Metropolisforever
07-27-2009, 12:59 AM
Did you ever notice how many old arcade games are so deceptively simple? They have many deeper meanings in them, if you think about it.
Some examples...
Robotron: 2084 - This is the ultimate in bleak, dystopian sci-fi. Not only is it one of the greatest games ever made, but it's a daunting, harrowing look at a future gone horribly wrong. A future where shooting at government robots until you die is the only futile act of rebellion you have. An absolutely brilliant game.
Missile Command - Missile Command embodies the fears of the Cold War era. We are showered by bombs, and all we can do is desperately try to protect our cities until they eventually crumble to the ground. This is the Cold War nightmare. Missile Command is a really bleak, but important time capsule of Cold War-era fears.
Space Invaders - Space Invaders is the ultimate in bleak alien-invasion fantasy (or potential reality?) The aliens are literally unstoppable. All you can do is desperately try to shoot at them until they eventually blow you up and conquer Earth. Bleak stuff indeed.
And I've gotten some interesting suggestions on other websites. One person suggested Pac-Man is really about a man running from his inner demons by eating. Another person suggested Tetris is an allegory for the communist working class, where you can keep building and building, but there is no goal, no finish, and no feeling of accomplishment.
Have you ever tried reading deeper into classic arcade games? :)
Some examples...
Robotron: 2084 - This is the ultimate in bleak, dystopian sci-fi. Not only is it one of the greatest games ever made, but it's a daunting, harrowing look at a future gone horribly wrong. A future where shooting at government robots until you die is the only futile act of rebellion you have. An absolutely brilliant game.
Missile Command - Missile Command embodies the fears of the Cold War era. We are showered by bombs, and all we can do is desperately try to protect our cities until they eventually crumble to the ground. This is the Cold War nightmare. Missile Command is a really bleak, but important time capsule of Cold War-era fears.
Space Invaders - Space Invaders is the ultimate in bleak alien-invasion fantasy (or potential reality?) The aliens are literally unstoppable. All you can do is desperately try to shoot at them until they eventually blow you up and conquer Earth. Bleak stuff indeed.
And I've gotten some interesting suggestions on other websites. One person suggested Pac-Man is really about a man running from his inner demons by eating. Another person suggested Tetris is an allegory for the communist working class, where you can keep building and building, but there is no goal, no finish, and no feeling of accomplishment.
Have you ever tried reading deeper into classic arcade games? :)