Can a Game Made to be a Movie Tie-in be Good?

A movie tie-in is any product that is made based off a movie and, from what I hear, they tend to suck. But why is that? I mean if they are bad ones then there must also be good ones, right? Well, that depends on who you ask. Many would just say no, but I’m the kind of guy that likes to say yes and no. I think that there are a few out there that are good. Sit back, relax, and prepare to rage – we’re going to get cinematic up in here.

I define a good game as something that you can eventually beat and as a game that you enjoy playing. I’m not saying that because a game is hard means it’s bad. Just look at Dark Souls for an example of a great game that’s also difficult.

Using this definition, many of these so-called “bad” games actually start looking like good ones. Most of them can be beaten if given the effort and time, not to mention a rage that equals an internet reviewer.  

As for enjoyment, I find the best way to enjoy something is by immersing yourself within its world. If I can do that and if the gameplay is smooth, I’m happy. But if it’s like driving a tank that can only move in reverse on a race track, forget about it. You might disagree! Gaming enjoyment is subjective and it’s not like I’m some kind of evil puppet master whose opinions you have to agree with. (Cue lightning.)

What I don’t enjoy is when someone releases a game that is unfinished. An example? Oh, I don’t know, maybe E.T.? But if you can find something fun about playing a game that is chock full of bugs, glitches, and has no ending, then you’re a much better person (or maybe just more patient) than I think I am.

That’s why I said yes and no in the beginning. What makes any kind of game good or bad depends on the person playing it. Anybody can have fun playing a bad game, just as they can have a bad experience playing a game that many consider to be good.

You all must know what’s coming now right? I mean, it is me, after all. So: what do you wish to add to this topic? You can write anything that you want — the comments are all yours, as always.

Okay, now that I’ve said my piece… This is my last blog, so I just wanted to say: thank you for reading these and every other blog you’ve read on Spine Online. Have yourselves a wonderful day!

Image by EuropaCorp

Image owned by ATARI

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Jesse Hill

Jesse Hill is a second year student in the professional writing program at Algonquin College. He wishes to be a novelist.

Here We Go!

Image by Niap3d

Mario Kart: why the heck do people love it so much? Is it just because it’s a Mario game? Or does it go a bit deeper then that? Well, as someone who has played it once or twice and watched it online many times more, I believe that I am qualified enough to try and answer this question.

So first off, the fact that Mario Kart is a part of the Mario franchise of video games means that it is always going to be at least somewhat popular. The loyalty of its fanbase and possibly because of how mainstream the Mario series is contribute to its longevity. There is, however, a plausible gameplay reason for why it’s so popular; namely, it is a highly competitive racing game – especially if played with friends. This is also aided by the fact that a decent amount of people are naturally competitive, adding more fuel to the fire.

But my last and, in my mind, the best reason behind why this is the case might just be because of how engaging and fun the series’ gameplay is. Just look it up online if you don’t understand what I’m talking about. I had a lot of fun just watching it. Imagine how much fun it is to actually play it in real life. From what I experienced and saw, it looks and feels like you’re driving in real life. I don’t know about you folks but I would be first in line to play something like that.

So that is what I thought to be the best possible reasons for why the Mario Kart video game series is so popular. Now I’m not saying that any of this is correct. I don’t have any fancy PhD’s or anything better than a high school diploma. This is my opinion, which will probably be different than yours. But for the most part, I think I have all my bases covered here. Though I would like to know what you, the readers, have to say on this matter. So if you would be so kind, I ask you to answer: why do you think that the Mario Kart Series is so popular? Why do you like it? Or, why don’t you like it?

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Jesse Hill

Jesse Hill is a second year student in the professional writing program at Algonquin College. He wishes to be a novelist.