Comments on: On eXistenZ and Immersion: from the Immersive Fallacy to the Immersive Apogee?

By: Frank Lantz

Frank Lantz — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:34:30 +0000

Of course there is nothing fallacious about a player's preference for detailed, high-resolution, naturalistic simulations.

>> Nobody is asserting that it is the be-all and end-all

Actually, the idea that some version of the holodeck is gaming's manifest destiny is fairly common. Here's a quote from a recent article in the Escapist:

"The interesting thing is the holodeck is inevitable. Even now, we have the ability to build a rudimentary version of this wondrous technology, and it doesn't take too far a leap to see that this is where the gaming community wants to go."

(link to article: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/i...)

>> Given that such players are entitled to wish for such an experience, is there any reason why developers are not also entitled to try to offer it to them?

Of course not!

>> Anyone who does not enjoy it can play FarmVille instead.

...or Harvest Moon, or Tennis, or Starcraft, or Go, or Picross 3D. In fact, why do we have to choose either/or? Vive le difference! Many paths! Mind the gap! Long live the demoness Allegra!

By: Ewadams

Ewadams — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:56:38 +0000

The so-called “immersive fallacy” is not a fallacy at all, but a player preference that some developers seek to fulfil. Nobody is asserting that it is the be-all and end-all; after all, FarmVille is more popular than Far Cry. But who are we to assert that players should not want to immerse themselves as deeply as they possibly can, to abandon the real world as utterly as it is possible for them to do?

Given that such players are entitled to wish for such an experience, is there any reason why developers are not also entitled to try to offer it to them? No one's ox is gored. Anyone who does not enjoy it can play FarmVille instead.

By: Mitu

Mitu — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:36:46 +0000

Hi Mike, Thanks for reading and for the comment! You're right about drug abuse, too. A recent discussion with a friend about my post led to asking, “if what we perceive as reality is a collection of electrical signals in the brain and nervous system, could this be manipulated via drugs too?” Really, perhaps it's the same issue.

The last sentence of the film is my favourite too. :)

That's interesting that you use eXistenZ in your classes – do you happen to have notes available online that I could look at?

By: Dr. Mike Reddy

Dr. Mike Reddy — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:27:14 +0000

Great write up of eXistenZ and strange hair

By: Dr. Mike Reddy

Dr. Mike Reddy — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:26:17 +0000

What worries me more than total immersion in games is the opposite in real life – one example of which would be drug abuse – which is at the heart of the Realist (Terrorist?) movement in the movie. My favourite comment in the game is the last sentence spoken…

I use eXistenZ in my first year classes each year. Thanks for providing me with another set of good follow up links!

OH, and DEATH TO THE DEMONESS ALLEGRA GELLAR!