LONG BLOG
Integrity Vs Monetary Gain
Star Wars: The Force Awakens just opened up worldwide and a big question has been on my mind; where does art end and money making begin? One of the biggest struggles I've had in my life is dealing with the fact that, to make a living, I need to accept money from people.
All I've ever truly wanted to do was exist in this world and help others. That I need to constantly be searching for work and getting paid puts me in a sour mood. That some of my favorite entertainment properties also exist to make cash also gets me agitated.
I wasn't alive at the advent of film, but I can't imagine that visionaries who saw the format were immediately thinking of monetary gain. Artistic integrity had to have been present for some of them.
To take it back even further, what of famous authors or composers? Was Shakespeare simply churning out comedies and dramas for cash? Did Mozart take his talent for music and use it solely for personal gain?
When I review a film or game, I tend to look at it like a piece of art. I certainly understand that not everything is created to stimulate the mind, but most works have a purpose. Someone doesn't come up with an idea and then pause their train of thought to consider how to market the thing.
I've always believed that film makers and game developers create to express themselves more so than inflate their pockets. It sickens me when I read stories about selfish producers or greedy corporations churning out endless amounts of trash for misinformed masses.
The Force Awakens happened to actually be good, despite existing solely for money. The film makers behind the project put a lot of passion into their craft, but that doesn't excuse the film's cynical nature. This is a nostalgia vehicle with plenty of fan service and a vague connection to what came before.
Does that mean I shouldn't enjoy it? Are the themes present in the film not worth discussing? Do any of the people involved truly care about the project beyond launching it? It's tough to think about.
Nintendo seems to be riding the nostalgia train of the Legend of Zelda as hard as they can. That series is my personal favorite game franchise, but even I am beginning to feel queasy. Nintendo definitely is whoring it out with re-releases and updates.
Don't forget your amiibo! *additional fee of $13.99*
Big publishers like Activision and EA have relied on their "flagship" franchises for over a decade now. Call of Duty has become a November staple despite negative feedback from the more current titles. Battlefield hasn't gone away since 3, even with skipping one year for a Medal of Honor title (made by the same developer, no less).
Mario has turned into a bloated excuse to keep a legend around. Sega won't put Sonic out to pasture. Capcom is trying their damnedest to copy everyone else. What happened to the games made with love and care?
I know indies exist (in both the film and game industry), but those are hardly getting the attention they deserve. You also have indie developers like Double Fine who are leaning on their own pasts to create a sequel to a game that don't really need one.
It feels like artistic integrity has long been forgotten. To create any kind of brand recognition takes too much effort for studios to invest in. Gigantic budgets and record breaking sales aren't required to make something successful, but companies tend to close down without positive reception.
The cost of production for films and games has ballooned out of control. To stay in the business that one may love, they have to compromise their own desires to work on something that is devoid of integrity. Artistry and revenue don't co-exist.
It breaks my heart to see this. Maybe this is all a part of growing up and following the development process so close, but I'm really becoming jaded to films and games. I want to see brand new things, but even I am afraid of buying into a game that I know nothing of.
When I pick up a new Zelda, I at least know the general premise of what I'm getting into. If I go for something like Undertale, what the fuck am I supposed to expect? The name doesn't really make sense to me and the small glimpses I've seen of it are ambiguous. That doesn't instill confidence in me.
Is it possible to make something with your heart and soul and then demand people pay you for it? I personally don't agree with that. The reason I gave up pursuing a career as a gaming journalist was because of the struggle I had with asking for money.
I love to discuss my thoughts on games and what I feel playing through a new experience. To tell people that they need to pay me before I do that is gross. Why should anyone be required to fork over their hard earned money for my stupid ramblings?
I want my message to get to other people, not have it locked within a cage. Stories that intrigue me always have some kind of deeper message or meaning. They pay respect to their viewers and don't compromise their creator's being. That is what I've always sought out.
That doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Anything truly new will be swept under the rug to make way for the corporate machine. Visionary ideas will be buried in favor of guaranteed success. Maybe I should just fall in line and accept my check.
LOOK WHO CAME:
