

[ChickenBirdIceCream]

Adam is an icon and god among gamers!

[rudyv1972]

I've been a gamer for 32 years, I've seen and experienced the evolution from Pong to Far Cry 3 (awesome by the way). It's amazing that a game like Walking Dead can win GOTY. I think it deserves it as it packed an emotional wallop I haven't experienced since Fable 2. But I consider Walking Dead less of a traditional video game and more of an evolution of the "choose your own adventure books". It's awesome to see character development and story trump game play!

[TheOldSchoolCrisis]

It doesn't "Trump" the gameplay, It is a part of it. The story and character development are supported by the mechanics of the game. It is that sense of choice that makes the game that much more visceral and it is important we recognize that if we are going to understand how to develop games as an art

[Ryan Gunnell]

He definitely seems to enjoy his work more :) that's good

[HeavyArtillery6]

The walking dead is the only thing that's made me cry so it's a masterpiece to me

[GangWarlord]

Adam's wearing a totally badass-looking shirt in this video. The dense texture almost makes it look like chainmail. I've gotta keep my eyes peeled for a shirt like that next time I go shopping.

[SlyMagma]

Yea, as a minute percentage of the gameplay. But if you ask anybody who's a fan of Mass effect if the social interactions and verbal conversation and decision making gameplay, they will all say yes.

[Sed1er]

There are objectives and shooting and leveling up and collecting things. many basic gameplay elements in that.

[SlyMagma]

So is Mass effect. To claim TWD isn't a game is like to claim 70% of the mass effects games to not be "games" either

[SlyMagma]

Not exactly. Because unlike a dvd, you are constantly making interactions. And it is actually in regards to what you are playing. 99% of things that come out of your characters mouth, you choose to say. It affects peoples reactions to you and whether they like you, hate you, and whether people live or die. To say Walking dead is not a game is like saying 70% of the mass effect games are not "games"

[AmericaTheEnslaved]

so by some people saying walking dead is not a game; i guess that secret of monkey island and the cave aren't games either.

[Garcatch]

derp.