Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over - Kotaku Comments

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

PsycheDiver — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:36:40 MST

hehehe... drugs.

PsycheDiver

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Pantsman — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:17:59 MST

Hell, I've been thinking the same thing for ages.

Pantsman

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

KM91 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:02:12 MST

I guess the Wii has the "magical amount" of charm.

KM91

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

peAr nectAr — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:43:18 MST

@erlik: So, what you're saying is, it's not a gateway drug at all? Like I said . . .

peAr nectAr

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

erlik — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:09:43 MST

It's true! My mom got into Wii bowling and the little shooting game in Wii Play, and now she's curious about other games. Gave SMG a try and seemed to enjoy it until it got too hard for her (about 10 minutes in, but hey). And actually seemed kind of interested while watching me play Uncharted -- warning me about baddies coming my way and trying to figure out where I needed to go next.

erlik

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

unmarkedone — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:42:52 MST

@Billkwando:

Haha, nice.

unmarkedone

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

fuchikoma — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:33:57 MST

Yep. I played a little Peggle this week, and before you know it, I had played video games for the last 20 years! :p

fuchikoma

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Billkwando — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:50:41 MST

"Wii Sports is a helluva drug!"

Billkwando

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

The Dark Defender — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:38:58 MST

He certainly seems to be doing some INTENSE thinking right there on the photo!

The Dark Defender

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Knukleur — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:31:26 MST

Spiky hair gel is a gateway rug.

Knukleur

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Leathersoup — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:48:00 MST

Would you kindly call casual games a gateway drug too?

Leathersoup

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

DankPanties — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:28:59 MST

Drugs... games... I, I can quit... quit anytime I want, thank you.

DankPanties

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name. — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:32:14 MST

I've been saying this for years!

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Leanid — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:55:37 MST

@Ninja-Z: Its mostly the so-called "hardcore" gamers that freak out over the casual push. A bit of history would show that most early games were casual games; the gaming industry didn't start out with 40 hour epics.

Leanid

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

boopadoo — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:28:36 MST

You can lump this casual games movement with pop culture and fashion -- they have a resurgence about every 30 years. As Mr. Levine points out, casual games now have the same mechanics of early arcade games -- simple controls, simple goal, collect points. It's that formula that he refers to at the gateway drug. For some, a pleasure center gets hit, and they look for more similar experiences, which led to the success of Carnival Games (because it was a spiritual sequel to Wii Sports).

Perhaps within the next decade, we'll see the resurgence of adventure games. Speilberg and Quantic Dream are already going in that direction. Maybe that's where the "Wii junkies" will eventually end up next.

I always like to hear what this guy thinks. It's certainly more thought-provoking that hearing from Mr. Jaffe -- It's like comparing Michael Bay to Michael Mann.

boopadoo

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

cheeses — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:05:50 MST

Video Game developer admits "Playing Video Games Will Lead to Heroin Addiction". Next on Fox News!

cheeses

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Ninja-Z — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:49:52 MST

Guy likes to use the term "Gateway Drug" over and over and over and over and over again, but he does have a good point. Nice to see somebody in the industry (and in the world, for that matter) who isn't freaking out over the push to casual gaming.

Ninja-Z

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

TheDollHouse — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:47:05 MST

Games are an addiction. It started off with a bit of Mario here and there. Then I met Laura. She raided tombs and she made it look so glamorous. I've been hooked ever since. I even prostituted a friend for a game once. The worst thing is that the game didn't even play. I was so pissed! I really wanted to play Stretch Panic!

TheDollHouse

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Spiffyness — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:46:36 MST

@Deux_ExMachina: I wish I could be that epic. Levine should give epic lessons.

I do have ONE epic tip, though: when walking over an extended period of time (walking TO somewhere, not for exercise), listen to "Tenrai ~Divinity II~" from the Advent Children soundtrack. You'll gain +20 epicness.

Spiffyness

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

peAr nectAr — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:45:36 MST

I'm having a hard time following his logic here. "Gateway drug" implies that people who play casual games will eventually get into the "hard stuff," but I don't see that happening very often. The people who bought Wii just for Wii Sports don't really go out and play games like Crysis or WoW. Or maybe they do and I'm hugely ignorant to the pattern of casual-to-hardcore gamers.

peAr nectAr

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Deus Ex Machina — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:35:45 MST

@Spiffyness: Just about everytime I have seen Levine he looks like he is thinking of something super epic. I think he is simply an epic man.

I agree that the Wii can be like a gateway drug. I know people who never understood gaming but they can see the appeal in the Wii and they now realize why I play games.

Deus Ex Machina

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

_Ted_ — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:34:07 MST

So Wii sports=pot?

_Ted_

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Erwin — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:32:30 MST

@okenny :): Specifically these by the way: [kotaku.com] [kotaku.com]
Yes, "manateen" was intentional. I'm not some stupid child-man.

