Bonnie, my dear, haven’t you noticed yet?

I’m always right!

;-)

Sure, but it’s never an all-or-nothing thing: it’s not like your only options are ever “total passivity vs complete freedom.” Every game operates within certain fixed limits and usually have some pre-defined endgame state. Obviously, some are more rigidly structured than others, but it’s mostly a difference of degree, IMHO.

When people talk about movies, books, et al being “passive” I think what they really mean is “fixed” or “non-interactive.” You cannot change the content of a TV show or novel; but you can interpret it in different ways from other viewers. So a show like Lost may be sprinkled with clues, red herrings, etc. that not every viewer will pick up on or interpret in the same way you do. But you cannot directly interact with so-called passive media, in the sense of changing its form or function. I.e., the media remains fixed, but the perception of it is fluid.

Games, by their very nature, require active input from the player to progress: even if that input is fairly minimal or the structure of the game is fairly linear, it still requires effort to advance. If nothing else, the pacing and flow of the game differs depending on how you play it.

But if you think about it, plenty of games are pretty limited in choice themselves–in the overall at least. Sure, you can control whether you step left, right, shoot now, or later–but usually, in order to progress, you have comply with a set plot and a set ending. In that way, linear games can leave little room for meaningful deviation or input.

For me, TV and Movies are always passive experiences, even when they make me think. For me, its simple, if I can’t influence the actions of the characters (either directly or indirectly) its not a game. I would even call ‘choose your own adventure’ books games, because you have a tiny amount of choice/control.

While I think Media that involves a person (congnitively or emotionally) is more enjoyable media, I wouldn’t call it a game.

Now 24, thats a kick ass show.
Ah, our other addiction. Scott and I are Netflix fiends. We just finished the second season, and we hear the third gets pretty wackp. Jack Bauer, my hero-ish. (Kim Bauer, total flake.)

Hey, did you watch all the special features yet? It’s so cute to see them, you know, not actually facing imminent death.