TV Show “Lost” Is Like a Video Game?
I ran across an article today that suggested the TV show “Lost” could be considered a type of video game. Now, I admit that I haven’t seen enough of this series to base my arguments on my experiences with the show, but it got me thinking about the different ways in which modes of entertainment bleed into each other. Can a TV show be said to emulate video game characteristics by simply dropping hints and mysteries into its plot? Could one really consider it a video game, then?
Unlike traditionally passive television shows, which expect viewers to zone out in a couch-potato haze, “Lost,” which returns with new episodes Wednesday night, has embedded clues throughout. It’s these recurring tidbits — and the patterns they form — that make “Lost” the first show to resemble a video game.
It makes me wonder: why a video game, and not just a game? There are plenty of board games that incorporate videos into the game play. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that these are “video games” in the traditional sense of the term.
A video game implies a certain amount of player involvement. I like video games because I have a certain level of control. You could probably spend 24 hours a day trying to figure out the clues in “Lost” and it still won’t impact the action on screen. So would I call it a “video game” … no. I think one can approach it as a game, certainly. But to label it a video game is going too far.
What do you think?
5 opinions for TV Show “Lost” Is Like a Video Game?
Lishesque
Jan 10, 2006 at 8:49 am
I think that picture looks really dirty.
And I agree that most people would expect a “video game” to contain some form of player interaction and control. But the words “video” and “game” in this case could also be interpreted separately to mean a game that is played visually, or by watching, or something. But that’s just semantics. :)
Patrick
Jan 10, 2006 at 9:25 am
You are right, I can’t control them unless they have a voting system like American Idol.
And they don’t even know how to cast spells…
Matt
Jan 10, 2006 at 9:52 am
I don’t know. How much control in a video game do you really have? Most story lines are linear and you can generally only follow one path. You may have some control on how you get to that next objective, but if that just means you can enter a room from 3 different areas that doesn’t mean a whole lot.
Now, I haven’t watched Lost. I may be the only person in the world who hasn’t, so I can’t say if it resembles a video game or not. Interesting analogy though.
Tor
Jan 10, 2006 at 11:56 pm
One of the “theories” behind Lost is actually that (the story that is) it’s all a big game, that the goverment has set up, or something like that. Of course, other theories are that Locke is actually God.. *thinks* Anyway, I suppose it could be one of those games where you just go straight through and end up at a set ending, but most (as I like to call them) real games have a good/neutral/evil ending and storyline… But I wouldn’t hoot my horn and go around slapping people if they did :) *has lost track of whatever he was thinking in the first place*
Please excuse any kind of bad english as it’s eaaarly in the morning.. *yawn*
Quigley
Feb 15, 2006 at 2:47 am
Girlz: Lost borrows from the great video game “Myst” and also from “Princess Mononoke” and “Touchign Spirit Bear” - but it is primarily a Creation Myth for the new Millenium. Google my web site, Quigley in Exile. - Cheers, Quigley
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