Erwin

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Truepatriot — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:31:04 MST

@Old-school Sonic fanboy:
haha ty ty.is it weird that when i read "wii sports is a gateway drug" my first comment was the first thing i thought of o_O?

Truepatriot

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

okenny :) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:27:19 MST

@Erwin: aww drats! Well just to set the record straight, it was my friend that enjoyed dolphin hex as in casting spells on dolphins. I accidentally typed "s" instead of "h"... repeatedly... say, it's hot in this room... I'm gonna go log off and open the window. bye!

okenny :)

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Erwin — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:26:02 MST

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: My mom tried acid and cocaine, but she never stayed on anything stronger than marijuana. This wording could still work.

Erwin

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Ludwig — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:24:22 MST

My instance on casual games is that there are Adult and Kids casual games.

To make my point, the largest casual games are Gran Turismo / Flight Simulator and GTA.

How many adults/People in general you know that own a PC/Console just to play those games?

I wish Wii had more adult casual games, realistic simulators, etc..

Ludwig

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

NeoAkira — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:23:00 MST

@ShaggE: hahah that was pretty funny.

I've kind of always thought that casual games would help people ease into other types of games, but like Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB said if they end up not liking the game or something it might just turn them off of trying other games; which kinda sucks because most casual games...kinda suck.

NeoAkira

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Erwin — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:22:43 MST

@okenny :): Nothing like that. Trust me. Just poking fun at people who are sure to use this as admittance of video game addiction and its unhealthy side effects
*runs hand under stall separator*

Erwin

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Spiffyness — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:21:27 MST

@Spiffyness: and why is that picture of Levine so Fsking epic?

Spiffyness

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

goldwings — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:20:33 MST

Wii sports was only a getaway when I had others to play with, but other than that it wasn't a form of an escape. It was just me flailing my arms like an ass.
Man why does Levine remind me of Luke Wilson O_o???

goldwings

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Spiffyness — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:20:05 MST

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: Yeah, that's a pretty good way to put it. Not all people will "get" games, but casual games are a good way for those that will appreciate them to get into the medium.

Spiffyness

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

okenny :) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:17:24 MST

@Erwin: I'm not exactly sure what you mean but I'm going to go ahead and... recommend dolphin sex. I hear the females literally pull you into them so I'm guessing it is as good as what you said but dolphins are cuter... if you are saying what I think you are saying.

*goes into bathroom stall and taps feet*

okenny :)

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

wolfeditor — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:16:13 MST

The ultimate game drug is snorting those pieces in atari/nes/genesis/etc cartridges that rattle around inside when moved about. Trick is getting them out and having the game still playable.

wolfeditor

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:14:41 MST

I know that this door swings both ways.

I have one friend who started on Karaoke Revolution, and now plays Midnight Club, GTA and the like.

I also have another friend that started and Karaoke Revolution, and never moved past casual games.

I don't really think it's the Wii Sports. It's the person. If they're destined for games, they'll find it some way. If they're not, Wii Sports isn't going to change it.

Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Kadugen — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:14:17 MST

I can't wait for the PSA where the dads grilling his son about a wii remote he found

Kadugen

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Balance_In_Life — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:13:45 MST

So does that mean that in his book COD4 is the heroin of the gaming industry? That would explain why I haven't stop playing it in months. Bastards!!!!! As long as I don't see any baby's crawling on the ceiling though we'll be alright.

Balance_In_Life

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Dakobah — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:13:33 MST

doesn't he look like the guy from X-Files?

forgot his name now.

Dakobah

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

elevenoverzero — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:13:29 MST

I really like that building behind his shoulder (the one without the clocktower).

elevenoverzero

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Old-school Sonic fanboy — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:13:25 MST

@Truepatriot: So yeah, it's about midnight here, and for some odd reason your comment made me burst out laughing. Very nice.

Old-school Sonic fanboy

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

ShaggE — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:13:02 MST

So, Ken... would you say casual gaming is... say... a "gateway drug"? You weren't very clear on your stance there, buddy.

ShaggE

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

slacker164 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:12:33 MST

So drugs really are good! :D

slacker164

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Truepatriot — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:11:38 MST

i used to play tetris now im addicted to meth.

Truepatriot

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Morberis — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:11:22 MST

It`s true, I started my friends off on Wii sports and some of them have migrated onwards with the promise of better games. Others on the other hand have quite believing that games don`t get better than Wii Sports despite arguments to the contrary.

Morberis

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Erwin — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:11:14 MST

Those manateens and their gateway drugs and virtual orgasmic rape, etc.

Erwin

Ken Levine Calls Casual Games a "Gateway Drug" Over and Over

Old-school Sonic fanboy — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:08:31 MST

Is he some kind of addict?

Old-school Sonic fanboy