Game as a Medium

This week's post is about the subject of gaming as a specific medium, and how it might be considered literature. I decided to write about one of my all-time favorite game series: Sonic Adventure. The first time I played Sonic Adventure on was a Dreamcast, which brings back so many memories of my childhood. A Dreamcast is so old that it isn't even being manufactured anymore, which makes it even more nostalgic to write about it.

Sonic the Hedgehog, which is the main character in this game, is a pretty recognizable figure to any person, despite culture, age, race, or gender. This is due to the many varieties and themes of games that Sonic appears in. These games are not only limited to Sonic Adventure, but also include Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Rivals, and so many more other games. The range and variety of games of Sonic make it easy for anyone to pick a game and play and have a good time playing. Whether you like racing games (Sonic Riders), action and adventure games (Sonic Adventure), or fighting games (Sonic Rivals), you are able to choose from any type of Sonic game and be happy. Sonic games also include multiple secondary characters in the storyline, including Tails, Amy, and Knuckles, which make connecting to the game easier. It helps people relate to a different character based on their personality and how the character acts in the game. For instance, Tails is my favorite character because I can relate to him because such a great friend to Sonic and how he is always there to help him when in need. I also love Tails' childlike personality and how lively he is, and not to mention how he is able to propel with his tail.

The way Sonic also appeals to a wide range of age groups is another reason why this is my favorite game, because it means that no matter how old I get, I will still find a valuable place in my heart for Sonic. The older generation who grew up with the original Sonic can still find joy in playing the classic games on the vintage play-sets, such as the Dreamcast, while younger generations can find excitement with playing newer versions of the game on either the X-box or Playstation.

I feel like this game might be considered literature because of the different stories it has. You may not have to actually read anything on the screen while playing the game besides subtitles when the characters speak to each other; however, the way a person imagines the story in their head when they're reading, sort of like their own personal movie, is similar to what you see on the screen when playing. The game is a story in itself, however, different from a book or novel, the player is basically in control of the story in the game.