The Great Decline of American Video Games

One does not need to be an "accredited game scholar" to observe a change in recent years regarding the quality of video games produced by American developers and publishers. That change being a dramatic spiral into absolute garbage. From the late 80's to roughly the mid 2000's, American video games were exceptionally high quality and value but low in cost. Furthermore the culture of the industry was characterized by passionate fans and smart, bold developers/publishers who had a relationship of mutual respect. Within this climate video games flourished. Not because games were "mature" or "socially meaningful" but because they were fun and exciting. It was a hobby for all the enjoy.

But something changed. Or rather, a number of things changed. I lay the downfall of the American video game industry on four "horsemen", if you will.

• The Big Bang Theory (and television in general)
• Closely related to the above, Fad Culture
• Social Justice and the Desire for Authority and Control
• And the worst of all, global economic downturn.

I'd like to write full articles about the latter three, but The Big Bang Theory and the idiot box selling subcultures to people sort of kicked off this whole shitshow. Americans are desperate for television (usually a sitcom with massive popularity) to tell them what is cool, what should be said and done, and what shouldn't. If you don't think this is the case, remember when "the Rachel" haircut became the dominant hairstyle for women everywhere? 

The Big Bang Theory, or TBBT for short, is the new Friends. And believe me, I cannot think of a more grievous insult. But whereas Friends just inspired women to wear a medium cut hairstyle, TBBT implores its viewers to be like the "cool nerds" on the show. Who are actually, get this, a bunch of not very nerdy people but very gifted performers. Friends sold a haircut. TBBT sells a lifestyle. 

But the lifestyle that The Big Bang Theory is selling is also perfectly timed. We live in a world dominated by advanced technology that requires a lot of skill and knowledge to operate and understand. The "nerd", at least the educated, employable sort, have come to dominate. So most average American television views are interested in being a "nerd". This is where The Big Bang Theory is a horrific failure. If TBBT inspired Americans to learn more about math and science, it would be the greatest show ever and I would be its' biggest fan. But that isn't what it implores. Instead people thought the key to being "nerdy" is to play video games, read comic books, and be sort of "off" but not in a too weird sort of way.

The Big Bang Theory, and television in general, sold "nerdiness" to an entire country desperate for a "something" to be. It set the stage for an entirely new sort of video game "fan", one for whom playing video games was of minimal importance.

*A quick aside about TBBT: No theoretical physics professor at CalTech has time to live the wacky, adventurous life of a sitcom character. That has always bugged me.*

The Great Decline of American Video Games Part 2: Fads and Social Justice coming at some point.