Entertainment Software Vs. Video Games: Is there a difference

[Azurill]

I think that there is! In fact, I truly HATE the term "Entertainment Software", because it doesn't give us gamers any artistic taste.

ES=The Sims, Second Life, Webkinz, GUITAR HERO ect.

VIDEO GAMES, on the other hand, have genuine stories, characters, and locations. These titles PROVE that our industry is artistic, and if we lose this, we'll be just considered a ton of "programming nerds".

Video Games=Final Fantasy, Sonic, Mario, and tons more.

So, which kind of title do YOU like more?

[Redunkalous]

I like video games more, but now you can buy video game software for the computer too, so if a sibling is hogging your game system, you can go use your computer to play Halo 2 for Windows, or Guitar Hero 3!

But I still prefer consoles...

[JJHmngr]

I prefer video games but I play harvest moon occasionally.

[Brad]

I personally don't think there's any difference. Is a game like The Sim's not considered a video game? What about Animal Crossing? Same thing? How about World of Warcraft?

In all those games, there's no real structure to the way you play it and there's not real character or storyline (though some may beg to differ).

It's a huge grey area and you can't really draw the line between those two types of games. I enjoy both almost equally because one gives you a more linear, traditional approach to gaming whereas the other gives you a blank canvas to create your own story and setting.

[Kica]

What is populous and Age of Empires if the sims is ES? Because I like RTS games like that too. D;

[Azurill]

I'm not saying that ES is bad. I'm just saying that it's not healthy for our industry. Why? Because that's what the majority of American games are, and it's moderately rare to see a western developer make a JRPG.

Besides, so much of the time, ES games are similar. I mean, is there REALLY that much of a difference between Everquest and WoW? How about between Guitar Hero and Rock Band? Sure, there are a few superficial differences between them, but for the most part, they're pretty similar without all the instruments or other features.

[shad0w48]

I kinda swing between the two, some days I feel like Guitar Hero and DDR (I'm guessing it's ES) and other days I feel like Half-Life and CSS.

Video games have been what I've played the most (as I'm a huge Mario and Sonic fan, not to mention Mario Kart and Pokemon), but I've had plenty of fun with ES, because it keeps you busy for hours without ever reaching the 'end' of a story.

I'd say that in the end I don't know which I like more, because both of them keep me happy. And as long as you're happy, it shouldn't matter, right??

[or am I wrong?]